The late morning frost still clung to the uppermost branches, drawing their eyes skyward just as they passed under a holobillboard at a sprawling truck stop.

The lot was packed with holiday travelers, trucks lined up like dominoes while families squeezed between them with steaming cups and paper bags. Through the dense tree line, the bullet emerged like a silver thread, gliding to a stop at the station platform. The billboard’s light painted the car interior in shifting colors. “We love the govna!” Juniper announced cheerfully, glancing up at the political slogan.

Sophia couldn’t hide her skeptical look, her head tilting down while her eyes stayed fixed on Juniper, who caught the expression and shifted in her seat with obvious confusion.

“Who will you cast for next year?” Juniper asked, straightening her posture as if trying to reset the moment, her knuckles loosening then tightening on the steer.

“Whoever is going to win,” Sophia replied simply, letting her head rest back against the seat while a smile played across her face.

“You wanna know something about me, Juni? I’m a winner.”

The words hung in the air as Juniper let out a laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes, her shoulders tensing even as she tried to play along.