Page 22 of Rules for Rule Breaking
“Smile, Soon-hee,” Mrs. Park said, demonstrating what a smile was with her own face as if Winter had no idea.
“Yeah.Smile, Soon-hee,” Bobby said.
Winter elbowed him in the side and smiled brightly. “I’m going to throw up on you,” she whispered from the corner of her mouth.
“Don’t. Then we’ll be stuck here longer.”
“Do something with your arms. You look like an albatross.”
He put his hands on both her shoulders and stooped slightly. “Could you stand on your tiptoes or something? I feel like the Giving Tree.”
“Shut up and smile.”
After a fullVoguespread–worth of pictures, their parents were done. Bobby opened the car door on Winter’s side and closed it behind her.
“What a gentleman,” Winter said in a mocking tone.
“Only while our parents are watching.”
He walked around to his side, stopping to load Winter’s suitcase on the way. Winter’s parents hung at her open window while Bobby’s parents and Kai stuck their heads into his.
“Call us every night,” Robert Sr. said. “And I made sure you have an extra tire and all the tools you need, just in case.”
“Thanks, Dad. I saw. I also added some flashlights, blankets, and a couple of road flares.”
“Good thinking, son,” Robert Sr. said, slapping Bobby on the shoulder. “You take care, okay? And take care of Winter too.”
“We trust you, but not everyone you meet out there will be you, sweetheart,” Diana added, putting her hand on his cheek. “Drop us a pin every time you reach one of your stops. I have your itinerary stuck to the fridge.”
“I will, Mom. But we have to go now if we’re going to beat that storm,” Bobby said, winking at Kai.
Diana took one last look at her son. She and Robert Sr. left Bobby and Kai to say their goodbyes.
“Put that vape to good use, Bae,” Kai said. “Put something in the air for me.”
“We’ll see about that. I’ll text you, okay?”
“All right, bet. And if you guys want to go out, my cousin Omari goes to Boston University. I already told him you’re coming.” He gave the car a few taps, then backed away to wave.
Bobby was astounded they were getting out of there ahead of schedule. Winter smiled at him, no doubt thinking the same thing. He started the car and off they went. Winter was turned around, watching their families for as long as she could before Bobby turned the corner. She turned back around and sat quietly. Bobby didn’t know what to say.
They hit the highway quickly, and it was pretty much a straight shot from there. It would be four hours and thirty-two minutes until their first stop: George Washington University.
“Should we listen to an audiobook or a podcast or something?” Winter asked, clutching her dead AirPods in her hands. “I have a bunch on my phone.”
“No, I need to concentrate while I’m driving,” Bobby replied.
“What sociopath drives in silence?”
“Alive ones.”
Winter folded her arms and looked out the window as they put North Carolina in the rearview mirror. Bobby thought to himself,Only four hours and thirty-one minutes to go.
Winter Park
9. WE WILL NOT SMILE WITHIN A FIFTY-FOOT RADIUS OF EACH OTHER
They hadn’t even made it out of North Carolina yet and Winter was already losing her mind. It was too quiet, and she was beyond bored. Reading in cars made her nauseated, so she couldn’t pick up a book or play with her phone. She also couldn’t think of a single thing to talk to Bobby about. They had never been alone before. Not really. Their parents were usually in the next room. They typically talked about whatever relevant thing they were doing at that moment, snarked and bantered a little, then parted ways. Winter was starting to seriously doubt her decision. She could have gone on Google Maps and done a street view tour if she was so pressed to see the campuses. She justhadto go in person.
