Not So Out Of Reach

Chapter 33: Escaping the noise

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WILDFLOWER BY BILLIE EILISH suits this chapter
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I stirred awake, the gentle hum of the car engine lulling me back from sleep. Blinking a few times, I looked out the window and was met with the warm, golden hues of the sunset spreading across the sky. The colors blended seamlessly, oranges and pinks melting into purples as the sun dipped lower behind the distant hills. The scene was so peaceful, so far removed from the chaos of the city we’d left behind.

I glanced over at Alex, who was focused on the road ahead. He looked so calm, his dark hair slightly tousled, catching the soft glow of the evening light. His jawline, strong and sharp, was relaxed for once, not clenched like it usually was when he was stressed. The lines of his face, softened by the fading sunlight, made him look effortlessly handsome. He was wearing a simple white t-shirt that hugged his chest and arms, making him look casual yet striking.

The radio played softly in the background, but it set the perfect mood for the quiet that filled the car. My eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, taking in how the colors of the sunset reflected in his eyes. He caught me staring and flashed me a small, lopsided smile.

“Good nap?” he asked, his voice smooth and easy, like the drive had put him at ease.

I stretched and yawned. “Yeah, it wasn’t bad. How long have I been out?”

“About an hour or so,” he said, glancing briefly at me before turning his attention back to the road. “Figured I’d let you sleep. You looked peaceful.”

I smiled softly, turning my gaze back out the window, watching the trees and open fields pass by. The further we got from the city, the more the landscape seemed to open up, stretching wide with no buildings to block the horizon. It was freeing, in a way—like the problems waiting for us back in the city couldn’t reach us out here.

“This is nice,” I said, almost to myself, but Alex heard me.

“Yeah, it is,” he replied, his voice thoughtful. “I figured we could both use the break. Just... get away from everything for a while.”

I nodded, letting the peacefulness of the moment wash over me. We hadn’t spoken much about the city, about the things weighing us down. It was almost like an unspoken agreement to leave it all behind, if only for a few days.

“So,” he said after a moment, “you think the stars will be as bright as they were last time?”

I smiled at the memory. The first time we’d been far from the city, we’d spent hours lying on our backs, staring up at the night sky, marveling at how the stars seemed to glow so much brighter without the city lights to dull them.

“Maybe even brighter,” I said, my voice soft with the hope that we could recapture that same magic.

We lapsed into a comfortable silence again, just the radio and the sound of the tires on the road filling the space between us. It was a relief, really, to not have to talk about anything heavy or complicated. Just us, the road, and the colors of the setting sun.

“Wanna stop for food soon?” Alex asked, breaking the silence.

I turned to him, catching the way his lips curved into that teasing smile he had. “Depends—are you cooking?”

He chuckled. “I didn’t realize I was signing up for chef duty.”

“Too late,” I said, laughing along with him. “I’m holding you to it.”

We continued to talk like that, the conversation light and easy. For a little while, it felt like the weight of everything had been lifted. No case, no city stress—just the two of us, out here on the open road, driving away from everything that had been pulling us down.

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“Where exactly are we going?” I asked, curious as Alex kept his eyes on the road, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. The golden light of the setting sun cast soft shadows over his face, making his expression all the more mysterious.

He glanced at me, the smirk turning into a full smile. “I told you, it’s a surprise.”

I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my seat, half-annoyed but mostly amused by his playful secret-keeping. “You can’t keep me in suspense forever, you know.”

“Fine, fine,” he said, chuckling. “We’re going to a vacation farmhouse my family owns. It’s just outside the city, not too far from here. Quiet, peaceful.”

I blinked, surprised by how thoughtful that sounded. “A farmhouse, huh? So, what... are we gonna be milking cows or something?”

Alex laughed, a deep, genuine sound that filled the car. “No cows, I promise. Just wide-open fields, fresh air, and maybe some horses. We can just relax.”

I couldn't help but laugh along with him. “Horses? Oh great, I can see it now—me falling flat on my face trying to ride one.”

“You’ll be fine,” he teased. Then, to my surprise, he reached over, took my hand, and brought it to his lips. The soft press of his kiss on my hand sent a wave of warmth through me, and I felt my cheeks grow hot.

I tried to play it off with a casual laugh, but my heart was definitely not cooperating. “You’re gonna make me blush, Alex.”

He grinned, still holding my hand. “I like seeing you blush.”

I shook my head, looking out the window to hide my smile. The warmth of his gesture stayed with me, and the silence between us felt more comforting than ever.

We drove for a while longer, the road stretching out before us, before Alex suddenly pulled over to the side. I looked around, noticing a McDonald’s sign a little ways back.

“Pit stop?” he asked, his voice light.

I grinned. “Yeah, I could eat.”

We ordered our food, and soon enough we were sitting in the car, parked by the side of the road, eating fries and burgers. The quiet of the evening wrapped around us, the radio playing softly in the background. The smell of fresh fries and the hum of distant traffic created an oddly peaceful atmosphere.

“Okay, serious question,” I said between bites of my burger, trying to sound as dramatic as possible. “Where do you see yourself in, like, ten years?”

Alex paused, pretending to think hard. “Hmm... ten years, huh? Probably still doing music, but maybe on a bigger scale. I’d like to have my own recording studio, something I can build from the ground up. And, you know, hopefully inspire people along the way.”

I smiled, genuinely touched by his answer. “That sounds amazing, Alex.”

“What about you?” he asked, glancing at me. “What do you want in the next ten years?”

I hesitated for a moment, chewing on my fry as I thought. “Honestly? I just want to feel... settled. Like, I want to finish school, maybe start my own business or work in something I’m passionate about. But mostly, I just want to be happy. Have a place that feels like home, you know?”

He nodded, his expression serious for a moment. “Yeah, I get that. Happiness is the real goal, isn’t it?”

We fell into a comfortable silence again, both of us lost in thought. It was strange, how easy it was to talk about the future with him. There was no pressure, no expectations—just two people sharing their hopes and dreams.

Alex reached over, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch light and careful. “You’ll get all of that, Winnie. I know you will.”

I smiled softly, feeling a sense of calm settle over me. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up.

Or maybe it's the burger talking…