Look, I actually wasn't that bad a driver. I wasn't. It just took me a while to take it seriously and get used to it enough to focus.

But I did. I drove for another two hours perfectly fine, while Jacob beamed with pride in shotgun besides me. At first I thought he was just happy I hadn't totaled his beloved Ducky, but on closer inspection it seemed like he actually, you know, cared and was proud of me.

It was strange how close the four of us had become in such a short amount of time. I had told myself not to get attached. It would just make things harder if the worst came to pass and I didn't want to care about losing anyone except Jake.

Unfortunately, I did care. And I really hated it. Like, I really hated it. It was annoying, being so dependent on people you wanted to call strangers.

I was enjoying being around them. I wasn't sure what I would do once I got to Montana and we all headed out separate ways. I wasn't ready to think about it.

Even more surprisingly, they all seemed to enjoy being around me. Especially Jacob.

Or at least he was happy he wasn't the only chauffeur there anymore.

I drove for another hour and let Jacob catch up on his "beauty sleep." Nicole and I finally made it passed chapter four of the Harry Potter audiobook we had been listening to the last time I had driven, back when Jacob had just assumed I could drive. Oddly enough it had been at Nicole's insistence that we listen to it.

Callie seemed to enjoy the story too, when she woke up. She had suggested, much to my amusement, drawing glasses and a scar on Jacob's face while he slept. I certainly wasn't opposed to the idea, but decided that that might be for a different time.

Nicole went ahead and did it anyway.

I wasn't sure how we were going to get away with it with so many mirrors for him to check himself in. That's what the mirrors were mostly used for anyway, when it came to Jacob.

He woke up thirty minutes later.

"Gah, seriously you guys?" He said after checking himself in the mirror. "I am not Harry! I think I'm much more like Fred Weasley. Honestly, there are more creative things you could have done. At least you didn't draw genitalia on my face."

"It was Callie's idea. Nic's execution. I just didn't stop them." I giggled at his reaction. He was unable to wipe it off.

"Tattletale." Nicole rolled her eyes.

I laughed with Jacob.

"Okay, kiddo, you're up! Time for your first driving lesson?"

"Yeah, sure. If Locke can do it, how hard can it be?"

I wasn't quite sure how offended I should be by that. I pulled the car over and unbuckled my seat belt. Nicole and I traded places.

I had had some prior experience and a learner's permit before this had started. Nicole had none of that.

"Adjust your seat." Jacob suggested.

Nicole was quiet as she did what he said. All his checklist: mirrors, seat, seatbelt, road, hands, etc... Were done as Nicole sat in silence.

"Okay you're good to go. Just make sure there are no cars coming and-"

She floored it. Jacob was thrown into his seat. I was jerked against the window, immediately feeling a bruise begin to form on my right temple.

She jerked the car all over the place.

"STAY IN THE LINES, NICOLE!"

"I AM STAYING INSIDE THE LINES."

She was not.

"THERE'S A TURN UP AHEAD. SLOW THE HECK DOWN."

She did, but not by much. We hit the turn. Nicole barely kept the all four wheels on the road.

Jacob was close to having a panic attack and I was sure I was going to burst something by laughing too hard at his expression.

"$&@!"

Well that nasty word came from where we hadn't expected it. I turned to Callie, as Nicole slowed the car down.

"Callie!" I scolded, suddenly feeling like my mom as I remembered her doing something similar after I had picked up my uncle's vocabulary.

"What?" Callie glanced between Jacob and I. "We were all thinking it!"

Jacob laughed as Nicole decided, she wasn't feeling up for any more driving at the moment. We switched back to our remaining seats for what was left of the stretch.

I really enjoyed this chapter! It was a ton of fun. At least I think so and I hope you agree. Remember, I'm doing a Q and A! I've decided to do it three chapters from now so get your questions in ASAP!

As always thank you so much for reading! I'm excited to hear from you! I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Dead Serious.

Thanks!
~Oz