Just Keep Driving - Jeremiah Fisher

004

The windows were down in Jeremiah's jeep and the wind was coursing its way through the car. I had my hand out the window content with the warm summer feeling on my skin. I was in the passenger seat, because Jeremiah usually bickered with anyone who tried to take it. The seat was for me only, he usually said, which I selfishly enjoyed.

We were on our way to a bonfire which wasn't normally my scene back home, but we were in Cousins. Something about being here always made me step out of my comfort zone. Also not for nothing Jeremiah was always dragging me to these things because he usually said the night wouldn't be the same without me. I knew from the first time he asked me to tag along though that wasn't the case. Steven and Conrad are older than he is, and even though he has an extroverted personality he didn't want to feel left out.

I looked around the car from the passenger side to see Conrad pregaming very hard. The sight was still so new and surprising to me, but I need to understand we all handle grief in different ways. Next I saw Steven with his nose in his phone, the guy always had notifications. Then I looked over to Jeremiah. He had one hand on the wheel and the other leaning on the window's edge. He looked so good, the sight coursed excitement through me anticipating our next late night drive.

Jeremiah gave me a little side eye, and I knew I'd been caught. His little smirk gave it away which put butterflies in my stomach. I wish he knew how much of a hold he really had on me. Anything he does makes me fold, and honestly I was okay with that. He's one of the nicest people, so it made crushing on him all the more easier. I knew if he were to reject me he would do it in the nicest way possible.

"Alright boys, and lady! Let's have a fun but safe night. I am your DD so I am responsible for you punks" Jeremiah gave a little speech as he parked the jeep. As soon as he did so Steven was off to the races, and Conrad set off to find some more alcohol.

"So Ray, were you actually flirting with me back at the house" Jere asked once he saw the boys were out of sight.

"I wasn't flirting! I was simply playing you at your own game" I said, sticking my nose up and turning away from him jokingly. It made him let out a breath of laughter.

"Okay, okay you got me there. Let's go" He said as we both hopped out of the jeep.

Once we stepped foot on the beach I was sent into a frenzy. There was so much happening something was bound to happen. Though of course I was just here for the ride so I would just sit here waiting until it unfolded.

Jeremiah and I made our way near the fire, and as soon as we did so many people made their way to Jeremiah. He was like a magnet, people were easily pulled to him. This is something I was made used to as his friend, and it didn't bother me one bit. He deserved the attention he was a piece of sunshine everyone deserved to meet.

Usually I was left feeling out of place because social scenes weren't really my thing. Though this time while all the people gravitated towards him he gravitated towards me. He inched over until our shoulders were touching, and there he stayed. I looked down with a smile so nobody would notice. It was nice to know he found the same comfort in me that I did him.

***

20 minutes had passed when we heard a commotion from behind us. When I looked over Steven and Belly were arguing, and next thing I knew she was falling over herself onto the ground. Our group let out a little gasp when they saw that happen.

"I have to go help her" Jere said as he left the group. We were both about to go help when we noticed that she stood up with anger.

She got up in a flash and harshly turned towards Conrad and the girl he was with.