Choices and Chances (a ppg fanfiction)

Chapter 10

Rhea quietly sat beside Arias in the car.

“You ok, Timmons?” Arias asked while lowering the volume of the stereo. Days of normality were restored for Arias Callahan so he was back at his music.

“I’m fine.” She softly replied, avoiding eye contact.

“Uhuh.” He didn’t believe her. Tension. She was so tense.

Rhea had spent her last night thinking about her mission. For the first time in her life, she was getting outsmarted. The person sitting beside her was the reason for her anxieties and last night's insomnia. She managed a smile though she already knew she won’t be able to fool Callahan with it.

“Where are we going today?” she asked, his thoughts and concerns regarding her were driving her crazy. Arias restrained himself from smiling.

“We are going to roam around today.” He replied while starting the engine. “And listen to MY favorite music.” He emphasized the word “MY” and smiled slightly.

“Are you always this cocky?” she inquired.

“Only after a case gets solved.” He confidently replied and turned on rap music.

“What’s up with you and rap music?” she welcomed the distraction wholeheartedly.

“That crappy classic music! They are just like good steak without salt.” He replied, pumping up the volume. “This! This is downright edible!”

She got a bit frustrated. Rap, rock, indie music always cut off though-voices. She hated that. Arias looked at her puckered mouth.

“I’ll show you.” He turned off the radio and attached his smartphone with a car's stereo.
“There!” he looked at her. “listen.”

She didn’t want to but she forced on the lyrics.

“That’s how we roll
We roll like this
That’s how we roll,
We roll like this……”

“That’s hot! Huh?” he asked, faking excitement. She glared. He chucked. “Ok. Try that one!” he changed the song. “Candy Shop”. She went red. She smacked his arm. He laughed loudly.

“Sorry. Just kidding.” He said still laughing. He sobered up and then clicked one more time. The music was loud.

“Black and blue, I crawl alone
The wreckage of what now is gone
Back to you to fight an another and then
On and on and on….”
She looked at him. He gestured to focus on the stereo.
“I'll face the demons I created
Every last part of me
Will scream and fight
On and on and on…..”

She finds that song intimidating. He wasn’t even looking at her. His face was very serious, his eyes were looking in the space. She tries to focus on his thought-voice. She saw him picturing himself doing some horrible deeds. She placed her hand on his bicep. He snapped back to reality. ‘I’ll face the demons I created' was repeating in his head.

“I like this one. It’s strong music.” She politely told him.

“Something else?” she asked.

He nodded and focused on his phone.

“My personal favorite.” He told her.