Zoe - Part 1 of 3
2269 Words
- You have everything you need honey?
- Yes mom!
- Did you bring you toothbrush?
- Yes mom!
- And some spare clothes?
- Mom! I’m 19! I think that I know how to do my luggage alone!
Zoe’s mom looks at her and sighs, leaning against Zoe’s bedroom door frame.
- You’re right honey, I forget sometimes that you’re not my little girl anymore!
She walks away and go down a step.
- Don’t forget the condoms!
- MOM!
Zoe slams her door, blushing, while her mother laughs and go down the stairs. « Don’t worry mom, I’m not the one who’ll need them this weekend. » She walks to her bed and closes her suitcase. She is almost ready for her Thanksgiving weekend with her friends. The trip have been planified a few weeks ago when Rachel, her best friend since university began, begged her to come with her to Moose River in Maine to rafting with Etienne and Tristan. «Etienne… if only you knew what I feel for you! » Since a few months, she fall for this young and handsome man with whom she hang out from time to time. Unfortunately, Rachel also have a crush on him. But unlike Rachel, who likes to yell it from the rooftops, Zoe remained quiet about her feelings. Anyway, how could she stands out from someone like Rachel? She is so perfect, with her pretty black hair, wavy to perfection, her bright blue doe eyes and her so charming smile. She have no chance against her! She sighs and takes her suitcase. Dring, dring. Her cellphone is ringing, it is Etienne. She answers, her throat tight.
- Yes?
- Zoe? Hi, it’s Etienne. Rachel asked me to take you before going to her home. Tristan will meet us there too.
- Ok. No problem! When are you coming?
- Well, I’m already here. Do I ring?
- Hum… yes, yes!
He hangs up. « Holy s**t! I’m far of being ready! If I’d knew… » Ding dong! Zoe jumps up and rushs out of her room. « Please! I hope mom won’t answer! »
- Morning, may I help you?
« s**t, too late. »
- Emmm, yeah. I’m here to take Zoe. For the rafting weekend.
- Really? Zoe didn’t tell me that she’ll be in such good company! Are you her boyfriend?
« Shut up mon, SHUT UP! »
- Hummm… no. Just a friend.
- Too bad for you!
Zoe comes down the stairs as fast as she can. Etienne is standing in the front door, a hand in his hair, looking uncomfortable.
- Hey! I’m almost done with packing, it won’t be long! Do you want to wait in the car?
He nods, visibly relieved, then goes back to his car. Zoe closes the door and turns to face her mom, her eyes dark. This one shrugs her shoulders.
- He’s really cute! Why I never heard of him before?
- Because! He’s… he’s Rachel’s boyfriend… kind of.
- I see, her mom answers while crossing her arms. If you want my opinion, you can win his heart as much as her, if it’s what you want.
- Mom! I… forget it!
- Alright, but if you change your mind, condoms are in the bathroom!
- MOM!
Her mom laughs while going back to the kitchen. Zoe goes back to her room to get her suitcase. She takes also a pillow then goes down the stairs. « s**t! With all this, I’ve almost forgot my passport! »
- Mom? Where are the passport?
- In my office, second drawer on the right of my desk!
- Thanks!
She drops her suitcase and her pillow, then goes in her mom’s office. Like always, it’s a mess. Her mother was never a big fan of housekeeping. She claims she finds herself better in her mess. She is clearly the only one who can find something in her mess. Zoe eventually reaches the drawer and pulls out her passport. She gets out and finds herself face to face with her ten years old little brother, Mike.
- Soooooo… you’re going on a romantic weekend Zoe?
- No Mike, as friends. Now leave me alone and go play to your stupid games!
- It’s not stupid games!
He turns on his heels and runs toward the living room. Zoe puts her passport in her handbag, takes her luggages and opens the door.
- Bye mom! See you Monday!
- Bye honey! Have fun!
Etienne is waiting for her, sitting on the hood of his car. Without saying a word, he gets up to Zoe and takes her luggages to put them in the car boot.
- Thanks
- Welcome.
Zoe sits on the passager side while Etienne closes the trunk. Then, he sits on the diver’s side and starts the car.
- You have everything?
- Hummm, yes… I think.
- Ok. Here we go then!
The ride to Rachel’s house takes place in silence, an awkward silence. « Come on Zoe, finds a topic to discuss, it’s getting embarrassing! ». Once they arrive, Etienne shuts down the car and sends a text to Rachel.
- She’s coming, it won’t be long, he says.
Zoe nods in silence. « Well, I have no choice, we look stupid like that! »
- I’m sorry for my mother earlier. She lacks tact sometimes…
- Bah! Don’t worry, I’ve lived worse than that
- Really?
- Yeah. Figure you that one day, my mother’s ex had try to have s*x with me!
- You kidding right?
- Nop! I didn’t believe it myself!
- Hey! There you are, says Rachel while opening Zoe’s door. Can you help me Zoe? I maybe have exaggerated with my luggage.
Zoe nods and gets out of the car. Effectively, her friend has go over-the-top with her baggage! She has three suitcases.
- Hum, you know that we’re leaving for only three days Rachel?
- I know… but I couldn’d decide what to wear!
She leans toward Zoe and whispers :
- I didn’t know what to choose to please Etienne. I mean, we’re going to have a tent for us, so… you know! Oh, by the way, I hope it doesn’t bother you if I sit in front? I have motion sickness.
- Of course, no problem.
- Thanks you’re so sweet!
Rachel gives her an hearty smile before getting in the front of the car, beside Etienne. Zoe sits in the back, alone. Etienne takes a look in the rearview mirror and meets Zoe’s gaze. He raises a eyebrow, then shrugs. Rachel turns to Etienne.
- Tristan texted me juste before you arrive. He said that he won’t be long.
Etienne nods in silence. He takes is cellphone and starts to type. Rachel turns to Zoe.
- By the way, I’m sorry for not telling you about the change of plan! I hope it didn’t bother you that Etienne takes you here instead of me.
- No, it’s alright. It didn’t bother me at all.
- Great! We’re gonna have so much fun, it’s gonna be awesome!
At the same time, Tristan knocks on the window and makes theatrical gestures to Etienne to make him open the car trunk. With difficulty, he places his luggage in the already full trunk, then closes it quickly.
- Hey! Hope I didn’t make you wait too long for me, Tristan says as he sits beside Zoe.
- Not at all, Rachel answers. I just got on board too!
- Good! So we’re ready to leave? Everybody have their passport?
- Yep!
- Yes.
- Yeah.
- So let’s go captain!
- You’re stupid!
Etienne larks at him while starting the car. The ride to the customs is about two hours. Rachel is talking nonstop to a Etienne who mostly answers by a "Yeah" or a "Mmm", buzy to drive. Tristan and Zoe chatting together of everything and nothing, throwing jokes after jokes. After a salty joke about a granny and a cucumber, everybody become quiet. « Tristan is very funny… and he have very pretty eyes. » Zoe looks away to chase that thought. While she turns her gaze, she crosses Etienne’s who winks at her. « Am I dreaming or did he just winks at me? No, it must be my imagination, he’s too sexy to ever be attract to someone like me. » Zoe contemplates the scenery while the car slows down as they approach the customs. Etienne becomes suddently nervous as they take out their passport. The customs officer signals them to move foward.
-Keys of the vehicule.
Etienne turns off the car and gives him the keys, his gaze slightly lost. The customs officer doesn’t notice it and continues his check up.
- Passports.
Tristan et Zoe gives their passport to Etienne who gives it to the officer along with Rachel’s and his. Without another word, the officer goes in his little cubicle and checks their informations. Rachel turns to Zoe.
- He’s kind of cute in his uniform.
- Pfff, what are you talking, Etienne grumbles. He seems to have a stick in his ass.
- Don’t be jealous, I’m sure that you’ll be as sexy as he is in that kind of uniform!
- Keep dreaming Rachel. Il’ll never be a f*cking cop or a cheaper version of it.
Rachel shrugs and returns her seductive gaze to the customs officer who comes back to them.
- Where are you going?
- Moose River, Etienne answers.
- What are you going to do there?
- Rafting.
- How long are you staying?
- Until Monday.
The officer examines them, one by one, eyebrows furrowed. Rachel gives him her most beautiful smile while the three others stay motionless, uncomfortable of being scrutinized like that.
- Nothing to report?
- No, they all answer in the same voice.
- Are you sure? No drugs, no alcohol?
- No, answer Tristan, Zoe et Rachel while Etienne just nods.
- Alright. No weapon?
- No.
- No fruits nor vegetables? No meats?
- Does the little juice boxes count, Rachel asks with doe eyes.
The customs officer looks at her with jaded eyes, then sighs before he answers.
- No. Only fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Then no, Rachel happily answers with a big smile.
- Alright then, open the car boot, I’ll take a look.
The officer goes to the trunk and waits. Etienne nervoulsy taps his thigh and doesn’t notice the officer. This one looses patience and taps in the rear window of the car, which makes Etienne jump. He hastens to open the car boot. The customs officer rummages a moment in their luggages then closes the trunk and comes back to his cubicle. He stays there a minute, then returns to the car with their passport.
- Everything is in order, you can go.
- Thanks a lot officer, Rachel answers with a gorgeous smile.
The customs officer shyly smiles then signales them to move on. Etienne quickly starts the car and drives to the customs exit.
- Fhew! Luckily, he didn’t notice the corpes I hid in my suitcase, Tristan jokes.
- Oh stop it, he’s only doing his job, Rachel replies.
- Yeah well, he must be a f*cking looser to do a job like this!
- Don’t be jealous dude, Tristan continues, I’m pretty sure that this uniform would've make you a hell of an ass!
- Ah ah, you’re stupid.
The car hits the road while Tristan and Zoe continue their conversation. Rachel is on her phone, taking selfies and Etienne doesn’t take his eyes off the road, still a little tense from their passage through customs. The drive continue like this until their final destination : Moose River. The small town seems completely deserted. A lot of buildings seems abandoned and most of the houses are in disrepair. Rachel looks around them, disgusted.
- Are you sure it’s here Etienne? It seems completly abandoned!
- Yeah, I’m sure. It’s a really great spot for rafting, I used to come here often with my brother before. It sounds like nothing, but it’s great!
- Well, that’s cool, but I’m starving to death right now, Tristan says as he rubs his belly. Do you think there is a resto here or somewhere to eat?
- Yep, right here, Etienne answers as he parks the car on the side of the road.
- You kidding right? We can’t really go in there!
- Writer
