“No, he didn’t, that’s crazy, hun,” she thought, shaking her head slightly, trying to dislodge the traitorous thoughts.

“Oh boy, oh boy”

“never mind, he has nothing to say, yeah, ok”

“I’ll take Tommy to the prom then, no big deal”

“Yup, I knew it, this guy just thinks he can serve with anyone he wants, like yeah, ok bud”

Daniel cleared his throat. “Excuse me,” he said, looking out at the vast landscape as the city lights began to appear on the horizon, pulsing in and out of reference like some kind of myoclonic heartbeat of the city itself. The distant glow cast his features in a soft light, highlighting the angles of his jaw, the curve of his lips, and Juniper found herself staring, transfixed by the sight within the windshield.

“So did he have to clear his throat right then, or did he wait till the time felt right?”

Her head was slightly bobbing around, back and forth, an unconscious movement that mirrored the turmoil within.