Chapter 1: The Unexpected Passenger

Laura Hollis had it all figured out. She had graduated from her high school with top honors, a full ride into her dream university, and had just been surprised by her dad with a new car.

Sure, it wasn't the classiest car, or even a good looking one at all. But it was safe, and that was what Laura's father cared about. And now that she was eighteen, he couldn't control her every move anymore.

Laura needed to celebrate her newly attained freedom, and a joyride in her new car was the perfect way to do so.

Sipping her gingerbread latte, she slid into the front seat and ran her hands over the impossibly smooth leather. She twisted the key in the ignition, and let out a sigh of contentment as the engine started with a purr. This was bliss.

A loud rapping on the windows interrupted Laura's moment of satisfaction. Laura groaned, and rolled down the window, immediately getting bombarded with a slobbery kiss on her cheek.

"Dad!" she protested, wiping her face with her sleeve. "I'll be fine, I promise. It's just one car ride."

Mr. Hollis sniffled, tears pooling in his eyes. "No, Laurie, it's not just a car ride. My baby is all grown up. I can't protect you out there. When summer ends, you'll be off to college, and I won't be with you." A tear began to carve its path down his cheek, and Laura felt tears welling up inside her own eyes as well.

She wrapped her arms around her father through the open window, and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Daddy," she said quietly, "I'll always be your little girl, and I can take care of myself just fine. You taught me well. See?" She pulled back, and flexed her arm, showcasing nonexistent muscles.

This was all it took for Laura's dad to fall into hysterics. "Laura!" he sobbed, half laughing, half crying. "I'm going to miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too, Dad," Laura replied with a grin. "But get back inside before the neighbors start staring. I'll be home in a few hours, after I get back from my apartment interview, and get used to this car. I love you."

Pulling back into her car and rolling up the window, Laura pulled out of the driveway, waving until her dad's house was out of sight.

Finally.

She was alone.

Laura racked through her brain to remember everything she could about the driver's lessons she had taken what felt like ages ago, but she didn't need to. Her dad wasn't kidding when he had said he had bought the safest car in the market. It was basically self-driving, and alerted her to every possible danger. All Laura had to do was enjoy the sights.

Winter had finally taken over her little town, and everything was covered in a shimmering dusting of snow. People were rushing up and down the sidewalks, bundled up in thick coats and knitted hats, the cold biting at their cheeks. But inside the car, Laura was as toasty as though it was a pleasant summer day.

Laura beamed to herself. Everything was going exactly as planned, and she adored plans. She made dozens of them every month, from what she was going to eat for the week or what clothing she was going to buy. With a solid plan, nothing could surprise you, and that was what Laura relied on.

Today was a key part of her plan. She had already gained her symbolic freedom from her father with graduation, but she was ready to take it one step further with an interview for an apartment. The apartment was perfect: cheap, large windows, and only a block away from her university. She only hoped the owners would like her, and that they weren't crazy. Becoming friends with her roommates was a big part of Laura's plan. She desperately wanted a study buddy and someone to mock the professors with, and most of all, just someone she could talk to.

Laura returned her attention to the road, but a brightly lit neon sign caught her eye. Sal's Bakery. Normally Laura wasn't very intrigued by tacky neon signs, but it was a bakery, and bakeries meant sweets.

Pulling over the car, she zipped her thin coat up and hurried inside, ordering a large chocolate chip cookie and a platter of cupcakes for the apartment owners. With her cookie dangling between her teeth, she returned to her car, trying not to slip on the icy sidewalks.

Laura slid behind the steering wheel and went to place the cupcakes in the passenger seat.

The problem was, there was already somebody in it.

"DRIVE! FUCKING DRIVE!" A wild eyed girl screamed at Laura, snatching the cupcakes from her.

Laura's mouth dropped open, and she stared at her unexpected passenger, hands hovering unsteadily.

The girl clapped her hands in front of Laura's face, the sheer force and sound of it forcing her to blink. "Hey, sweetheart, I'm currently having a... little disagreement with the police right now, and I really can't afford to get arrested because some innocent lamb can't stop undressing me with her eyes."

Laura didn't reply.

Pushing back her mop of dark hair, the girl moaned. "Hell, creampuff, do I have to do everything myself?" She grabbed Laura's hands, about to wrap them on the steering wheel, but immediately dropped them, staring at Laura in shock.

"What the fuck?" She exclaimed, examining her hands. "Did you feel that?"

Laura had.

When the girl had touched her, every nerve in her body had lit up as though on fire, and heat began coursing through her veins. Suddenly, she felt awake, as though she'd never been awake until this very moment. It was a feeling she'd never felt before, like the most raw form of adrenaline no mortal person could ever experience.

But two people had experienced it.

Laura Hollis, and the stranger sitting next to her.

With a strange feeling her plan no longer applied to anything at all, Laura started the car.

And that's the 1st Chapter!

Hi! I'm Nicki :) I've had this account for over a year actually, thanks to one of my good friends, but I've never posted anything until today.

I'm a hardcore Hollstein lover, and I really hope you like this fic!

Please leave advice/comments/anything you want, and if you like it so far, please favorite or follow it! I'll do my best to update this as often as I can!

xx