The Journey of a Thousand Miles

“You idiot, we’re going to be stuck in traffic for the next four hours. Why didn’t you merge onto the I-95 going through Alexandria?”

“The GPS said to turn right.” Jace said as he gripped the steering wheel.

“The GPS also gives you the most roundabout directions possible. I told you, Alexandria has less traffic. You pass the capital on this route, idiot.” Cordelia shouted at Jace from the passenger seat.

“You think you know more than the GPS? Oh give it a rest, Cordelia. Stop with this know-it-all attitude, it’s getting rather tiresome.”

“I’m not being a know-it-all. I’m trying to point you in the direction of the most convenient route. When my family drove to Florida, my dad made a point to not go through DC.”

“I suggest you shut up.” Jace said through gritted teeth.

“Fine, see if I care.” Cordelia said as she placed headphones in her ears and drowned out Jace’s voice with Chopin.

To be quite honest, Jace had taken the exit Cordelia had told him not to take to spite her. He was not sure why, but he enjoyed this riled up brunette. He had since childhood.

Four year old Jace Michaels walked into his classroom on a cool September morning. His mother had insisted that today was a very special day. Today, he would start school, a place where he could play with his friends and read all the books he wanted and paint as long as he wanted.

Jace looked at the colorful room with a chalkboard in a corner and an entire corner filled with painting supplies. He looked up at his mother and pulled at the hand he held.

“Is this it, Mommy?” He asked with a wide smile, showcasing his missing front tooth.

“Yes, this is your new school.” Louise said.

“Oh boy am I excited for this.” Jace said but all of a sudden he noticed a pair of children crying.
Curious Jace Michaels walked over to the two kids and said

“Are you two hurt? Why are you crying?”

The little girl looked up and sniffled.

“My mother left me here all alone.”

“That’s alright. She’ll be back later. This is school and your parents are supposed to leave you here.”

“I don’t like school.” The boy said.

“It’ll be so much fun, you’ll see! My mommy said that we get to paint and read and play with blocks all day.”

The little boy smiled.

“I like blocks. Me and Amber make towers with them but mine are always taller.”

“That’s only ‘cause you knock mine over.” Amber said before sticking her tongue out at her friend.

“I’m Amber and this is Ryan.”

“I’m Jace.” The boy smiled and at that moment, with tears in their eyes, the kids made a friend.

As the three were talking about their favorite Power Rangers, Ryan liked the blue one but Jace thought the red was the coolest, another girl walked in. She was smaller than the others and looked more irritated than scared. She had her long black her in pigtails and wore a pink dress with enough frills to hide a person.

“Look, that girl looks lost.” Amber said before walking over to her. “Hi, I’m Amber.”

“I’m Cordelia.” The small girl said.

“You look mad.” Amber said.

“I am. My mommy is mean. I told her to let me wear my pants but she made me to wear this ugly dress.”

“I like your dress. It’s really pretty.” Amber said.

“I like your shoes. My mommy said I couldn’t have light up sneakers.”

“Thanks!” A frilly dress and a pair of light up Powerpuff Girls sneakers were all it took for Cordelia and Amber to become friends and when lunch rolled around, the two sat at a table with Jace and Ryan.

“Cordelia, this is Ryan. He’s my neighbor. And this is our new friend Jace.” Amber said to Cordelia.

“You’re really short.” Jace said. He didn’t like this girl. He thought Ryan and Amber were only his friends.

“Hey! That’s not nice.” Amber said.

“It’s okay. It’s not his fault his shirt looks like a picnic blanket.” Cordelia said, referring to Jace’s red and white plaid shirt.

It was those two comments that started the fall of the relationship that would follow for the next fourteen years. Two measly retorts and an unspoken agreement followed, neither would let the other breathe a moment’s breath of fresh air.

“Do you remember our first day of Pre-K?” Jace asked Cordelia.

Cordelia smiled at the mention of that day. But her smile turned into a frown when Jace came into the memory.

“You called me short.”

“You made fun of my clothes.” He retorted.

“It’s not my fault you couldn’t, and still can’t, dress yourself normally.”

“Well, you haven’t gotten much taller.”

“Oh, for the love of all things holy, will you two quit it?” Ryan said as he looked up from his phone.

“You two are idiots who are fighting over idiotic things that happened fourteen years ago. Stop already.”

Cordelia muttered profanities directed toward Ryan under her breath while Jace was a bit more vocal.

“No, we won’t quit it, douche.”

“No name-calling.” Cordelia said.

“Shut it, you.”

“Don’t tell me to shut it, Jace! Ryan, what did I say about that leash?” Cordelia and Ryan laughed at Jace’s expense while he scowled.

“You both suck.”

“Keep driving.” Ryan said.

“Can you keep it down? I’m sleeping.” Amber said from under a blanket.

“It’s noon. Wake up. You have to drive soon.” Jace said.

“Good luck with that Amber. Idiot at the wheel got us stuck in traffic, again.” Cordelia said.