The Trip Through Love

The Pier

"This time I'm going to be driving," Violet said, sitting in the front seat. "And July's going to be in the passenger seat."

"Why?" Jacob and Ethan said in unison. Just then, Palak and Joon got to the car and freaked out seeing Violet in the front seat.

Palak hissed at her with an angry face, "Don't you dare think you're driving." Violet got out of the car in a split second. Violet was usually the tough, intimidating one, but nothing scared her more than when Palak was angry, and it seemed like everyone else were too, because Palak and Joon ended up sitting in the front. Again.

"I crashed her car one time, and I can't drive anymore," Violet muttered, pouting like a child who had been denied candy. She got in the car and sat next to Ethan who surprisingly didn't blush. Almost like he was getting more comfortable and relaxed with her, which was definitely progress. The car started to move, and they were on their way to the Santa Monica Pier.

Halfway through the drive, Jacob leaned forward and asked Ethan, "Where did you and Violet go during the break, by the way?"

Of course Ethan blushed and couldn't speak, so Violet turned around and said, "Nunya business." She then stuck out her tongue and flicked Jacob's forehead.

"Stop fighting, children," July said, seated with Jacob in the back.

"Watch the two idiots in the back for me, Ethan, I don't need something to happen back there," Joon said, from the driver's seat.

"Why me?" Ethan questioned, making it sound more like a complaint.

"Just because," Palak answered.

Ethan sighed and decided that the only way to shut Jacob and Violet up was by distracting them. He told Jacob to go bother someone else (nodding his head towards July) and shared his Airpods with Violet to watch anime. There was peace in the car once again.

"We're here!" Palak hollered, all smiley. She grabbed Joon's hand and lifted it into the air like a victory. Everyone scrambled to get out of the car and stretched their arms. Palak brought out her backpack from underneath the front seat and let everyone know that she had water, sunscreen, extra snacks, money, a disposable camera, and portable chargers. While others rolled their eyes at her, Joon carried the backpack and thanked her for caring, beaming. She smiled and started to walk to the pier, everyone trailing behind her.

"I want to go get some souvenirs, Jacob you can come with me since you wanted to," said July.

"Perfect, Palak and I will join you two," said Joon, eying down Jacob.

July looked at Palak with a make-him-go-away kind of look, and Palak stammered out, "I actually want to go get some ice-cream, let's get that first, if that's okay?" She looked at Joon under her thick dark eyelashes.

Suddenly feeling hot, Joon stammered, "Uh, y-yeah, if you want."

The 2 pairs went their ways, and left Violet and Ethan by themselves.

"Let's walk around the dock. I heard they had some cool attractions," Violet said. "You don't have to though, it's completely fine if you don't want to g-"

Ethan stopped her, "I-I want to. Let's go." Sooner or later, they were on their way, walking around the pier.

Meanwhile, Palak and Joon had stumbled across an ice-cream cart. People were sitting on benches nearby eating the cold treat. But it was cute and sweet, with pink and blue trim on the top behind a large sign saying, Sunny Side Sweets. Palak ran over and pulled out her wallet.

"Remember when you paid for my coffee at the gas station? Well, I'll pay it off here," Palak recalled. Joon laughed and patted her head fondly.

"Sure, that'd be nice." he replied. As she eagerly ordered her pistachio and his coffee ice-cream, Joon couldn't stop thinking about last night. He shouldn't have done that, but he didn't feel regret. Only a little guilt for not telling her. He didn't understand what was going through his head, when Palak whipped around with the two ice-creams.