•Mozzafiato•

0

_.8.2044

The waves of the ocean strike against the rocks on the other side of the road. They sounded loud, almost as if competing with the radio of the van to see which was louder. The group's Volkswagen type 2 zips down the curvy streets of Caitho.

Cb sticks her hand out of the window from her passenger seat. Warm air weaves through her ink-covered fingers. The sun shines down onto her arm, dancing a warm tango on her mocha skin. Her loose curls move in the wind from the low bun that they sat in. The headscarf she wore kept them in place. Weather like this made life worth living.

The girl turns towards the driver, glancing at his expression before changing the radio station.

Kai looks at her for a moment before returning his attention to the road. He wrinkles his nose in distaste when indie music rings out into the van. Cb chuckles at his small expression, tracing the freckles and scars that sat on his face.

"You know, for a teenager you have a very old taste in music." Cb says with a small smile.

The girl gets no response. Kai remains focused on the road, his green eyes curving with the paving stones. He was never a man of many words, especially when he was driving. Cb allows her eyes to rest upon the gray velvet strand wrapped together with clear beads streaming from Kai's scalp. It was tucked behind his ear with his dirty blonde hair almost covering it.

"Stop looking at it Cynthia unless you want to go blind." The words fall from Kai's mouth quicker than Cb could register. His calloused palm cups her cheek and gently moves her head so she is looking straight.

The girl gulps as she regains her thought process. Her hand finds the shell around her neck. Kai glances over at her with curiosity as she zones out.

"What's wrong with you? It affected you that quick?" Kai asks, concern lacing the tone of his voice.

After a moment she says,"I'm not used to seeing them on anyone besides Auden or my family... sometimes I even forget Carlo has one since he's off protecting the town all the time."

Kai sighs. "It's better that way. Having this piece is like having a curse."

Cb looks at him with furrowed brows. Her purple piece hits her cheek from the force of her turning her head. Her beads were blue and had igneous rocks strewn around her velvet.

"It is a blessing to have this piece! Be proud of our DS blood!" The shaking in her voice is glass to the insecurities that lie within her. Cb hated the burdens that came along with it too.

From the carpeted floor in the back of the van Auden wakes up from his nap. His red curls were tangled with his piece, causing him to instantly reach for his blue silken strand to move it. His arm felt numb from laying on it.

"You genuinely believe that? That its a blessing?" Kai says with a laugh.

Auden rubs his face and looks around the van. Next to the sliding door were mini compartments they had built under seats. Demario laid on top of them playing on his gameboy. His foot was moving to the music he played through his headphones. Of course the boy was listening to music. No one ever knew Demario to exist without some sort of background noise. Whether it was the sound of engines on the racetrack or the sounds of drills coming from his parents mechanic shop. His black curls coiled around his short golden piece. His toned arm had a red bracelet around his wrist. Auden tries to read it but gets distracted.

"Yes! Yes I do. You should too." Cb says as she crosses her arms.

"Your body language says otherwise."

Cb looks down at her crossed arms and huffs. She faces the boy, leaning against the door. "My thing is reading people. Don't act like I didn't teach you."