Viridescent Flares

29

"Lauren, look out!" I yelled desperately, pushing against the dashboard as our car swerved to the left, abruptly stopping.

The car that we nearly collided with stopped, too, and they're behind us on the east side of the intersection. We were going too fast and we didn't even notice the stoplight, thinking that it was good to go. Luckily, there weren't too much vehicles in this part. I turned to Lauren and panic suddenly came over me.

"Lauren, are you okay? Hey, look at me," I prompted, reaching out to her tensed arms as she held onto the steering wheel like her life depended on it. "Are you alright?"

She barely nodded in shock and I took a deep breath, resting my head against my seat and shutting my eyes closed tightly. If her reflexes weren't fast enough, we would be both unconscious by now. How can we be so careless? I shouldn't have let her get mad at me. We could've talked about it when we stopped.

"Hey!" A man in his mid 30's knocked rather harshly on Lauren's window. She reluctantly pushed the button to open the window, her breathing obviously unsteady. I knew she have never got into trouble in the street before and although all of us have our own firsts, Lauren didn't want to have this one. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I-I'm sorry, I wasn't l-looking," Lauren stammered, running a frustrated hand on her hair. "I-I didn't notice the stoplight, Sir. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry?" The man spoke, unaware of Lauren's popular state or he just didn't give a damn about it. "Do you think I'm sorry is enough for what you put us into? I'm with my six-year-old child and he could've flown through the windshield because of your careless driving! Do you even have a license, huh?"

I couldn't take it anymore. He's yelling at her and the last thing I wanted for Lauren was to be yelled for I know she didn't like the feeling that comes with it. I pushed my door open and rounded the car, standing in front of him.

"Will you please stop talking to her like that? We're sorry but we have an appointment to catch and we're kinda late," I cut in, putting up a straight face. I was taller than him and that's a plus for having the upper hand. "We're really in a hurry and yes, she has a license. We just weren't paying attention and we know it's our fault for being an irresponsible driver but we're sorry. The important thing is, no one got hurt."

"Tough luck because I can't let you go that easily," he replied, shifting his weight before crossing his arms. "My hands are hurting from the force."

"Okay," I simply said, fishing my wallet on my back pocket. I pulled two crisp one hundred dollar bill and gave it to him. "Have your hands checked up."

At first he looked like he would still protest but with the amount I'm handing to him, he quickly made up his mind and took it.

"Go back to your son," I told him coldly, pointing to their car. "Not safe leaving your child alone in the car."

I turned my back on him without another word, sliding inside our car and asking Lauren to drive. Everything happened too fast but I was still upset over Lauren doubting me. I remembered our fight because I accused her of flirting with Alexander and now I know the feeling, I don't think our breakfast together would go pretty well.