Wanderlust

7- The Change

“Okay, so they know that we’re from Pennsylvania, so they think that we’re going to be going either back to Pennsylvania or continue west.”

“Yeah, so what are we going to do?”

“We’re going west.”

“What?” I asked incredulously. “You just said that they know that’s what we’ll do.”

“Well, first, we’re going to go south to a city called Akron. We’re going to leave your car there and pick up another one and then continue west. That way, they think that we’re actually going south.”

We were on the highway again, apparently going south which was Thomas’s order, to go south.

“But-“ I began to protest for my baby’s sake, but he cut me off.

“I know you love your car, but I’m sorry. If you want to do this together, then you have to ditch the car.” He told me.

I sighed heavily with a loud whine. “We really have to? Where are you going to get another car?”

“Yes, we really have to.” He insisted. “Everything has to go. The car, the clothes, hair color, anything that can change, it’s changing.”

“H-hair color?” I squeaked.

He smirked at me. “Look who’s going blonde.”

“Blonde?!” I shrieked. “I-I can’t bleach my hair.”

“Why not?” He asked with raised eyebrows.

“B-because…” I trailed off when I realized that he was right and I shouldn’t push him. I have to show him that I’m ready for this, that I can actually stay off the radar and not get us both arrested. Because I am now a felon, I think. But I really will miss my dark hair. “Okay, fine.”

He grinned at me. “We have just about a half an hour until we get to Akron.”

“You never answered me. How are we getting a car?” I insisted.

He sighed heavily. “Do you really want to know?”

“Well, I guess I might as well add grand theft auto to my list of infractions.” I mumbled, already inferring what he was going to tell me by the look of uncertainty on his face.

“That’s the spirit. The fun thing about stealing, though, is that you get to choose any car that you want.” He told me. “There’s no budget.”

“Okay.” I sighed, trying to think optimistically about this situation. “Yeah, we can do this.”

“Yeah.” He told me, but I don’t even think that he believed what he was saying. I know that I didn’t.

He was quiet for a while and my thoughts started to turn to my mom- I wonder if she even knows that I’m gone yet. Probably not, and if she does, she’s probably celebrating my disappearance. And Valerie, she probably doesn’t even know that I’m gone, either. That, or she’s joining my mother with the celebration.

“Let’s get the stuff now, before your face hits the news stations.” Thomas finally suggested. “This exit has a Wal-Mart.”

I nodded, taking the exit. “Okay. I’ll go alone, what color do you want?”

He shrugged. “The darker the better.”

“I’m going to miss your blonde.” I told him honestly.

He smirked at me and then gloated. “I do look hot blonde.”

I blushed a little bit, but rolled my eyes. He was hot, but I wouldn’t admit that- especially with his already inflated ego. Thomas was gifted with diamond-like blue eyes that seemed like they could guide you through the darkest of storms, and his jaw line was strong and intimidating, I could see how people would be scared of him. “Your ego is too big for your own good.” I responded.