(You are reading Episode 3 of The Transition Series. Read Episode 2 here | Read Episode 4 here)
The Open Highway
Ceritasakti.com - The tires of the old car rolled smoothly over the dark asphalt. The long highway stretched endlessly toward the east coast. On their right side, the massive blue ocean crashed against the rocky shore. The salty wind blew fiercely through the open car windows.
Jun settled behind the steering wheel. He kept his eyes focused on the winding road. Kiki claimed the front passenger seat. She rested her arm on the door frame and let the strong wind play with her hair.
In the back, three people squeezed together. Otto leaned his head against the cold glass window. Lanny perched on the edge of the middle cushion. Odinn stretched his long legs as much as the small space allowed.
They did not play any music today. The loud sound of the ocean waves and the roaring car engine provided the perfect background noise.
"How many more miles?" Odinn asked loudly over the wind.
Jun glanced at the dashboard. "About thirty miles left until we reach the lighthouse. Are you getting tired already?"
"I am never tired," Odinn replied. He grabbed a plastic bottle of water and took a long drink.
The Approaching Reality
Lanny rested her chin on the back of Kiki's seat. She looked at the passing green trees.
"This is the last time we can do this," Lanny said softly. Her voice sounded entirely different from her usual cheerful tone.
The car grew quiet. Everyone knew exactly what she meant. Summer was ending very soon. Next week, Otto needed to leave for his new college prep classes in the north. Lanny had a strict internship at a local hospital. And Odinn officially started his first full-time job at the shipping warehouse to help his family pay the bills.
"We will still have weekends," Kiki tried to sound positive. She turned her body slightly to look at her friends in the back.
Otto adjusted his glasses. "Weekends are for studying and sleeping, Kiki. The schedule is going to completely change for all of us."
Driving Toward the Edge
Jun gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. He did not want to think about schedules. He did not want to think about money or jobs. Right now, he just wanted to drive his friends toward the edge of the land.
"We are not talking about next week," Jun commanded gently. "We are only talking about the coast. Look at that water."
Odinn leaned forward and pointed toward the horizon. A tall white lighthouse finally appeared in the distance. The bright afternoon sun made the white paint glow against the blue sky.
Lanny smiled. She rested her hand on Odinn's shoulder. Otto rolled his window down further to smell the fresh saltwater.
They drove closer to the massive ocean. Adulthood waited patiently for them back in the crowded city. But on this long coastal highway, they were still just five teenagers running wild and free.
