As if driving on the wrong side of the road in a foreign country wasn’t bad enough, he had to do it in the middle of the night. Kevin Richardson pondered on his luck, this was the fourth time he found himself having to take the night shift. He almost scolded himself for agreeing to this trip until he quickly remembered why he had said yes in the first place.
It wasn’t all that bad actually. In fact, it was Kevin who had suggested England when his friends were throwing out ideas of places to go when they had decided for a little vacation, just like the old times. Of course this time it was a little bit different. Everything they did together just felt extra special than the ones they had before.
“I’m not sure I like seeing that vacant look on your face while you’re driving Kevin.”
Kevin chanced a quick glance at his friend sitting on his left.
“It’s not vacant.”
“Of course; when I said vacant I also meant you had a hundred and one things running inside that head of yours.”
“I don’t have a hundred and one things running inside my head Nick.”
“Right, silly me. Is a thousand and one things about right?”
Kevin sighed to show that he didn’t have a better comeback for that remark. Nick chuckled at this before deciding to leave his friend alone and went back to typing on his laptop.
“How’s the writing going?” Kevin asked conversationally. When his question was met with silence, he gave a quick tap on his friend’s shoulder to get his attention.
“What? Want me to whip out the map again?”
“Nope. I asked how’s the writing going so far.” Kevin said. Nick Carter wasn’t only one of his childhood friends, he was also the author to US No.1 Best Selling children’s books. His best one yet was The Adventures of Carrie Series.
“Oh…I haven’t started yet, would you believe it? I’m beginning to think I’m not up to writing novels, maybe I should stick to children’s books.”
“Please, you wrote plenty of adult stuff back in school. And don’t be so humble, I’ve seen you typing away in that laptop of yours plenty of times since we’ve been here.”
“That’s for my journal. I-”
“You have a friggin diary?”
“Journal.” Nick stressed. “Pieces of thoughts of the stuff we visited today and people we’ve met. It’s helpful when you’re trying to come up with fictional characters and talk about places.”
“But you don’t even know what you’re going to write about.”
“Yet.” Nick reminded him.
“You could write about a young, good looking teacher.”
“I don’t feel like writing about the story of your life Kevin.”
“My life story happens to be very interesting.”
“I might give you a cameo though?”
“It’s overdue. You put Carrie in your books in a heartbeat.”
“I can’t believe you’re jealous of your own daughter.”
“She still makes me read ‘The Adventures of Carrie and a bunny named Ribbit’ every damn night. I have it memorized by heart, do you want to hear it?”
“That’s okay Kevin.” Nick laughed as he went back to typing away in his journal. Kevin squinted ahead and realized there were more buildings by the road than before, which could only mean they had entered Pickering.
“What’s the time?” Kevin asked.
“Did you say something?” Nick asked distractedly.
“I asked for the time.” Kevin repeated and then chanced a glance over at his blonde haired friend as he checked the clock on his laptop.
“Fifteen minutes to eleven.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup…you still have fifteen minutes before shift ends.”
“This is really weird man.”
“Yes, for the hundredth time, I know it’s weird to drive on your right side.”
“Hey I wasn’t even complaining before!”
“Yeah, but those three at the back had and it’s getting old.” Nick retorted as he waved his hand lazily to the three sleeping men on the backseat.
Kevin looked from his rearview mirror and true enough, their three other buddies were very deep in slumberland. “They look so peaceful aren’t they?”
Nick looked back and scrunched up his face. “To the point of nausea.”
Kevin sniggered. “How come you’re not asleep?”
“Because I’m typing?” Nick snorted.
“Well then you should take a break from typing and sleep. God knows when we’ll reach there at this stage.”
“Aww but you love my company Kevin. It keeps you awake and that’s important, keeping you awake.”
“I could turn on the radio if I want company.”
“What’s the point of making us sleep if you’re gonna turn on the radio.”
“Good point.”
Kevin went back to concentrating on driving, trying to read some of the road signs ahead. The last thing he wanted to do was getting them lost. For one thing, he knew he’d be the receiving end of his friend AJ’s jokes. And he would bet his entire saving that Brian would start lecturing and repeat the whole ‘I’m the better driver, I should be the one driving at night’ speech. And then there was Howie. Kevin pondered for a moment what his curly haired friend’s reaction would be if he made the ‘guys, we’re lost in the middle of friggin nowhere’ announcement. Kevin didn’t get to think for long when he heard Nick called his name.
“What?”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“That would be insulting my brain Nick.”
“I’ll let that pass for now only cause my life’s safety is in your hands.” And then Kevin watched as the sly grin appeared on his friend’s face.
“I’ve known you for too long to know that nothing good could ever come out while you have that look on your face.”
Nick just snickered and without warning, reached out for the steering wheel…and pressed the honk with all his might.
The reaction was almost instantaneous.
“Did we hit something? Is everyone OKAY?”
“God Brian, stop yelling!” Nick said as he tried to suppress the laughter. Brian Littrell had the most comical look Nick had ever known, even when he was in a state of panic.
“What the fuck was that?” Alexander James, their tattoo clad friend exclaimed next. He appeared to still be half asleep.
“Did we hit something?” Brian stressed again.
“No Brian, we didn’t hit something.” Kevin said lazily.
“Then why the fuck were you honking Kev?”
“I didn’t honk it AJ!”
“Then who-Nick! Man, I was having a good dream!”
“You were? That’s good.” Nick mused. It also hadn’t passed him to notice that one of this friend was still fast asleep and seemed to be unaffected by his earlier prank at all.
“We really didn’t hit something?” Brian asked again.
“No Brian we didn’t.” Nick said, almost attempting to roll his eyes.
“What about someone?” Brian asked again.
“Look Bri, you won’t go back home and six months later found a mysterious letter saying I know what you did last summer okay?”
“Nick I swear, even the kids in my class behaves better than you.” Kevin pointed out.
“Kevin, I did that for you! Is this the thanks I get?”
“You didn’t do that for me you moron.”
“Yes I did! Here you are driving on the wrong side of the road at night, tired after spending an entire day harassing some locals about the history of Castle Howard and they’re back there, in dreamland. I thought waking them up would cheer you some Mr. Moody.”
Sometimes, the way Nick speaks, Kevin always thought his friend was reading them a story.
“Speaking of Howard, Howie’s dead as a log.” AJ pointed out as he looked past Brian, who was sitting in the middle. Howie Dorough had his head lolled to his left and the side of his head pressed against the window. He was definitely still deep in sleep.
“He can sleep through a nuclear bomb.” Brian joked.
“I’m half deaf but I still wake up to the sound of a car honking; especially when I’m IN the said car.” Nick pointed out as he kept his gaze on his sleeping friend, obviously amused.
“But this is an art form Nick, not a defect. It takes years of skill to reach the standard Howie’s in.” AJ said.
Nick frowned. “Did you just call me a defect?”
“You know what I mean.” AJ waved it off. Nick still gave him the finger. “Touche.”
“Hey Brian, maybe you can whip out your stethoscope and check if he still has his pulse.”
Brian groaned. “That’s not funny Nick.”
“Actually it is. Go on Bri, I can even take a pic of you two. I’ll have it in my next Summer collection and call it, Playing Doctor.”
“Are you sure it’s not for your porn Collection AJ?” Kevin asked.
“We’re going somewhere with this now…great…will you both contribute something for my collection then?” AJ asked Kevin and Nick, entertaining the idea.
“Why AJ, we’re humble nobodys dude. But you know what would be awesome though?” Nick said.
“What?”
“Since you’re one of Hollywood’s famous photographer and all…you should really make a collection of say, famous female actress in role playing…costumes.”
Brian sighed wearily. “You know, sometimes I wonder if parents worldwide would be so excited to buy those children books Nick wrote for their kids if they ever get to be a fly on the wall when he speaks like this.”
“And you’re a pediatrician yourself Brian, and you’re my buddy…my downfall will be yours as well.” Nick said.
“And mine too. I teach young kids.” Kevin added.
“Hey, at least everyone will know you’re all friends of Alexander James, the guy who gets to see Angelina Jolie stripping down in between her photoshoot.”
“Right. That’s nice to hear AJ.” Brian said sarcastically. “Where does Howie fit in this mix?”
“Nowhere. He doesn’t get to play this game since he’s still sleeping like a dead log!” AJ claimed.
There was a short pause before Nick looked back at his friend and said, “I really think you should check his pulse Brian, it’s not normal for someone to still be asleep when we’re talking about our porn tendencies and role playing thing.”
Brian made to pull out his stethoscope before everyone, save Howie, laugh out loud. It wasn’t really all that funny if you think about it, but for some reason, they felt tickled by the little act and Kevin appreciated that. The kinks on the back of his neck had been aggravating on his nerves for quite awhile now.
“How far along are we anyway?” Brian asked after they had settled back down.
“I honestly don’t know. It’s so dark out there, I hardly can see what’s in front of me.” Kevin yawned.
“That’s not very comforting Kevin.” Nick pointed out.
“Which one? My yawning or lack of visual?” Kevin mused.
“Both, you dork.”
“I think you can stop by the road and let me take over now. My shift’s next isn’t it?” AJ said, already motioning to unfasten his seatbelt.
“Still have five minutes more.”
“Nevermind that. Since I’m wide awake no thanks to some git.” AJ said as he glared at the back of Nick’s head.
“You know you could pick up the good British slangs instead.” Kevin couldn’t help pointing out. He blamed it on the teacher in him.
AJ patted Nick’s shoulder to get his attention. “Would you prefer prat?”
“Sounds better than asshole.” Nick shrugged. Brian laughed.
“See, Nick doesn’t seem to have any problems with it.”
“You guys are hopeless. I hope you can refrain yourself from saying those words in front of my daughter when you – what the-”
Kevin didn’t finish what he wanted to say as he swerved the car violently to the left. There was a short screeched of tires before the sound of metal hitting a tree could be heard. In a matter of a few seconds, the world stopped spinning and everything was still.
“Is everyone okay!” Brian yelled as he struggled with his seatbelt. “Kevin? Nick? You guys okay up there?”
“Oh God, what was that?”
“Hey Howie, I’m surprised you’re awake!” AJ attempted to joke as he coughed.
“Did we just crash into a tree?” Howie gasped.
“Not really crash, just a little banged up I supposed; and you’re awake!” AJ coughed again.
“Why shouldn’t I be? We hit a friggin tree!” Howie screeched.
“Well, you slept through our porn talk…”
“AJ shut up, you’re not making sense at all!” Howie said and then turned to the others. “Guys?”
“Howie, are you all right?” Brian asked, already grabbing for his medical kit.
“Yeah…I think I bruised my shoulder but nothing serious.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. You?”
“I’m okay. I almost didn’t use the seatbelt.” Brian said as he shook his head. “Kevin you okay up there?”
“Something was out there, I was trying to avoid it.” Kevin said almost in a whisper. He looked pale, obviously shocked at what just happened.
“It’s okay Kev, you didn’t hit anything, I didn’t feel anything going underneath the car.” Brian assured him.
“Or above.” AJ said.
“That’s good.”
“Are you all right?” AJ asked.
“Should be.” Kevin replied as he rubbed his chest.
“You hit that wheel pretty darn hard if I say so myself.” Nick said.
“Yeah I did but I don’t think anything’s broken. You hit your head too.” Kevin said.
“It’s gonna bruise, I can so feel it.” Nick groaned.
“Not to mention headache I bet.” AJ pointed out.
“How about you bearer of bad news? Anything broken?”
“Nope, but you wish I did, didn’t you?”
“One can only hope.” Nick joked.
“Keep hoping then Blondie; for now, I think we should get the heck out of this car just to be safe.”
“You don’t think it’s going to explode do you?” Howie asked, eyes suddenly wide in terror.
“I’m just saying-”
“It’s not going to explode!” Kevin said as he glared at AJ. “But this doofus is right, we should at least go check out the damage.”
“This is going to cost us.” Howie said as he opened the door on his side.
“And the real estate agent has spoken.” AJ announced.
Brian laughed. Sometimes he wondered if they would all start killing each other if AJ weren’t there to amuse them with his stupid remarks.
The two front doors were jammed on impact so both Kevin and Nick waited for their turn to get out through the back door. By the time Kevin was out of the car, his friends were already unloading their bags from the boot.
Kevin took the time to look around him. Other than what looked like a grand house standing on the opposite side of the road, there was nothing else for about another mile or so. He tried looking for a sign to clue him as to where they might be and found one that simply said ‘Apricot Lodge 2 miles’
It still didn’t help him in finding out where they were but at least now he knew where to find lodging for the night.
He turned back, about to tell his friends that he had found lodging for the night, when he saw AJ excitedly telling their friends to pose in front of the shady tree and next to the wrecked car.
“We have to mark this incident down guys.” He heard AJ saying excitedly to their equally excited friends. They had all escaped a crash with minor cuts and bruises after all.
“Hey Kev! Get in the damn picture!” Brian yelled.
“No, no wait! Kevin you should sit out this one so Nick can make a scrapbook out of this and write a story of the day we turned our backs on Kevin for crashing the car in!” AJ joked.
“Ha, ha, that’s not funny AJ.” Kevin said as he rolled his eyes.
“You know, there’s a saying that if 3 people take a picture together, the one in the middle will die an untimely death.” Howie remarked.
The sight was comical to Kevin. Brian’s head immediately turned to Nick while Nick looked around before realizing he was in fact, standing in the middle before proceeding to smack the back of Howie’s head.
“What? I’m just saying what I heard!”
“Shut up and smile Howard.” Nick groaned before smiling for the picture. A quick flash later, and it was done.
“Here Kev, pose for me. Make it your sexiest mug shot ever.”
“Get the fuck away AJ.” Kevin groaned.
“Dude you’re such a party pooper. Come on, just one shot!” AJ urged.
Kevin rolled his eyes and then pretended as if he was posing for a Levi’s jean commercial. “Ah yes, wicked! That’s wicked mate! Now give me your ‘I just got shagged’ look.”
Kevin gave him the finger and walked back to the car. “I don’t even want to know what shag means Alex.”
“It means fucked, Kevin.”
Kevin sighed. “Thanks Nick.”
“You’re welcome.” Nick grinned. “You know you could-” Nick paused when he saw Kevin frowning. “What’s wrong?”
“Did you know your head’s bleeding?”
As if on reflex, Nick reached up to touch the bump on his head and came away with bloodied fingers. “Hmm, yeah, I guess I am.”
“Let me fix that for you.” Brian said, already making his way towards Nick with his medical kit. “So guys, what are we gonna do now?” Brian asked as he wiped the blood away with a medicated tissue.
“There’s a sign that says Apricot Lodge 2 miles ahead.” Kevin said. “I think we should go there and settle this little accident tomorrow morning. I doubt the car rental company is still open now.”
“You know, maybe we could go knock on the door to that house and ask for help? Who knows, they might let us spend the night. It could save us 2 miles of walk.” Brian suggested as he placed a gauze and held it with a patch of medicated plaster over the cut. “That’s going to need stitching Nick.” His friend groaned inwardly.
“That’s not going to work Bri.” Howie said.
“And why is that Howie?”
“Because that house is inhabited.”
“And how do you know this?” Brian asked, amused.
“There’s a ‘for sale’ sign on the front yard.” Howie pointed out.
“Annnddd the real estate agent has spoken, again!” AJ said, as if he was announcing a winner.
Kevin opted to ignore AJ for the moment and silently made it his mission to keep caffeine away from his hyperactive friend.
“So, we’re walking.” Everyone looked at him and resigned to their fate before hauling their traveling bags over their shoulder and began their walk. AJ started to sing a make up song about Apricots much to the annoyance of his friends.
