As they finally pulled away from the curb, Sophia settled into the passenger seat, arranging herself carefully – hands folded in her lap, posture perfect. She couldn’t help but notice how Juniper immediately adopted a characteristic driving pose: one hand casually draped across the top of the steer, body angled slightly, as if the car was just an extension of her confidence.

The transition from city streets to highway was gradual, then sudden – like watching a time-lapse of urban sprawl in reverse. The towering buildings gave way to shorter structures, then to the ancient woods that lined the express lane Juniper had chosen. Massive trees created a natural tunnel above them, their branches reaching across the road like grasping fingers.

“I need to fix my makeup before we get there,” Juniper announced, checking herself in the rearview mirror. “Maybe adjust the angle of my-”

“You don’t need any of that,” Sophia cut in gently, watching her friend’s profile. “You know that, right?”

Juniper made a dismissive sound, but Sophia pressed on, her voice taking on that knowing tone she’d perfected in the past month with Juniper.

“All women know how attractive they are… at least plus or minus one point. Even how hot they are compared to their friends…”