My eyes shot open immediately I started feeling uneasy in my sleep. My bladder was humming with activities; I wanted to pee. I had to. With an effort to try to hold it, I crossed my legs together in a tight manner and curled my fingers over the edge of my seat.

Beads of sweat began popping out on my face. Nevertheless, I rocked myself back and forth in my seat. I opened my mouth to tell Zach to stop the car but my mouth clipped shut. I couldn't just say hey Zach, could you stop the car, I have to pee, or Zach! I gotta pee! I didn't want Zach having the impression I had no bladder control whilst, people could hold theirs for about nine hours.

So I waited for an opening.

"Aren't you gonna eat that?" Zach's voice snapped me out of my reverie. I turn to him to see he was focused on the road, his suit was draped behind his seat. He was gesturing down at the paper bag housing my food. Zach's was nowhere in sight.

"Ummm...sure. Later." I gasped as I uncurled my fingers from the seat. Quickly, I put it back.

"You okay?" He asked as he drove through a sandy clearing.

He eyed me with concern before facing the road again. This is so hard! Movies made it look so easy! Ruby calm down, deep breaths okay? One wrong move and things could go horribly, horribly wrong.

"Let's stop driving for a little. I think am starting to get woozy." I stared at him blankly. All of a sudden, he made a sharp turn into a gas station, making me lose my fingers on the seat and into the side of his chair.

Immediately, I jumped out of the car, my eyes looking around for a bathroom. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing. Just stretching...my muscles. Now if you would excuse me, am going to freshen up in the bathroom," I say, making my way fast across the station.

After doing my business, I walked over to the sink and my eyes caught my reflection's. I looked horrible. I wondered how Zach had been able to look and smile without laughing in my face. I had huge eye bags resting underneath my eyes due to my lack of sleep and crying, my bright eyes now appeared duller and bloodshot. I looked pale and thin. My sundress looked like it was wearing me instead. My hair was a disaster.

I didn't look like Ruby the actress, I looked like a shriveled runaway dog!

I didn't even look at a mirror before leaving Zach's.

Immediately, I tried to look presentable. I ran a hand through my wind-blown hair trying to give it an I-just-rolled-out-of-bed-look. I groaned as my fingers got stuck. I tug and pull out my hand painfully from the forest on my head.

Wincing in pain, I try to pull it into a bun. Sadly, the bag containing my hair bands was in the car. Taking a once over at myself, I tried to fix the dress. It was of no use.

An idea popped to mind. I turned on the water and used my palm to scoop water then poured it over my hair.

That plan was sure better than facing Zach looking like a hobo.

Repeating the action a few times, I was satisfied. I ran a hand through the turned soft waves, pulling all the strands back. I looked better.

Nodding sympathetically at my appearance. At least, I looked better than before. I sauntered out of the bathroom.

I stepped out of the bathroom instantly, I saw Zach. He was seated on the edge of the car drinking something from a plastic cup. A gorgeous pink haired woman who I assumed worked at the gas station was talking to him.

She shamelessly flirted with him and he flirting back smiling widely at her. I frowned as her hand flew to his shoulders, she moved closer to him and whispered something to his ear.

Apparently what she said made my frown deepen, she moved away from him and Zach smiled at her.

I was annoyed. She was flirting with him and he didn't stop it? We are married for fuck's sake!

'Technically, you're not his girlfriend. Stop acting like your favorite toy was taken away from you.'

I sigh deeply. My head was right! There I was behaving like a jealous girlfriend of a hardcore player. I'm despicable.

He looked like he probably liked me at times. He told me to kiss him and talked indirectly about me having sex with him.

'That's because he is a player you dumbo.'

But there were times he acted like he cared: he was worried about me, he kept up with my crazy self, we cuddled, heck, he was coming with me to see my family.

But still...we're not in a relationship. It's not like he asked me to be his girlfriend or anything. If he did, I'll totally say no.

'Prove it then, don't disrupt him. Walk by like it doesn't concern you,' the voice in my head challenged.

'How are you even a part of me?' I questioned.

'I don't know. Now shoo.'

Taking a deep sigh, I struct over with my head held high and my face holding an aloof expression.

"Ruby. It took you long enough," Zach's voice said, stopping me in my tracks as I was about to enter the car unnoticed.

With a low groan, I turn to him smiling sweetly, "sorry. There was only one toilet clean enough for everyone to use. The workers around here aren't doing a good job, they'll busy with what doesn't seem to need their help."

Zach looked confused whilst, the bitch was glaring daggers at me. "Anyways, can we continue our road trip? Thanks" I smiled widely, entering the convertible and slamming the door behind me.

'You're crazy.'

I couldn't resist the urge to roll my eyes and fold my arms to myself as the bimbo typed in her digits on his phone. Their mouths started to move; they were whispering quietly. Hopelessly, I leaned forward in my seat, trying to hear the conversation but, I got nothing.

Soon, he smirked and said something, causing the girl to giggle. She walked away after throwing me a glare.

Zach watched her walk away before turning back to me. Quickly, I grabbed my lunch and started eating—to show I didn't care.

"Daphne, such a beautiful name. Am I right, sweetheart?" He said as he sat in his seat. I frowned to myself. So that was HER name. I noticed the first three buttons of his shirt unfastened, giving me the view of his...

"Let's go. A few more kilometers to Green Bank and, the car isn't going to drive itself."

He started the car, driving out of the gas station. I tilted my head to face him, "we-l-l I ca-n dr-i-ve la-te-r," I say in between chewing my burger.

He turned to me with a surprised look, "you drive?"

"Of course I drive. Am not some bimbo you met at a gas station," I chuckled. My eyes widen at my choice of words. Mentally, I facepalm myself.

Oh, God. That came at wrong.

Fix this fast.

I burst out laughing, nearly knocking over the coke in my hand. "That was a joke. Of course, I can drive, I'll take over later," I say quickly.

Zach must have noticed my stupidity and he said nothing.

We stayed quiet for about ten minutes. Allowing the wind, the sun, and the rustle of leaves to be our guest. I finished my lunch then, stared ahead.

We past through lands of green vegetation. I hummed a song I heard at the club a few nights ago—I only knew the chorus.

Hating the silent atmosphere, I turned on the radio. Hoping it would work and it did.

Like the radio loved me, it was playing the song I had been humming.

Rum, pum, pumrum, pum, pum, pumrum, pum, pum, pum
Man down
Rum, pum, pum, pumrum, pum, pum, pumrum, pum, pum, pum
Man down.

I yelped, singing along at the top of my voice.

Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down
In central station
In front of a big ol' crowd
Oh, why? Oh, why?
Oh, mama, mama, mama
I just shot a man down
In central station

I clamped my mouth shut after then, not knowing the rest.

"I didn't know you could sing. The night I met you at my hotel, you were shouting not singing," Zach said as he turned right out of a sharp corner.

I blushed shyly, remembering that night. "Well, I have my off days. Besides, singing isn't for me. Acting is. We have already artists left, right, center."

"True, but you should you know, try to be a singer. I'm sure you'd do great," he encouraged.

"No thanks. My singing is only for the shower," I chuckled, shaking my head.

"Then I guess you won't mind given me a private concert," he said smirking.

Letting out a hidden smile, "pervert. Come on let's switch seats. You've been driving for about three hours now," I said, unbuckling my seatbelt.

Zach parked the car and we switched seats. Immediately he sat on my seat, he yawned.

"That's it, big guy. Go to sleep," I coaxed, tossing my lunch paper bag in the trash.

I started the engine and moved slowly at first before picking up the speed a minute later. I turned to Zach. He was already sound asleep. Leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I wondered how Ma would react seeing me and especially, Zach. She was naturally a nice woman but she hated people using or picking on her children.

Times without number, Ma would appear in Green Bank high—my high school—to warn anyone who bullied me. Leaving me embarrassed and with the nickname "mummy's girl."

She even went to Pocahontas high school—my brother's current high school—to threaten. She loved both of us to death but wouldn't resist killing us if we step too far. She loved attention; I was her basically: loud, asking whose side you're on, sucked at sports, and loved the quiet life...sometimes.

I thought about asking them to move to Hollywood with me. They could stay at my condo and I could get a new one. Grant was almost done with junior year, I could transfer him to a school close by. While Ma, could sit back, relax and try to catch up on the things she missed in the city.

I smiled to myself. The plan was good. My mood turned sour.

Dad.

I couldn't just pack up and moved back to Green Bank to take care as the new breadwinner! I was trying to make a life—a name—for myself. I had a dream.

Suddenly, my spirit brighten. I could try to convince Ma to move. If she refuses, then I'll visit every week.

"Dad, we could try to move on...for you. Not today, not tomorrow but further in the future," I whispered quietly into the wind. My makeshift hair was already losing its touch, it started blowing around again.

And Zach. I frowned. I had to leave him soon and we could become perfect strangers. He'd move on to other girls and I'll move all my time to act and family. For a second, I wish he would like me. How I could be the only thing he thought about, he take me on dates and, we banter all day.

I stopped the car as a familiar green sign caught my eyes.

        Welcome to Green Bank,                          Enjoy the peaceful life.   

A lone tear escaped my eyes as I stared at it. I laughed loudly as I wiped the tear used the back of my hand. Zach's eyes opened immediately meeting mine. "Ruby, what's wrong? What happened? Did we get in an accident?"

"We're in Green Bank Zach. Finally, I'm home," I said in a shaky voice in between laughs.

I make a move to start the engine hurrying to get home when Zach's hand touched mine clutching the wheel. "Let's switch."

"Wh-at. Why?" I sputter aloud.

"Because am going to meet my wife's family, I can't allow my wife drive while I sit out back," he said simply, turning off the forgotten radio. His hand still lingered on mine, giving me weird sensations fluttering in my stomach.

My heart did cartwheels at his words. Even skipping a beat.

Oh, Zach, what am I going to do with you?