When all else fails... fake a smile.

Leah's POV

I woke up before any of the others. The bus was still moving. We left Tx and are now heading to La (Louisiana). I knew that everyone else wouldn't be up till later so I grabbed a monster and went up to where the bus driver was. "Mind if I sit and talk," I asked him. The tiered looking man smiled. I slid in to the passenger seat. I pulled my knees up to me, watching as the other cars, and highway signs pass by. "Oh we haven't really met, but I'm Leah," I said trying to start a conversation. "Jason," the guy said. I looked over at him, he had dark bags under his eyes. "How old are you," I ask. He laughs, "41." I nod. "How did you get in to this job?" Jason drums his fingers on the steering wheel, "Well I was a truck driver for about 8 years, then seen they needed someone to drive their bus, and thought hey it's basically the same." I laugh. I liked Jason. He is nice to talk to. "You look tired," I stated. Jason laughed, "Yeah." Then I got an idea.... "How bout I drive!!" He turned his head and looked at me, "I don't know." I laughed, "Come on!!!! I've driven a semi before, and you said it aint that much different." My dad was a truck driver for a long time, and when I would go out on the road with him, he would teach me how to drive. I made the puppy dog eyes at him, "Pwwweeeaaseee. You can sleeeeep." He laughed again, Ok, ok. Let me find a rest stop first." I clapped my hands.

We found a rest stop and switched. Jason sat in the other seat, watching me. "Now all you have to do is..." "Fallow the GPS," I said cutting him off. He smiled. He reminded me of my dad, when he wasn't drunk. I smiled, "Lets go!"

After about an hour of me driving, Jason fell asleep on one of the couches. I turned on the radio and scanned through the channels. I finally found one that wasn't Mexican music, or old country music. I was listening to "Every Storm Runs Outta Rain," by Gary Allan. I was singing along when heard someone walk up. "What the hell," the muttered. It was Jinxx. He poked his head up near me. "Oh ok making sure someone was driving," he said. I laughed. "Come sit up here with me," I said quickly glancing backwards. He did, then turned to me, "Please tell me we are not going to die." I busted out laughing, "No I have driven a semi before, so this is nothing." He relaxed a little more. We heard snoring coming from Jason. "Plus he deserves to have some rest too," I smiled, looking at the road. "How much longer till we are there," Jinxx asked. I touched the GPS screen, "About a day and a little under a half, if traffic is in our favor." For some reason, driving calms me down, and makes me closer to my dad, like when we would drive.

Notes

I know a lot about truck drivers and all the stress they are under while driving. My dad is one. I barley get to see him. It sucks but it makes money. So I know what most kids feel that have a family member that is on the road a lot. And please do understand that those big semis can't stop on a dime, even if they aren't hauling anything. So please be carful. Love yall