Page 18 of Colton

“Alright, I’ll bring you something.”

She nods, glances at the clock on the wall, and all but runs to the library. Since it’s still early in the morning, it’s the perfect chance for her to study in her favorite spot. It’s the only table where the natural light hits just enough to be bright, and not blinding.

I shake my head with a low chuckle, then clutch my bag, heading outside.

True to her word, and for the first time since I’ve met her, Grace isn’t late. She’s waiting for me by the gates, leaning against the metal, tapping her finger against her forearm. The moment she spots me, she straightens up, beaming.

“Ava! Right here!”

“Are you going to be the one driving?” I ask once I’m within a breathing distance from her, watching as she turns her back on me, walking out through the gates.

“Yes. Since it’s something we’re trying to keep a low profile, hiring a driver would’ve had the opposite effect.”

I hum, nodding along.

Her car is some fancy truck that I’ve never seen in my life. It’s entirely black, massive, and looks like I’d have to sell both my kidneys to afford one. Grace slides into the driver’s side effortlessly, and I follow suit, entering through the passenger's door.

“Alright, so,” Grace starts talking, putting on her seatbelt. “We should be there in an hour.”

“Isn’t the drive there two hours?”

“I drive like a maniac,” she states, my eyes widening a fraction. She’s nonchalant about it, like she’s discussing the weather, and not potential danger on the road.

“The fuck you mean? Absolutely not. You’ll drive by the rules, or I’ll jump out of the car.”

Grace sighs. “Come on, I’m a safe driver!”

“I trust you as much as I’d trust a seven-year-old behind a wheel. We’re not in a rush, so please, for the love of God, don’t you dare speed through this.”

“Fiine,” she relents, huffing like a petulant child, before starting the car. “First thing we’ll do once we get there, is eat something nice.”

“And that’s under the condition we’re allowed in.”

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be,” Grace shrugs, eyes on the road ahead. “We have the entry pass, and it’s in Sophia’s name.”

“But we only have one pass.”

“That doesn’t matter,” she shakes her head lightly. “As long as we have one, we’re good to go.”

“Where will we be staying for the night, though?”

This is why I hate last minute trips. I was so busy researching the city last night that I completely forgot we needed a place to stay. And given the insane prices in that city, I doubt there’s anything affordable so last-minute.

“I booked us a hotel room. One, though, because it’s hella expensive.”

“I figured,” I sigh. “But, thank you.”

Grace shrugs. “Don’t worry about it. You’ll repay me by doing everything I want us to do in Saint Valley.”

“I’d rather take out a bank loan and pay you back in money.”

Grace smirks. “Too late. You’re my hostage now.”

I sigh, glancing out the window. It’s a losing game arguing with Grace when she’s in one of her moods. The weather outside is nice, but there’s a high chance of a storm coming. The clouds get darker the longer we’re on the road, a wave of chills running down my body.

“Do you actually think we’ll find something exciting over there?”

The question falls from my lips before I can think about it properly. There’s music playing in the car, but the lack of a conversation is making me overthink everything. The fear, with lingering excitement, is making me want to burst. Though, my definition of excitement and Grace’s are two different things entirely.