Clear Skies

4. A dog

Drama.

That's the first word I thought of when I heard Zoe say those words. But now, several minutes have passed since she had asked me stop the car. And I'm a bit worried.

She seems to zone out, directing her attention anywhere but at me. Not looking at me, giving me vague replies, rocking back and forth in her seat. It's like she's seen a ghost, but Zoe's never been scared of them. In fact, the only person to ever remotely terrify her was her Maths teacher from third grade.

Zoe is clutching my lavender coloured scarf in her fist. I'd picked out the best one for today, and seeing creases on every inch of it breaks my heart. And it makes the same noise as shattering of a 16th century Ming dynasty vase, when hit by a ball.

I place a hand on hers. Partly because it was slightly shaking, and partly because that shaking was destroying my scarf. It's now that Zoe finally decides to speak, and more than monosyllables like she was uttering all this time.

"It's just that," she sounds like she's eaten a bag of flour, "we don't really know Ian."

My brows draw together, and I'm sure resemble a child who sees the first question on a Maths test. Shocked. Confuzzled. And a bit appalled.

"Where is this coming from?" Confusion is lacing my voice. "We spent so much time stalking him. You liked him, right? Even my mothers approve of him."

"They do?"

"Well, they didn't go all Nancy Drew on him like previous times. That counts."

"You told them about him?"

"Mom caught me stalking his Instagram. Gave a single nod," I shrug.

"Oh it means they've put their secret intelligence forces on work."

I was about to nod in agreement, but then I realize what Zoe is doing.

"Zoe, quit stalling. What does that R stand for?"

"R? Uhm just something unimportant." I see her thoughts racing at a hundred miles per second. Then as if a light bulb has gone off in her brain, she looks at me.

"It could've stood for Red Bellied Piranhas, seeing he's into science. Real beauties, they are."

I wanna look shocked, but honestly, you never know with these Science people. Zoe once said she wanted to meet an Angler Fish one day. Since its name is so similar to that of 'angel', I believed it would be a pretty legit wish. And then she showed me its picture.

Yup, you never know with them.

No offence, Angler Fish.

"Well, is there anything else troubling you?"

"The bug cream tube is only half full. It'll run out before you can say 'Ouch.'"

I massage my forehead due to the gibberish she's speaking.

"B," she leaves a breath neither of us knew she was holding, "just drive. I'm sure we can find other bug creams."

I obey without a reply. It's already late, with the sun roasting me even inside the car. I should probably ask Zoe what's bugging her (pun intended), but my intuition says it's not quite urgent. I know, it's a horrible intuition. Besides, if she is the bff psychic I assume she is, she knows I'm dying to meet Ian.

Dramatic much?

I turn around a corner, and immediately, huge gates come into my view. Trees line both the sides of the road, with distant hills serving as a backdrop. We're here.