AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“They misspelled ‘party.’ How evil genius can they be?”
He angles his body around to get a good look at the guys scrambling toward the car dragging their packs.
“Look,” I explain. “These guys could be our cover, okay? The cops are looking for two crazy teens, not a carload of college kids on the way to spring break. With those guys on board, we just look like any other caravan on the way to Daytona for spring break. We slide under the radar.”
Balder speaks up. “Cameron’s battle plan is sound. But I have seen these types before. They take pictures,” he says, exhibiting a little yard-gnome post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Don’t worry, Balder. Nobody’s taking any pictures. You’re totally safe,” I say.
“Still, I think it best if I assume my enchanted form. I shall ride beside Gonzo.”
Quickly, Balder scrambles over the front seat and gets gnomy with it just as this big, doughy guy throws open the back car door.
“Hey, man. Thanks for picking us up. We’ve been standing out there for hours.”
“Because other people, sane people, know not to stop,” Gonzo mutters under his breath.
“No prob,” I say. “I’ll pop the trunk.”
Five minutes later, we’re back on the interstate.
“So what school are y’all from?” the doughy guy sitting in the middle asks.
“Texas Community College,” I lie. “You?”
“Gold Coast University,” he says, and there’s a round of earsplitting football-stadium yelling. “Coast U! Coast U! Coast Uuuuuu!”
The guy on the left says, “We call it Coast U because they coast you through.”
“Amen,” the guy on the right says. “You don’t even have to pick a major till you’re ready to graduate.”
The real estate beside the highway blooms with gas stations, all-night waffle houses, home decorating centers, and gigantic all-in-one retailers. The cars line up to enter the parking lots.
A fresh billboard’s just gone up. It’s a picture of a little girl holding a snow globe and smiling in awe. PROTECTING YOUR SAFETY. REMOVING THE UNPREDICTABLE. ENSURING YOUR HAPPINESS. UNITED SNOW GLOBE WHOLESALERS: WE’RE WORKING SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO!
“So do you have a major?” I ask, training my eyes back on the road ahead.
“Not yet. I just want something that’ll make me a sweet pile of money. Some desk job where I can play Hot Hoops or Casino Cash on my computer most of the day and still collect a check.”
“Y’all going to the Party House?” the guy on the right asks.
“No. Just passing through,” I say.
“Oh. We’re going to the Party House,” he says.
“Party House!” the guy on the right yells suddenly, startling me.
“Marisol is so fine!” Middle Guy says. “She will be mine!”
“The chicks are out of control at this place,” Right Guy announces.
“So, you’ve been before?” I ask.
“No,” he says, a little defensively. “But I’ve heard.”
Right on cue a carload of teenage girls pulls up beside us. They’ve got ponytails flapping in the wind. “Dude, roll down your window!” Right Guy yells to Left Guy.
“Hey, y’all going to the Party House?” Right Guy shouts.
