chapter seven.     car wash nightmares

season one—————episode five.

ELODIE SPENT THREE DAYS SPIRALING, REPLAYING the same impossible moment in her head. No matter how many times she tried to rationalize it, she kept landing on the one answer that made no sense. Vampires. She had scoured Google, Youtube—any corner of the internet that might offer a logical explanation—but vampires were the only thing that kept popping up. That couldn't be right. Vampires weren't real. They couldn't be.

By the third day, Elodie was sure she had driven herself crazy because she had started to rationalize that vampires were real. The only thing that took her mind off it was school. So, she attended school like normal, and avoided Elena like the plague because she couldn't exactly look at her them same way. Caroline acted like everything was fine, so Elodie and Bonnie had banded together.

"I think I'm having a mid-life crisis or something, Bon," Elodie muttered as they walked to class. "Except I'm not old enough for one. And it's not just that—I keep having this stupid dream."

"What kind of dream?" Bonnie asked, her voice casual, but her sharp glance betrayed curiosity.

"There are two versions," Elodie replied with a frown. "In one, I'm waking up in this golden building in the sky. There's this...voice. It's telling me, 'It's almost time,' and calling me a 'child of the stars.'" She shivered at the memory. "The other one feels like a memory more than a dream. I'm on the roof the night of the comet. Stefan and Damon are there, talking, but I can't make out what they're saying. And then—" she paused, swallowing hard. "Then I get thrown to the ground. And that's it. I wake up."

Bonnie furrowed her brows, tilting her head. "Okay...that's super weird. Maybe it's, like, a sign or something?"

Elodie gave her a flat look. "A sign of what? That I'm going crazy?"

"No," Bonnie said lightly, though her tone carried an edge of uncertainty. "Maybe it's telling you you're gonna die soon."

"Wow, thanks, Bonnie. That's super comforting."

Bonnie shrugged, but her expression softened. "I'm just saying it sounds intense. I don't know what it means. But after the car wash, I'm going over to Grams'. You could come?"

Elodie perked up immediately. "Yes! Please. If anyone has answers, it's your Grams."

Bonnie smiled, though though her eyes betrayed her. Something flashed behind them, concern, or maybe even fear, but she said nothing more as they continued down the hallway. Separating when they arrived at their classes.

After school, Elodie was surprisingly open. There was no cheer practice, and it was an off day when she didn't have to go into the shelter. She had planned to walk home and do a bit more googling when Stefan honked his horn at her. Elodie glanced up before moving to the car. In the middle of the line, Stefan climbed out of his car and moved around to the front.

"What are you doing!" Elodie squealed as the cars began to honk behind them.

"It's your first driving lesson," Stefan smirked, opening the passenger door.

"Stefan!" Elodie hissed, but the horns behind them grew louder as the line began to shorten so Elodie climbed into the drivers side, the chair perfectly placed to where she could reach the pedals and still see over the dashboard. "What is your master plan here? For me to crash your car?"

Her foot slammed on the brake instead of the gas causing them to jolt forward. "Oh my gods above! Stefan, I can't drive! I don't know how."

      Stefan leaned over the console to grab Elodie's hand, "yes you can. You told me you had your license, you can do this. Just take it slowly.

Elodie's eyes widened, her heart hammering in her chest as she clutched the steering wheel. "I said I have a license, not that I use it! There's a difference!"

Stefan chuckled, unfazed by the chaos he had created. "Details, details. You're here now. Just relax, El. Ease off the brake and lightly tap the gas."

Elodie shot him a glare, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the wheel tighter. "Lightly tap the gas," she muttered under her breath, her tone laced with disbelief. "Like that's not the recipe for disaster."

Taking a deep breath, she cautiously shifted her foot. The car inched forward, smooth and controlled—until another honk erupted from behind them.

"Why does it feel like everyone in this town is out to get me?" Elodie groaned, glancing in the rearview mirror. "They're probably calling Caroline's mom to file a formal complaint about us."

      "Let them," Stefan said, a grin spreading across his face. "You're doing great. Keep going, just follow the curve of the road."

"Oh, sure, because this couldn't possibly end in a lawsuit," she muttered. Her grip softened just a little, and the car rolled forward with a bit more confidence. "Okay. . .I'm doing this. I'm really—wait, what do I do now?" Her voice pitched higher as she neared the streetlight at the end of the parking lot.

      "It's a stoplight, Elodie. You stop at it if it's red and you drive through it if it's green," Stefan said with mock seriousness. "You've seen them before, right?"

She rolled her eyes but obeyed, pressing down on the brake with exaggerated care. The car jerked slightly, but it stopped. Elodie let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

"There you go!" Stefan clapped his hands, a smile breaking across his face, showcasing the dimple on his right cheek. "See? Driving genius in the making."

      "Genius?" she said, giving him a deadpan look. "Stefan, I just learned how to not crash in the past thirty seconds. Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

But as she turned her eyes back to the road, a small smile tugged at her lips. When the light turned green, she let off the break and turned right, Stefan coaching her on how to get home. As she drove down the familiar streets, Elodie's hands felt less stiff on the wheel. She was still focused, but there was a small sense of freedom creeping in. The nerves she'd been holding onto melted away bit by bit, replaced by a kind of exhilaration she hadn't expected.

"Elodie?" Stefan's voice interrupted her thoughts, still trying to be helpful from the passenger seat. "You took a wrong turn, but it's okay we can head back, just make a right up here."

      Elodie turned the car off the main road ignoring his directions, the pavement growing rougher and narrower as they headed deeper into the woods. The familiar streets of town faded behind them, swallowed by thick trees and underbrush. She wasn't sure why she was headed this way, this space was her own—tucked away from everything and everyone, no one knew about it besides her.

      "Uh, Elodie..." Stefan's voice had a note of concern as they drove deeper into the woods, the trees growing denser, the sunlight dappled and faint. "I don't remember your house being this way."

"I just—I want to show you something," she said softly.

Stefan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Instead, he settled back into his seat, a grin tugging at his lips. "Alright, driving rebel. Let's see what you're really made of."

Elodie smiled, glancing at the brunette who kept glancing outside in worry, "Live a little! My grandma always said, 'Life isn't meant to be a worry-fueled race; you can't truly live if you're too busy running from what might go wrong'."

Stefan didn't respond, but she could feel his eyes on her as she guided the car down the winding dirt road. The trees thickened even more, their branches twisting overhead, blocking out much of the daylight. It felt almost like driving through a tunnel of green.

When the road finally opened up, they arrived at a clearing. The park, just as she remembered, was secluded behind the thickest stretch of trees, making it almost invisible to anyone passing by. The parking lot was small, only a few spaces, and not a soul was in sight. Elodie parked the car and shut off the engine, the sudden silence almost deafening.

"Where is everyone?" Stefan muttered, peering out the window at the deserted park.

Elodie opened her door and stepped out into the stillness. The air was thick with the scent of earth and pine, and the only sound was the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. She smiled softly, as if the quiet had been a long-awaited friend.

"This place is my escape," she said, her voice almost reverent. "No one knows about it—just me. I come here when I need to clear my head."

Stefan followed her out, his footsteps crunching softly on the gravel. "I can see why. It's like a hidden world."

They wandered deeper into the park, the trails barely visible beneath the overgrown grass and ivy. There was a sense of timelessness here—everything seemed to have been forgotten, left untouched by the hustle and bustle of the town. The benches were covered in moss, and the old swings creaked quietly in the breeze.

"Isn't it peaceful?" Elodie asked, taking a deep breath, letting the quiet settle over her.

Stefan didn't answer at first. Instead, he looked around, taking in the hidden beauty of the place. "Yeah," he said eventually, his tone softer. "It's perfect."

They walked in companionable silence, the weight of the world lightened by the solitude of the park. For once, Elodie didn't feel like she had to be anywhere or be anything. Just a girl, standing in the middle of her secret place, with the one person who seemed to understand.

They paused at the swing set, one of the chains squeaking as it moved with phantom shoves. "I didn't know you were such a driving prodigy, no curbs or anything," Stefan said, smiling down at Elodie.

The blonde looked up at him, "well I wouldn't say I was a prodigy, but I have driven a lot with Caroline."

Stefan gasped, clutching at his chest, "I wasn't your first driving instructor? I feel betrayed."

Elodie smiled at him, "if it helps you're the nicest. And the cutest I've had." She retreated the words as soon as the rolled off her lips, "oh gods, sorry, your dating Elena and—"

Stefan walked up to her, grabbing her wrists before looking at her as truthfully as he could. "You're the prettiest girl I've ever instructed, Elodie."

She flushed a cherry red, before she understood where she was, who she was with and pulled away. The teasing, the warmth in his smile, it all felt so natural, but a knot formed deep in her chest. She couldn't ignore it. It was impossible to forget who Stefan was with—Elena, her friend. The guilt pressed in like a heavy weight, squeezing the air from her lungs.She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The awkwardness settled between them like a fog, but Elodie refused to let it suffocate the moment. She forced a smile, though her heart was pounding in her chest.

      She pulled her gaze from Stefan, her fingers nervously tracing the edge of the swing. "I...I can't," she murmured, her voice quieter now, her earlier smile faltering. "I mean, I can't just forget...I'm friends with Elena, Stefan."

      A small voice in her head whispered to her—the devil on her shoulder perhaps—"and yet, Elena kissed Caroline's boyfriend. You're friends with her too."

      Stefan tilted his head, his expression softening as he studied her face. "Hey, I know," he said gently, taking a step back to give her some space. "I'm not asking you to forget anything. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable, Elodie."

      But that didn't ease the guilt that swirled inside her. She had felt the connection with him, the way their laughter seemed so easy, the way his words made her heart race. It was impossible not to feel drawn to him. But every moment, every shared look, felt like a betrayal to Elena, even though she hadn't done anything wrong. It wasn't her fault that her feelings had shifted. It wasn't Stefan's fault either, but that didn't make it any easier to ignore.

      "I never meant for it to be like this," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "I like you, Stefan. I do. But I can't be the one who complicates things...not with Elena. She's been my friend for so long, and I don't want to hurt her. I just—I don't know what to do."

      Stefan's eyes softened, and for a moment, he looked like he wanted to say something, but he hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. "I get it," he finally said. "I really do. And I'm not trying to put you in the middle of anything. It's just...I think you're someone special, Elodie. But I don't want you to feel like you have to choose or carry some kind of burden."

      The way he said it—so earnestly, so understanding—made the guilt even sharper. She swallowed hard, pushing the tears that threatened to surface back down. "I just don't want to be the one who ruins everything," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

      "You're not going to ruin anything," Stefan said, his tone gentle but firm. "But you have to do what feels right for you. And if that means stepping back, then I understand. I won't push you."

      Elodie nodded, her heart heavy. She wasn't sure what was right anymore, but all she knew was that she didn't want to lose the friendship they had. She didn't want to be the one to cause harm, even if it meant burying the feelings that had unexpectedly bloomed between them.

      "I'm sorry," she whispered again, not sure if it was for him, for Elena, or for herself. It didn't feel like an answer. But for now, it was all she could give.

As Elodie and Stefan stood in the quiet park, the weight of the conversation still hung between them, the air thick with unspoken words. Elodie wasn't sure how to break the silence, her thoughts tangled with the guilt she couldn't shake. She was just about to say something, maybe offer a quick change of subject to lighten the mood, when her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Startled, she pulled it out, glancing at the screen. It was Caroline. Elodie hesitated for a moment, feeling the familiar knot tighten in her stomach. Caroline knew how she was feeling about Stefan, but she had been so confident that Elodie would never make a move against him. She glanced at Stefan, who was watching her curiously, his expression unreadable. He hadn't seen Caroline's name.

With a sigh, Elodie answered the call. "Hey, Caroline."

"Hey! So, what are you wearing tomorrow?" Caroline's voice was cheerful, but strict. "Dana already bailed, and I'm pretty half of the other girls will before it starts. And I am not going to stand being hit on by trumpet playing Quinton for the third year in a row alone."

      "Yeah, I'm definitely in for the car wash," Elodie said, her voice a little too casual. "Care, I literally planned the entire thing, don't worry. And for outfit, I haven't decided yet."

      "Of course, of course. And whatever you wear will be hot and sexy as always!" Caroline exclaimed. "I know most of the marching band kids will be there, and I think half the football team has committed, most because we're donating some of the fundraising for their coaches funeral. I haven't heard if Stefan has or not, do you know if he is coming?"

      Elodie's stomach dropped. She wasn't expecting Caroline to ask about him so quickly. "Stefan? What...what why would I have heard from him?"

      Caroline laughed from the other side of the phone, "I was just asking, geez. He was supposed to meet Elena at the grill at four, but he's going on an hour late, according to her boring texts in the group chat. Which by the way, you are in, and haven't been answering."

      She looked up at Stefan, who had pulled out his phone and seemed to go white as he looked at the time. "Um, you know what Care, I think he is going to come tomorrow. Make it up to his girlfriend. But I've got to go, bye!"

      She hung up the phone, before tossing Stefan the keys as they climbed into his car. "How could you forget about meeting Elena!"

      Stefan sighed, "I don't know. I was just, caught up. She'll understand."

      Elodie's stomach tightened into a knot. She glanced at him, and wondered what exactly she had seen three days ago. Damon's face was unmistakable—black veins under his eyes, the red rims and blood covered lips. She wondered if Stefan was the exact same.

      "So," Stefan began as soon as the car started moving. "Car wash was it?"

      Elodie glanced away from his face, hoping he hadn't caught her staring. "Um, yeah. The cheer team does it every year, to raise funding for the school. We're donating a third of it to cover Tanners funeral."

      Stefan nodded, "that's good." He smiled at her, taking a moment to glance at her. "Thanks for the invite," he said, his voice quieter than before. "I'll come if you want me to."

      Elodie nodded, but a small part of her felt a little unsure. "Yeah, of course. It'll be fun. But, uh, if it gets weird—" She hesitated, unsure of how to explain without sounding like she was making excuses.

      Stefan shook his head, wanting to reach out and grab one of her hands, instead his grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I get it. Don't worry. Just...I'll keep it cool. It's just a car wash, right?"

      "Right," Elodie said, her voice a little softer. "Just a car wash."

      They sat in silence the rest of the ride, the air conditioning sweeping through the car. Elodie couldn't quite shake the feeling that tomorrow might change everything, but she wasn't sure if it would be for better or worse.

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THE SEXY SUDS CAR WASH LOOKED just how Elodie had planned it—or how Caroline would claim she had planned it. Elodie was one of the first girls to show up, setting up the pay table, buckets and hoses, the soap and sponges. Dalton was forced to come early as well, but the boy was no help—lying in his car, sleeping the morning away.

      The morning air was crisp, but the promise of sunshine made it bearable. Elodie didn't mind the quiet. She thrived in moments like this, bustling about with purpose. By the time Bonnie and Elena arrived nearly an hour later, the school parking lot had been transformed into a fully operational car wash.

      "Elodie, this is amazing!" Bonnie called as she stepped out of her car, stretching in the early sunlight.

      Elodie flashed her a sunny smile, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Thanks! I figured I should get a head start. You know how chaotic things can get once Caroline gets into full cheer mode."

      As if on cue, Caroline arrived moments later, bouncing out of her car with her surprising enthusiasm given the early morning. "Ellie, this looks perfect!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around her best friend. "You're the MVP of this whole thing!"

      Elodie laughed, returning the hug. "Stop it, Care. You know you're the one keeping everyone motivated. This wouldn't be half as fun without you."

      Elena approached next, her warm smile making Elodie's own falter slightly. The pang of guilt she felt whenever she saw Elena hadn't gone away. That one impulsive moment—the one where she'd almost made a move on Stefan yesterday—still sat heavy on her heart. She'd stopped herself before crossing a line, but the memory lingered, and her stomach knotted every time she thought about it.

      "Hey, Elena!" Elodie said, her voice as bright as she could make it. "Thanks for coming! I was starting to worry you'd skip out on us."

      Elena chuckled, waving off the comment. "Are you kidding? Like Caroline would let me. And wow, Elodie, this setup is incredible."

      "Team effort," Elodie replied quickly, her cheeks flushing. "Caroline's got everyone excited, so it makes it easy to get things done."

      Caroline was already rallying the others who had been slowly arriving, clapping her hands and shouting, "Alright, team! Let's make this the best car wash ever!" Her energy was infectious, and soon the parking lot was buzzing with activity.

      Elodie found Dalton with the rest of the football team, each male shirtless as they scrubbed at the first few cars. Stefan no where to be found—which had Elodie feeling contradicting emotion of relief and disappointment. She turned away from him when Caroline bounded up to her. "Elena's got the pay station ready to go, Bonnie is helping the girls over there and you are still not in your suit."

      Caroline pouted, her hands on her hips as she eyed Elodie up and down. The pair of sweatpants and baggy shirt she had pulled on over her swimsuit concealed her figure. Even Caroline was dressed the part: A cute pink frilly bikini top that she had stolen from Elodie years ago. Elodie made a face, but complied, pulling her t-shirt over her head to reveal a tight bikini top that tied at her neck. It was Elodie's favorite swimsuit because it had a white trim and in the middle of the top was a daisy.

"I have shorts in Daltons car," Elodie added before Caroline could object to her sweatpants. "I'll be right back."

Elodie held her shirt in her hand, not letting it drag as the walked across the parking lot to where the teams cars had been hidden. Daltons car was easy to find, given the blue paint job, and he had left it unlocked. She bent in, reaching across the seats to grab her shorts before wiggling off her sweatpants. She tossed them in the car along with her shirt before glancing behind her, Elodie felt a shadow fall over her. Before she could process it, a deep, familiar voice spoke behind her.

      "Elodie."

      Startled, she let out a sharp yelp, spinning around—only for her head to collide with the edge of the car doorframe. Pain shot through her skull, and she stumbled back, clutching her forehead.

      "Elodie, it's me," Stefan said quickly, stepping closer. His hands hovered near her shoulders, his face etched with worry. "Are you okay? Let me see."

      "Stefan!" she gasped, her heart still racing from the fright. "What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?"

      He ignored her irritation, gently taking her hand away from her forehead to inspect the spot she'd hit. His touch was steady, his expression serious. "You hit it hard. Does it hurt to move your neck?"

      Elodie blinked at him, momentarily thrown off by his protectiveness. "No, it's fine," she murmured. "I'm fine, really."

      Stefan didn't seem convinced, but after a moment, he stepped back, crossing his arms. His sharp blue eyes scanned the parking lot, his jaw tight. "I noticed some guys looking over here," he said, his tone low and firm. "They weren't being subtle. I didn't like it, so I came to make sure you were okay."

      Elodie's cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and gratitude bubbling up inside her. "Oh," she said softly, glancing over his shoulder toward the parking lot. She hadn't noticed anyone watching, but Stefan was proving to be more observant than she was.

      "I should've said something sooner, but I didn't want to call attention to it," Stefan added, his gaze never leaving hers. "Next time, don't come over here alone, alright?"

      Elodie's heart gave an unexpected flutter at the protectiveness in his voice. "I didn't think it was a big deal," she said, her voice quieter now.

      "It is a big deal," Stefan replied firmly.

      Her lips curved into a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Stefan. Really. But you didn't have to scare me half to death in the process."

      The corners of his mouth lifted slightly in the faintest hint of a smile. "Fair point. Sorry about that." With a nod, he stepped back, his arms falling to his sides. "You good now?"

      Elodie nodded as she slipped into her shorts, the soreness on her forehead already fading. "Yeah. Thanks for looking out for me."

      "Always," he said simply, before turning and walking away, his posture as steady and confident as ever.

      Elodie watched him go, her heart still beating a little faster than usual. She didn't have time to dwell on the moment, though as she watched Stefan approach Elena, pressing a kiss to her lips as Caroline sauntered away from the pair. The blonde sighed, shaking off her feelings as she closed Daltons door and skipped forward to help the rest of the girls.

      Elodie threw herself into the work, scrubbing cars, chatting with customers, and occasionally catching Caroline's eye for a shared grin. She couldn't quite shake the guilt she felt around Elena, especially after what just happened at Dalton's car, but each time she glanced at Elena she reminded herself that she didn't do anything. The flash of Elena and Damon kissing was at the forefront of her mind whenever the guilt became too strong.

      "Hey, Tiki!" Elodie cheered, her eyes falling on the darker skinned girl in a cheetah print bikini top texting people on her phone. "This one's yours."

      Tiki glanced at her in annoyance, "why do I always get the homely ones? Just to be clear, your car's a POS. I mean, we can wash it but it's still a POS."

      Bonnie interrupted the girl, "you don't have to be rude."

      "Rude is uglying up the road with that junk," Tiki scoffed.

      Elodie followed the owner of the car, "I'm so sorry! I'll give you a discount for that, sir."

      The boy just nodded, but Elodie could tell it didn't help the impact of Tiki's words. She made a mental note to talk to Caroline about kindness in the team environment, and at a team event. She spun around at the sound of yelling behind them, watching as the soapy water from Tiki's bucket had splashed up and covered the girl head to toe in water. The hose spurting water uncontrollably as Matt rushed to help, bending the hose to stop the water with a grin.

Elodie blushed, "I'm so sorry, normally our car wash is more put together than this."

"It's no worries," the boy spoke, as Elodie directed him to the pay station where she told Elena about his discount.

"And if Caroline asks, send her to me, and she can deal with Tiki." Elodie smiled before spinning away from her and heading back to the cars.

Before she got her hands wet again, Elodie pulled her hair into a bun on her head. Then she dipped her hands into the bubbly water and began to wash the car at the front. Dalton joined her, glaring at the boys who looked at Elodie in any way that he didn't like.

"You have to stop doing that," Elodie glanced at her brother who seemed like he was trying to light a boy on fire with his stare.

Dalton pinned the look to her, "put a shirt on and I won't need too."

Elodie looked at him in surprise, "geez, don't be so rude about it. It a swimsuit car wash, Dalton, what am I supposed to wear?"

"Anything but that," Dalton threw the sponge at her, which had Elodie laughing as she threw it back to him. He almost threw it back at her when he glanced down, "shit, El. You're bleeding."

Elodie glanced at her hand, finding a trail of blood from her wrist down to her palm. "Oh, look at that. I didn't even feel it."

Dalton scoffed, "let's get you the first aid kit." Dalton reached for Elodie's good arm, and led her away from the soap as he asked someone to cover for the two.

The two passed Stefan, Elodie tried to smile at the boys who looked but he took one look at her hand and spun away from them. And Elodie swore she saw Damon for a second, the veins under his black eyes, teeth too sharp to be normal. But then they were gone, pulled into the school where Dalton treated the small cut on her wrist.

Elodie always bled a lot, no matter the cut size or placement. "Dalton, I'm not dying you can stop overreacting."

Her brother pinned another glare on her before wrapping the gauze around her wrist one more time before cutting it off. "Just, man the pay station, we can wash without you worrying everyone if you're going to hurt yourself clumsy."

Elodie blush at the statement, but nevertheless nodded and followed her brother back outside where she took the empty chair at the pay station. It only took a few minutes before something else happened.

"FIRE!" Elodie jumped from her seat, running towards the screams where she found Bonnie standing in front of the growing fire. She seemed to be in a trance as she watched the car yards in-front of her go up in flames, oblivious to the screams of students around her. Her grip on the broom tightened, as Elodie rushed over to the girl.

Her hands placed on Bonnie's shoulders as she shook the girl. Her name falling from Elodie's panicked lips, it took a few tries before Bonnie turned to look at Elodie, her concentration breaking, and in turning allowing the fire to extinguish.

"What just happened?" Bonnie questioned, almost out of breath.

"You were in a trance," Elodie told her, eyes worriedly glancing over the brunette.

Bonnie glanced around her in horror, "did I do this?"

Elodie glanced to the smoke, "I think that trick you showed me at the founders party, this was a bigger version of it."

"Nobody else saw, did they?" Bonnie asked, her voice soft with worry or terror.

Elodie glanced around again, no one was paying the two of them any mind. Everyone focused on the car that had been engulfed in flames just moments prior, "no. Nobody saw."

Bonnie's hands were shaking, and Elodie grabbed them softly. "Go, I'll hold the fort down here. I think the car wash has had enough to deal with today. Say hi to Grams for me."

Bonnie's eyebrows pinched with worry, "thank you." The words came out as a whispered before she turned and hurried walked towards her car. When Elodie saw she made it was when she turned to help the rest of the team out.

Elodie made eye contact with Stefan, the boy standing by another car farther away from everyone else. His brown eyes scanned hers for anything that gave away her emotions, but all he saw was fear.

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KENNEDY SPEAKS :

i feel like i keep repeating myself but im
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