Dead Serious

Names and Guessing Games

"So, Locke, since you're clearly feeling friendly, not abandoning us and all, I don't suppose this means it's time we get to find out your actual name?" Jacob asked, another thirty minutes into the drive.

Fortunately/Unfortunately had ended in a fit of exhaustion from Nicole and I. We had declared Callie the winner, which caused Jacob to pout for a few minutes until he went back to blaring Billy Joel.

"Locke's not your real name?" Callie asked.

"Pfft of course it's not. Locke is so insecure she can't let anyone know anything about her old identity, right, Locke Wood?" Nicole crosses her arms, relaxing in the backseat.

I ignored her, flipping another page in Chances Are. "Not happening, Jacob."

"What if we guess? If we guess the correct name, will you at least tell us we're right?" Jacob pouted.

I let out a huff, putting my book down. "Why do you care?"

"I'm bored and curious. A chaotic combination. Pleaseeeeee?"

"Ugh."

"I'll go first!" Callie exclaimed. "Emily?"

I didn't respond.

"I think that's a no, Cal. Jennifer?" Nicole said.

I scoffed. Far from the mark there.

"Elliot?"

I turned to look at Jacob, staring strangely at him. "For a girl?"

He beamed. "Yeah like Elliot Reid, on Scrubs. I think it'd be a cool girl's name."

A smile crept onto my lips. Perhaps Elliot would be a nice name for any gender. "I love Scrubs."

Jacob lit up. Perhaps it was finding common ground with me or perhaps it was that I hadn't completely denied his suggestions.

Nicole spoke up. "Luna?"

"No way, Nic. My cousin has a friend with that name though, I think..." I mused.

"Juliet?" Jacob offered.

"Yeah, right. I'm not apart of some painful romance, Jacob."

He shrugged in agreement. "Fair, but it's just a name."

"Ooh what about Annie?" Callie piped up from the backseat.

I froze, the blood draining from my face. I hadn't heard that name in a while.

I had thought about her sure, but it was another thing to be reminded.

"No," I choked out. "I'm not... That's not my name."

The laughter drained from the car in seconds. I broke the good mood. Everyone could sense something was wrong.

I said nothing.

Jacob just kept driving.

Thanks for reading, if anyone is. :)