Jade really hated driving during the day. When natural light illuminated the streets and filtered into the car through the windows, Jade felt boxed in. Uncomfortable. At night, when the darkness spread into infinity, she felt more at ease. But unfortunately, driving to and from school was a daytime activity, not a nighttime one. So Jade had learned to make do. She had learned that if she kept the car totally silent, then it made the space seem bigger and more open, and she felt okay. So that's what she did, every morning and every afternoon. Complete silence and solitude.
But when there was another person in her car, especially in the passenger seat… Jade felt like someone was encroaching on her personal space, pressing way too close to her. Even when the other person could manage to keep their mouth shut, the sheer fact of their presence was stifling. Too close for an enclosed space. Too close.
And now… Tori, of all people. Wanted a ride. With Jade. During the day. Tori, who made Jade feel confused, and sometimes uncomfortable, even from feet away. Even in a wide open space like the Asphalt Cafe, or a large room like the Blackbox Theater. Even when they were miles away from each other and Jade was alone in her room. Tori's existence alone felt like an invasion into Jade's personal space.
But to sit together—next to each other—in the same car. In the same space. Just a few inches away. That was too close. Too close for comfort. And of course Tori would not be able to keep quiet. For Jade to say yes would be to inflict upon herself so many different tormentors: day driving; noise; a person; Tori.
But she couldn't say no, either! Judging by the parking lot, Sinjin was the only student left at school. The thought of leaving Tori alone with that creep made Jade's stomach turn. And Sinjin isn't intimidated by her the way she is of me…
So it was decided, then. One ride home for Tori. One extremely uncomfortable journey for Jade. Jade took in a silent deep breath, then uncrossed her arms and stood up straighter, shifting her weight away from the car where she had been leaning. She walked around to the other side of the car, passing by Tori without a word, then unlocked the passenger side door and gestured to Tori that she could get in. Then she walked back around the car and slid into the driver's seat.
As soon as she closed her door and felt everything pressing in on her—the excessively bright light, the small metal box that was known as a car, the powerful presence of a certain person to her right—Jade regretted her decision. But it was too late to go back.
Let's just hope it doesn't get any worse.
A/N: Sorry, that's all for today. I've had a crazy busy week, and even though I have tons of ideas cascading around in my head for the car scene, I barely had any time to actually sit down and write. But next week.
Thank you for reading, everyone!