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Nick's heart sank. She watched the outside of her car window go from unidentified trees and dead plants to familiar buildings and sights as they got closer and closer to her house. She didn't want to go home. She wished she could stay in this moment of limbo forever. However, Hopper's car rolled to a stop.
Joyce stood by the front door, her face lighting up at the sight of the police car. Nick sank lower in her spot, her stomach churning, wishing she could melt into the seat and disappear. She planned to stay glued to her seat, but when Hopper opened her door, she knew she had no choice but to get out.
Joyce ran towards her daughter, eyes shining with unshed tears. She stretched her arms wide for a hug, but Nick stepped back, her hands defensively coming up. A tight, aching knot formed in Joyce's chest. She swallowed the hurt, the taste of it bitter like the cold air surrounding them, and turned to thank Hopper, her voice slightly wavering.
Nick stomped to the back of Hopper's car, grabbing her bike. She rolled it to the clothesline and dropped it into a pile of soggy leaves. Without looking back, Nick marched towards the house, the door slamming behind her.
Joyce winced at the sound. She turned away from Hopper, her eyes stuck staring at the house. "Uh, I've got to go. Thanks again," Joyce mumbled, her words barely heard, as she hurried after her daughter.
Nick was halfway down the hallway when Joyce finally caught up.
"Nick!" Joyce called out. The harshness in her tone made Nick halt. Her back stiffened as she turned to face her mother.
"What?" Nick's voice was a low growl as she crossed her arms tightly across her chest.
Joyce's expression faltered, surprised at her daughter's harsh tone. She took a step closer, "You ran away, Nick."
"So?" Nick shot back, her shoulders lazily shrugging. She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her gaze not quite meeting her mother's.
"This is the third time in the last three weeks."
"So?"
Fed up, Joyce blurted, "No more bike."
"What?" Her face flushed with a rush of heat, her eyes widening in disbelief. "You can't do that!"
"Yes, I can," Joyce retorted, her hands firmly planted on her hips, her voice unyielding. She took another step forward. "I've trusted you over and over again. I've given you so many chances to talk to me, but you won't. You keep running away to Lonnie—"
"To my dad! To my dad!" Nick's voice cracked, her eyes flashing with anger. She stepped back, her arms unfolding as her fists clenched at her sides, her breath coming in short, angry bursts.
"No bike."
"I have work," Nick said, her voice panicked. "What am I going to do about that?"
