The Summer We Changed

a scenic getaway

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Rain poured against the car as it's wheels spun down the dark street out of Lake Sutter. Although it had happened so many times before, Jewel felt weird being in the car with Jeremiah now. After so long apart, and after everything said, she never imagined she'd be back by his side once again. She couldn't help but to overthink where to put her hands, where to look, how to sit. Jeremiah's eyes gazed over at her for the hundredth time, watching as she fidgeted in her seat once again.
"Can't you sit still?" He scolded, watching as she rolled her eyes.
"You know I hate car rides." She reminded him, reverting her eyes back out the passenger window. Jeremiah's expression softened at the reminder, remembering that she, too, once carried the pain he did now. His eyes remained on Jewel for a moment too long, the wheel slipping off the edge of the road onto the muddy ground below. Jewel let out a gasp at the sudden jerk, Jeremiah's foot quickly hitting the break.
"What the hell was that?" Jewel asked as Jere took a breath, the car rid of motion. He chose to ignore her comment, letting his foot back onto the gas to continue their journey. However, as the engine revved louder, the car remained stuck, its wheel caught in the muddy hole along the edge of the road.
"Shit." He cursed out, unbuckling his seat belt and climbing out of the car to inspect the problem. Jewel sat nervously in the front seat, looking back through the rear windshield for any sign of distress. By the time he had gotten back in the car, not only was he soaked from the rain, but he also was evidently more frustrated.
"The tire's stuck." He explained, Jewel furrowing her eyebrows in return.
"Should I try to call a tow?" She suggested, Jeremiah quickly shaking his head in denial.
"I'll just have Triple A come out." He told her, reaching for his phone from the center console. He let out a frustrated groan moments later, tossing his phone down.
"There's no service." He spoke, attempting to keep himself calm despite their situation.
"Well, we are in the woods. It's a scenic getaway."
"Would you like to handle this then?" Jeremiah snapped, a cold expression etched on his face as the two stared down each other.
"Fine." She spoke, grabbing her jacket from the backseat before climbing out of the car. Jeremiah's eyebrows furrowed as he watched her leave, the jacket over her head as a poor attempt to block herself from the rain.
"Damn it." He muttered to himself, snatching the keys from the ignition before getting out himself.
"Jewel!" He called out, watching as she refused to turn back.
"Where are you going?!" Jeremiah called out, jogging carefully downing the slippery asphalt to catch up to her.
"Somewhere with a phone that works!" She answered, Jeremiah taking the time to loop his arm around her waist.
"That could be for miles!" He argued, pulling her back to face him.
"There's a motel about a half a mile on the left..."Jewel retailed, turning to walk once again.
"Jewel, I don't think..." Jere spoke, his words cut short as lightning struck nearby. Both flinched at the sudden fright, Jewel jumping back into Jeremiah and sending them both slipping into the mud. Jeremiah groaned as Jewel landed atop his chest and arm, both now covered in the sludge. His eyes gazed over to Jewel, seeing the drops of mud now dripping down her cheeks; but something about the sight felt too familiar. The same playful spirit, with the same dirtied face because she had been playing too much. His eyes trailed to her lips, feelings he hadn't felt since December spinning back into his mind like an old record he had forgotten about. Jewel's eyes shifted between his eyes and lips, frozen in a moment of uncertainty.
Lightning struck a mere moment later, the pair's jumps bringing them back to reality.
"We're not going that far. We'll sleep in the car, and walk in the morning!" Jeremiah yelled over the rain, Jewel quickly nodding her head in surrender. His hand slipped into hers, helping her to her feet, before the two ran back toward the car. Jewel's mind still replaying the scene from before as she climbed back into the vehicle. It was a moment of weakness, she told herself, taking a deep breath as Jeremiah got back into the driver's seat. She wouldn't allow herself to be sucked back in so easily, not after what had happened.