We drove in silence for a little while longer. I felt like a three year old on time out in the passenger seat. Nicole figured rather spend her time with the sleepy child instead of Jacob. If Callie had woken up due to the jerky car she hadn't shown it. The little girl looked like an angel, totally knocked out in the back.

Nicole probably wouldn't admit it, but it was clear she struggled to keep from dozing off. We drove without speaking, until the audiobook ended. Then we continued in silence until the sky began to turn orange.

Nicole had passed out and Callie was out like a light too.

"So..." Jacob said, an eternity later. "You can't drive, can you."

It was a statement.

My face grew warm as I shrugged. "I mean... I have a learner's permit."

Jacob burst into laughter. I scowled at him.

He didn't have to rub it in! I was a late bloomer, but only slightly so. It wasn't a big deal. I only almost crashed his precious car. No biggie.

Okay he had every right to laugh, but I continued to glare. That was my right.

"Why do you take everything so seriously, Locke?"

"I don't- We're in a very serious situation if you haven't noticed!" I hissed at him.

"Exactly why you should lighten up! This negative attitude of yours is gonna ruin your life." He let out a little snort of air as he spoke, almost as if his laughter was continued.

"And that attitude is going to end yours." I hissed back.

He paused. A beat. Then he shrugged.

"Better to die having lived a worth while life than live a long, unfulfilling one."

"Better to accomplish your goals than die unprepared." I shot back.

"So... What are your goals then?" He asked, turning to me with a sly tilt of his head. He almost didn't even need to watch the road.

"I..."

I didn't want to tell him about Jake. Not now. Perhaps not at all.

He spoke up, sensing my unease. "I saw you got a romance novel, plus some fairytales. Secretly a sap, huh Locke?"

I pursed my lips indignantly. "Fairytales are darker than you think, Jacob."

"You're avoiding the questions."

I slouched in my seat. "Maybe... I didn't really do much of what I expected to do in high school. I had a whole list of things I planned on doing and then, zombies happened! So yeah maybe I'm indulging in a bit of cheese, but I feel like I have the right to that cheese despite the circumstances."

I huffed at the end of my long speech, crossing my arms and glaring.

Jacob raised his hands in defense, driving with his knees temporarily. "I wasn't judging!"

After a pause he added, "What was on your list of things?"

My face grew red and hot. A glimpse in the sideview mirror could tell me that my cheeks now blended in with my hair.

I was a late bloomer in more than my driving.

"I never... Well, I sort of forgot to do normal high school stuff. Like go to school dances or lock-ins. I never went to a real party. I... Never mind." I hid my face in my hands, my words suddenly muffled.

"You can tell me."

He was so calm, so genuine about it, I couldn't help but listen to him. I carried on.

I hadn't wanted really anyone to find out.

"I've never kissed anyone. Or dated. I was hoping my senior year I'd finally, you know, have my first kiss." I regretted speaking as soon as I finished.

I sounded utterly cheesy and ridiculous and naïve. I crossed my legs and glanced towards the horizon, refusing to look his way again.

He smoothly raised an eyebrow, but didn't laugh like I expected. A chuckle did hang on the end of his voice, but it seemed so permanently apart of him already it was hard to tell if my words had had any affect.

"You know, it's not really the big deal people make it out to be. First kisses that is. Kissing in general really."

That was comforting, especially coming from someone older, and likely more experienced, than I. Then, he did a 180.

"Well kissing is pretty great. There's just something about feelings close to someone else like that." Jacob seemed to melt into goo in his seat.

"Don't tell me you're talking about your car again." I rolled my eyes.

Jacob shook his head. "Please, Ducky and I are just friends."

"You seem pretty love stricken there. You okay?" I asked.

"I guess I might be." He shrugged, a dopey smile on his face. Cupid clouded his thoughts with whoever his love was. "I haven't seen her in nearly three years- Well not in person. Amber Woods, the most amazing girl in existence, probably." He sighed again.

"Are you sure you haven't been indulging in some romance novels?" I teased.

"Judge ask you want, but at least I've had the experience of knowing what those novels are talking about."

I turned towards him, smiling softly. "Tell me about her."

Jacob's smile grew. "She's the biggest sweetheart I've ever met. She was a Poppy Scout for ten years, she volunteers at the animal shelter, and she used to be treasurer of the school council. She's smart too- Well I think so. Great grades, you know-"

It was odd to hear him ramble like this. It was odd for us to have so much interaction. Mere days ago I had been completely alone and now... I had three traveling companions.

"-And she does this thing where she wrinkles her nose when she's thinking. It really highlights her freckles."

I tuned back in. "She sounds really special to you."

He nodded. "She is. She was my neighbor growing up. I want to get back home to see her- And my family of course. I think they're fine. From what I've heard is that the plague didn't spread quite that far up north."

"I hope you're right." I chose not to ask where home was.

I had realized something too clear to me now.

I knew too much. This could complicate things. I had not planned on growing attached if I could help it.

Jacob noticed me grow quiet, the smile sliding from his face. Just as he was beginning to crack me...

He didn't say a word as we daylight slipped into night.

I knew too much.

Okay you know the spiel. Let me know what you think, click the star, comment, etc... THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING! Jacob is adorable when he's talking about Amber...