Bea & the Broken Record

Chapter 9: Established Colors

"What is this place we're going to, then?" I leaned against the wall and stared at her. It was like she was back to herself. That didn't surprise me since she's pretended to be okay for the past few years when really, she's not.

"Ever heard of a surprise?" She clicked her tongue and stood up quickly. I took a moment to observe what she was wearing while she fiddled in her bag. She had skinny jeans that captured every curve perfectly and a tan shirt that looked loose. She was looking very energetic with her hair down and wavy.

"I've heard of surprises but I hate them," I clarified as I walked closer to her. Her eyes grew wide and she looked at me shocked.

"You're just saying that," she shook her head at me and placed her hands in her hips. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Not kidding. So you should probably just tell me where you're kidnaping me to," I pressed. Bea suddenly smirked and stepped closer to poke me in the chest.

"Not a chance big boy. Let's hit the road," she jabbed her thumb in the direction of the front door with an eager expression.

"Wait," I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, catching her as she stumbled over her own two feet. She looked at me expectantly as I glanced around the house. I wasn't quite sure of how I was supposed to bring this up.

"Um... are you okay?" I breathed. There was no being shy about it now.

"What do you mean?" Bea asked, face reddening the slightest bit.

"After last night I thought you weren't going to be the same," I blurted out. I had to hold back the urge to slap myself for saying that. Bea looked down at the floor shyly. I put my finger under her chin and lifted her face up.

"I feel like an idiot." She finally said, throwing her arms up and letting them fall to her sides.

"Why?" I asked her. She puffed her cheeks out and stared at the wall behind me.

"I dumped my problems on you, Asher. That's not cool for someone to do. I'm sorry I did that, by the way. I wanted to take you somewhere to make up for last night - every single minute of last night was a disaster," she babbled quickly and frustrated, running her fingers through her long hair and clutching tightly to the bottoms of it.

"I don't care about what your parents said and I don't care that you feel like you dumbed your problems on me. All I care about is that you're okay," I stressed to her. "You don't have to make anything up, Bea. How many times am I going to have to tell you that?"

"You won't have to say anything else about it," she said simply. "Let's just pretend like last night never happened at all and go have fun today."

"Bea -"

"Asher, please?" Her big hazel eyes bore into mine and I knew I couldn't say no to her.

"Fine, but this is going to be just as much fun for you as it is me. No special treatment. Got me?" I stuck my hand out to shake. It reminded of our pinky promises last night to each other.

Bea grabbed my hand in hers and shook it. "Got you." Her grin grew wider as she pulled me toward the door. I grabbed my wallet off the kitchen counter and shoved it in my back pocket before leaving.

Bea sat down in the front seat of her small white car while I sat in the passenger side. I wasn't very happy with sitting shotgun, but she insisted on driving because she was determined to keep this location a surprise. I didn't argue with her on that since I knew better than to argue with a girl.

It always turned out exactly that opposite of what I wanted.

"Are we there yet?" I groaned impatiently. Outside the window tons of cars passed us, several had been following us since we turned onto a different highway. We had to have been traveling for about an hour, listening to loud music on CD's Bea said she burned and laughing at stupid things we saw or thought of.