Sleeping was unsuccessful for the most part. I just cannot sleep well in this car, it's like sleeping on a bed of rose bushes.

"Nash.. How much longer..?" I muttered, glancing at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Just a bit. We are in Lovettsville." Nash was gripping the wheel tight, forcing his eyes to remain wide open.

"Okay.. How old are you Nash?" I know I'm throwing out a lot of questions again, I'm not trying to be rude but if I'm stuck, I wanna know who he is.

I'm honestly just curious and I know he needs to stay awake, his eyes look like two ton trucks are pulling them down. It's like he could just shut down any minute.

"20.." He turned on the left turn signal, the familiar clicking filling my ears."Oh- that's cool, I'm 19." I smiled, at least he's only a year older.

Nash nodded, just enough to show a smear of acknowledgement as we drove past a few random houses. The farther back we went, the more dead it grew. Where are we..?

I've never been here at all. It's a little dead. I guess that makes sense for a criminal though.

My eyes landed on a sign for a mechanic shop. I furrowed my brows and looked at Nash as we turned into this place.

"What..?" I whispered as he put the car in park, placing his hands on his face. He grabbed his keys and started out of the car, not saying a word to me.

My eyes widened and I jumped up, scurrying after him with an ungrateful trip."Wait, Nash- why are we here..?" I asked, trying to tuck my loose hairs into place.

He didn't reply, just continued to walk. This is getting annoying as can be...

He opened the door and walked in, I had to rush to grab it and follow him in."Dude..-" I got ready to go off before a woman suddenly walks toward us.

"Oh, Nash, we've been waiting for you." A pretty woman with bobbed light brown hair and blue eyes greeted us. She held her hands together against her waist, grinning so tight I would've thought she wasn't real.

Her teeth were straight and white as a pearl. She wore a pretty blue sun dress with plenty of different flowers on it.

"Oh, thank you Ziggy.. Where are they?" Nash replied, looking around."Uhm.. The garage I believe. Don't quote me." She laughed, her voice was uplifting and sweet.

I met her eyes for a moment, she furrowed her brows."Oh.. I love your hair." She smiled at me, tucking hers behind her ear as she returned to the desk.

I smiled back, slowing down as I walked. That was sweet..- I heard a door open, Nash not bothering to look back.

Gah-! Why does he keep leaving me behind? I don't know where I am.

I hurried after him, grabbing the door."Nash.." I grumbled, hearing sudden loud rock music as metal tools hit the ground.

"Wrench- I need that, Coal!" A deep voice with a prominent southern accent demanded. I glanced past Nash as Xian and Coal soon came into view.

Coal looked like he was scrambled, his black hair was messy all around his head. I haven't seen him in a long while or ever spoken to him much. He didn't notice me.

"Nash- finally, we've been waiting, I was up so early-.." Xian's words were cut short as his eyes landed on me."Oh my gosh."

He looked back at Nash, and then me, then once again Nash."What happened?"-

"Nope." Nash stopped him, putting his hand up."Okay... Nash- can I talk to you in private..?" He asked, eyeing me. Nash sighed, glancing at me.

My cheeks began to heat up and turn red, I can't imagine what's going through their heads... I need Nash to go explain or I may just die of mortification.

"Okay.. I'll be back." He said to me, following Xian to a back room. I took a deep breath and glanced at the man working on a car.

Coal he glanced at me, his anxious brown eyes meeting mine. I gave him a soft wave, smiling just a tad bit. His eyes widened before he turned to the man under the car."Oh. Mich, the girl, she's here.."

The man, who I assume is Mich, pushed himself out of underneath Xian's truck. He was a middle-aged man. He leaned up, despite the fact he was working under a vehicle, he looked quite groomed. He had a 5 o clock shadow, almond brown hair that was pushed back, and deep brown eyes reminiscent of spruce bark.

This is so strange.. I took a deep breath as the man stood up, straightening my back and stiffening my shoulders. I'm doing my best to appear tough without a lick of nervousness.

"You're the one with Nash?" He furrowed his brows, leaning up and eyeing me. I feel so out of place here, I don't even see Nash or Xian now, before I saw them in the room..

"Do you know anyone else here?" He asked, glancing toward the room Nash and Xian are in.

"I do know Xian." I shrugged, tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. He nodded, sighing.

"I'd shake your hand, but mine are all greasy. I'm Michael Beverly, or Mich if you prefer. And you are?" He introduced, giving a warm smile.

"Oh, that's alright.." I laughed, crossing my arms."Bree Hall. It's nice to meet you." I returned a smile, nodding my head.

He laughed."That's pretty. Now you know me too, I know that one can be quiet but you should get to know him." He pointed up at Coal who had his expression painted with unease, his lips tugging into a frown.

"..Did Nash like kidnap you?" Coal asked, laughing under his breath. My breath hitched, why would he ask me that?

"Oh Coal, Nash doesn't kidnap random people without a clear reason- he's a thief, not a maniac!" Xian yelled, a hint of mischievousness in his tone.

I furrowed my brows, meeting the man's tired brown eyes. Mich shook his head disapprovingly."That was absolutely the worst thing to say.."

Nash pushed Xian out of the way, walking out of the room."I'd appreciate if you stop scaring her. It isn't funny." He shook his head, leaning against the wall with an aggravated expression. Nash looked at me, biting his cheek."I'm not going to hurt you.. I promise that."

I gave him a soft smile before leaning next to him. Even if he's been acting so cold, at least he's compassionate enough to reassure me that."We're just kidding Nash." Xian rolled his eyes, walking up to him.

"You get no sleep with a stranger in your car and let me know how you feel about some joking around.." He grumbled, crossing his arms. Xian leaned close to Nash's face and smirked.

"Been there, done that. And I slept great!." Xian laughed, stepping back as Nash's eyes grew darker.

I curled my nose up at his joke, looking down at my feet.

"It wasn't my fault.." I whispered, watching as Mich pushed himself back under Xian's truck.

"I've.." Xian paused, looking at me. His green eyes fell as he pinched his mouth shut. I don't know what's going on here. I've never felt so out of place before. Like a snail on a highway.

"Oh, you've what?" Nash pressed, glancing at me then back to Xian. He shook his head, walking to me instead.

"How are you during all this pretty lady?" He asked, leaning against the wall next to me."Frazzled." I admitted, holding my hands together again my stomach. He nodded, lifting his hand to his mouth.

"I couldn't imagine, it's gotta be a shocking change. I'm sorry." He sympathized, which felt like it was striking a nerve with Nash."Oh, Nash. Ziggy said she can help you stay in one of the hotels or you can stay with m-" Before Xian could finish, Nash's eyes lit up and he rushed out of here.

Oh, goodness... He is a pain to try and keep up with. Nevertheless, Xian kept looking toward me, his green eyes. I lowered my head. I usually feel so much more social, but I guess now I'm nervous in all their presences. And gosh, I am tired...

"What have you done to this Xian?? I thought it was a simple breakdown- Oh my gosh, this is from when you stole that money!" Mich yelled, Xian's skin flushing of color.

I furrowed my brows, looking at him as I heard Coal snicker.

"I don't think we should be talking about that right now.." He muttered, but that didn't distract my mind from the questions blooming now.

"Are you a criminal too?" I asked, crossing my hands on top of each other. Xian looked at Nash, who was walking back in and sighed.

He placed his hand against his chest and cleared his throat."Well, I'm not a bad guy. Don't worry, really- I help people way more, just it isn't always legal." He boosted near the end, giving me a smile as Nash started laughing.

"Got to keep your reputation up, hm?" He sneered, crossing his arms. I directed my attention back to him. He smirked, glancing down at me.

He was taller than me, I came up to his collar bones so I had to look up. His eyes are still captivating, even if he looks like he's gonna fall asleep now. What a shame he's such an outlaw-

"Don't stare.." His smirk fell, turning away from me. I grew hot across my cheeks."Don't be that way Nash. Ugh, you can stare at me I won't mind." Xian flirted instead, Nash's eyes snapping toward him.

I think I'm sensing a conflict between them. And it isn't me, this feels like it's been simmering. It's weird though, Nash seems so much calmer physically yet angrier with his words, Xian is more picky and erratic but less anger filled verbally.

What could've happened..? They seemed fine at the store yesterday. Oh gosh, I feel like I'm falling into too many messes now..

"Ignore him.." Nash sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose."We have somewhere to go sleep anyway now." He motioned me to follow, waving a quick goodbye to all of them."Thought you wanted me to check on your car?" Mich asked, to which Nash sighed.

"You're busy and I'm so tired I will pass out soon." He started out, leaving me behind. My breath hitched and I threw up my hand, hurrying to follow.

"Can you stop just leaving me behind..?" I grumbled, reaching for him. He stopped dead on the pavement, making me run into his back, pushing us both forward."I'm not." He turned his head, looking over his shoulder at me. His eyes are so cold..

I felt myself shrinking in my skin as I forced a nod."Okay."

-

The car ride was a concerning silent ride, at least so far. I didn't speak, nor did he. I watched buildings pass by as we got deeper in the downtown. We stopped at a red light, my skin felt as if it was crawling off of my bones.

Nash hadn't glanced at me the entire ride, it feels almost like I don't exist in his presence at the moment.

I saw some cop cars, making me furrow my brows. What if I said something..?- I furrowed my brows and sighed. That'll just be more trouble. Oh, shoot. My aunt.. What if she thinks I'm missing..?

"Nash- I need to borrow your phone. My aunt might call the police if she thinks I'm missing.." I broke the silence as the light turned green."Okay. At the hotel." He was quick with his reply, but just as fast as he spoke he sealed his lips shut.

I pulled my knees up to my chest, resting my chin against them."Thanks.." I whispered, closing my eyes. I just gotta pretend I'm not here.. I will be fine. It'll be fine.

"Do you think she could've already..?" He asked in a whisper, breathing in. I held my breath for a moment as I thought."I'm sure she didn't.." I gulped, feeling us turning into the parking lot. My eyes fluttered open as a big hotel came into view.

"Okay. Here.." He handed me the phone, grabbing his keys before getting out of the car. He shut the door and leaned against it. At least he isn't leaving me behind now. I dialed her number as quick as I could and pressed the phone against my ear.

It rang until voicemail, just as I expected it to. I sighed, glancing at Nash's back.

"Hey Auntie, it's Bree. I went out with some friends and we kinda went far. I'm sorry it's last notice, I broke my phone. Anyway, I guess you'll get back to me when you can. Bye.." I closed the phone shut and sighed.

At least I'm away from her now..

I opened the door, grabbing my bag on the way out."Lead the way."

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