Have you ever been in a car chase?
In the movies, they make it look easy; but I tell you now! It's not!
I have not personally been in a car chase. But my cousin has been in one, or should I say, was in one.
She died that day.
Her boyfriend was a very sketchy fellow that had dealings with very sketchy people. We all know that don't usually end well.
The same sketchy people that her boyfriend trusted betrayed him for just some bags of cash.
I know, it sounds like a movie. But it happened. It wrecked me.
She was like a sister, especially because I'm an only child.
She rode with him that day. It was raining so hard. They were going to Walmart. She made him go there because they had ran out of toilet paper and he blamed her. She blamed him too.
So since they couldn't figure out who fault it was. Both of them decided to just go out and get some.
I was on the phone with her. We were talking about Wesley's crush on Zoey.
Gosh, her laugh was so magical.
I still hear it.
A black van started following them. She noticed first and told her boyfriend.
His name is Franky. He survived the crash with minimal injuries. I hate him for that.
Franky became agitated and panicked. He sped up. My cousin told him to just drive towards the police station. Which was not actually far from where they were.
He ignored her, as usual.
That idiot always ignored her. She deserved better.
He ran a red light and a kid suddenly ran across the road. He swerved and the car was spinning mid-air in no time.
The black van faded into the traffic behind. No one noticed it.
My cousin did though.
I could tell you her name, but I rather not. Her name brings a sharp pain in my heart that takes days to go away. So I don't say it. I just say my cousin.
She was the only cousin I knew anyway, so people would know whom I'm speaking about when I speak of her. Which I hardly do.
So right now, the idea of car chases ain't my thing.
I'm here driving this Altima as responsible as ever. Even grandmas are speeding pass me in their cute little cars.
Wesley used to complain about me driving so slow until I explained the story about my cousin to him. Now he just ignore it and we enjoy the ride. We make the most of it.
The AC is on and we're listening to a Jazz song. Wesley is busy on his phone, tapping his keyboard determinedly.
"Zoey?" I ask him.
My voice startles him for a second.
"Oh, yeah. She's going on about how great Grey's Anatomy is." He chuckles.
I smile widely.
"Isn't that your favorite series?"
He nods without looking at me. He's smiling at his phone like a love-struck idiot.
I'm happy for him. I really am.
I can see Sterling's Tesla not too far ahead. He's not driving fast either. The traffic is light. His lips are moving and he's bumping his head. I bet music is playing and he's singing every single one. Typical Sterling.
His black hell hair bounces around slightly. His eyes are focused ahead.
A loud horn interrupts my staring. It's a man driving a Pathfinder. He glares at me and overtakes me. He drives ahead of me, blowing more horns.
He's probably irritated that I'm driving moderately. Another word I like to use for driving slow.
In a few minutes, we stop in front of my building. I get out of the car and I throw the key lightly on Wesley's lap before he can take off his seatbelt.
"You're evil." He says playfully.
"I know." I say with one of my brightest smiles. "But you love me." I wink at him.
I love to tease him.
I look around for Sterling but he's already walking towards us. Finding a good spot to park was hell for me. But it seems Sterling found an excellent one.
"Hi." He says when he reaches us. I smell his perfume and I take in a take whiff of it. It's heavenly.
"So when are we going in, or are we just going to stand here?" He asks.
I really don't want to argue with Sterling. He obviously will still follow us even if I tell him not to.
He proved that already by driving here without my approval.
I sigh. "Okay. But you better be on your best behavior." I say to him while narrowing my eyes at him.
"I will be a saint." He says with a childish smile.
"Whatever, let's go." I say in a boring tone.
They both follow me to the elevator and in no time, we are in my apartment. It's actually a penthouse.
My mother must be in the kitchen. She always spends her time there when she's not working. She watches cooking channels and has a whole book shelf full of cooking books. Her addiction, I guess.
"Mom? I'm home." I call out to her.
"In here." She says. She voice sounds relaxed.
I guess she's not mad at me anymore for sleeping out and not informing her.
I walk towards the kitchen and the duo follow me. Sterling and Wesley.
"Hi, mom." I hug her tightly. She smells like cinnamon.
She hugs me back and then kisses my cheek. "Are you okay, baby?" She strokes my cheek.
I nod but then reply. "Yes, mom. I'm doing well." I release her from the hug and walk around the kitchen, checking in the pots.
"What are you making?" I ask her in a cheery tone.
She hasn't noticed our guests yet and my fingers are crossed that she don't.
Her eyes meet Wesley's eyes in no time and she squeals excitingly.
Oh gosh. Here comes mom and her fantasies about Wesley and I getting married and have kids.
"Oh." She walks over to him. He's smiling and opens his arms wide. Already prepared for the hug. I knows the drill.
"Baby! How are you?" She kisses him on the cheek.
"I have been good, and you?" Wesley says freely. Wesley in person is a shy person. An introvert, but all that changes around me and my mom.
Her eyes moves to Sterling and he's standing tall and confident. My heart skips a beat.
She looks at him familiarly and hugs him.
What the literal hell?!
"Oh Sterling, why didn't you tell me you were coming too?" She asks warmly.
She turns to me.
"You didn't tell me you knew him? He's an angel!" My mom says loudly.
Why do everyone I know know him?!
And I know nothing about him!