Read Online From What I Remember by Stacy Kramer - Free Book Online Page A

where they’re going. If it seems dangerous, I’ll bail. Promise.”
    Max looks at his watch. “I’ll give you a half hour.”

ime’s up. Nothing much has happened. We’ve been following the truck for a half hour as it heads south. The U-Haul isn’t in any hurry, just cruising. We’re keeping a safe distance. “Do you, uh, wanna turn around?” Kylie asks as she glances at the clock. “Not yet.” Kylie looks relieved. I’m giving her a little more time. I’m not sure why, exactly. I guess I’m kinda digging the adventure. I don’t usually do crazy shit like this, but once Kylie jumped into the driver’s seat, I was kind of into it.
    I always thought she was such a weirdo. She’s barely spoken to anyone but Will in six years, but suddenly she’s all crazy tough. It was hot, the way she took control. Lily would never do that. I know I should make Kylie turn the car around, that this can’t lead anywhere good, but I’m not ready. Things have been so stressed lately, with Dad, college, squash, and graduation. I’m happy to skip out on real life for a while, follow a U-Haul, and play action hero. It feels good to get out. So what if it’s the last day of school? It’s not like anything that great happens. It’s all about the parties after school, and I’ll definitely be back for that.
    We’re cruising through parts of the city I never see: National, Chula Vista. Taking back roads south, toward the border. Maybe that’s where these guys are headed. Over the border to Mexico. A good place to sell stolen stuff. Nowhere I want to go.
    “Do you wanna drive?” Kylie asks.
    “It’s cool. You can drive.”
    “Okay. Thanks.”
    She’s on best behavior. She knows I could shut this thing down anytime. I don’t know why, but I don’t want to let Kylie down. At least not yet. She’s thinking she’s somehow going to win this thing. I’m sure she’s going to lose. Still, I’m willing to wait it out a little longer, on the off chance Kylie knows something I don’t.
    “This is an amazing car. Our car is, like, a hundred years old. We’ve still got a cassette player in the stereo.”
    “What’s that?”
    Kylie laughs.
    “So how come you don’t act like this in school?” I ask her.
    “You mean, like, carjacking and playing cops and robbers?”
    “No, just…I don’t know, cooler, less uptight. You’re always looking at the floor, avoiding everyone. Unless, of course, you’re going insane on someone in a squash court.”
    Kylie smiles at this. Maybe she doesn’t take herself as seriously as I thought.
    “I mean, I’ve never even seen you at a party.”
    “No one’s ever invited me. And I hate parties.”
    Kylie looks over at me, and I can see her big golden eyes poking out through a mess of curls. Her usually tight, prissy ponytail is all messed up. She looks good. Not so geeky.
    “They’re pretty casual. Everyone just kinda shows up,” I say.
    “Yeah, it would be weird if Will and I just showed up.”
    “Maybe.” She’s right. It might be weird. “Why do you spend all your time with Will?”
    “Because there’s no one else worth my time.”
    “So we’re not good enough for you?” I can’t believe I’m even asking her this question. Like we care what Kylie Flores thinks of us.
    “Let’s just say you’re not right for me, and leave it at that.”
    I can’t tell if she’s bluffing. Does she actually think she’s too good for us? It’s pretty hilarious when you think about it.
    “So what’s the plan? Do you really think you’re going to get your computer back? Those dudes looked pretty serious. We don’t have guns or knives. I may have a Frisbee in the trunk, but that’s it.”
    “Decapitation by Frisbee. I like it.”
    I laugh. She’s funnier than I would have thought.
    “I don’t know. I’m hoping I’ll come up with a brilliant idea any second now.”
    “Good. ’Cause I’ve got nothing. Maybe you can talk the guys into giving you back your computer. Like you