In Front of My Eyes (Ansel Elgort Fanfiction)

Chapter 6

Lara sat in the car quietly, not daring to look at her boyfriend or even breathe. She looked ahead at the road, noticing the cars passing by and the blue sky.

"I don't want to see you with him again. Or with anyone else. We weren't finished last night."

Lara answered quietly, "What's happening to you? You were never like this. Ansel's just my friend, nothing more, and you know that."

"I don't care about Ansel, I'm talking about all of your friends. You were late last night, and now you don't answer any of my texts. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were cheating."

"But I'm not!" Lara protested, "I just came back from Pittsburgh and I'm really tired."

"Lara, I don't care. You bailed on me twice."

"Derek, I'm really sorry, but can you please calm down? I promise it won't be like this next time."

"There won't be a next time," Derek muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Lara to hear.

Lara pretended not to hear and ignored it as her heart beat louder. She looked outside, searching for a reason to stop the car and go somewhere else. She spotted a small café nearby and spoke up.

"Should we go get some ice cream? It's really hot outside today."

"It's October, I don't think so," Derek replied.

"Let's get coffee?"

"I'm in a rush."

"What for? There's noth-"

Derek just started driving faster, causing Lara's heart to beat even harder. She checked her phone discreetly and saw five text messages from Ansel.

Lara, you okay? -Ansel

Lara, please text me back. -Ansel

Lara, are you there? I need to know that you're okay. -Ansel

I'm really worried. Take care okay? -Ansel

I gave Shai your number, text her in case anything happens. She's around New York today. Her number's (212) 509-6995. -Ansel

Lara ignored the messages but saved Shai's number. As she looked up, she noticed the car slowed down. She saw Derek pulling up to a gas station and noticed the low gasoline symbol on the dashboard.

"Stay here," he commanded.

She nodded and played around with her phone as he exited the car. As she looked around the gas station, she noticed a small shop to her right. There were some shoppers, including a girl with sweatpants and a tank top. As the girl exited, Lara noticed that she knew who it was. She considered calling, but then realised that gas stations and phones don't usually work. She unfastened her seatbelt, grabbed her things, and crept out the door, running to the girl.

"Shailene, wait up!" Lara said to the girl.

"Lara? Oh my god, are you okay? Ansel texted me your number and said you might be--"

"In some trouble, yeah. I'll tell you later, but right now I really need to go. Do you have a car?"

"Yes, John's filling it up with fuel right there, but how'd you get here?"

Lara pointed to her 'boyfriend'. "That's Derek, and I really need to hide from him. I need to come with you."

"Okay, walk really calmly to the car and get in the backseat real quick. I'll talk to John, but hide under the seat just in case Derek sees you."