The last time I’d been up this early was years before, when mom and I decided to take a road trip to Disneyland. She’d wrapped me up in a blanket, carried me out to the car, and buckled me in before the sun had even started to peek out. Of course, then I’d promptly gone back to sleep until Mom announced that we were at the park. This morning however, was different. There was no way I’d be getting any more sleep. Partly because of the topless dream I’d had, which had only added to my existing nerves. But also because I wouldn’t be on this drive alone. We were on our way to McCartney’s house to pick her up. And that girl could Talk no matter how early it was. I yawned as we pulled out of the driveway, shaking a bit with sleep. Then, I reached down and pulled a red Bull out of my bag. Popping the top, I began to guzzle it down, barely breathing as I crushed it. “I don’t know how you can drink that stuff,” Mom said, glancing over at me as she drove. She made a face. “It smells like cough syrup and makes you all jittery.”
