INK [ongoing]

4. The Drive

The sun was just starting to set as Aubrey began her drive to Sean's house. It was ten minutes away, not too much of a stretch.

The teenager kept her windows rolled down and her music up. She drove happily down the road, waving and smiling at anyone who did the same to her. It was understandable for someone like Aubrey to love living in Edenton.

For a small town, if you played your cards right, you could have a big life that the big city could never give you. Everyone adored her and  it wasn't as if they did so wrongly, she was a lovable person. She destroyed the cheerleader archetype, not only by being the first African American cheer captain, but by also exuding a kindness that was unbelievably genuine.

So Aubrey continued her drive. Her nerves were flared only by the excitement of the bonfire. However, a loud humming cut her out of her thoughts. She made sure to pull up to a stop sign before turning down her music, then peering out of her window.

A helicopter was approaching from a distance. It was dark against the setting sun, making it appear more menacing than it should have.

She watched as it drew closer. What the hell? Aubrey pondered. Her eyes followed it's trail past her car and then back in the direction she had just came from.

"What's that all about?" She murmurs, driving past the stop sign. On her left she watches as Sean's house appears. It's a small two story, that was just big enough for him and his parents. Much like him, it was nothing flashy. It would have blended in among the rest if she hadn't made frequent trips here.

She pulled her car up to the curb before getting out. A soft breeze rolled against her skin, prompting a small smile to play across her lips. She loved Edenton at night. Regardless of the season, there was always a comforting breeze paired with the stars that have yet to appear.

With a pep in her step she walks up to the door and rings the doorbell. There was still small streaks from markers on it. Sean and her had been playing around outside and practically drove his father crazy as they colored the small button a rainbow of hues.

From his bedroom, Sean practically kept out of his bed. The bell had woken him up from the light nap he'd drifted into. The dark room he was hidden away inside of had lulled him to sleep.

"Hey there, Aubrey." He could hear his father's voice waft up the stairs as he stepped out of his room.

"Hi! I'm here for-"
"Sean, I know," He cuts her off, a smile on his face, "He should be heading down any second. He holed himself up in that cave." He says.

Sean runs his hand through his hair a couple times, hoping it might magically make it acceptable. After two or three more tries he rolls his sleeves up to his elbows and descends down the stairs. Aubrey's face lights up, making his light up equally so.

"Hey, sorry. I fell asleep, sorry." He says nervously, standing beside his dad.
"It's fine, Seanie. You ready to go?" Aubrey replies. Sean looks from Aubrey to his father, taking in a couple deep breaths.

"Um, I... Just give me a second. I need to get something. Just wait in the car. Er, please, sorry." Sean drones on. Aubrey knew this meant he was making an excuse to get her to step out of the doorway.

Without saying another word she gave his father a warm smile and turned on her heel toward her car.

Sean watches as she goes, then closes the door.
"What's up?" His dad asks, looking down at him. Sean takes his hand and runs it nervously up his arm.

"I really don't want to go, Dad," Sean says in a hushed voice, "what if people are drinking? Or smoking? Or both? And then I'll be the odd guy out because Andrew and Aubrey wouldn't mind doing that stuff probably and everyone would start judging me. And then what if they start trying to force me to do it? I hate shit like th-"
"Sean." His dad's firm voice immediately causes him to stop talking.

"You have to go an enjoy yourself at some point. Holing yourself up in your room and wallowing in all of these bad thoughts won't make you feel better. The more you worry, the harder it'll be to get better." Sean opens his mouth to protest, but his father continues,
"I know it's hard. But this is a start. Okay?"

Knowing any form of objection is futile, Sean nods. He looks down at the floor in an attempt to shield the worried expression on his face.

"Come here." His dad drapes his arm around his son's shoulders. He pulls him close.
"If anything happens, I'm just a call away. I'll always only be one call away." He assure him. Sean takes a deep breath, letting his father's words sink in. Though his throat feels like it's closed up and his heart is pounding, he feels as though they've helped to an extent.

"Alright, now go have fun." His dad ruffles has hair playfully. Sean gives him a smile, one filled with uncertainty.

As the front door opened, Aubrey rolled down the passenger side window to peer out. Sean closed the door behind him, then began walking toward the car.

He was taller than her, but from the way he held himself, you'd think he was the smallest person on earth. He hadn't changed out of his clothes and was still sporting his favorite hoodie and a pair of jeans.

Aubrey waited for the moment he would inevitably look up, then waved him over. Sean plastered a smile on his face and jogged toward the car.

"I love what you're doing with your hair." Aubrey says. Sean runs his hand through it instinctively. He opens the door and slides in next to her with ease.

"It's very, 'I just woke up' chic. Suits you really well." She continues. Sean laughs and nods.

"Do you think I should call Andrew? To tell him we're on our way?" He asks without thinking.

Why would you say that? Why!? He mentally screams at himself. Aubrey pulls the car away from the curb, but she makes sure to show him the wide expression of surprise on her face.

"Hell yeah you should! Damn, you are getting risky this year!" She exclaims. Sean can't help but feel a bit of joy from her reaction. He takes his phone out and clicks on Andrew's name.

He waits in silence. The music pouring out of the radio. Beside him, Aubrey lip-syncs passionately to a song on the radio.