9) Drive

Some people drive to escape things (Shawn, leaving Santa Barbara on his own for the first time on his motorcycle, with no job and no prospects and nothing but his clothes and charm, and the urge to escape from his father).

Some people drive to get to things (Juliet, leaving Miami on her own for the first time, eyes bright and looking forward excitedly to her dream career awaiting her in Santa Barbara, alone except for her parents, only a phone call away, and her two cats in the backseat).

And when the two meet, sometimes there are crashes ("Do I know you?" – "Yes. You are the girl who took my seat!") and sometimes there aren't (A smile and nod in acknowledgement).

But there's always a kind of crackle between the two, because they either don't mesh at all (not) or they fit a little too well (true), which leads to uncomfortable situations (a 100 match).

It's because what drives them is so similar, though they drive so differently. Shawn is an overly relaxed, silly, clever, flirty, unprofessional who keeps his real feelings hidden under a thick layer of jokes. Juliet is a relaxed but still alert, serious, smart, happy, professional that is almost too open and easily hurt, but has hidden depths with more strength and determination than she is granted.

But they are both driven by similar needs: to prove themselves (to his father; to her family of successful brothers), to do what's right (even if he has to lie; no matter what hoops that she despises she must jump through), to stay cheerful (despite how his entire life is a lie; no matter what others say about her never lasting), and to be themselves (even when others think less of him; even when others think less of her).

So they fit together just a little better than they like, and it makes them both nervous (he's never cared before; she can't see how this will ever end well for her) but its in their (similar) natures to keep on driving (away while approaching her; moving closer even as she thinks she's pedaling back).

A crash is inevitable (their lips meet and all protests die away as they move together and the world is melting because it's like a car crash, picking them up and flinging them into the air, leaving them stunned and shaken, clutching each-other as though they'll never last without the others support, and they can't help but do it again because it's so perfect, no matter how chaotic or terrifying) and maybe not such a bad thing.

And no matter how fast they go (way over the speed limit, he's not concerned with safety or comfort when he can have exhilaration) or how hard they try to stop (at least at the speed limit, or under, because she doesn't want to get hurt and she thinks the ride is often worth as much as the destination) they meet and from there its over.

They no longer run away ("I'm not going to leave you, Jules.") and they let themselves go ("I love you, Shawn") and it's weird and scary.

But that's who they are, and they can't stop it any more than they can stop being who they are, what they are driven to be.