Burnin' Up | J. Saltzman - Legacies [1]

T W E N T Y - S E V E N

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By the time the group of traveling students finally get comfortable, they are fifteen minutes into their six hour road trip. Trees pass by the car as Alaric drives the minivan up the coast. "Dr. Saltzman," Kaleb says from the passenger's seat. "this van is very...white of you."

"It's retro," Alaric replies.

"It's a gas-guzzling atrocity on wheels," Lizzie snaps from the middle of the car. Her braids bounce with every rock of the vehicle.

Stella picks her head up, flinging her ponytail backward as she says, "I brought snacks."

"Oh, sweet," Lizzie rolls her eyes. "Did you pack them before or after you decided to FOMO your way onto our trip?"

Glancing at a silent Josie, Stella scoffs. "Like I'm gonna let you chase monsters without me. We're a team now, whether you like it or not. And teams don't leave team members alone during spring break for no apparent reason." With a grunt, Stella pulls out a bag of chips. Angrily, she opens the bag and stuffs a fistful of food into her mouth.

She chokes, muttering, "Why did I get these?"

Josie glances over at the chips. Stella sees the siphoner's eyes widen in happiness. "If I didn't get car sick, I would totally take those off your hands," she says before returning to the window.

"That's why."

"Or maybe a Mikaelson just wanted to ruin another Saltzman spring break," Lizzie grumbles.

Stella narrows her eyes. "First, not a Mikaelson. Second, I thought we were finally starting to be friends. Third, when has Hope ruined a spring break?"

"Girls," Alaric calls out. "We're gonna be in this classic automobile for six hours, all right? So, no bickering."

Sighing, Stella crosses her arms and leans back against the middle seat. As her phone goes off, she glances down at the text from Kaleb before replying quickly.

Vamp-kid: Does your cousin know I'm on this trip with you?

Wolf-witch: I decided not to tell her.

Wolf-witch: You still scared of what she's gonna do when she finally finds you?

Vamp-kid: terrified

Stella lets her phone drop to her lap. "Can we turn up the AC? I'm burning up."

"That's ironic," Lizzie mutters.

"What does that even mean?" Stella asks.

Lizzie only narrows her eyes at Stella. "Don't play dumb. I know Hope tells you everything—I see right through both of you."

"I literally have no idea what you're talking about." Stella glances around, but no one else comes to her aid. "What happened to playing nice?"

"Over. Done," Lizzie smirks. "I'm getting back to me. I am who I am. Right, Josie?"

The brunette siphoner does not respond. Her eyes stay glued to the window as her head sways slightly. White chords trail down from her ears—Stella can faintly hear the music.

"Josie!" Lizzie hisses, reaching across Stella to slap her sister's arm.

Josie jumps and takes out an earbud. "Sorry?"

"Josie, you cannot leave me alone with just her for company."

"Well, I get carsick if I don't listen to music."

"Josie!"

Stella groans loudly, coving her face with her hands as Alaric yells, "Girls!" There's no reason to be tense or awkward, ok? Now, knock it off. We're gonna get through this together."

"God help us all," Stella mutters.

"Woot. Road trip," Kaleb deadpans as he looks back at Stella. "Gonna be so much fun."

Stella rolls her eyes before leaning her head back against the seat and closing her eyes.

As the song on the radio switches, Stella says, "I'm boiling."

"I'm freezing," Lizzie retorts.

"I'm starving," Josie murmurs.

A hand jabs Stella's ribs. The Hale witch jumps to face a smirking Lizzie. "Punch buggy," Lizzie says.

As Stella grits her teeth, Dorian and Emma who are sitting in the back yell out, "Sandwiches!" They begin to hand them out throughout the car. Stella ducks as the residents exchange their food until the commotion finally pauses.

"Dad, did you pack only meat?" Josie groans.

Stella reaches down, fishing out a cream cheese bagel. She hands it to Josie with a smile, "Cream cheese ok?"

Josie returns the smile gratefully as she shakes her head. "That's your food. I can't take it—"

"I packed it for you. I don't mind," Stella replies before shoving it into Josie's grasp. "Besides, I packed enough junk to last me a week. It's all good."

Reluctantly, Josie accepts the bagel, tenderly unwrapping it and taking a bite. Stella forces herself to look straight forward as Josie releases a soft moan at the food.

Another jab at her ribs causes Stella to yelp. "Punch buggy, no returns," Lizzie says.

"I'm going to strangle you in your sleep," Stella whispers under her breath.

Kaleb chokes on a laugh as Lizzie narrows her eyes. "What'd you say?"

"Nothing."

Lizzie glares at Stella before gritting out, "Are we there yet?"

Alaric just sighs. "Not even close."

Another hour goes by before Stella feels her stomach twisting in knots. She glances at Josie whose face had turned green. "Stop the car!" Stella yells as she scrambles to grab a bag.

"What? Why?" Alaric asks. He does not stop the car.

Josie grips Stella as she doubles over. "I-I think I'm gonna—"

Stella finds the extra bag just in time for Josie to throw up. The entire car erupts in groans and exclamations of disgust. "In the bag, sweetie!" Alaric yells from the front.

"She gets that!" Stella retorts as she rubs her hand along Josie's back. "It's ok. Just let it out," she says in a soothing tone.

Josie sends her a grateful smile before she begins to vomit once more.

Another three hours pass. Alaric decides it's a good idea to sing "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." No one else has the heart to disagree.

"Are we there yet?" Lizzie asks.

"Nope."

Another two hours. Stella takes out the ukulele she brought and begins to strum. Eventually, Josie joins in, matching the lyrics to the tune. But, even that finds its end. As Josie replaces the ukulele, she jostles Kaleb's seat.

"Could you not?" Kaleb snaps. When he looks back, he sees the death glare Josie has pointed at him. "Or continue, whatever you want."

The last hour passes slowly. "Are we there yet?" Lizzie whines.

The car comes to a jolting stop as Alaric exclaims, "Yes!"

Ugh, I'm weak for domestic supernaturals!

Hope you enjoyed!

-L