Claudia went back to school the next Monday. Thankfully exempt from the exams, she spent the next week getting used to the daily grind again and accepting rides home from Ben. That weekend, he suggested driving along the mountain highway and checking out the sparse stores and overlooks. She readily accepted; eager to get out of the small town for a quick "vacation".

They were up in the Connecticut hills and were laughing with the cool spring air and the wind rushing back through their hair. Claudia even almost forgot about the slightly-over-the-limit speed, and her laughs of delight turned into a nervous giggle. Ben noticed and slowed down.

"You're really scared of going fast, aren't you?" he commented as they pulled over to another overlook. This one was exceptionally beautiful, giving them a gorgeous view of the sunset-bathed town below. Orange light played in every window and bounced off every rooftop. Golden beams spilled into the topless corvette and highlighted the leather upholstery.

"This…is…gorgeous," she murmured, hypnotized by the effect of the sun.

"I guess so. But you didn't answer my question."

"Huh?"

He laughed. "Spacey today; I can feel that. I asked you why you're so scared of going fast."

She was very quiet, keeping her eyes on the setting sun as long as possible. The blazing orb reflected in her pupils and tears the color of molten gold started tracing their way down her cheek. "It's 'cause of…I was little. And he was so happy…to finally have his dream car. It was a Mustang…a '66, I think. Painted it light blue and took me for a drive. And…he sped up…and we spun out and crashed…"

He could tell she was getting really emotional. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I can just remember to drive slow."

"No, I'd rather you know. Really. We hit a tree, and his airbag did something wrong. That's how I got this scar…" She showed him her upper left arm, and there was a pearly pink crooked cross. It was thick and long and reached almost from her shoulder to halfway to her elbow.

"Who was it?" he asked quietly.

"My…my d-…dad."

"Hey, hey, it's ok," he comforted her as she started crying outwardly. She bent over and hid her face in her palms, and he reached over and patted her back, slightly unsure as to how to handle the situation.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start bawling," she apologized when the tears stopped flowing.

"It's ok. Death happens. We keep on living. It's our job; to finish living their life for them by living our lives better."

"Makes sense."

"Damn right it does. And no more worries; I'll drive slower and more carefully, k? Don't cry anymore; you're pretty when you cry, but you're prettier when you smile."

She smirked and wiped her eyes. It was a cheesy line and he knew it by the grin on his face, but it was appreciated. She gave him a teary-eyed smile, her eyes half-closed and a laugh in her throat.

Suddenly she felt his lips against hers and she gave a quick and startled gasp. This wasn't unpleasant at all; Ben was a great guy and she definitely liked him. He didn't have a girlfriend and she could definitely imagine them like this. Come to think of it, she'd imagined it before and liked what she saw.

She moved closer and they stayed together for a good minute before coming apart. Nervous laughter on both sides and a quick apology from him cause Claudia to tell him it was all right. No worries.

They watched the sun finish setting and the stars were beginning to appear when Ben put the car in drive and started back towards her home.