The bus ride home was always the worst part of Maria’s day. Being a senior on a school bus of freshman and sophomores was longer and more painful than the church cotillions her mother made her go to every year. It was the only teen social event Church of Christ supported. Girls wore outfits that were made of heavy window drapery and were touted around a gymnasium floor by awkward, pimple faced boys who, Maria figured, were more probably more interested in the priests than the girls. To make it worse, her mother, being on the church’s planning committee, always arranged Maria’s partner. He was always fat.
“Hey!” called a smoky voice from behind her. Maria was meandering alongside a crowd of other kids through the maze of buses parked outside the front of the school and disregarded the voice. “Hey you!” the voice called again. Curious, Maria turned around. The familiar blonde girl from history stood smiling before her. “Uh –hi!” Maria said smiling back.
“You look like you could use a ride,” she said slinking towards her. “It’s Maria, right?”.
“Yeah, and yours is Lola?”
“You can call me 7-7-68-98,” Lola smiled pointing to the embossed numbers on the sole of her shoe. Maria wasn’t quite sure how to respond so she laughed nervously, but afterwards she wasn’t sure if Lola was joking.
“So, you want a ride?” Lola asked ignoring Maria’s sheepish laughter. Maria thought for a second mulling over how puzzling this situation was. Since when did Lola Harding give rides home to random quiet kids in history class? Was this some sort of joke? Would she open the passenger door while Lola hit the gas saying “Gotcha” as she drove away? Finally, Maria decided it was the type of rare occasion which she was waiting for, something completely chance and uncertain. After all, if girl like Lola wanted to do her a favor, who would Maria be to reject.
“That’d be great,” she answered anxiously. Suddenly, Maria felt the jitters and optimism she once received on the first day of school which she knew so well.
Lola lowered her voice. “I know this might seem random, me giving you a ride and all, but you’re really… interesting.” Lola already had pulled out a cigarette and stuck it between her perfect lips. Their feet strode in unison as the odd couple made their way across the parking lot filled with 97’ Chevys, Texas for you.
“What?” Maria’s jitters regurgitated into her throat making it difficult to speak.
“Fuck,” Lola mumbled, her cigarette still held tightly in her mouth. Her lighter slipped out of her hand just as she was about to light it. “Listen Maria, you’re an individual.”
“Me?” Maria thought Lola might have confused her with someone else.
“A hell of a lot more individual than any of these freaks in Ventura.” Lola lit her cig and motioned toward a wood-paneled station wagon that looked like it belonged in the 70’s, but the car itself was in relatively good condition. However, the fabric bench seat had cigarette burns and areas where it was starting to tear and the matted carpets smelled of unique combination of cleaner and mold. The backseat apparently served as a second closet and filing cabinet.
“I’m really not that interesting,” Maria sighed covering her mousy face with her hair. “I don’t do much besides go to church and school.”
Lola pulled out of the lot with more acceleration thought possible in a station wagon exhaling smoke with her words.“Trust me, you and I are a lot alike.”
Now, Maria knew she had the wrong person. “I’m a church mouse… haven’t you heard?”
Lola gave her a smirk as she skidded onto 94. “Go left at Elm’s Crossing,” Maria said crossly. Nothing upset her more than people who aimed to make a fool of her, of people pretending to give a fuck. Just like that Tim Salinas in fifth grade who pretended to “like like” her. The following week he was going out with Cheryl Gomez. Maria surmised he only “like liked” her for her gummy worms in the first place.
“You missed the turn!” Maria pointed as they drove faster down 94.
Lola let out a little giggle. “I’m not going to your house.”
“Well, where are we going?” Even though she was still annoyed, Maria couldn’t help but be excited.
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