We stepped outside together, and the cool morning air greeted us immediately.
It wasn't cold.
Just... fresh.
The kind of morning that made you feel like something nice was about to happen.
Birds chirped somewhere in the distance, the fountains in front of our mansion splashed quietly, and the neatly trimmed hedges looked almost too perfect.
Mark unlocked his car with a soft click.
I stopped for a second. "...This is your car?"
Mark nodded. "Mhm. It's nice."
It really was. For someone whose family was ridiculously wealthy... I expected something flashy. Something that screamed,
"Look at me! I cost more than your entire education!"
Instead... It was a beautiful dark navy-blue sedan. Not brand new. Not old either.
The paint still shone under the morning sun, polished until it reflected everything around it.
The leather seats inside looked clean and well cared for, the steering wheel had only the slightest signs of use, and the dashboard was simple instead of overloaded with giant screens.
It felt... Comfortable. Like a car that had been loved.
Mark noticed me looking around. "This was my dad's first car."
I blinked. "Really?"
He nodded while opening the driver's door. "His first car after he started making money. He refuses to sell it."
Luca tilted his head. "Even though he can buy literally anything?"
Mark smiled. "He says this car reminds him where he started."
I looked around again. "...I actually like that."
"So do I."
We climbed inside. Mark naturally took the driver's seat. Luca immediately claimed the passenger seat.
Which meant... As usual... I was thrown into the back.
"...Wow. I see how it is. You two abandoned me."
Luca looked back dramatically. "We didn't abandon you. We strategically relocated you."
"...That's literally abandoning me."
Mark laughed quietly as he adjusted his mirrors. "Seatbelts."
We all clicked them into place.
Mark rested both hands on the steering wheel before looking at Luca. "Alright. First lesson."
Luca immediately straightened his back. "I'm ready."
Mark pointed toward the steering wheel.
"First... Adjust your seat. You need to comfortably reach the pedals."
Luca pushed the seat forward. "...Like this?"
"A little more."
He adjusted it again. "Good. Now your mirrors."
Luca carefully moved the mirrors. "So I can see behind me?"
"And beside you. You should never drive if you can't see what's around the car."
Luca nodded seriously. "I didn't know that."
Mark smiled.
"That's why we're learning." He pointed toward the pedals. "Three pedals. Clutch. Brake. Accelerator."
Luca looked down. "...I know accelerator. I've seen movies."
Mark raised an eyebrow. "...Please don't drive like the people in movies."
"I wasn't planning to."
"...Good."
Mark rested one hand on the gear stick.
"When you want to start the car... Make sure it's in neutral."
He moved it gently. "Press the clutch completely."
Luca watched every movement carefully. "Then?"
"Turn the key."
The engine came to life with a smooth hum.
Luca's eyes widened just a little. "...That's satisfying."
"It is."
Mark nodded. "But don't get excited. That's usually when people crash."
"I won't crash."
"You haven't even driven yet."
"I believe in myself."
"I believe in brakes."
I covered my mouth to hide my laugh.
Luca suddenly raised a hand. I have a question."
Mark looked at him. "Hm?"
"...What happens if I accidentally press the wrong pedal?"
Mark answered immediately. "...I scream."
I laughed. Luca laughed. Even Mark smiled. After making sure Luca understood the basics, Mark started driving.
Smoothly.
Calmly.
Not once did the car jerk forward.
It almost felt like the road was moving underneath us instead.
Mark spoke while driving. "I booked an open practice field."
Luca looked surprised. "You booked one?"
"Mhm."
"I figured we'd avoid unnecessary accidents."
He glanced at Luca.
"If you learn properly... You can drive yourself to school. Especially after Jake starts university."
Luca smiled brightly. "I like that idea."
"So do I."
The drive wasn't very long.
Soon the buildings disappeared behind us, replaced by enormous stretches of open land.
Then... We arrived.
"Oh..." I blinked.
The field was... Huge. Ridiculously huge.
Imagine a football stadium. Now remove the goalposts. Remove the audience seats.
Stretch the grass even farther. That's what it looked like.
An enormous open field with more than enough room for someone to make mistakes without accidentally driving into a building.
Mark parked the car. Turned off the engine.
Then smiled. "Alright."
"Luca."
"Driver's seat."
Luca almost jumped out of the car. "YES!"
The two of them switched places.
Meanwhile... I respected my own life enough to get out completely.
No thank you. I liked existing.
I walked a fair distance away before sitting on the grass.
Safe. Very safe. Emotionally prepared. Hopefully.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
Without thinking, I smiled. Ethan. I pressed the video call button. It barely rang once before he answered.
His face appeared on my screen. "...Morning."
"...Morning."
His hair looked slightly messy, like he'd just finished unpacking.
Behind him... A neat room. A large bed. A study desk by the window. Bookshelves.
The room looked surprisingly spacious."...Is that your dorm?"
He turned the phone around. "Mhm."
He slowly showed me everything. "This side's my desk. My roommate hasn't arrived yet Bathroom's over there."
I nodded. It looks really nice. I like it."
"So do I."
He turned the camera back toward himself. "What about you? ...Why is everything dusty?"
I laughed. "Oh. I'm not home."
I flipped the camera around.
Far across the field... Luca was currently gripping the steering wheel with the determination of someone trying to save humanity.
Unfortunately... Humanity wasn't asking to be saved. Mark sat beside him. One hand gripping the dashboard. The other pointing frantically.
"NO! LUCA! THE OTHER LEFT!"
"I AM TURNING LEFT!"
"THAT'S RIGHT!"
"OH!"
The car suddenly made a very questionable circle.
Luca burst into laughter. "I DIDN'T MEAN TO!"
"USE THE BRAKE!"
"I AM!"
"THAT'S THE ACCELERATOR!"
The car sped up slightly. "LUCA!"
"I'm trying!"
"I can see that!"
The car drove another dramatic circle across the field.
Dust flew everywhere. I couldn't stop laughing.
Ethan stared at the screen for a second.
Then burst out laughing too. "Oh my gosh."
I nodded. "Exactly. They've been like that for ten minutes."
Another scream echoed across the field.
"LUCA!"
"I'M SORRY!"
"I DON'T WANT SORRY! I WANT MY LIFE!"
I covered my mouth. "I came over here because... I'd actually like to survive today."
Ethan laughed so hard he had to wipe the corner of one eye. "...That's probably a good decision."
"I agree."
We stayed on the call.
Talking about everything and nothing.
He told me a little about London.
How different the weather felt.
How strange it was waking up somewhere unfamiliar.
I told him about home.
About Mom already worrying over everyone.
About Dad somehow still causing arguments before breakfast.
About Jake pretending to be responsible.
About Luca declaring war against driving.
Every few minutes Another terrified scream interrupted us.
"BRAKE!"
"I'M PRESSING IT!"
"NOT THAT ONE!"
"Oh."
"...Oops."
Ethan laughed again. "I think Mark's going to age ten years today."
"I think so too."
I watched the car wobble around the giant field one more time before shaking my head with a smile.
"...You know... I should probably go help."
Ethan chuckled.
"Or..." He looked toward the distant car through my phone. "...Call an ambulance in advance."
I burst into laughter. "...That's actually not a bad backup plan."
The car suddenly jerked to a stop.
A cloud of dust rose around it before slowly settling back onto the grass.
Silence.
I stared for a moment. "...They're alive. That's a good sign."
Ethan laughed through the phone. "It is."
The driver's door slowly opened.
Mark stepped out first.
Well... "Stepped" was a generous word.
He stumbled out of the car like he'd just gotten off the world's fastest roller coaster.
One hand rested on the roof of the car.
The other was pressed against his forehead.
He looked... Green. Not literally. But close enough. He took one step. Stopped. Closed his eyes. Took another step.
"...I can actually see him wobbling," Ethan laughed.
I turned my phone toward myself. "Oh."
"They're out now. I should probably go save him before he collapses."
Ethan nodded with a small smile. "Alright."
"Bye."
I smiled back. "Bye."
He tilted his head. "...Bye, Sunshine."
I blinked. "...Sunshine?"
That... Was new.
I raised an eyebrow. "Since when?"
He chuckled softly. "I don't know. It just fits you."
I felt myself smile before I could stop it. "...Unbelievable. You've started giving me nicknames now?"
"I have."
"...Should I be worried?"
"No. You should get used to it."
I shook my head, laughing. "We'll discuss this later."
"You take care."
"You too."
"Bye, Sunshine."
"...Bye, Ethan."
The call ended.
I slipped my phone into my pocket before walking toward the battlefield.
Or... What used to be a driving lesson.
Mark was still standing beside the car, breathing like he'd just completed a marathon.
He looked at me. "...I survived."
"Barely."
I laughed. "You look like you fought for your life."
"I did."
Luca happily climbed out of the driver's seat. "I think I did well."
Mark slowly turned his head toward him.
"...No. You didn't."
I walked over immediately.
Without saying anything, I gently took Mark by the arm before reaching for Luca's hand with my other one.
"Come on. Both of you. There's shade over there."
I guided them toward a large tree standing near the edge of the field.
The grass underneath was cool, and the breeze felt much nicer away from the heat reflecting off the car.
"Sit."
Neither of them argued.
Mark practically dropped onto the grass.
Luca sat beside him, still looking suspiciously cheerful.
Mark leaned his head against the tree trunk and let out the deepest sigh imaginable.
"...That..." He closed his eyes.
"...Was actually traumatizing." I sat cross-legged in front of them.
"...That bad?"
He slowly looked at me. "I did ...The unthinkable."
Luca suddenly laughed under his breath.
Mark looked at him. "...Don't."
Luca couldn't stop smiling.
"He actually whispered."
I blinked. "...Whispered?"
Luca nodded dramatically before trying his best to imitate Mark's voice.
He leaned forward slightly and whispered urgently "Luca... Baby... Honey... Dear... Please stop... I want to leave..."
I stared at Luca. Then at Mark. Then back at Luca. "...He said all of that?"
Luca nodded proudly. "So I stopped. You see? I listen."
I slowly turned toward Mark. "...You actually called him ...Baby?"
Mark sighed. "I wasn't thinking. I thought I was going to die. I would've called him 'Your Majesty' if it meant he pressed the brake."
I burst into laughter.
"I saw my ancestors." Mark continued dramatically. "I genuinely did. They waved. They looked disappointed. They told me... 'You're early.'"
I laughed even harder.
"I felt my soul leave my body." He pressed a hand dramatically against his chest. "I don't even know what happened in that car. There were moments where I accepted my fate."
Luca raised a finger. "I only confused the accelerator with the brake ...Twice."
Mark looked at him. "...Seven times."
"Five."
"Seven."
"...Six?"
Mark sighed. "I'll accept six."
I wiped a tear from laughing too much.
"So..." I looked between the two of them. "It went terribly?"
Mark slowly turned toward me. His expression completely blank. "...No shit, Sherlock."
I covered my mouth, laughing all over again. "Okay. Okay. My mistake."
He pointed weakly toward the car. "That thing ...Has seen things today. I think it deserves therapy."
Luca looked offended. "It wasn't that bad."
Mark looked at him. "...At one point You drove in a perfect circle. For almost a minute."
"I was experimenting."
"You were terrifying me."
"I said sorry."
"You laughed while saying sorry."
"I panic-laugh."
Mark sighed. "I noticed."
I smiled, shaking my head. "You two are unbelievable."
Mark leaned his head back against the tree. "...Ayana."
"Hm?"
"...Please. Can you see if there's a nearby store? I desperately need water. I think my blood pressure has filed a resignation letter."
I laughed softly as I stood up, brushing the grass off my jeans. "Alright. I'll go look. If they have water... I'll buy enough for both of you."
Mark nodded gratefully. "...Please do."
Luca raised his hand. "...Can I also have chips?"
Mark immediately opened one eye. "...You're negotiating snacks.. After nearly sending me into the afterlife?"
Luca smiled innocently. "I get hungry when I learn."
Mark stared at him for a long second.
Then sighed.
"...Get him chips too."
I couldn't help laughing as I turned toward the small convenience store I had noticed a short walk away.