Chapter 4

"So, who'd a thought I'd find you at my concert?" Dan says with amusement.

I ignore him.

"Not only that, you had VIP tickets." He goes on.

I just continue staring out the window, but I know he keeps glancing at me through the mirror. Just ignore him Runo, you'll be home soon.

"After yesterday you gave me the impression that you didn't like me." He says.

"I guess it was all just an act." He clicks his tongue and shakes his head, "Because you're just as much a fan as the rest of 'em."

I flick my head foward, "I am not your fan."

How egoistic is this guy?

"Then tell me why you had VIP tickets to my concert then?" He questions like he's exposed me, "You must've really wanted to meet me again, huh?"

Every word clings into my ears.

"For your information, it was Julie's birthday present and so she got me and her tickets." I say matter-of-factly.

"You accepted, so you must be a fan." Dan assumes.

"No, stop jumping to conclusions!" Anger starts seeping through my voice.

"Then, why'd she get ya one?" Dan's persistence annoys me.

"Because she wanted to go with me for her birthday," I say patriotically, "If you didn't know. She's my best friend."

"So to conclude, I went to your concert for Julie's sake not yours." I say as if finishing an essay.

"Oh..." He murmurs. Yeah that's right, suck on that Dan frikken Kuso.

"Still you came. " He smirks, "And you know, I'm surprised you didn't ask for your key back."

"I couldn't," I start, "Julie was there."

"Wait..." He pauses in shock, "You actually didn't tell her?"

"Yes, I didn't tell her." I say.

"What..." He says at a complete loss for words.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"You didn't even brag about it? You didn't tell anyone?" He says again in panic as though he wanted me too.

"Well, I said I wouldn't." I say obviously.

"Are you sure you're okay? I can pull up at a hospital?" He asks that again.

"I'm fine!" I scowl, "Don't get so a head of yourself!"

"I don't get it," I calm down, "Did you want me to tell everyone or not?"

"Of course I didn't." He shakes his head, "But you actually didn't tell anyone..."

"Anyway, can I have my key back?" I ask stretching my hand near the driver's seat, "You know that counts as stealing."

"It was an accident." He sighs as he stops at a red light. He shuffles one hand in his pocket (his other remains on the steering wheel) and pulls out the key.

"It's kinda like 'fate' isn't it?" He smirks before placing it onto my hand.

"No." I clutch it and put it back in my bag. Thank God.

"Are we there yet?" I peer at him impatiently.

"Nearly." He says.

"So what's your name?" He asks.

"You don't need to know." I say bitterly.

"But we've been talking and stuff so might as well tell me your name?" He says casually like we're friends or something.

"Why?" I gape, "We won't see each other after this?"

"That's what I thought yesterday, but here we are, sittin' in my car." Dan smiles, "Ha that rhymed."

"Just take me home!" I snap.

"Besides I wouldn't tell a stranger." I mutter under my breath.

"Besides I wouldn't tell a stranger." I hear her faintly mumble.

Whoa, did I just hear that right? I'm not a stranger! Why is she talking to me, if I'm a 'stranger'? What is this chick?

"But you'd go to a stranger's concert." I counter.

She gives me an aggravated look. She's so easy to wind up.

"Just tell me your name, it's not hard." I sigh. Why is she so dramatic?

"No." She says stubbornly.

"If you don't," I smirk, "I won't take you home."

"What?!" She says with alarm and panic, "You can't do that!"

"Ho ho, yes I can!" I tell her. Of course I can, I'm Dan Kuso.

"So tell me your name." I say.

"No!" She almost shrieks. Still?

"Okay." I simply say and take a wrong turn, "I'm not taking you home."

"Take me home!" She demands.

"Nope. You didn't tell me your name." I say.

"Why do you even care?!" She says with more annoyance and panic. That's actually a good question.

"I don't know." I shrug, "So spill."

"I'll scream." She responds.

"Go on." I grunt.

But she doesn't respond.

I glance at her through the rear mirror and see her pull out her phone, "What are you doing?"

"I'm calling the police." She says seriously as she dials the number.

"Whoa, Whoa!" I shout and lunge backwards to grab the phone, "Wait!"

She puts the phone to her ear.

"I'll take you home!" I shout immediately, she takes the phone away from her ear.

Suddenly, I look back at the road and I have to swerve sharply to avoid a car.

"Dan, keep your eyes on the road!" She screams.

"Dan, keep your eyes on the road!" I scream as I grip my seatbelt tightly. My heart almost jumped out of my chest. I'm going to die. I'm not safe with this lunatic. How did he even get his license? I swear he's breaking the speed limit!

"Slow down!" I shout again.

"Yes, just made it through that green light!" He says with accomplishment. Is this some sort of game to him?

"I just want to go home!" I say with frustration, "My parents are gonna kill me!"

I hear my phone ringing in my lap. It's Dad.

I pick it up.

"Who is it?" Dan asks loudly. I place my hands on my lips and gesture for him to be quiet.

"Hey dad." I try to mask my worried tone.

"Runo, is the concert finished?" Dad asks.

"Yeah. I'm on my way back." I try and sound normal, even though Dan's driving is making me feel sick.

"Really? I would have picked you both up." Dad says.

"Its fine, I got a taxi back." I tell him. My hear starts beating out of nervousness.

"Taxi?!" Dan gapes.

I gesture for Dan to be quiet.

"Who's in the background?" Dad asks.

"Ah...just Julie." I laugh nervously.

"Oh of course!" He laughs, "I just wanted to see if you were alright."

"Thanks dad." I thank him.

"Okay, see you soon." He says.

"Bye." I say and hang up.

I sigh in relief.

"What did your dad say?" Dan asks.

"Just get me home!" I snap again

"A Taxi, really?" Dan tuts, "Why didn't you just tell him you were with me?"

"Are you crazy?" I gape, "I can't tell him I got in the car with some boy who drives like a lunatic!"

"What?" He says in disbelief.

"You could have just said I'm with Dan Kuso." Dan shrugs, "I'm sure he's heard of me."

"So? Doesn't mean it's okay to go off with you!" I say spitefully. I hate that he thinks no rules apply to him.

"Anyway, we're nearly there, so relax." He says calmly as he turns the corner.

Finally I see my house in sight.

"Which one is it?" He asks as he scans all of them.

"Number 31, just there." I point to the left. He pulls up and in no time I climb out of the car.

"Not gonna say bye?" He asks before I shut the door.

"Bye, forever!" I sing and slam the door shut.

I rummage through my purse to find my keys. I see Dan scroll down his window and watch me. Suddenly the door opens.

I look at her, stuffing her hand in her bag. Don't tell me she has lost her keys again?

But then the door opens.

"Runo! You're back!" He (probably her dad) shouts loud and clear, "I missed you!"

He hugs her and she shoves him off and stomps into her home.

Runo huh?