“Cool,” Randy said. “I’m in. I got someone to do my Saturday lawn jobs for me. By the way, my parents want to know which colleges we’re going to visit, and I want to know how much money you think I should bring.”
Sierra listed the colleges and then told him that he would have to cover all his meals and that they would only do something fun if there was enough time in the schedule.
“Okay,” Randy said. “My parents also want me to chip in some money for the gas, so I figured I’d give Wesley fifty bucks, unless you think I should give him more.”
“That sounds like a lot,” Sierra said.
“My dad said it’s way less than an airline ticket.”
“Randy, do you think Warner and Margo would still want to go if they knew we weren’t sure about making it to the beach or some other fun place? I mean, are they serious about this being a college scouting trip?”
“I don’t know. I think so. Drake wanted to know if we were going to swing over to the coast. He wanted to check out Westridge in Santa Barbara.”
Drake! Sierra felt the panic rising again. The last bit of euphoria she had felt over Paul’s letter vanished when Randy reminded her about Drake. She had forgotten about his wanting to go. Or maybe she had pushed that thought far away when she became upset over Warner.
“The thing is, it’s going to be really crowded, Randy. Who do you think should go? I mean, it’s definitely you, Wes, Vicki, Amy, and me. Only three more seats are in the van, if we figure enough room for everyone’s luggage. If Drake, Warner, and Margo all go, I think it’s going to be too crowded for such a long trip.”
“Could be. I don’t know. You’re going to have to call the shots.”
“I wish everyone would stop telling me that!” Sierra blurted out. “Do you know how frustrating it is to suddenly be responsible for all this? This trip was supposed to be nice and easy, but now it’s turned into a popularity contest or something.”
Randy didn’t say anything.
“I mean, how would you feel if you had to make these choices?”
“I don’t know. I’d probably figure out what works best for the whole trip, and if I had to tell some people there wasn’t room, I’d tell them. I don’t think it would hurt your friendship with anyone. Everybody understands the situation, Sierra.”
“You understand because you’re definitely going. What if you were one of the ones I said no to?”
“I’d understand,” Randy said without hesitation.
“Yeah, well, you’re Randy. You always understand. What about the others?”
“If they’re really your friends, your decision won’t change that.”
“I don’t know, Randy. They would probably say if I was really their friend there wouldn’t be any discussion. I’d want them all to come.”
“Maybe.”
Sierra was beginning to get the same dull headache she had felt when she talked to Wes earlier in the evening.
“Do me a favor and don’t say anything about going until after lunch tomorrow, okay, Randy?”
“Okay.”
“I’m going to pray about all this, and then we can settle everything tomorrow.”
“Whatever,” Randy said.
“Right,” Sierra agreed, feeling as ambivalent as Randy’s comment. “Whatever.”
six
ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, the day of the college scouting trip, Sierra stood in the driveway watching her father tighten the luggage rack on top of the van. Randy was in the front yard, tossing a stick for Brutus, the Jensen family dog. Amy had run into the house to use the bathroom, and Vicki stood next to Sierra.
Sierra was listening to Vicki, but her glare was fixed on Warner, who already had claimed the front passenger seat of the van and now sat there like a rock.
“I wonder if Drake dropped out at the last minute because he found out Margo wasn’t going,” Vicki said quietly. “I’ve noticed they’ve been hanging around together this past week or so.”
“Could be,” Sierra muttered. When Margo’s parents found out Sierra’s brother, and not her parents, was chaperoning the trip, they decided Margo couldn’t go. Then at lunch today Drake had come up to Sierra and simply said he had changed his mind because he had “too much going on.”
Ever since Sierra had made her big decision and announced a week ago that Randy, Warner, Drake, and Margo were all welcome to come, she silently had hoped Drake and Warner wouldn’t go—especially Warner. So when Drake dropped out at the last minute, Sierra couldn’t help but wish Warner would do the same.
But no, Warner was going. There he was, planted in the front seat. Sierra kept reminding herself of all the pointers her mom had mentioned the night before about Sierra’s setting boundaries with him and reinforcing them whenever necessary. Mrs. Jensen also had reminded Sierra this might be the kind of experience that would have a positive, maturing effect on Warner, and she had praised Sierra for being mature enough to include him even when it wasn’t her preference.
Sierra felt anything but mature at the moment. She didn’t want to be responsible for driving the family van one hundred miles down to Corvallis with Randy, Warner, Amy, and Vicki depending on her. Sierra would have felt much more comfortable if her dad stepped in and volunteered to drive them to Wesley’s. But she knew her dad wouldn’t; he trusted her, and her friends depended on her. She never would have expected it, but being mature and responsible on such occasions was a troublesome, nerve-wracking condition.
Putting on her best smile, Sierra thanked her dad for loading the luggage rack.
“I filled the tank and checked the oil this morning,” Mr. Jensen said as he handed Sierra the keys. “Remind Wes to check the oil again before you start the return trip.”
“I will.”
“And call us when you get to Wesley’s,” Mrs. Jensen said.
“I will.”
“Make sure everyone wears seat belts,” Mr. Jensen said. “I took out an umbrella insurance policy so you’re all covered in case anything happens. But make sure you’re always driving the speed limit, obeying the traffic laws, and all wearing seat belts.”
“Okay,” Sierra agreed. “We will.” Her parents’ last-minute instructions were beginning to make her even more nervous. “I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
“That’s what we’re praying,” Mrs. Jensen said. “You have a good time and call if there are any problems.”
“We will.” Sierra reached over to open the van door in an attempt to get going. Mrs. Jensen caught Sierra before she could climb into the van, and with a big hug, she kissed her on the cheek. Her mom’s demonstration embarrassed Sierra. “ ’Bye,” Sierra said quickly, clambering into the van.
“Good-bye,” Mr. Jensen called out. Fortunately, he had not tried to give Sierra a kiss in front of her friends. She felt a twinge of shame over how her parents’ loving intentions were embarrassing to her.
Amy and Vicki climbed into the bench seat behind Sierra, and Randy went to the seat behind them, carrying his bulky guitar case with him.
“Seat belts on, everyone,” Mr. Jensen called out. To Sierra’s relief, all of them obliged without saying anything.
“Everybody ready?” Sierra asked as she started the engine. Sierra was surprised to find she didn’t like being in the driver’s seat or being in charge. Since her earliest years she had been told she was a natural leader. Maybe she felt awkward leading her peers. Or maybe she felt self-conscious with her parents standing there in the driveway with their arms around each other, waving at her wistfully, as if she were going out to sea for a dangerous voyage and they might never see her again. Wherever the uncomfortable feeling came from, it began to diminish by the time they were on the freeway heading south to Corvallis.
“Anybody want some gum?” Vicki offered.
“What kind is it?” Warner asked.
“Spearmint. Do you want some?”
“No way. I only chew bubble gum,” Warner said. “Which reminds me, I forgot to bring some. Pull off t
he freeway at the next exit, Sierra. I need to buy some gum.”
“I’m not getting off for gum,” Sierra said. The extrasharp edge to her words surprised even her. It was quiet for a minute. “I told my parents we were driving straight through,” she added, trying to soften her tone. “You can wait until we reach Corvallis to buy some gum, can’t you?”
Warner lifted his long legs and rested his feet on the dashboard. He looked like a scrunched-up grasshopper. “Guess I don’t have much choice.”
“Could you put your feet down?” Sierra asked.
“Make me,” Warner taunted.
“Warner, your legs are blocking my view of the side mirror.”
“No, they’re not.”
“Warner,” Sierra said, losing what tiny shreds of patience she had left, “put your legs down! This is my parents’ van, and my dad doesn’t like people to put their feet on the dash like that.”
“Your dad’s not here, is he?”
“It’s still his car,” Sierra said. “So I’m telling you, put your legs down!”
Warner slowly lowered his feet and turned to stare at Sierra. “Are you going to be this much fun the whole trip?”
“I don’t know. Are you going to be this big of a jerk?”
The other passengers remained silent.
“I’m sorry,” Sierra said. “That wasn’t very kind. Let’s start over, Warner, okay? All I’m saying is that my parents have put a lot of trust in me for this trip, and I want to honor them. Can you support me in this?”
“Sure,” Warner said with a shrug. “You’re the woman. You run the tour. I’m only along for the wild ride.”
Sierra couldn’t help but think Warner had no idea what a wild ride this was for her emotions. She was fully aware that what she hadn’t wanted to happen was happening. Warner was coming on this trip, and she had blown up at him within the first twenty minutes. Sierra also knew that once they picked up Wesley, they would be a traveling band of six. Three guys and three girls. Matched up, that meant Vicki and Randy, Amy and Wes, and Warner and her. The thought made Sierra’s stomach turn. From now until Sunday night she would have to fight her aggressive dislike for Warner.
Why is this so hard, God? she prayed. What’s my problem? I thought I’d worked through all this and decided to be kind and loving to everyone the way You want me to be. I’m sorry, but this is impossible.
“Do you want some gum, Sierra?” Vicki rather timidly held out a stick as a peace offering.
“Sure. Thanks.”
Warner pulled a skateboarding magazine out of the gym bag he had smashed into the space between his seat and the driver’s. He also took out a Walkman and placed the headset into his ears. For the next forty-five minutes he kept in his own little world, tapping his fingers on the dashboard in time to the headset music.
Warner also appeared to have brought a stash of junk food in his gym bag because he kept reaching in for more snacks. First he downed a can of soda, crushed the can, and dropped it on the van’s floor. Then he ate a bag of popcorn, leaving bits of kernels everywhere. The large bag of M&M’s was devoured without being offered to anyone else. He tossed the empty bag onto the floor on Sierra’s side of the van since his side was full. Then he went for a bag of barbecue-flavored corn nuts, which smelled up the whole van.
During Warner’s pig-out session, Randy sat in the backseat quietly playing his guitar. Sierra, Amy, and Vicki tried to ignore Warner and talked about some of their expectations of the different colleges and other bits of information they each had gathered during the week. It wasn’t the same level of girl chat they shared at Mama Bear’s every week, since they knew two guys could listen in at any time. But Sierra was encouraged that Amy and Vicki had both gotten into the spirit of the trip.
“I have some coupons my uncle gave me for Magic Mountain,” Amy said. “I don’t know if they’re any good, but it says they can be used at any of the Six Flags Amusement Parks.”
“For what? Free admission?” Vicki asked.
“No, I think it’s something like six dollars off the admission price.”
“My mom gave me a AAA guidebook to Southern California. It lists all the hours and admission prices for the different amusement parks and stuff,” Vicki said. “I know we’re not really planning on going anywhere specific, but if we decide to, at least we have some information.”
“That’s great,” Sierra said. “I’m sure something will work out. It’ll be spontaneous, though.”
“That’s the best kind of fun,” Vicki said.
Just outside of Salem, light rain began to fall. Sierra turned on the wiper blades and slowed down. The traffic seemed to be thickening now that it was getting close to five o’clock.
“You know what, Sierra?” Vicki leaned forward to speak, but it was impossible to have a confidential conversation with Warner planted there in the passenger seat. “I know we’re supposed to go straight through to Corvallis, but I need to make a bathroom stop. I don’t think I can wait. Would it be okay if we stopped?”
“Sure,” Sierra said.
Warner looked up from his magazine and pulled the headset from his ears. “Oh, we’re going to stop, are we? May I please get out of the car, too, Miss Tour Queen? Please, oh please?”
“Warner, why do you have to be like that?” Vicki snapped.
Warner tossed the empty bag of corn nuts at Vicki and said, “Think fast.”
Sierra checked the rearview mirror for Vicki’s reaction.
To her credit, Vicki remained composed. “You’re acting like a jerk, Warner. Why don’t you cut it out?”
“What is it with all the females in this wagon?” Warner mocked.
“Don’t go there, Warner,” Randy warned from the backseat. It was the first time he had said anything since they had left. Sierra was surprised at his outburst, but she appreciated her friend’s support.
Sierra didn’t say anything. She put on her turn signal and carefully made the lane change to exit the freeway. At the first gas station on the right, she pulled in and parked to the side, near the door to the restroom.
“I’ll be right back,” Vicki said.
“I’m going with you,” Sierra said.
“Me, too,” Amy said, sliding out the side door behind Vicki.
“It’s a law of nature,” Warner said, loud enough for them all to hear. “All females of the species go to the bathroom in herds.” Only Warner laughed.
“Here, Randy,” Sierra said, tossing him the keys. “You’re on guard duty.”
Sierra followed Amy and Vicki into the restroom. As soon as the door was shut behind them, the three of them started talking.
“I can’t do this,” Vicki said. “I didn’t think he would be this bad. He’s going to drive me crazy!”
“Why did you invite him, Sierra?” Amy asked.
“I didn’t exactly want to,” Sierra said, giving Vicki a sideways glance. Quickly realizing this was no time to start placing blame, Sierra quietly added, “It was very complicated. Trust me on this, you guys. I prayed long and hard over it, and I thought I was doing the right thing by opening up the invitation to him.”
“Nice to him, maybe. But it’s not nice for us to have to put up with him,” Amy said.
“It’s not going to work,” Vicki said. “We have to figure out what we can do about this. He’s going to make the whole trip miserable for everyone. I thought I was going to pass out from the smell of those corn nuts.”
“No kidding,” Amy said.
“We could try to set boundaries with him,” Sierra offered. “That’s what my mom suggested. We could tell him when and how he’s irritating us and ask him to stop doing those things.”
“Do you really think that will work?” Amy asked.
“Everything he’s doing irritates me,” Vicki said.
“I know.” Sierra washed her hands and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was beginning to frizz the way it always did in the rain. Tiny ringlets had already tightened at h
er temples.
“All I know is that we can’t go on this way for the whole trip.” Vicki joined Sierra at the sink and washed her hands. She also gave herself a quick exam in the mirror. “Oh, I hate my hair,” she muttered.
“Don’t even get Sierra started on that subject,” Amy’s voice called from behind the closed stall door. “Stick to the subject of Warner. What are we going to do about him?”
Vicki and Sierra looked at each other and at the same time said, “Scream!”
seven
THE THREE FRIENDS stayed in the restroom with the door locked long enough to come up with a plan. Before they drove another inch, they were going to confront Warner. They would tell him what was bothering them and ask him to try to be considerate of everyone else on the trip. If these three friends had learned one thing, it was that the right way to handle a conflict was to go to the person you have the problem with and talk it over with him in a kind manner. They only hoped it would work with Warner.
When they finally returned to the van, Randy appeared to be having his own little “correctional conversation” with Warner in the backseat. None of the trash around Warner’s seat had been removed.
As soon as Sierra opened the door on the driver’s side, Warner turned to her and said, “Randy says I’m making everybody mad.”
Sierra looked at Randy and then at Amy and Vicki, who were standing by the open sliding side door, waiting to get in.
Amy entered the van and looked at Warner. “I don’t know what your expectations were of this trip, but I know for the rest of us we were expecting to have a good time. When you act pushy, rude, and inconsiderate of everyone else, it’s hard to feel like we’re having a good time. It also makes it impossible for everyone to get along.”
Warner looked stumped. “Why are you guys all against me?”
“We’re not,” three of them said in unison. Sierra was the only one who didn’t pipe up.
“It’s like I was trying to explain to you, Warner,” Randy said. “When you’re part of a group or on a team, everyone looks out for everyone else and tries to consider other people’s feelings first. Making rude comments or being sarcastic doesn’t build any kind of unity.”