Running Home (2 page)

“You’re not doing porn
, Carmen.”

“Oh
, come on. Two chicks, one guy, starring the fabulous Carmen Westin!” I gave him a wink. It’s not like I’d do porn. Well I might if the money was right.
Never say never right
?

“So
, when will we know if you passed?” Walker asked as he turned off the Bronco in my driveway.

“I hope tomorrow, but who knows. I think they have to have the list to the principal on Wednesday
, so he can sign off on the ceremony. How about we intercept it before it reaches him. We can dress like ninjas, and show off our karate moves. Then slip my name on that bad boy and deliver it with a smile.” I couldn’t help but laugh at my crazy idea.

“First
, you’re going to pass that stupid test. Second, what ninja skills are we talking about?”

“The ones I’ve been practicing for the last t
en years, duh.” I laughed, and flung the door open to hop out.

“You did dance for a couple weeks when you were like ten. That was the last time you did anything that resembled working out
,” he replied as we walked up to the kitchen door.

“You don’t know everything about me
, Walker. I do have
some
secrets.”

“Don’t give me that;
you are about as open as a twenty-four hour drive thru McDonalds.”

“I hear we are gettin
g one of those,” I said quickly trying to change the subject.

“Nice try, but I know you
, Carmen. I’m starting to believe I know you better than you know yourself,” Walker mentioned, while he opened a cabinet and grabbed two glasses. Walking over to the fridge, I seized the milk, and poured the ice cold liquid into the cups. Handing one to him we both took a seat at the table, letting the silence from our awkward conversation fill the air.

I don’t know what I would do without this man sitting across from me. He had been there through thick and thin; sitting with me in detention
, because he wouldn’t let me take the full blame on something I always messed up on, breaking curfew with my grandparents and having them ground me for weeks so we would spend every Friday night watching movies until they set me free again. This was the man who would pick me up and brought me home from school, always made sure I had eaten a meal, held my hair back when I partook in too much alcohol, and loved me unconditionally. How was I going to make it without him watching over my dumbass self? Why couldn’t he just come with me? Oh that’s right; he is already stuck in this trap of a small town; local sports hero who would join the sheriff’s department after he graduates. Basically, a parade should be thrown for how fricken fantastic he is.

I quickly gulp
ed down the remainder of my milk in jealousy; all I wanted was to feel free from the constrictions this town placed on me. I was Carmen, the screw up; the girl who would never be good enough for Walker: the town prince. Some messed up Cinderella story my life had turned out to be.

“Walker
, sweet boy, would you go grab Henry from the barn? I’ve got dinner on the table,” I heard, as Grams handed the plates over to me to set out.

“Sure th
ing, Mrs. Montgomery,” Walker responded while walking out the back door in search of my grandpa.

“That boy is something special. W
hy can’t you two just go steady?”

“Grams
, it’s not like that between us. Besides, no one goes steady anymore when it’s just a matter of heading to Vegas and stopping by the drive-thru chapel of love, then a quick jaunt over to the local court house to void the papers.”

“Life isn’t as negative as you paint it to be
, Carmen.”

“Really
? Because my parents are junkies, I can barely pass high school, and am dying to get out of here!”

I refuse
d to cry over the shitty deals my life has been given. Yes, my parents are drug addicts, but shit happens. They don’t deserve a single tear to fall from my eyes. The best thing they ever did was leave me here, and that says a lot; considering I’m counting down the seconds until I get on a Greyhound bus out of here. There is nothing but a big ass black sucking hole in this town, just waiting for the new graduates to step out into their future at the local Dairy Queen and Quickie Mart. No one ever leaves this hell hole. It’s like an invisible force field that blocks people from moving on.

H
owever, I’m about to shake up that electrical current. I wasn’t going to die in this one horse town, I wasn’t made to have lots of babies, and teach Sunday school. I was meant to travel the world, bare my soul to anyone willing to listen, and show that there is life after high school. It was about time for someone to kick this town in the ass. I refused to get stuck here.

“You and Me” Boyce Avenue

Walker

Carmen drove me absolutely insane. She isn’t able to commit to anything in life always flying by the seat of her pants, and it normally ended in disaster. I have held her hand since we were eight; never once doubting her ability to succeed in life when she claimed she was doomed. I have stood up for her when others tried to bring her down, made sure she got home after a night of drinking herself into oblivion, and played her chauffer for the last two years because she was always terrified to drive. So to hear that she is still hell bent on leaving this town basically breaks my heart in two. I have loved that girl since I laid eyes on her walking into Miss Treva’s third grade classroom. I am the only person in this world that has seen the real Carmen; she has an amazing soul when she lets people see it. I’ve tried to keep her here, but I’m afraid that it’s going to be the real end. After ten years of devoted friendship, I was finally going to lose my best friend to the lure of the Hollywood lights.

“Thank you
, Mrs. Montgomery, for dinner; as usual it was fantastic,” I praised as I stood and collected my dishes. “Oh, Walker, you know I love having you around. Now, if you could only rub off on Carmen some more, I’d die a happy lady,” Grams smiled, glancing directly at Carmen,

“You know I’m still sitting right here
,” Carmen sneered.

“Obviously child
, if I’m looking at you.”

I quickly place
d my dishes in the sink and walked over to grab Carmen’s. She offered me a slight smile when I removed her plate. I know it bothers her when Mrs. Montgomery rides her, but it’s not like it would ever change. Authority was never something she favored, and I knew she lived with a bar of soap in her mouth when she was younger. I just wished she showed her family a little bit of the Carmen I got to see every now and then; I’m sure they would love the soft interior she kept hidden from the world.

“Well
, if we are done with the pick on Carmen hour, I believe we have something to tend to,” Carmen exclaimed as she walked over to grab her coat.

“Sorry
, Car, my mom has some things for me to do tonight.”

“What?
You mean I’m stuck here tonight?”

“Don’t think of it as stuck. I’ll see you in the morning
,” I spoke, softly while gently placing a light kiss to her temple and headed out the door. I quickly climbed into the Bronco and put the beast in reverse, praying she wouldn’t run outside after me. I needed tonight to myself. It was getting too close to graduation, and I had to figure out how to keep this woman here and in my life. Glancing in my rear view mirror, I noticed Carmen standing on the porch, watching me as I drove away into the night. I loved that girl, and there had to be a way to get her to stay here with me.

The ride to scho
ol the next morning was silent. I knew she was still mad at me for leaving her by herself for the evening, but oh well. What was she going to do when she skipped town? I refused to follow her. I loved my life in this farm town everyone knows your name, and you could always count on someone to be there when you need it. I have no intentions of leaving this place, and I still didn’t understand why she hated it so much. This town is my home; I was born here and I’ll more than likely die here, and that was okay with me.

“So
, Friday night party down at the rock quarry. You game?” Carmen flashed me a smile. Even if she was breaking my heart, I could never say no to her.

“Of course;
I just don’t want to stay out too late.”

“Walker
, this is the last party we will ever partake in together; let’s get a little crazy!”

“When are you not crazy
, Carmen?”

She shrugged a
nd swung herself out of the truck. I couldn’t help but watch the way her long dark brown hair blew in the breeze this hot summer morning. Her tight jean shorts that barely covered her ass looked fantastic on her, and pairing it with her old vintage Cash shirt that was almost two sizes too big for her small body made even the married men drool. I’ve wanted to call her mine forever; to caress her lips with mine, rub my hands all over her naked body, and treat her like a lady, like she deserved. However, that wasn’t going to happen; I was stuck in the forever category of ‘best friends’.

“Hey
, slowpoke, are you coming? I’ve got to go try and seduce our history teacher if I didn’t pass that test,” she said, as a wicked grin came across her face.

Sad thing is
I knew she wasn’t joking; whatever it took to get the hell out of here was her only thought process right now. Selling herself for an A was an easy out, in her mind. Hell, she would be ecstatic if he gave her a B.

“
You’re going to pass, Carmen, so knock it off.” I rolled my eyes; I knew the teacher wouldn’t take her up on her offer anyway. He wasn’t dumb enough to lose his job for a quickie in the closet, even if Carmen was scorching hot.

“Well
, just in case, do you have a condom? Never can be quite sure.” Carmen laughed as she skipped to the door.

“Not funny
, Carmen.”
Not funny at all.

Walking out to the Bronco after the last class
, I was unexpectedly accosted by a pair of tan legs wrapping around my waist. “Where have you been, Walker? I have the most amazing news!” Carmen shrieked into my ear.

“What
, you decided that staying in town was a great idea?”

“No loser, I passed the test all on my own! I didn’t even have to flash him a
little boobie,” she laughed as she dismounted from my body.

“I’m proud of you
,” I said, with emptiness in my voice. I was happy that she managed to pass without having to result in using her sex appeal, but it was one step closer to walking out of my life.

“I do believe this calls for ice cream.”

“I’ve got stuff to do for Mom’s shop tonight,” I mumbled, while climbing into the beast. I needed more space; I couldn’t break down now and begin to beg her to stay. If she wasn’t going to willingly, then I had to let her go. Might as well start now. “Seriously, Walker, you’re passing up ice cream?” She looked at me like I had three heads all talking at the same time.

“I told you
, Carmen. Mom needs help at the shop tonight. Don’t worry we are still on for Friday night.”

“Yeah
, but that’s like three days away.” She pouted. Was three days enough time to help stop my heart from breaking? I’ve had the last thirty-six- hundred, give or take, days to not fall in love with her, and, well, that didn’t happen. It was going to be a fucking miracle if I could get over her in three days.

“Guess you better get used to being on your own
, since you want to fly the coop so soon,” I said with not an ounce of compassion. This was killing me; and as petty as it sounded, I wanted her to feel how I felt; the uncertainty of tomorrow was my biggest fear right now. “Guess you’re right, Walker,” Carmen replied quietly as she stared out the window.

I refuse
d to let this destroy me anymore than it already had.

I kept our friendship super casual
for the next three days. Carmen knew something was up but never pushed me to tell her what was wrong. Hell, I even asked Brittany Evans out on a date for Sunday night. I had to take control of my future; I knew she wasn’t going to be a part of it, so might as well find someone else to have a little fun with. Sitting around and moping would only go so far; I needed to enjoy life again, without all the doom and gloom hanging over my head.

Sitting outside Carmen’s farm house
, I waited for her so we could head out to the party. Life would be easier if she had a stupid cell phone, but this girl refused. Some bullshit that people could find her and be able to tie her down, was always the excuse she gave if anyone ever brought up the cell phone issue. If anyone was looking for her, they knew just to find me; we were always together anyway. Well, that would hold true until next week when she runs off.

I glance
d at the clock and realized it was a little after nine.
Where in the hell is this woman
? I was about to get out and find her crazy ass, when a blur came sprinting across the lawn. “Sorry you had to wait for me, Prince Charming, but I was partaking in a little nightcap to get the evening started.”

An obviously already drunk Carmen hauled herself into the truck. I had to silently count to ten, because the clothing she had on tonight was making another member of my body take notice. She was rocking a pair of jeans that were so tight, yet had holes that seemed like they could barely hold on to her body. I’m pretty sure it’s the pair with the gigantic rip right under her ass; letting her left ass cheek show off its fullness. And what southern girl wouldn’t be complete without a confederate flag tank top that’s seen better days? Her lime green bra peeked through the sides, and the straps stood out against the small frayed edges of the tank top. Glancing down at her feet, I noticed she had on her favorite old worn boots, still sporting the mud from her bridge jumping moment last week. This was the perfect woman, if she could just settle the hell down and stay put for more than three seconds.

“
Let’s go, Walker; I need to get my drink on!” Carmen laughed as she leaned over to turn the radio station. I caught a glimpse down the front of her shirt as she bent down to turn the dial; the fullness of her breasts and tight stomach made my crotch scream for attention. “Walker Gene Mason, were you just sneaking a peek down my shirt?” she shrieked, trying to act all modest.

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before
,” I manage to rush out, throwing the truck into drive and begging my eyes to stay on the road and not look at her. “Oh, Walker, I know you love my boobs. Just think about how freaking amazing they will be once I get them done. I’m thinking a full D. Is that too much?” Carmen pulled her shirt up over her bra, giving me a full frontal view of her beauty.

“You don’t need a boob job
, Carmen. Seriously only strippers do that.”

“Maybe that’s my goal in life;
to get my tits done and learn how to work a pole,” she laughed while straightening out her shirt. I let out a sigh and flicked the station to something more enjoyable. I couldn’t listen to anything angry and screaming at the moment. My blood pressure was already through the roof tonight with this girl last thing I needed was hearing someone yell ‘do me’ on the radio for three minutes. “It was just getting to a good part,” Carmen whined as she rolled down the window to let the heat of the night swirl around us.

I kept m
y eyes staring out into the darkness; this was going to be my last party with her. Tomorrow, we graduate. We would walk across that little stage and be given a piece of paper that signified the last twelve years of schooling. We would smile and shake hands with the principal, pose for all the photos, and pretend that we weren’t scared to head off into the real world. Tomorrow, was the last day I would spend with my best friend and not have to worry about when she was taking off.  Any time after that she was just like a loaded gun, waiting for someone to pull that trigger so she could go off into the world unknown.

Pulling up to the gravel pit
, the fire was already blazing and the beer was flowing. “You know, I’m not going to miss this,” Carmen said as she swung the door open and hopped out.

“Whatever
, Carmen, this is always going to be home,” I muttered while shutting the truck down.

Leaning int
o the open window Carmen flashed me a smile. “This isn’t Kansas; trust me, I’m not going to click my heels and hope I end up home again.”

“That’s what you keep saying; I just keep hoping you don’t
actually end up leaving.”

“Get over it
, Walker, I’m out of here in less than one day. I can already taste the freedom.” She threw her arms out and twirled around, causing rocks and dust to kick up and swirl around her.

“Pretty sure you just got your own tornado there
, my dear,” I snickered while walking over to the keg.

“Oh please
, Wizard, can I have my virginity back?” Her eyes sparkled when a naughty smile spread across her lips.

“Carmen
, you and I both know that would never happen.” I handed her a Solo cup filled with a cold liquid.

She quickly snatched the cup and slammed
it down, wiping her mouth with the back of her arm. “Careful now, Walker; you and I both know what happened to that prize,” she warned as she wandered off into the darkness.

A h
itch developed in my throat, thinking back to the night; it was the only night we were ever on the same page about our feelings, and it was never going to happen again.

It was getting late when I glanced at my watch and noticed it was a little after two a
.m. “Hey guys, I’ll see everyone at graduation,” I said as I tossed my cup into the fire that was slowly burning out. “Anyone seen Carmen?” I turned back to the guys still draining what remained in the two kegs.