Don't Take It Personal

T W E N T Y S I X

THE back door opened up and Kade stepped out, jogging over across the parking lot to the doors of the gas station we were stopped at.

A second later, Camila slid over, stepping out the car. Her black hair was down her shoulders and she wore a white seamless tank top with sweatpants. My brother's cap was on her head, resting backwards.

She looked over to me. "What do you want out?"

"Something sweet," I told her. I was putting my credit card in the machine, waiting to pump the gas to the car.

It wasn't that cold out, but it was different from SoCal.

I was wearing black shorts and a crewneck that was dark red. It was Isaac's. It had the USC logo on it.

We had been driving for over seven hours. Layla drove for three hours, but finally tapped out and I had to drive five.

I got behind the wheel and drove the rest of the way, stopping at the gas station. Lake Shasta was about five minutes away.

We woke up around four. It was early, but we wanted to get to the cabin around one so that we would have time to chill and do things.

I took my credit card out, placing it in my wallet. After doing so, I lifted the black handle up, clicking 87, and turning around to stick it in the gas tank.

I pressed down on the button, locking it inside of the tank so it would hold itself.

Layla got out the passenger seat, closing the door and walking around the car towards me.

She lifted her arms up, stretching. "My back hurts so fucking bad."

She was wearing gray sweats and a black cami top. Her hair was wavy, going down her shoulders. It was parted in the side, tossed over in pretty waves.

"You sure it's because of driving?"

She smiled, shaking her head at me. "What else would it be?"

I lifted my shoulders, tilting my head. "You tell me."

"Whatever," She said, a smile still on her face as she headed towards the store. "I'm gonna get something to drink. You want something?"

"Coke."

"Don't think that's legal here."

I lifted my sunglasses to the top of my head for a moment. "I'll leave you if you don't come back with it."

She waved me off, heading into the store where KT and Cam were.

Finally, the two people in the very back finally got out. Easton stepped out, heading towards the store too, while Isaac stepped out last, closing the door.

He didn't go inside the store, he stayed out here, standing close to me.

It seemed like he had been meaning to say something this whole time. We didn't really have time to talk since I was up there driving with Layla.

I tried not to focus on him, not wanting to get nervous as I focused on filling the car up with gas.

It was hard to do as I knew he was looking at me.

"Quick question, Ise," I looking over my shoulder, almost meeting his eye. "Did your parents ever tell you that staring is wrong?"

"I think beautiful sights deserve attention." His hands were in his pockets as he lifted his shoulders.

I turned towards him, leaning my back against the car. My heart was beating against my skin, my body filled with a sensation I tried to get rid of.