Wild Night

Michelle was seething. She reminded me of a rattle snake waiting for a reason to bite someone. Today she was pissed at the world. Not just me. Or Jenn. She sat in her quiet rage. While the rest of us went about our day. Ignoring her. I was using Johnnys leg as a head rest. I stared at his baby face. He is an attractive fellow. Nothing like Matthew but attractive in his own way.

J.B: I can see up your skirt.

Melly: don't care.

Matt: lift your legs Melly.

I did as told he sat down and laid my legs across his lap.

Matt: your feet smell.

Melly: plug your nose.

I started scratching.

Matt: crack itch?

Melly: maybe. Is Brian in the back?

Matt: yeah he's still passed out.

Melly: hey Val.

Val: yeah Melly?

Melly: can Matt massage my calf?

He gave me a look.

Melly: what?

Val: got a charlie horse?

Melly: kinda feels like the start of one. I only ask cause he's the one sitting here.

Val: sure if he wants.

I looked at him. He leaned over a bit.

Matt: I don't need her permission to do things Melly.

Melly: I was being polite. Can you please massage my calf sweetheart?

His hands started kneading my leg. Michelle huffed.

Val: what's wrong you?

She asked looking at her sister.

Mich: nothing.

Val: then stop huffing and puffing like something is.

She shook her head, rolled her eyes, and went back to whatever her papers were. I perked a brow. It was a little out of her character but whatever. I sat up.

Melly: thanks.

Matt: I hardly did anything.

I shrugged and went to sit next to Val. She smiled at me.

Val: what's up?

Melly: nothing.

I made a funny face at Michelle when she wasn't looking. A quiet laugh met my ears. Matt was shaking his head with a smile.

Melly: got the pictures yet?

Val: fuck. Sorry Melly.

Melly: no worries.

Matt was looking my way. I know he wasn't looking at Val. His eyes met mine. I wondered what was going on in his head. Judging me as always. He's always doing that when he looks at me. Silently judging me. I slowly raised my middle finger. He smiled again. I laid back, falling in Val's lap. Catching her by surprise.

Val: oh!

Melly: yo Val.

I chuckled a bit. She grinned.

Melly: sorry.

She shrugged.

Melly: knock knock

Val: who's there?

Melly: annoying interupting neighbor.

Val: annoying inter-

Melly: Val is a big fat whore!

She laughed and shook her head.

Melly: thought you might find that entertaining.

Val: I did.

I nodded.

Melly: you've got a very snot free nose love.

Val: thanks.

Melly: good job.

She shook her head laughing a little. I sat back up. Matt was watching curiously. Don't blame him. I stood up and stretched.

Melly: Matthew.

Matt: yes.

Melly: stop staring at me.

Matt: I wasn't.

Melly: sure.

Matt: I wasn't.

Melly: I said sure.

I winked at him.

J.B: pit stop!

Melly: thanks goodness.

I was off the bus before it actually stopped moving. I almost bit it. The air felt good.

J.B: you gave me a fuckin' heart attack.

Melly: you should be used to me by now.

He walked off with his brother.

Melly: Matty Berry...

He looked back. I sent him a kiss. He smiled and shook his head. The pavement was warm against the bottom of my feet. It felt good. I let the sun warm my body. Hearing the others as they walked away from the bus. My body felt tiered. Nothing new.

Matt: what are you thinking?

I opened my eyes and looked at him.

Melly: many things.

Matt: like?

Melly: the sun feels good. So does the warm floor. Being here at this moment.

Matt: being at a truck stop?

Melly: yes being at this exact truck stop in no where Montana.

He smiled.

Matt: I'm just being a smartass.

Melly: really? I couldn't figure that shit out.

I shook my head.

Matt: here.

He held a smoke out to me.

Melly: where'd you get that?

Matt: took it off Johnny.

Melly: thanks...

I stuck in my lips.

Matt: what about being here?

Melly: huh?

Matt: you said about being here. In the moment.

I took the cig from my mouth and held it in two fingers. My eyes scanned the lot as if looking into my memories. A small smile played across my lips.

Melly: how far we've all come. You guys especially....

I paused for a moment. Closing my eyes.

Melly: I'm just happy to be here sharing it with you guys. Even if it isn't picture perfect.

Slowly I put the smoke back between my lips.

Matt: I'm glad you've stuck around so long.

Melly: I'm surprised you assholes "put" up with me.

Matt: we don't put up with you.

Melly: yeah.

Matt: can't put up with someone you want around.

My lips curled into a smile.

Melly: I'm just so fuckin' fabulous.

Matt: pretty much. If you don't like Val, why are you nice to her?

Melly: she's never given me a reason to be mean. But if you'd like me to treat her the way I do Michelle then I will. Your word is my command love.

Matt: no.

Melly: alright then. Zacky let me use your lighter.

He tossed his lighter.

Melly: thanks sweetheart.

Zacky: no problem.

I stuck a finger in one of his belt loops.

Melly: what did we get to eat?

Zacky: jerky. Chips.

My stomach made noise.

Melly: I can't remember the last time I ate.

I tried hard to remember.

Mich: you eat? I thought you only ever drank and smoked.

Melly: most people think that but that's the misconception they get of me.

I blew smoke in her direction and smiled.

Melly: I don't live off my mommy and daddy's credit card.

Mich: I don't use their shit.

Melly: oh that's right, you've got Brian's now.

Her eyes turned to slits. Her mouth turned into a thin line.

Melly: what? That one hit Brian's home?

I fake pouted. She stormed on to the bus.

Melly: bitch.

Matt: you're going to push to far someday.

Melly: I'd be more concerned about when I get pushed to far Matthew.

Zacky: its hard to really piss you off.

Melly: it has been done though. Ahh...I remember the last thing I ate.

Zacky: what was that?

Melly: a sandwich at some diner.

Matt: that was like three days ago.

Melly: that's the last thing I remember eating. I'm sure I've eaten inbetween that time. Was that three days ago? Are we talking about the same sandwich?

Zacky: you guys might not be.

Melly: I don't care at this point.

Matt: maybe you should eat.

Melly: what chips and jerky? Oh yeah so good.

Zacky: they are good.

Melly: I know baby but not exactly what I want to be eating.

I said as we walked on to the bus.

Mich: beggers can't be chosers.

Melly: I'm no begger Michelle.

Mich: you sure look like one.

Melly: my what did I do to receive such compliment.

I smiled.

Melly: I must look just so filthy and disgusting. How fabulous.

She rolled her eyes.

Mich: only you would take pride on how disgusting you are.

Melly: its because I'm amazing.