"Blankets. Chapter 1, cubby hole. When we were young, my little brother Phil and I shared the same bed" Jack read to himself pausing only to turn the page "shared is the sugar-coated way of saying we were trapped in the same bed, as we were children and had no say in the matter" he read unaware that Carter could hear every word he read

"'hey Craig' 'I'm trying to sleep' 'there're sharks nibbling on the edge of the boat' 'it's not a boat stupid. It's a BED! Go to sleep'"

"What are you reading, sir?" Carter queried and Jack closed the book with his index finger holding the page

"It's an illustrated novel" Jack said proudly and Carter studied him confused

"It's a picture book?" she asked grinning and Jacks face dropped

"No" he jumped back childishly "it's a comic book" he explained as he opened it to show her. She smiled

"Is that really any better than a picture book" she teased

"Carter, it's my choice in reading material. Now are you going to let me read or just bug me?"

"No you can read, go ahead" she grinned and let him get back to reading. She enjoyed listening to him read.

Two hours of reading had passed before Jack put the book aside. He had been aware that Carter was listening and every now and then he paused to show her the picture's used to describe a scene. He had liked the book but frowned at the serious lack of blood, guts, violence and mayhem. He had put the book aside after finally understanding what it was about.

"Crap" he cursed closing the book and Carter turned to him confused

"What?" she asked and Jack opened it back to the page he was on. He showed her the drawing of Craig - the main character- now around 18, first meeting a girl named Raina. The two teens were standing about a metre apart gazing into each others eyes. It was obvious the drawing was meant to depict 'love at first sight'.

"It's a romance Carter" Jack grimaced

"Sir, you're not seriously going to give up on the book Just because the guy met a girl?" Carter criticized him

"I seriously am" he grinned

"Just read it sir, you might like it" she sighed

"Alright Carter but if he turns into a love-struck-sap, I put the book away" he agreed as he opened the book and she smiled satisfied as he continued reading. He only read until the end of that scene before he bookmarked the page and closed the book.

"What's wrong?" she asked slightly irritated and he pointed for her to turn off the highway. She followed his instructions until they stopped just outside of a supermarket "ok sir, why are we here?" she asked slightly nervous and he grinned as he unbuckled his seat belt and leaned in close to her. He softly traced his hand along her seat belt and with a click it opened. Carter gulped anxiously as he slid the belt up behind her and ran his fingertips through her hair.

"Carter" he whispered in her ear

"Yes?" she asked cautiously

"It's my turn at the wheel" he almost laughed. She rolled her eyes and pushed him back in his seat as she relaxed.

"What about the book sir?" she asked opening the door and letting the cold air rush in

"You read it" he shrugged and before she could reply he cut in with

"Out loud Carter"

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Author's note: sorry this chap was so short. i had organised it properly on paper and somehow this turned out to only be one page for this chap thus leaving it at around 550 words.

feel free to review. i love those reviews. who doesnt?