Black Rose

Thirty One

Omniscient

Gazing out of the window, Melrose watched in awe as they were now out of the city's general population and heading towards a more wooded area. Due to the skyscraper like trees, the light from the sun beams were blocked out, allowing cooler air to circulate into the car. Instead of a mixture of delightful food aromas and the city dumpster, the atmosphere was filled with a fresh pine/mint herb scent. The wind was blowing hard, causing branches to sway roughly from side to side and entangle together. Lucky for the duo, there weren't any other vehicles on the road because Raine was driving as if they were in a police chase. Melrose understands the dinner is important to him, but she's not trying to be involved in another accident.

"Will you slow down? Your parents will be there when we get there." Her voice shook out of slight fear.

"I can't." He shook his head, pressing the accelerator more, causing Melrose to grip the seatbelt. "We aren't even close to the house and we're late as it is."

"I honestly don't care how close or far we are. Slow the freaking car down, Raine " She demanded in a stern tone. "I'm not kidding."

Raine didn't take her serious and decided to be a little evil to loosen to her up. "You need to relax, Mel." And with that he sped up, causing Melrose's back to collide onto the seat. Her hair was flying everywhere, so she couldn't see anything and it scared her into a panic attack. Raine on the other hand found joy in her fearfulness. He hooped and hollered in thrill while Melrose hollered in intimidation.

"Stop the car, Raine! Stop the car!!"

"Woohoo! Chill out, Mel! Get that adrenaline pumping! Whoooo!" He cheered, completely ignoring her cry out for help. Honestly, he thought he was getting her out of the uptight mood she was in but he was doing the opposite. "Loosen up, Mel"

"Raine, stop the got-damn car right now!" Hitting the breaks without warning, their bodies jerked forward, but the seat belt restrained them from flying out of the windshield. Breathing hard, Melrose closed her eyes, concentrating on slowing down her racing heart. Flashes of the car accident infiltrated her mind as tears silently cascaded down her face, ruining her makeup.

Seeing her reaction to his stupid thoughtless action, Raine felt regretful and went to apologize. "Mel, I was just trying to-"

"Don't...talk to me." She held her hand up, halting anything he had to say. For the first time in years, Melrose was actually afraid of dying. The countless of times, she attempted suicide has never felt like this. "Just drive, slowly."

Following her commands, Raine released his foot from the breaks and began their drive to his parent's house. The atmosphere had changed from relaxing to tense. He didn't dare to speak a word to her. He knew how terribly he screwed up even though his intentions were pure. Twenty measly minutes later, the duo were pulling into a cobblestone driveway, parking behind his mother's gray BMW. Squinting her eyes, Melrose leaned forward, reading the tag that looked all too familiar to her.

"You like it?" Raine asked once he saw what her attention was on. "I can get you one if you want."

"I'm alright. I just feel like I've seen that same car before."

"Knowing my mama, you probably have. That woman doesn't know how to stay at home." With the nod of a head, Melrose proceeded to free herself from the restraint and get out of the car. Her entire mood had been shifted and she didn't care to meet these people anymore but there was no turning back now. Raine caught up with her as she had made it to the front door already. Without knocking, Raine twisted the doorknob and let Melrose walk in first. She stared at the interior décor in awe. Everything was expensive looking but of course Melrose knew Raine wouldn't have his parents in anything less than luxurious. "We're here!"