Lion's Gift

Chapter 14

I am pulled out of my roundabout thoughts when Caspian walks in, hesitantly standing near the glass French doors. How doesn't he remember what happened? Not a lot happens in this small town, so word travels fast, even about the smallest things. I send a questioning look toward Belle, and she's confused for a second before a look of understanding crosses her features.

"Right before the whole ordeal, Cass was on that exploration trip, remember?" She whispers to me before starting a conversation with Caspian across the room. I remember now; he was on a trip for students with average scores who want to see college and university options. Basically, Caspian missed all the drama for two weeks. Still, I thought he would have heard something. After thinking for a bit, I tune back into Caspian and Belle's conversation.

"-you were better than this!" Belle exclaims, still mad.

"I know, it was a mistake. I found she was only using me, anyway," Caspian replies resignedly.

"Hey, guys," I say, interrupting their argument, looking at my phone. Perfect timing, Julie. "Julie's asking if we can join her at the public beach, but she doesn't say if anyone else is with her,"

"Should we go?" Belle asks, a little concerned. I can relate, but since it's Julie, I'm not too worried.

"You know what?" I start, pulling on my sunglasses and grabbing my summer hat, "Let's go and have some fun! We need to loosen up, especially with all this drama,"

"Good idea, Vivi," Caspian remarks. Belle nods and pulls her jacket on, zipping it halfway. We all get our shoes while Caspian gets his shirt on and I pull on my yellow dress, pulling on my hat afterwards.

"Caspian give me the keys," I demand, my hand outstretched. He narrows his eyes.

"Don't you only have a learner's permit?"

"Well, yeah, but I was taught to drive by my dad, and you've got to loosen up a little," He raises an eyebrow.

"Fine," He tosses the keys at me. I get into the driver's seat while Belle reaches shotgun before her brother, causing him to groan and sit behind me.

While I perfectly pull out of the driveway Belle turns on the radio and the siblings start singing lyrics on the top of their lungs. I hum a little but never open my mouth, catching Caspian's attention.

"Vivi, don't you want to sing?" He asks tentatively.

"I don't sing." I say with a tone of finality, my knuckles turning white on the steering wheel. I have memorized many maps and roads of our town and areas around us, thanks to my photographic memory.

"Come on, Vee, just one song, please! It doesn't matter if you're really bad, I mean, have you listened to us?" Belle rants a little, trying to persuade me to join them. Though Belle is a little older than me, she's always felt like a cute little sister, and I can never resist her.

"When we drive back, if Caspian lets me drive I'll sing one song with you guys, okay?" I relent slightly. I just hope it isn't a song that will show that I have a practiced voice. I doubt I even have a good singing voice, anyway, since my brother is the only one who's heard me really sing, and he doesn't count.

I turn my focus back to driving while they continue singing. I take the lesser-known roads to shortcut to the public beach, which isn't that far anyway. I drive a little over the speed limit and expertly switch lanes and make quick, almost-full speed turns.

"Show off," Caspian mutters when there's a break in the songs and I make a small handbrake turn to a small road. I smirk at him through the rear view mirror and he childishly pouts.