Prompt: Taxi, Old Enemy, Valentine's Day

I dive into the back of the taxi, chest heaving. The scent of fake leather and fast food wraps around my body; my forearm rubs against the seats, a hiss rising from me as a burning sensation washes through me.

"Thomas!"

My heart spikes and I scramble to right myself before reaching for the handle. Just as the door slams closed, the brunette woman collides with it, hands flattening against the window. I swallow as my eyes focus on her talon like nails, manicured to sharp points.

"Drive!" I tell the driver as I watch those hands curl into fists. She reaches for the handle and I toss myself at it, flattening my hands over the lock and keeping them there as if some magic force would lift it.

Knowing this nut job, it wouldn't surprise me if she had some black magic hidden up her sleeve.

Just as the woman peels herself off the window, the driver steps on the gas, pulling out of his parking spot. The brunette fades into the distance, mouth moving at a frightening pace. I press myself flat against the seat, sinking down and allowing my muscles to relax after the marathon of hide-and-seek I'd just escaped from.

"Bad Valentine's?" The driver asked, dark brown eyes flicking to the rearview mirror.

"Oh yeah," I said, pushing the bangs from my eyes. "The worst." I glance out the rear window to make sure miss psycho isn't following us. She was nuts, but I don't know what all her levels of nuts entailed.

"Clingy girlfriend?"

"More like satanic enemy."

The driver makes a noise in the back of his throat and I give him a look before the cross dangling from his rearview mirror catches my attention. I clear my throat and try to smile.

"I mean," my mind reaches for a save, anything to fix the mistake I'd made. "A clingy ex?" I flinch at the words. If Kadence ever heard me say the words, I'd wake up neutered and in a strange country. "Actually, no, uh, just a prank taken way too far."

The driver eyes me, judgment clear on his wrinkled, dark-skinned features. "Whatever you say, kid. Where to?"

I open my mouth to reply when my phone buzzes with an incoming message.

"How'd she get my freaking number?" Message after message from someone who can only be the clingy brunette filters onto my screen. If it weren't for the telltale blackmail picture I'd taken of my childhood enemy highlighted next to a message, Kadence's text would have gotten lost in the swarm. "Jes-"

The driver clears his throat.

"Jello squares."

Jello squares?

I'm beginning to realize that today just isn't my day. From rigged date to psychotic runaway, and now over zealous religious taxi driver. I don't have a clue what else could happen today, but I'm sure as hell not ready to find out. I open the message from Kadence, a low growl sounding in my throat.

K: how was the date? love at first sight?

T: oh yeah, we're already planning our marriage.

Three little bubbles float at the bottom of the screen before disappearing and then reappearing. My stomach turns over at the sight as my foot taps away on the cab floor.

"Kid," the driver's bark has me jumping out of my seat. "Where am I taking you?"

"Oh, uh," the phone vibrates, drawing my eyes down to the screen.

K: ooh, i call first speech at your wedding. people need to know that i'm to thank for the lovely couple.

I click my tongue. Cocky, egotistical little-

T: what makes you think you're even invited?

K: :sad face:

K: fine, i see how this is. no respect for your friends.

My fingers slam out my reply, ignoring the taxi driver.

T: i'll get you back for this Kade. you won't know what's hit you until it's too late.

The bubbles appear, disappear, reappear. The entire time I picture her, sitting on her plush pink comforter, PlayStation 4 controller beside her on the bed, video game paused. Her messy black waves would be pulled high in a messy bun atop her head, a few strands would have come loose, and would hang in her eyes. A devilish smile would curl her lips as she composes her reply.

My body shoots to the right as the driver veers to the side of the road, pulling into an empty parking spot by the sidewalk. The doors unlock and he shoots me a glare.

"Look, either tell me where I'm going or get another taxi. I don't have all day to chauffeur you around."

"I-" the message comes in and my brows shoot up. My lips twitch, flutters coming alive in my stomach. I shift in my seat and tighten the hold on my phone.

K: i'd like to see you try. you may be top of the social totem pole, but you're nothing in my world, pretty boy.

I look up at the driver. His arm rests around the back of the passenger seat, his body careened towards me. The pads of his fingers tap away on his steering wheel. He looks at me with a "Well?" expression.

"223 west ave, Lincoln Street." I said, as I type my reply.

T: Game on, loser girl.