Too Good For You — The Quiet Car Ride

bright he followed me for two steps Sarah what time's your flight I'll drive you no I didn't turn around I'll drive you I don't need you to anymore the moment I walked out of the building there, I let out a long breath. For the first time in eight years, the road ahead felt so short that I couldn't understand why it had taken me so long to walk it. When I got home, there was a bouquet

on my coffee table. Sunflowers. My favorite. The card was in Sophie's handwriting. Sarah, I'm you off tomorrow. No refusing. Promise you'll always be my best friend. I dropped the flowers into the trash beside the glittery bow clip. My alarm went off three times at four in the morning before I finally dragged myself out of bed.

By the time I washed up and wheeled my suitcase outside, the hallway was pitch black. The elevator doors opened. Sophie was standing inside.

She wore a pink hoodie, her hair thrown into a messy bun. She had no makeup on. There were dark circles under her eyes. She grinned and grabbed my suitcase.

Come on. Luke's waiting downstairs. I looked at her. I told you I didn't need anyone to see me off.

Oh, come on. She hooked her arm through mine and dragged me toward the exit. Who knows when you'll be back? What's wrong with letting us take you to the airport?

Luke's car sat beneath a streetlight downstairs. The engine's still running. He got out, took my suitcase, and put it in the trunk without saying much. The car was quiet.

Sophie sat in the passenger seat. I sat in the back.