365 days

Ryan rests his head against the window pane, his eyes staring out, unseeing, and thinks it's particularly cruel that this song is playing on the

radio in Kirsten's car on this day. She has no idea, of course, and she keeps her eyes fixed firmly on the road because, unlike this day last year,

rain is pouring in steady streams, creating ugly brown rivets that cascade down the rocky edges of the freeway and across the asphalt. He

wants to lean forward, flip the switch to one of Seth's emo tracks, or the weather report, or anything that doesn't mention dancing and living

forever. He won't because it's bound to prompt questions from Kirsten and she doesn't need any distractions in this weather and Ryan is real

careful about driving without distractions these days.

"I'm glad you're coming with me," she says and he's glad too, so he nods and mumbles that this is something he wants to do and he's glad she

asked him.

Kirsten returns her focus to the road and the song plays on and Ryan goes back to staring out the window.

tbc