Same Time

fifteen.

j a i m e e

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TRIGGER WARNING: graphic mention of rape

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"Where are we going?" I ask as we climb into his car.

"Not saying."

"Why not?"

"I want to surprise you." Shayden answers.

The evening air nips at my exposed skin but the car soon warms up.

We shuffle into the car, listening to the music playing quietly as Shayden drives. Our surroundings become familiar, and it doesn't take long for me to realize where he's taking us.

Relaxing as the music plays, I take in the moment but focus on Shayden. He has one hand on the wheel and one loosely dangling near the gear stick as we drive up the hills.

"Are you staring at me, Mendoza?"

"Yep."

"Why?" He asks, glancing at me before diverting his attention back to the road.

"Just thinking about how lucky I am to have you in my life."

He doesn't reply but I can see the faint blush decorating his cheeks as he tries not to smile. He wouldn't admit it, too obsessed with his masculinity, but he loves all the sentimental stuff just as much as I do.

"Did you still come here...After...?" I ask as we get closer and closer to our destination.

He shakes his head, mouthing the word 'no'. I nod my head in response, bidding us back to the comfortable silence between us.

Nothing changed in all the time we've spent away from this place; it is still as beautiful and arcane as ever. The city lights dance in the moonlight, acting as a reminder that even though this world can be so messed up, it can be so beautiful as well.

When we stumbled upon this place as kids, we were blown away. We were invincible, literally stood on what seemed like the top of the world.

The car is put into park and we take in the setting in silence. Our hearts beating in unison, amazement consuming our entire thoughts.

"I could never do it." He whispers, "Not without you."

My eyes flicker, my chest tightening as the everlasting guilt hits me again. I take his hand in mine, squeezing it. "Neither could I. This was our place."

"It is our place." He corrects, squeezing my hand back

"Remember the first time we found this?" Shayden asks. I nod my head, reflecting on the day that we were supposed to go to Homecoming.

It consisted of me having a mental breakdown about my outfit and Shayden trying to console me. We ended up going to the diner instead and then proceeded to walk around. Eventually, we stumbled upon this spot and didn't leave for hours.

"We made a promise to each other that night." I add in, laughing at our childlike naivety. I miss the days where my biggest worry was what dress I was wearing, or what burger I'd order. Worrying about whether my Dad would show up at the school to pick us up and then panic at the fact we weren't there.

Remi would've covered for me anyway. He always did.

"We promised that we'd always save each other the last dance." He says softly, "We had this heart to heart and then you decided to play a game of tag."