Destination: Unknown

Chapter 2

"Where are we now?" Aleigha scrolled through her Spotify playlist as another one of her songs played in the background, connected to the radio via bluetooth. They'd been driving for hours, and she knew they were far away from home now. The June weather was absolutely beautiful, and she and her best friend were three days post graduation. The idea to go on this spontaneous road trip all belonged to Winter. Leah had to admit that it was a good one, even if she'd had her doubts at first.

In all honesty, Winter had no answer for Leah's question. She was the impulsive type who acted before thinking and when she'd grabbed a card (or three) from the family safe alongside a few packs of Benjamins and keys to her father's Range Rover convertible, she had a pretty good idea of what she wanted to do. She needed her and Leah to get to Florida for the End of Summer Rave. It was only one of the biggest parties that existed and since this was their last summer before the serious life of college began, they simply needed to go. And Win was definitely not going to stay at home with her boring parents who never talked about anything else than their firm. Plus they could be really mean assholes so Winter didn't hesitate for a second when taking their money and the car.

It wasn't as though the girls had jobs or money of their own. They'd just graduated high school, after all. The eighteen year olds had their whole lives ahead of them. Leah had been looking forward to a quiet summer-- or, as quiet as her friend would allow. She wasn't the quietest person in the room, ever, but Leah loved her anyway. When they'd met in middle school, they'd been put in the same class and Leah would have never expected them to become friends.

Win and Leah were thick as thieves ever since Winter stood up for her. Leah had been getting picked on by one of those pretty, perky blonde princesses, and Winter had come to her rescue. She'd punched the girl square in the face and threatened her, and since the girl was too afraid to tell the principal who'd done it, she got away scott free. Ever since then, they'd been practically inseparable.

"Ooh!" Pressing on a new song, she reached to turn the radio up. Quiet and shy by nature, she'd been friends with Winter long enough that she wasn't as shy around her anymore. Turning the radio up meant that she was ready to , and she knew Win was, too. They both sang along to the song as Win flew down the highway, taking them anywhere. They had no destination in mind, and not really a plan, either. But they were free, and determined to spend however much time they wanted taking advantage.

Great car, her best friend, amazing music, all the money they could imagine and the world open to them. Graduation was three days ago and it already seemed like months. Win was never the type to stay at home and be the daddy's little girl. It was only natural that she and Leah came up with this rebellious plan and were on their way to see everything the States had to offer. A few hours on the road, the wind in their hair and Win already felt so incredibly free. But without any clear plan, she just parked in front of the first motel she saw and didn't care how shady it looked. Plus it was already getting dark and Win was driving for quite some time so she needed a rest. They both did.

Leah could feel her heart rate pick up a little bit and she shot Win a quick look. "Here?" She asked, as her friend pulled up to the front.

"Might as well." Win shrugged and hopped out of the car, looking around. In the dark though, everything seemed to be the same. The seedy motel was not exactly the best place for two young adults to seek shelter but it felt safer than just continuing to drive and risking falling asleep behind the wheel. Creeps were crawling up Winter's spine as she was looking around still, trying to determine where the hell they actually were but everything dissolved into one sinister picture of a place in the middle of nowhere. And yet she was putting on her brave face, acting like nothing was up, like this was just a normal routine for her and Leah, a casual hangout for the two girls. "Be right back, I'll get us a room." she laughed softly and hopped away, all excited.

Win went inside to book them a room, leaving Leah alone in the car for a few minutes. The brunette turned the radio down, her eyes looking around as though someone was going to jump at her at any moment. The only person she saw though was a dark haired guy as he walked out of the office. They made eye contact at her and he winked. Immediately turning her head forward, she sank down in the seat of the convertible, her breath catching as he walked on past, likely to his room. She blew out a breath and her friend rejoined her a few minutes later. She drove them down to the end of the motel and they got out, starting to carry their bags inside. "This place better look less scary in the morning." She muttered as they started inside the room, Leah casting the parking lot one more glance before the door swung shut behind her.