Jason talked to my mother the entire dinner, trying to convince her that a road trip to Aaron's was the best idea that a human being could think of.

My mother said no at the beginning of dinner. But Jason was persistent and a little charmer besides having a few consistent arguments—it's the last chance we have to travel before college starts, it would be an amazing gift to celebrate the end of high school, it would be the last chance we would have to enjoy our childhood friendship, and Jason was a little depressed thus it is would be fantastic if he could have the company of his older friend in this adventure.

During the entire dinner, I did everything I could to not start laughing in the middle of the argument. Because they make it seem that they are discussing world peace, and it was hilarious.

My father was having the same problem because sometimes he would wink an eye at me while my mother was not looking at us. It reminded me of my childhood when Jason and I messed up with something and my father had to try really hard not to laugh at the mess we made, because my partner and I were very creative in that department.

At the end of dessert—a lemon pie, Jason’s courtesy—when Jason did not have an argument anymore my mother said yes. A grumpy yes, but a yes. And as I expected, she put all the conditions that I had previously informed Jason that would have in our little road trip. But it was a yes, and yes was all that mattered.

***

On Saturday—our trip’s day—Jason came in through my window at seven in the morning.

His hair was wet and clean. I could smell his citrus scent from afar. And he had an easy smile that made my heart race inside my chest.

“Are you ready?” he asked, throwing himself on top of my bed.

“Almost. But I still need to have breakfast,” I said, pushing him off my stuff.

He looked at me with these beautiful, innocent eyes and said, “let's have breakfast on the road.”

“What? Why? No, I am hungry.”

“Let’s celebrate our first travel’s with all the pomp,” he said, giving me a bigger smile.

I laughed.

“With all the pomp? Really? I did not think we were talking about the same trip, mister.”

“I think we were, Little One.”

“Enlighten me,” I said, closing my suitcase on the floor.

“Well, burger and French fries, chocolate milkshake, and of course, an apple pie. All very fancy, obviously, just for you, Little One,” he said slowly and carefully.

“Obviously," I said with sarcasm dripping from my mouth like poise. "Did you plan all this a long time ago, or did it all come spontaneously?"

“Spontaneously. Just now, actually," he said with a lazy smile.

"No way. Amazing. How did you do it?" I said with wide eyes.

"It's a gift, Little One."

"Incredibly," I whispered.

I saw his body shaking before I heard him chuckle.

“Okay, I'm serious now,” he said with laughter in his voice, “I can make us a smoothie, and we can eat the cookies from yesterday."

“And the muffins too?” I asked hopefully.

“The muffins too,” he said, getting up from my bed and walking to the window."

***

We got on the road thirty-five minutes after Jason sneaked through my window.

The sun was already bright in the sky, but it was a perfect day because of the wind.

Jason was driving.

The radio was low in the background.

My belly was full.

And I was busy feeling the sun in my skin, the wind in my hair and with my feet on the top of Jason car's box glove.

I was happy for the new adventure. But despite that I was still anxious.

It was eating me alive.

My palms were sweating and my chest was aching at the prospect of the unknown future. I was happy to be there. To be with Jason. But I was scared of the proximity that I would have with him. I was scared of the inevitable hope that would arise in my head. That it would ruin everything I had worked so hard to build. That this hope would grow and turn to poison and run wild inside me.

Because I was so scared of what would happen if my feelings for him became so clear that I would not be able to hide it anymore. I was scared that the friendship I had held for so many years in my heart would be destroyed. That I would lose him. That we would be torn apart forever. And in some way I felt that those days were the beginning of the event I had dreaded for so many years. That I had tried to avoid at all costs.

But despite this storm inside my head, I could not stay away from him. I felt like a moth desperate for light, so reckless I would threaten my own safety at the prospect of even a few seconds near the light.

My light.

But sadly I knew I was doomed to a lightless end.

"I liked your t-shirt," He said, quickly looking at me. "It's new?"

His voice was soft. Calm. It scared me because the car was so silent that for a minute I thought the world had been suspended as I dried my emotions in my head.

I looked at my brand new baby pink t-shirt with little sunflowers on it.

I looked at him.

I looked at my t-shirt again.

I was proud of the new design and the total composition of that piece.

"Yes, it is new. But I am still working on it.”

“That color looks good on you,” he said with a smile.

“Which one?”

“Both,” he said along with a wink. “I think Aaron will want one. He loves your designs. Actually I think he would easily trade me for one of your t-shirts.”

I laughed.

An easy and happy and spontaneous laugh.

“You think so?” I knew the answer to that question. But I just wanted him to confirm this common knowledge. Because it brought so much joy to my heart.

He rolled his eyes but granted me this little childish act.

“Yes, I think so.”

We were silent for a while as I gloated over the idea that someone cared about my t-shirts.

“Shall we stop to surf?” he asked with anticipation shining in his eyes.

I put on my sunglasses, raised my arms up and yelled with as much joy as I could muster, “YES!”.

He accelerated the car while screaming along with me like two crazy people.