BET

Chapter Seventeen

Kasia

I drive away, feeling strong in my resolution to not give in and let them win. Although, as I turn around the winding roads, I can't help but feel like I am also losing in the process. I'm completely lost in my thoughts when my car suddenly lurches forward and then slows down completely despite my foot still being on the gas pedal.

I pull off to the side of the road safely and put it in park. Looking down, I see the lights on my dashboard flashing before turning off completely. I sigh, removing my key from the ignition, knowing that I will not be going anywhere, anytime soon. I lean forward against the steering wheel, my forehead resting on the worn leather.

"Fuck my life," I say quietly.

I sit back in the seat and find my phone, opening it up and pulling up my messages. Evelyn doesn't have a car so I scroll past her name. Juliette is currently sharing hers with her brother, but they might be able to come pick me up and maybe he can help get my car running again. I type out a message to her and send it, sitting and waiting to hear a response come through.

After ten minutes of sitting there and not hearing back from her, I get out of the car and open the hood up, not sure what I am looking for, but feeling like I need to do something in the meantime.

From behind the hood of my car, I see a pair of headlights turning the corner and heading towards me. This isn't a busy road and I know that I am not going to see many more cars after this one. It could be hours before someone else drives down this way, so I walk around the front of my car and peer out, hoping that they will see me and be nice enough to stop.

They pull off to the side of the road and I am relieved that I might be able to hobble my car home and deal with this all in the morning. That is until I see who steps out of the vehicle, three tall figures walking towards me.

    "You've got to be fucking kidding me." I whisper to myself as Henry, Simon, and Keagan's faces appear.

    "What are the odds?" one of them says as they approach me and my car.

    "My car just completely died," I say, gesturing towards it. "I have no idea what's wrong with it."

    "I'll take a look." Henry says, walking towards the open hood of my car.

    I follow after him and watch as he peers in. Simon and Keagan walk over too, pulling out their phones and shining the flashlights to be able to see.

    "Your battery probably just died." Keagan says.

    "We can try and jump it for you." Henry adds.

    Simon walks back to their car and opens up the trunk to get the jumper cables. I run a hand through my hair, relieved that they are here and are able to help me. Henry stands next to me as we stare down into the hood of my car. I look over at him and see the familiar smile on his lips and can't help but smile back, his affection contagious.

    "Thanks for showing up and saving me." I say.

    He leans in and bumps his shoulder into mine. "Anytime babe."

    I smile as Simon returns with the jumper cables. I move out of the way, letting them get to work connecting them from the battery in their car to mine. They turn on their vehicle after making sure the cables are connected correctly. Once the battery is charging, Simon steps back from both cars and turns to me.

    "It's going to need to charge for a while before you'll be able to drive again," he says.

    I nod quickly. "Thank you. I don't know what I would have done if you guys hadn't shown up."