Dating the Dead • lrh

10. two a.m.

The first thing I noticed in the car was the person behind the wheel. It was the guy at Maccas with the coffee. With the lights on, I stared at his brown eyes through the rear view mirror before Shelby closed the door and the only lights left were from the controls.

"Hey Harper, this is Luke," she said, snapping her seatbelt in place. We both said 'hey' as Harper guided the car into the highway while I snapped my own safety belt.

I took my phone out to respond to Michael's text. With the faint light of my phone's screen, I look to my side to see Shelby already staring at me. "Where are we going, exactly?"

She sent a smirk in my direction and then took out her own phone, directing her attention to the screen. "Your boyfriend, Michael, doesn't have to know where we're heading."

My eyes widened as the car filled with her laughter. "He's not my... I'm not gay!" I stammered, taken aback by her bluntness, which made her laugh even more. "Shut up. I'm just letting my mum know."

Shelby handed her phone to me, showing her conversation with my mother.

I have your son.

Okay that sounds I've kidnapped him.

I did not, btw.

Mind if I borrow him for a bit?

That 's objectifying him, sorry.

Shelby, what's going on?

Why are you guys outside?

We're on a road trip.

I'm gonna bring him back safe and sound.

Oh, Harper's with us.

Well, you're already there, be safe.

Yes ma'am.

"Why is my mother awake at three in the morning?" I asked, checking the time they texted each other. It's already half past three.

She grabbed her phone from my hand. "For a teacher's kid, I'm amazed how you don't know why." She was shaking her head, lips slightly tugged, then turned her phone off. Mine had dimmed already, so the backseat's back in darkness. "She's checking papers," I heard her say.

"But how do you know?"

"I ran into her at Maccas, once. Said she wanted to take a walk and breathe away from her students' proof of failed potential," she let out a chuckle. "I come over sometimes to help her when I've got nothing else to do."

"Um, you sleep?" I suggested with a yawn.

She tossed a cushion pillow at me. I bent to pick it up from the car floor. It was soft between my arms and stomach, making me even more drowsy.

"I don't think you understand, my day starts at two a.m."

If Shelby said anything after that, I wouldn't know because I already fell into a deep slumber.

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