For the first time in a long time, Johnny felt sick to his stomach. Something alien stirred in his chest, and suddenly he didn't much feel like staying in the restaurant.

"We're leaving," was all he said before he started off for the door.

"But—" Squee sighed and followed him to the car.

What's wrong with me? Johnny wondered sickly, bringing his trembling fingers to the ignition. He realized with a start that the keys were not yet in, and he fumbled for them in his pockets for awhile. Squee picked them up from the dashboard and handed them to him. Finally, Johnny started the car.

The ugly feelings worsened as time went by. At first, Johnny had assumed that they would go away after a quiet drive, but the silence only provided a blank slate for his thoughts to mangle with all sorts of unwanted things. Things like guilt.

"You're not worth chasing anymore." What did Devi mean? To Johnny's knowledge, she hadn't been chasing him. The two had enjoyed—though that was definitely the wrong word—an uneasy truce, a distance that they both seemed content with.

Apparently, Devi had been harboring some kind of desire to patch things up. Unbeknownst to Johnny, she had been "chasing" him, attempting to make things right. Hoping for a second chance.

Johnny laughed quietly in spite of himself. Like that was going to happen anytime soon. Devi must be crazy to think it could work.

"Um…Nny," mumbled Squee. "Nny. NNY. WATCH OUT, IDIOT!"

Johnny snapped out of his reverie just in time to avoid crashing into a tree. He muttered an apology and got the car back onto the road—500 yards back.

"Do you want me to drive?" asked Squee, shrinking back into the seat.

"You're what, ten?" snorted Nny. "I don't think so."

"And you almost drove into a tree," Squee pointed out, sitting up a little straighter.

"You know how to drive?"

"Since I was six."

Johnny stopped the car, pulled the keys out of the ignition, and handed them to Squee.

"Go ahead," he muttered darkly, opening the car door and stepping out. "It'd be one less thing for me to worry about."

Squee moved over to the driver's side and started the car. Johnny fought back laughter and reentered the car on the passengers side.

Amazingly, fifteen minutes and two close calls with the police later, the car rolled to a stop in Johnny's driveway.

"Holy shit," chuckled Johnny, getting out of the car and taking the keys back. "I think you drive better than I do."

"Dad made me drive a lot when I was little," Squee mumbled, eyes downcast. "Like when I broke my arm and had to get to the hospital. I kinda picked it up after the first few crashes."

The sick feelings started to subside. Johnny took in an experimental breath of air and upon deciding that it was indeed safe to process, exhaled.

"Are you avoiding Devi?" asked Squee just after they'd gotten inside the house.

Every shred of peace Johnny felt at that moment suddenly deserted him. He glared at Squee, who shrank away from him.

"I'm not avoiding her," he hissed, driving Squee farther away. "She's just stalking me."

"Not really," muttered Squee, astonished as Nny was at his bravery. "It's not like you're unpredictable or anything. Maybe she just wants to talk to you."

"Squee, I agreed to babysit you, but I never promised to return you in one piece." Nny's eyes flashed dangerously. "I like you. Don't make me hurt you."

Squee fled, and Johnny made no attempt to pursue him.

Z?

a/n: ello again. sorry for the wait. >. skool and the such. more to come, heh. enjoy, mes amis, and bonsoir.

-raven