Unveiled Passion

The long walk

Kiara

We sat in the car when Blake called someone. "Hello," Lexa answered. "Where are you guys?" Blake asked. "We're about to pass the Griffith Observatory. Where are you?" The line started to break up. "We...are...in..." The call dropped, and Blake cursed under her breath.

After that, we sat in complete silence until I broke the silence. "So, what just happened?" Blake didn't even look at me, her eyes fixed on the road. "Blake, I know you're angry at me, but-" She cut me off, her voice stern. "Angry doesn't even describe what I'm feeling right now. Do you have any idea what you've caused?"

I retorted, "It's not my fault, I just told the truth." Blake's expression turned cold, her eyes narrowing. "Typical," she said, shaking her head. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, offended.

Blake sighed. "It means the world doesn't revolve around you, Kiara. Sometimes you don't have to say everything that comes to mind." Her eyebrows furrowed, and we lapsed into another awkward silence.

"Take me to my dorm," I said finally. Blake shook her head. "I can't. It's not safe to go to campus." My confusion turned to alarm. "What do you mean it's not safe?" Blake's voice dropped to a whisper. "When a fight like this happens, no one is safe. They can hurt you or worse."

I felt a chill run down my spine. "So where am I supposed to go?" Blake offered, "You can stay with me for tonight, and tomorrow I'll drop you off at Lex's." I hesitated, then opened the car door and got out. "You're so stubborn," Blake called after me. "You'd rather walk on the streets. What if someone stops you?"

I kept walking, my phone dead, until I spotted a gas station in the distance. The neon sign read 'Viada'. I headed towards it, hoping to find safety.

Blake

Why does this girl have to be so stubborn? I get she doesn't like me, and frankly, I feel the same way. But leaving her to walk alone in the streets? That was a mistake. My phone rang, and I answered to hear Lexa's worried voice. "Where are you guys?"

I hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. "Your friend didn't want to leave with me, so she left." Lexa's response was laced with disbelief and concern. "Attendre, attendre...Please tell me you didn't leave an 18-year-old girl walking alone in the streets of Los Angeles!"

"What was I supposed to do, Lexa? She didn't want to come with me," I defended myself.

"Blake, you know better than that! You can't just leave someone alone in the middle of nowhere. What if something happens to her?" Lexa's voice was stern, but I knew she was right.

"I know, I know. I wasn't thinking. I'll go back and get her," I said, turning the car around.

"See that you do. And Blake?" Lexa added. "Be more careful next time. You can't always rely on your fists to get you out of trouble."

I sighed, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration. "I know, Lexa. I'll try to do better."

I headed back in the direction Kiara had gone, hoping I wouldn't be too late.