Diana opens her mouth slightly before closing it. This is the first time I’ve ever seen her hesitate on anything. “Well, I am trying.”
I frown slightly. “Trying?”
“I got my learner’s permit back in July but with everything going on and school being at walking distance, I just never had to chance to ask Ronnie to teach me.” She leans a little closer and lowers her voice. “Plus, I’ve been scared to ask.”
“Scared?” I question. “The Diana I know is fearless.”
“Well,” she says, shrugging. “I’ve been scared my entire life.”
Scared my entire life.Holy shit, that’s sad. I can’t imagine the slightest picture of what Diana went through but I want to so badly tell her that she’s a survivor. She shouldn’t let one moment dictate how she lives her life moving forward.
Maybe I can show her. An idea forms in my head and I choose to act on it.
“What’s that look?” Diana asks wearily.
I shake my head. “Not important. Do you have anything planned for today?”
She shakes her head.
I stand up from my chair. “Meet me back out here with your purse in an hour, okay?”
“Am I allowed to ask questions?”
Chuckling, I ask, “Do you trust me?”
“Do you really want me to answer that question?”
“Just trust me,” I assure her before heading towards my front door and entering my house.
“You better not steal my stuff!” She shouts before I close the door behind me.
Trust me, if anyone’s gonna be stealing anything, it’s her. She already stole my heart anyway.
21
Just Feeling It
Diana
I’m sure I set the record for the fastest time ever. The speed at which I got ready for the day could rival Hermes—and that messenger god isn’t known for being slow. I, however, take an obscene amount of time to just style my hair.
Now I stand outside in the clearing between our houses, waiting for Carson. Purse in hand, sunglasses perched on the bridge of my smaller-than-average nose, light cream-colored sweater, and jeans that hang slightly low on my hips. It’s still chilly outside but with the sun shining bright on us, you wouldn’t notice.
After another minute passes, Carson’s front door opens and he steps out. Once again, the son of a bitch looks handsome without even trying. Coiffed brown hair and a washed-out jean jacket layered atop a white hoodie with the words, “Bored of South-Sea.” Jesus, I know he’s not a skater but he can pull that look off so effortlessly. Especially with that smile.
If my insides weren’t already swarming with every butterfly imaginable, they would be now.
Carson holds up a set of keys and shakes them. “You ready?”
My eyes widen. “We’re driving?”
“We can’t get there walking,” he explains. “Highways exist.”
Looks like I’m already a dead girl walking.
“This better be worth it,” I mutter as I follow him out to where Jake’s car is parked. I take over the passenger’s side while Carson makes himself comfortable behind the wheel before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a bottle of—
“Dramamine?” I blurt out. “Why did you bring Dramamine?” I don’t feel any motion sickness when I’m in a moving vehicle. Just panic.
