Chasing Cars

I had never driven so fast in my life. The sirens were wailing behind us and though my car wasn’t great, it apparently could hols its ground. The girl was laughing maniacally in the passenger seat. She was screaming and cheering as if we were in the front seats of a roller coaster. 

I made a hard left and got lost between the narrow roads in the old part of the city. Before I could even see the blue lights again the girl yelled at me to turn right and we disappeared into a back alley. The sound of police cars dimmed and their lights faded slowly from the back of my eyelids. The girl was still giggling like crazy. I just felt like I couldn’t breathe. 

“What on earth did just happen?” I asked confused. 

“You, my driver friend, have just helped me run away from the cops.” In my daze I hadn’t realised how young she seemed. She had freckles all over her nose and her hair was tied in a ballet bun. 

“What did you do?” 

“Oh not much, I just shot someone” The mad smile was still plastered on her face and I felt the colour drain from my face. “I’m just kidding! I did nothing, I just run away and didn’t want to go back home, that’s all.” She shrugged as if it was no big deal, but I could see fear in her eyes. 

“Okay...” I muttered. “Do you think I’m in trouble?” 

“I don’t know. Don’t think so, really, they’ll give up eventually.” 

“Okay..." I repeated. “So, what do we do now?” 

“No clue. What do you want to do? I’m Noah, by the way.” The mad smile widened a bit. It was clear that she was putting on a brave face, trying not to show how scared she was, but I could see it. 

“Okay...” I blabbered again, still high on adrenaline. 

“Nice to meet you Okay.” She offered me her hand. 

“No, I mean,” I staggered like an idiot. “My name’s Riley.” I took her hand. 

“What do you say we go bowling, huh?” she said after a moment of silence. “I know a wonderful place up Main Street.” She smiled again. Not the manic smile, a true one, one that reached her eyes and lit up her whole face. And all I wanted to do was make her smile again and take her away from whatever it was that scared her so much. 

“Sure.” 

“Then take it away, Okay.” She said as the engine roared back to life.