Speeding

"I'm gay." She said."WHAT?" I yelled as I clamped the pillow I was holding. No way.
"I have been for a long time, actually. I love you."
"LARA!" I yelled again.
"What, what?!" Lara poked her head around the corner to the living area all worried.
"Jane is gay…" My yelling somehow turned into awestrucked whispering.
"Huh?" Lara looked puzzled, but realised I was talking about the TV when my trembling finger pointed towards the reality soap serie that was playing on the screen. Lara sighed.
"I can't believe you actually like those reality shows so much. Dinner in 10!" Lara walked back to the kitchen.
"Far more interesting than reading old books all day!" I yelled still shackled in front of the TV.

It was six months since Yamatai and it seemed Lara and I went back to our college way of living. Only now we resided in a large manor. A very very large manor. The Croft Manor. Initially we wanted to move back to our apartment in downtown London, but after the ordeal on the island, it didn't feel right. It didn't feel safe. The walls around the Croft manor, including the guard at the gate, helped us sleep a little bit better at night. Lara said it had to do with having access to a library, the space to workout, the fact they could hire top of the line maids and all kinds of non-reasons. I knew that was nonsense and Lara was just worried about our safety. She just didn't want to admit it. Six months in and Lara had yet to hire a single maid and we now have a guard posted at the gate 24/7! Also, she never had any issues with our 2 bedroom apartment before. Not that I was complaining, I loved it. I loved the mansion; it's style, the size, the history behind it, the space. I felt pretty good. I wasn't sure about Lara, though. She spent a lot of her time in her study room and the library on the third floor, and while she didn't actually say it, she preferred not to be disturbed. In the first few months Lara sat there, studying notes, reading books and whatnot, I thought she starting planning her next adventure, following in her father's footsteps. On the boat back from Yamatai Lara had said she didn't want to go home yet, but here we were six months later. I'm just glad her daily routine doesn't exist of just working out and reading old books anymore, like it was the first month when we got back. We are gradually spending more time together, and spending more time outside. Although, going outside is pretty much limited to now getting groceries ourselves instead of having them delivered to the mansion.

Either way, I had mixed feelings about the fact Lara was finally opening up to me. I was really glad that she was finally sharing her feelings with me again for the first time since Yamatai, but it made me realise how fucked up she had gotten. She was paranoid, restless, scared, not to mention the nightmares. Jesus, the nightmares. Way too often would I wake up by the sound of Lara going down the stairs to the kitchen. I'd follow her and would find her with her face wet from tears and sweat. Lately, I convinced her to tell me about the nightmares now and then, because it might help. Seriously, those nightmares are fucking scary even though Lara was just telling me them. I wouldn't want to imagine actually dreaming them. I am pretty certain she has PTSD, that's how bad it is. But, obviously, no way she'll admit that. I tried getting her to talk to a professional, but she wouldn't and changed the subject every time. I just settled for the fact she's at least talking to me. And yet she is staying strong, always asking me if I'm alright, if nothing is bothering me. And I'd tell her I'm fine, because the truth is I am fine. Don't get me wrong, I am not untouched by what unfolded on the island, and I do get my fair share of nightmares, but not near as bad as Lara's. Mostly because I don't remember a whole lot of the scary parts. Most of what I can remember is being in the company of Mathias, and while I was scared shitless the entire time, he didn't try to maim and murder me. Well, except for the part where he almost burned me alive. But then Lara came, just in time. She didn't even save me at that time, but just seeing her gave me so much hope. Just a glimpse of her face, the knowledge that she was still fighting for me, was enough to keep going. God, I hope she'll be alright. I am most worried about her sleepless nights because she gets so tired.

Sometimes Lara also takes a drive in her new car late at night when she can't sleep. She was convinced we didn't need a brand new Audi RS6 with a roaring 4.0 V8 engine, all options included. When she wanted to finally buy a car two months back, she was interested in some truck from 90's, saying that's all they'd need. I had rolled my eyes. Millions at her disposal and she wants to buy a truck that barely holds together. Somehow, I still doesn't know how, I convinced Lara to come to the Audi dealer. I was ecstatic about the car, but after we finally bought it, I felt guilty. Normally, I'd feel victorious when I managed to persuade Lara to change her mind, since she'd rarely do so. But back then, I felt like Lara just agreed to it because she didn't feel like arguing with me. That's how it was the first couple of months. Lara acted so closed off and to herself. That would mean I made her buy a car against her will, and that thought haunted me for quite some time. Luckily, that feeling was thrown out the window the second Lara told her she'd bought her the exact same car, but in white instead of black, because it was convenient. Ah, what a lovely girl Lara is. My very best friend. My heroine. My..Sam? Saaam?

"Sam!" I awoke from my thoughts when Lara poked my ribs. She looked at the television. "There's commercials on! How is that even remotely interesting enough to ignore me? It's dinner time."
"Sorry, mom." I said with a grin as I got up from the comfortable couch. "I was just lost in my thoughts."
"What thoughts?" Lara asked as we made our way to the dining room ignoring my mom remark.
"Nothing interesting, really." I smiled. "So! What are we having for dinner?"
"Nothing interesting, really." Lara winked. Lara always winked with her mouth open. It was so super adorable.
"Oh, ha-ha.".
"Seriously, though. Is everything alright?" Lara asked.
"Yeah, I'm good, sweetie, don't worry. Was just thinking about maybe taking a drive somewhere. Like, together."
"Oh?" Lara diverted her look. "Where to?"
"I don't know. Like a little trip somewhere. We could visit Jonah in Brighton? But this time, we'll stay in a hotel and enjoy the beach for a couple of days. It's summer, anyway. And I don't mean British summers, the sun is actually shining!" I tried to give her some familiarity with Jonah because she might be more inclined to go. Jonah had opened a fish restaurant in Brighton two months ago, and we've been there twice since then. It was called The Lobstah for crying out loud.
"I dont know. I guess so."
"C'mon, please? It'll be fun! We can have a few drinks, too, like old times!" I begged as we entered the dining room.
Lara stopped in her tracks and looked at me for a few seconds. "Fine." She smiled. "Fine, let's go. But I'm driving."
"Yes!" I hugged her. "And sure, you can drive the car we really don't need." I smirked while she gave me a look.
I realised she made spaghetti bolognese when I took a seat at the large wooden table. Lara wasn't as good in cooking as I was, which meant that she rarely cooked at all. It didn't matter to me, the simple food she did make was absolutely delicious.
"Oh, yumm!" I said as I filled my plate.
"I know, I know, it's not as fancy as your usual cuisines. Still, I like it."
"Oh, don't worry, sweetie. I love your kitchen skills. Besides, you're far better than me with other stuff. Like pretty much anything, come to think of it."
"That's ridiculous. Like what?" She asked as she started scooping up the amount of spaghetti that would fill an average person's stomach twice.
"Like eating like you're 300 pounds and still maintain a thin and toned body. Jesus Christ, Lara."
"What? I like spaghetti." She said with half her mouth full. "Besides, it's okay. I climb mountains."
We both laughed. It was true, though. Lara was so super badass.

I wouldn't be able to miss her from my life. Not just because she saved my life on the island. It was before Yamatai, as well. When we were in college, in our dorm. When we moved to our two bedroom apartment later on. She was always there for me, always. Now, don't get me wrong, I was there for her, as well, whenever she needed me, obviously. I'm just not entirely sure how she feels about me. Hell, I'm not even sure how I feel about me.

"So, when are we going?" Lara asked after she somehow managed to clear her plate before me.
"Well, nothing is stopping is. Plus, if we wait too long the sun will probably disappear for another twelve centuries. Let's go tomorrow?"
"Sure. I'll call Jonah tonight, see if he's okay with it."
"We're not staying at Jonah's, we're just visiting him and staying in our own hotel. Don't you dare cancel on me just because Jonah is too busy, Lara." I gave her a look.
"I know, I know." Lara tried to look as innocent as possible. "I'll give him a call to see if he's okay meeting us within the next couple of days. That okay?"
"Don't worry, Lara. It's August, school started again, holidays are over so it won't be too crowded on the beach. And if you get uncomf-..."
"Yeah, I'll be fine." She interrupted me as she took both our plates to the kitchen. Lara wasn't too keen on going outside, let alone to crowded areas, after Yamatai. She wanted to know what was going on, who was near her, who might be a danger or not and her escape route. At all times. Obviously, that gets difficult in a crowded area. Though, it was understandable after what she's been through.

I helped her clean the table and we sat on the couch with the laptop so we could look at some nice hotels in Brighton. I see her look at some quality hotels and praise myself once more that I convinced her it's okay to spend money from her fortune. We're living of her interest rate alone and than some.
"That one is nice." I point at the screen after we've been through a dozen websites.
She opens the page and we take a look at the photos.
"Yeah." She smiles. "It is. I'll give Jonah a call." She gets up and hands me the laptop. "Can you book it?"
Lara takes her phone from her pocket and taps the screen a few times before putting it to her ear and waited for Jonah to pick up.
"Hey Jonah. How're you?" I could see she liked hearing his voice after she lit up. Besides the fact they were good friends, you create a special bond with people you share a trauma with.
"Yeah, we're fine, too, thanks. Hey, listen, we were thinking abou-..." Her smile quickly disappeared when Jonah interrupted her.
"What…?" She was now frowning and I was getting worried.
"What, what is it?" I tried asking but she ignored me.
"That's insane!" She continued. "That's just not possible."
She looked at me and gestured for the laptop after she sat down next to me again. She held her phone between her shoulder and her ear and fired up Google. After a search term and a click or two she reached an article about Yamatai.

Archeologists find nothing worthwhile on suggested Yamatai-Koku island
After a 2,5 months excavation of the island discovered by freelance treasure hunters, archeologists say that the rumour that the island was the host of the former "Sun queen" Himiko and her kingdom is false.

My mouth fell open.

Lead archaeologist Harry Thompson says "In the past six months we have discovered several ruins on the island, which we can now confirm are in of no relation to Yamatai-Koku or Himiko and her kingdom. While we can understand why these treasure hunters initially had believes this to be Yamatai, we can now say with certainty that this is not the case."

The discovery of the island sparked the interest of archaeologists all around the world as it was believed to be Yamatai-Koku, the long lost kingdom of the Sun queen Himiko. The location of Yamatai-Koku has long been a debate between many scientists, historians and archaeologists. In 2009 an excavation started in Sakurai, Nara after the discovery of a large stilt-house which was believed to be in relation to Himiko. Thompson says that "our focus once again lies in Sakurai, Nara".

Lara was now clicking through several websites to check sources, but they all reported the same thing. I was just staring at the screen which had turned into a black and white blur for me. How the hell was that possible? What purpose would it have to hide Yamatai? Could they even legally do that?
"Yeah, no, I read it." Lara suddenly continued. It made me realise she would probably cancel our going away plans.
"Listen, Sam and I are going to spend a few days in Brighton, perhaps we could drop by for a day?...Wednesday perhaps?...Okay, great, then we can also discuss this Yamatai thing." Thank God, we were still going. Lara hung up the phone and directed her attention to me. We just looked at each other for a while.
"I don't know." I finally broke the silence.
"Me neither." Lara looked at the laptop in her lap again. "We'll call Harry Thompson tomorrow. Come to think of it, I haven't heard from in a while. He used to call us frequently."
She was right. Harry Thompson was the archaeologist leading the team on Yamatai, and we knew him. Well, Lara knew him because he was good friends with Lara her father when he was still alive. He had kept us up to date by calling us every other week, but we hadn't heard from him for about three weeks now.
"I'm sure he has a reasonable explanation." Lara said, trying to rationalise the situation.
"Pretty sure." I agreed with her.

After we had packed our bags for the next day, we spent the rest of the evening watching movies trying to divert our attention. Lara had become too impatient and had already tried calling Harry twice, but she got his voicemail, so she left him a message. I didn't pay much attention to the movies, I couldn't because my mind was somewhere else. Though, I was very glad I got to spend the evening with Lara on the couch cuddled up against each other.
I was rudely awoken by a loud banging on my bedroom door. I look at my phone. Ugh, 8AM.
"C'mon Sam, let's go." I heard Lara's voice from behind the door.
"It's 8 in the morning! We don't have to go to college or anything!" I yelled back. I waited a couple of seconds waiting for what she had to say next, but there was only silence. Just when I thought I might've pissed her off Lara came barging in the door.
"It was you who suggested this trip, Sam." Sometimes she can actually act like a mother. She walked to the large window on the side of my bed and pulled open the curtains.
"Ah!" I screamed as I covered my eyes. "The light! It burns!"
"Oh, please." Lara stood at the end of my bed with her hands on her hips.
"Geez, since when are you so eager to go?" I said as I was still adjusting to the light.
"Because you're right, it would be fun. So get dressed and let's go." Lara said.
When my eyes finally adjusting so I could see properly I took a look at Lara.
"Really?" I said as I sat upright in bed. "Jeans? It's summer and actually warm outside!"
"What?" Lara replied as she took her hands off herself and looked down. "This is comfortable and looks good."
Lara was wearing her usual black tank top, jeans and boots outfit. Mostly the only thing that ever changed was the color of the tank top, and the fact she sometimes wore cargo pants instead of jeans. Her hair seemed to never ever leave the state of ponytailness. She was right, though, it did look good on her. She had this tomboyish look going on, while still looking feminine. I have never seen a person who pulled the look off better than Lara did.
"But sweetie, it's warm outside and you're beautiful. Show off your legs, show off your tummy, you can easily pull it off!" I said while thinking about the cute green summer dress I already knew I was putting on.
"Pff, I have a huge scar on my stomach. Why would I want to bare that?" She was exaggerating, her wound actually healed really nicely. Obviously, still visible, though.
"At least where those shorts I get you a while back?" I cannot recall the amount of times I tried to change Lara's outfit.
"Maybe when we get there." Lara winked adorably. "Now, c'mon, let's go. I already made breakfast downstairs."
It was really good to see Lara smiling, though I wasn't sure why that was. Either because she got to drive this beast of a car again, because she was outside on a trip or because she was hanging out with me. Hopefully, the latter. I looked at her driving. She looked like a real badass, sporting those aviator sunglasses while driving this car looking all focussed. I was almost disappointed the drive only took about 90 minutes. Probably less the way Lara was driving. You'd think a girl like Lara would drive according to the speed limit, right? No way. I casually looked at the speedometer and saw we were going almost 100 miles per hour. Not that I mind, though, I like the speed. Lara didn't like talking when she was driving, she made that pretty clear in the past. So I decided to take out my phone and play around with that. Maybe check for those articles that suggested Yamatai pretty much does not exist, I might find something useful in it. When I read a few articles, which pretty much suggested the exact same thing, I decided to check and update Facebook. I can't tag Lara in my status update, because surprise surprise, she doesn't use Facebook. Well, maybe that was for the best, she'd start asking questions about the stuff I liked on Facebook if she ever saw. I giggled.
"Shit." Lara said suddenly. I looked at her and saw her looking in the rearview mirror, so I turned my head to look out the rear window. My heart sank; a cop car was driving behind us with the sign "Stop Police" lit.
"Shit." I concurred. "How fast were you going."
She looked at me with a worry on her face. "More than 130."
My mouth fell open. "Jesus, Lara, really? That's a driving ban for sure." I couldn't believe this car drove so smooth I didn't even notice how fast we were going. "Fuck."
"Yeah, you're going to have to do the driving from now on." Lara said as she took the exit to a petrol station. She parked the car in the designated area behind the building.
"Why were you going so fast?! 130!" I almost hissed.
To my utter surprise she smiled and said "Because it's fun." My mouth fell open. "Plus" She continued. "Road conditions were good, and the road was pretty much empty so. This car can go more than 180, you know?"
"Yeah, you know what, let's not drive 180, okay? I'm glad you're having fun, though." I poked her ribs. I could see she was completely calm, while I was stressing out. And I didn't even do anything wrong. Lara has a way of doing that, staying completely calm when it matters. Fuck, she's a badass in so many different ways. Lara had rolled down the window when the police officer arrived next to her door.
"That's a nice car you have here, Miss." The police officer says. The man was about 35 years old and actually looked quite handsome, and came about as a friendly person.
"Thank you, officer."
"Are you two girls in a hurry?" He asked.
"No, sir." Lara replied.
"Then why were you driving so fast?"
"Well, I thought I was able to, the weather is nice and the road is empty." Lara tried to be as nice as possible to the officer, hoping to get off with perhaps just a huge fine. Or maybe he wasn't able to measure her speed yet?
"Really?" The officer said as he quickly looked down at the notepad he was holding. "Because I saw this BMW M3 car driving pretty quickly, as well. It almost looked like you were racing him."
"Lara!" I yelled as her cheeks got red. Busted.
"R-really? Gee, uh, I-I didn't see that car, to be honest." Lara stammered.
"Is that so?" He put his notepad away. "License and registration, please."
"Officer, honestly, I-..."
"License and registration, please." The officer interrupted her. She sighed for a second and then reached for the glovebox and her wallet.
"Here you go." She handed her license and car registration papers to the officer.
"I'll be right back, please stay in the car and don't start your engine." The office walked back to his own car parked behind ours.
"That's probably the last time I see that license." She said as she turned to me.
"That's all your own fault, missy." I said with an older women voice, pretending to be a mother figure.
"Oh, thanks for the support, mom."
"Don't worry sweetie, we have enough money. We'll pay the fine, wait a couple of days and you'll have it back in no time."
"I don't like spending money on nonsense, you know that." She rested her forehead against the back of her hands which were on the steering wheel. "Fuck."
I stroked the back of her head. "It's fine, Lara, and whosoever fault it is, you don't ever have to deal with something on your own, okay? Please know that. Even if it's a trivial matter."
She pushed my hand away. "Driving at night is one of the few things that calm me down, okay? I need it." She sounded really annoyed now.
"I'm sorry." I said softly. "Do you always drive that fast?" I asked hesitantly.
"No. Just when I'm able to, and when I believe it's okay. I'll never break a speed limit except on the highway."
"You never told me you were you go at night." I asked
"I told you; driving."
"Yeah, but where? Sometimes you're gone until the morning. I get worried."
"I know, I'm sorry. I don't go anywhere specific. And don't worry I don't always go driving 150 miles per hour just because. I just drive around aimlessly. I love the lights flashing by in the dark. I also love the silence that comes with it."
"With this engine?"
She laughed. "I guess I meant the soothing sound the engine makes."
I felt so bad for her, if these were one of the few things that calmed her down, we should do anything possible in order to prevent a driving ban. I thought about what I could do, but then the officer suddenly stood next to the car again.
"Miss." The office directed his attention to me. "I'm going to need your license, as well as your passport. Lara and I frowned.
"Why" I asked, probably just before Lara did.
"Registration purposes." The officer replied calmly.
"I wasn't even driving."
"Please, Miss, I might be able to get your friend her off with a warning, but I'll need your license and passport." He looked at Lara. "And I'll need your passport, as well." We looked at each other puzzled for a few seconds, but if this guy could get Lara to get away with just a warning, we should just go with it. We both handed the necessary documents and the officer walked away again.
"That's lucky." I said.
"Yeah, and weird. Why would he need our passports, as well? It's lucky we're even carrying them on this trip."
"He might be able to give you just a warning, so let's go with it." I claimed.
"Let's hope so." Lara looked in the side mirror to check if he was coming back yet. "He's taking his time, though."
"So, are we going to the beach straight away?" I asked trying to pass the time. I was getting a little uncomfortable in this chair, despite the fancy leather. I was afraid of leaving the car, though, since the officer told us not to.
"Uhm, yes, can do. The hotel has a swimming pool, as well you know." She said looking down at the steering wheel.
"Yes, but the beach has a sun, you know." I replied which made Lara smile.
"Fine, fine."
"Here you go, girls." The officer startled us both and I saw Lara make a grab for her gun, which wasn't on her belt. The officer looked puzzled but Lara pretended it didn't happen and took the documents from his hands.
"So?" Lara asked half-hearted.
"I'm going to let you go off with a warning if you promise to drive safely from now on."
I could see Lara was ecstatic. "Of course, officer, thank you so much, officer. I promise I'll drive safe!" The officer quickly left and Lara hugged me in excitement.
"Oh, thank God." I said after she let go of me. "Now, let's go to the hotel and change. I want to hit the beach already!"
Lara laughed as she once again turned on the roaring monster in the engine compartment and drove off.