W.A.R.M.T.H: The Prologue

Joy Ride

                                                                                     AJ

"Do you want a ride?"

I smile at Amora, a grimace is plastered on her face but it doesn't make her look any less adorable.

"A ride on what? I didn't see a car." She's holding her hood down over her head as if she can shield herself from the rain, I guess the ears and tail aren't the only cat-like things about her.

"Who said anything about a car darlin'?"

"Well, how are you going to give a ride if you don't have a car?"

"Ever heard of a motorcycle?"

"A motorcycle? I dunno, motorcycles...aren't they dangerous?"

"Isn't a car dangerous?"

She starts worrying at the string of her hoodie "Well yeah but, isn't a motorcycle more dangerous?"

"Oh c'mon, do you trust me?" I reach out my hand, urging her to take it. "Did you just quote Aladdin at me?"

"Only a little bit." I smile.

"Just trust me. You'll be fine. I promise."

"No offense AJ but you're not exactly the kind of person I trust." she says it with a reluctant look as she eyes my hand, considering grabbing it.

"That's fair. So you're saying you'd rather walk home in the rain you just hissed at?"

She groans "No" she says with a sigh and looks at my out stretched hand. "Just, don't kill me. Okay?" she says as she grabs my hand.

"Won't be a problem."

        I pull her around to the parking lot of the school where I leave my motorcycle, to make sure Jason has no idea it exists so he doesn't end up killing himself on it. Despite the freezing rain, her hand is warm in mine; I grab tighter, not enough to hurt her though I'm not sure she's easily hurt. She seems like the kind of girl who can take a hit and throw one back, no matter the fact that she's small. Her simple gray hoodie is pulled up around her head and it covers half of her face. Not that I'm looking at her but, I remember exactly how she looked before I turned around. I don't know what this feeling is. It's not quite romantic, not just platonic.... We approach my motorcycle.

"Are you even old enough to own one of these?" she asks, worry in her voice. I smile "Not quite darlin'. But don't worry, I've been riding this thing since seventh grade." I turn to hand her a helmet, she looks terrified. I try to give her a consoling look, "Everything will be fine. I'm a safe rider...when I need to be."

She looks at me, probably trying to decide if she should bail and brave the rain. She puts on the helmet

"Where did you even get this thing? Did you use fake ID?"

   I shake my head in amusement, "You think too much of me, I don't have the money to get a fake ID. I bought this bike from a junkyard for 70 bucks and then found the parts...elsewhere. I basically built this beauty."

   I run my finger along the shiny black paint job of the bike and then take my seat. "You comin'?" I say to Amora one eyebrow raised. She bites her lip. "I guess." She groans, glaring up at the rain again. She sits behind me and realizes she has to wrap her arms around me "Oh, I am not doing that."

She says. I shake my head "Alright, your funeral." I rev the bike and balance it on one wheel. The loudest scream I've ever heard rips out of Amora's throat as she claws at my sides to wrap her arms around me.

"Much better!"

     I yell to her over the sound of the engine and the rain as I begin riding out of the parking lot and to Amora's house. I'm about to ask her for her address but then realize I already know how to get there. How do I know where she lives? Once we're on the road she is considerably more relaxed.

"Go faster." She whispers in my ear. I speed up the bike and she lets out a yell of happiness. It's such a beautiful sound I almost lose my focus. What is this? Once we reach her massive house with the large open grassy area and the cobblestone pathway leading up to her front door. She looks so unhappy I almost forget to show my manners and walk her to her door.

"What're you doing?" she says.

"Walking you to your door like a gentleman."

"Why?"

I smile at her, "Because I want to." We reach her front door and she sighs.

"Thank you for tonight, all of it was...nice."

"Well, I'm a nice guy." She rolls her eyes,

"Right."

 I bite my lip, "I'm serious." I move her bangs from in front of her eyes "I'll be nice to you."

She smiles and looks away from me. I lift her head up to mine and move in to kiss her because that has to be what I'm feeling, right?

"Wait." She puts up a hand, "My mom will kill me."

She points to a security camera angled directly at us. I smile at the camera and wave

"Hi mom." I pull her towards me and kiss her. Her lips are warm and soft against mine and I feel...nothing. I pull away, and look at her. She's confused, she was expecting something different too. I stare into her eyes, "I swear I already know you..." I trail off and wait for her response. She just nods slightly, "I think you do. I just, don't know how." I nod,

"But it's not that."

she smiles, easing the tension, "Definitely not that."

"Goodnight Amora." I smile at her. I turn to walk back to my bike and my mind lands on Ren. Where did he go.... and with Raven?