Chapter 5: Lines in the Sand

Derek stared in disbelief, jaw slack. "If you don’t want me there, just say it. Why act like some sulky puppy?"

Natalie’s face darkened, a rare flash of anger crossing her face. "Derek, what’s with your attitude?"

Just as I’d hoped, Derek’s face clouded over, his usual smirk nowhere to be found.

"He’s obviously faking it. Who gets so carsick they can’t sit in the back seat? Natalie, you believe him over me?"

Natalie hesitated, her eyes darting from Derek to me, torn in two.

I just took her hand, my voice barely above a whisper. "You go take Derek home first, don’t… don’t fight over me."

My voice grew softer and softer, trailing off as I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. "I can see it, Derek… likes you…"

That was like tossing a match into gasoline. Not only did Natalie’s face change instantly, but the comments went wild, popping up like popcorn in a microwave.

[Wow, this second-string boyfriend’s mouth is so toxic! The plot was supposed to be the lead discovering it herself, why is he blurting it out?]

[Can someone give this second-string boyfriend ten slaps, I’m so mad!]

[Can’t the NPC figure out his own role? Does he have to be the obstacle between the main guy and the lead just for attention?]

[Putting aside the second-string boyfriend’s role, he’s the official boyfriend… don’t @ me, just saying.]

Looking away, I stared out the window at the orange glow of the streetlights. Natalie tugged my sleeve, voice trembling. "Derek, Alex really does get carsick. How about you drive and let Alex sit in the passenger seat…"

Before she could finish, Derek was already furious. He yanked off his seatbelt. "Natalie, you’re something else. It’s just a passenger seat. I won’t sit there, okay?"

He slammed the car door hard, the sound echoing in the nearly empty parking lot. But instead of getting into the driver’s seat, he walked to the other exit, fists jammed in his pockets.

After we got in the car, Natalie was still distracted, biting her lip, her mind a thousand miles away. I called her once, gently.

She hesitated, voice small. "Alex, did I… just wrong Derek?"