Ineffable ꕥ Joost Klein ꕥ

1.

Elke hated car meets.

The loud engines, the revving, the head lights, the illegal modifications, there was nothing about the shows that interested her. They usually took place at night in carparks outside warehouses and department stores. This meant that Elke was usually cold and dreaming of getting into her bed. But the night swept away shoppers and daylight, and the abundance of parking spaces made outdoor carparks the perfect gathering spots. 

Cars would pull up to the discussed location and parade around their bright paintjobs and shiny rims. Drivers would bring their friends and boast loudly while drinking from bottles and cans. Under the street lights, the hum of predominantly male car fanatics would turn empty carparks into thriving hubs of trouble.

With her arms crossed over her chest and her weight leaning on one leg, Elke spent a majority of these gatherings on her own. She would arrive with Roan in his WRX, spend a minute with him and his friends, before they would move off to look at other vehicles. Roan would like for Elke to look with them while hanging off his arm like the other girlfriends. But she insisted that she wouldn't be his eye candy while his true love stayed parked between two white lines.

So, in the backseat of Roan's car, Elke was sat scrolling through her phone. Her elbow leaned against the window frame and her head leaned against her balled fist. The street lights went out in sporadic flashes as people passed her window. They glanced at her, wondering if they should have some empathy for the girlfriend that didn't want to be there, before walking on to look at the next car.

Passing yet another Instagram post of celebrity news, Elke sighed. She was bored and it was late. She leaned to the left to peer through the windscreen. Roan was stood in front of a blue Skyline with his three friends. With a beer in hand, Elke's boyfriend threw his head back as he laughed at something his best friend said. It was almost like he hadn't dragged his girlfriend to something she didn't want to be at.

Elke made a decision. She opened her door and made someone passing jump in surprise. She mumbled an apology all while shoving her phone into her jean pocket. Her appearance went unnoticed by Roan and his friends until Elke crossed the street. 

An engine revved and earned a collection of hoots. It made Roan turn to it's origin before catching sight of the brunette.

A grin graced his stubbled face at the possibility of Elke finally joining his side. Her pretty face against her long, brown hair was never a sight for sore eyes. Her long lashes, brown eyes and upturnt nose was naturally shaped to the ultimate beauty. 

Clad in a cropped jumper and highwaisted jeans, Elke drew eyes like she did at every car meet. When she dared to step out of Roan's car, Elke made Roan look like he had it all. A nice car, a circle of friends and a beautiful girlfriend, Roan wanted to show people that he was important.

'El, come look at this!' Roan went to meet her halfway and took her hand. Tugging her arm from her chest, the man was oblivious to the grimace on Elke's face. All he was going to show her was another car with another loud exhaust and polished paint.

As he rambled, Elke stood with a forced look of interest. The warmth from Roan beside her did nothing in the still, cold night. She was aware of the many groups of men that walked past, occassionally stringing a girl along who batted her eyelashes at anyone who looked. It made Elke uncomfortable and without alcohol, cigarettes or some other stimulant, she wanted to shrink back into Roan's car.

'I want to go home, Roan,' Elke said when he paused to take a breath. He turned to the shorter girl and tried to not show his immense disappointment.

'What?' he glanced to where his friends stood and was glad they couldn't hear them.