'Moonlight'

12

I approach the car bravely, knowing I'll either be ignored or yelled at by Stevie.

I don't know which one would be worse.

She's never yelled at me, but it feels awful when she doesn't even look at me, just like she's doing now, too busy begging Lindsey to stay in the car with her.

Kesi follows behind me a few moments later, providing me with a distraction from Stevie.

I frown, noticing her face is dark with guilt.

"Pierre, I'm sorry but... I'm gonna go in the car with Lori and Lindsey, and Sharon will go with you instead."

I stare at her blankly. She was going to be my support for this hellish car journey.

"Oh, alright. Why?"

She kicks the ground awkwardly, tracing patterns in the gravel with her heel. "I just don't feel comfortable around Stevie... yet."

I shrug, gritting my teeth. "It's fine. As long as you're happy."

"Are you sure?" she says, worriedly. I nod, forcing a small smile.

She isn't convinced, but sighs as Lori summons her over to the car and she has to go.

"It'll be okay." she says, quickly, kissing me on the cheek gently before rushing over to the car with Lori.

I sigh, closing my eyes briefly and staring at the floor to calm down a little.

I'll have to think of a new coping mechanism to get through this car ride without Kesi. I open my eyes after a few seconds, before turning around to find Stevie in front of me.

My calm state disappears, replaced by anxiety.

I open my mouth to ask what Stevie wants, but she cuts over me.

"Pierre," Stevie says, chewing on her thumbnail anxiously.

I don't say anything. I have nothing to say to her.

"I'm sorry. I know you're not ignoring me." continues, so quietly i can hardly make out what she's saying.

"What?" i say, utterly clueless. This isn't what she was saying 5 minutes ago.

"It's all rather complicated. But i shouldn't have said those things, they're not true," she says, dropping her hand from her mouth before she ruins her thumbnail, and so i can hear her more clearly.

"I can't fully explain... I don't have the words to. Well, I never have the words to, in person. It's why I write." she smiles lightly, trying to put me at ease.

I sigh, shaking my head. I've been an idiot, for so many different reasons.

Of course she isn't mad at me, i've been the one mad at her.

"It's okay, Stevie," i say, sadly. "it's been my fault."

"No, Pierre, it's been me, because-"

We're interrupted by the driver beeping the horn loudly. Stevie jumps, turning around and cursing angrily under her breath.

"Fuck. Cmon." she says, opening the car door for me.

I smile lightly, sliding into the backseat at the window.

Stevie slides in after me, followed by Sharon, who i'm guessing is sitting in the back to supervise.

I suppose I may never find out what the reason behind Stevie's coldness has been, but i realise i don't need to know, so why let it bother me?

I smile briefly at Sharon while Stevie fixes her seatbelt, but she just rolls her eyes as Stevie sits up to face me, blocking me and Sharon from each other's view.

"You excited for the tour?" Stevie says, suddenly bursting with energy.

I raise my eyebrows, nodding slowly.

"I'm actually shit terrified, but yknow, same thing really."

Stevie frowns slightly, tilting her head to the side.
"Why?"

"Uh, i've never been on a tour before, I have no clue what I'm doing. I thought I was here for album covers."

Stevie chuckles, shaking her head. "No, Pierre, you're here for YOU, not just album covers."

"For 'me'?" i echo, confused.

"Nevermind," Stevie says, turning back to face the front and sit down properly. "Just, don't be nervous. It'll be fine."

She starts chewing on her thumbnail distractedly, staring out the window. Sharon grumbles, smacking Stevie's hand gently to get her to stop.

"You'll ruin your nails, madam." Sharon says, grabbing Stevie's hand to inspect said nails.

Stevie shakes her head, pulling her hand out of Sharon's grasp, but she drops her hand to her side nonetheless.

I stare out of the window, watching birds flying past. I wish i'd put my camera in my carry-on bag rather than my suitcase. The countryside out here is so beautiful.

"Pierre, would you say red or black?" Stevie asks suddenly, pulling me out of my reverie.

She's holding her hand in front of my face, wiggling her fingers to show me her nails, which are currently not painted any colour.

I'm just realising how long Stevie's nails actually are. No wonder Sharon is worried about her ruining them.

I shrug, unsure what to say. I don't think i'm qualified to make such an important decision.

"Ugh, it's no use asking a man about nails." Stevie says, impatiently.

I stay with the same blank facial expression, feeling slightly humiliated.

"Don't worry, i think red is nicer than black for nails anyway." Stevie says, smiling. "You okay?"

"Yeah, sorry. I'm alright." I mutter, smiling a little.

Stevie raises an eyebrow, somehow knowing that i'm lying.

She rests her hand on my leg, rubbing my knee with her thumb gently.

"It's okay, Pierre. The tour will be great." she says, even though we both know that's not an issue anymore.

She stares off into the other window, but keeping her hand firmly on my leg.

Butterflies threaten to burst out of my mouth as i bite my lip to stop my smile from showing.

Considering how quickly her attitude has switched up, and how much she loves Lindsey, i shouldn't be smiling.

But i am.