Two Years

8.) Ryan

The drive to Tech was quiet one. Both parties were too involved in their own musings to mind the silence. Maya was feeling only apprehension, her fear of rejection getting the better of her. She began to bite down her long fingernails, a nervous habit. It wasn't until the taste of metal pervaded her taste buds that she realized she'd drawn blood. Shawn looked towards the passengers seat, noticing his friends uneasiness, and her now bloody finger.

"You know," he began calmly, "I wouldn't exert too much energy worrying about Ryan's reaction."

She gazed at the blonde hopefully.

"So, you really do think I'm worrying for nothing?"

"No, I'd just be much more worried about Jade if I were you."

Shawn glanced again at the passengers seat, and he could've sworn that he saw a dagger shooting out of Maya's eyes. She slowly turned her head and glared hard at the road in annoyance, avoiding his stare.

"You're an ass." she stated after a moment in a monotone voice, "and no offense, but your car smells like shit."

She took a whiff, using her hand to fan the air, and faux-coughed to emphasize her point.

"Well, excuse me," Shawn retaliated sarcastically, "I drive three middle school boys home from school every day. Do you think I want my car to smell like this?"

"I guess if your car smells this bad you don't have to worry about something breaking in again to get ya, huh?"

Once she realized what she had said she covered her mouth, stunned by the malice of her own words. It wasn't like her to speak so freely without considering the repercussions. What happened to Shawn in this car was a sensitive topic, it always had been, and the last thing she needed was to upset the only person who can help her.

"I'm so sorry, Shawn. That was such a stupid joke. I'm such a bitch, oh my god-"

Her nervous tangent was interrupted subtle laughter exuding from the driver's side of the car. She peered at Shawn with an astounded expression. What could possibly be so amusing?

"Maya, you need to chill out. I survived. I lived to tell the tale," he said in a more serious tone of voice, "have you always been this high strung?"

"I-" she tried to retaliate, "don't know. Am I uptight?"

"Trauma can do that," Shawn stated nonchalantly, checking his rear view mirrors and turning the wheel of the vehicle, "So, in other words, yes."

"Gee, thanks." She rolled her eyes.

The rest of the ride was a silent ride one, but comfortable. As much as the entire situation frightened him, he couldn't deny that the thought of all four them in one room again was exciting. He silently pleaded to any higher power that might've been listening.

"Please, let this go well. I don't want to lose them. Not again."

After another fifteen minutes or so of silence, pulled into a large parking lot, and there was an open spot located just in front of the entrance. Maya was almost disappointed. She had hoped it would be more difficult to obtain a spot, and she would have a few extra minutes to prepare herself.

"Wesmieser Hall," Shawn pointed towards the sign next to the doors, "we're here."

Maya took a deep nervous breath, staring at the old fashioned wooden doors leading to Ryan's dormitory. Shawn noticed her apprehension, yet again, and attempted to ease her worries.

"Hey," he said, putting a supportive hand on her shoulder, Maya noted that his expression seemed genuine, "I told you there's nothing to worry about."