IM5 Preferences

21. Late Night Driving

You get a cookie if you can figure out the ending without reading the spoiler.

COLE

One hand on the steering wheel, the other holding yours. You’re wide awake, heart thumping madly in your chest as you watch him drive, taking the curves slow, everything just in leisure. There is no rush, and he doesn’t force it. Instead, it all seems to come naturally. He doesn’t have to try. You look over at his face, half hidden in the moonlight, and admire his stress-worn features. He’s scruffy and his hair has grown out, but it makes no difference to you. It doesn’t matter, because you’re together even through the end. WELL, LOOKS LIKE I’VE JUST DUG MYSELF A HOLE

DALTON

He took all the back roads, wanting to avoid everyone else. It was dark and quiet, the night was very alive but very still. The silence between the two of you was filled with all the things you would never say, but should have anyway. In the darkness, he didn’t dare look to you, but you only looked to him. You reached out and gently placed a hand on his knee. You watched as his shoulders seemed to relax and his hardened resolve became soft when he turned to you, eyes curved into one last smile. OW, WHAT HAVE I DONE

DANA

It wasn’t much of a drive, you didn’t go far before he brought it to a stop and idled in the dark, eyes fixated on one thing up above you both. You looked up at the cloudless sky and saw it, right there. It was bright and dominated the vastly dark sheet that covered you both. You smiled to yourself, knowing you were seeing things the same way for once. And time ground to a halt as you both sat in silence, staring up at the North Star, letting it guide you back home where you belong. IT’S TOO EARLY FOR THIS

GABE

Silent, heavy, dark, and suffocating. You wanted to scream, but every time you tried, the sound only caught in your throat and all you could do was look to him. He slowed the car to a crawl and took your hand in his, squeezing it and letting you know it was alright, you were safe with him and it was all in confidence. He wouldn’t judge you and you didn’t need to worry, the slow motion of the car was soothing you as his he held both your hand and your trust. WHAT IS THIS

WILL

It was his own suggestion and you trusted his judgment. You could trust him with your life. His hand rested on your leg, just above your knee, occasionally squeezing simply to remind you that he was there. You wanted to apologize, to compromise, to figure things out, you wanted closure, but all at once, you didn’t want to let him go. You wanted closure, but you didn’t want it to end. So you placed your hand delicately atop his and squeezed it just in time to see him smile once more before it was all gone. WHAT NO I’M SOBBING WHY