The world was upside down.
Metal groaned all around me and shards of glass glittered across the floor like scattered diamonds. The air was thick with the stench of gasoline.
My head felt heavy, too heavy, and each breath felt like my last. Somewhere close, voices cut through the ringing in my ears.
"Hey! Are you—Fuck! Call an ambulance!"
"Stay with us, okay! Hey! Do you… hear…me!?"
The voices drifted away, muffled and distant, as if I were listening from underwater.
I turned my head then, slowly. Pain crawled down my neck, but I moved.
She was there.
Her face was covered in blood as she reached her trembling hand for me across the shattered space between the seats. But her arm was too short, inches separated us. I tried to reach for her as well, but my arm was stuck, clamped in between sheets of metal.
"Li...s—"
I tried to call her one last time, but my chest seized; blood filled my lungs, drowning my voice.
Slowly, shadows closed in from every side, tunneling my vision. Her hand blurred before my eyes, and then everything went black.
Darkness took me.
◇ ◇ ◇
The hum of the car engine was a steady rhythm behind her voice.
She sat sideways in the passenger seat, her heels off, bare feet curled against the leather. Streetlights slid past the window.
Lisa.
Her light brown hair fell over her shoulders in waves, catching hints of gold whenever the light hit. She looked at me every now and then, bright green eyes softly settling on me. Beneath a cute, small nose, her full lips curved into that teasing smile I'd fallen for years ago.
She wore a black skirt with a simple white top, paired with the green jacket she loved too much to give up, no matter the season.
I caught myself staring, just listening to the sound of her voice.
"…and then she tried to pull me into that dance circle, but you know I can't dance."
She laughed, shaking her head, then leaned against the window. Her green eyes flicked toward me, catching mine, and we stared at each other for a moment before she tilted her head playfully.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
I blinked, snapping out of my daze and focusing on the street again. My voice was low as I finally spoke, "I...just couldn't believe it for a moment."
"What couldn't you believe?"
The car slowed down as we neared the crossing. Finally coming to a halt, I shifted my gaze away from the red traffic light and turned toward her. My lips curled into a soft smile as our eyes met again.
"That you're mine."
Her brows rose, then, ever so slowly, her lips curved, and she broke into a wide grin.
"Oh, yours? Becoming your girlfriend makes me yours now, huh?"
"Yes," I answered without hesitation.
She stared at me for a moment before a soft chuckle broke out of her as she rolled her eyes. Then, just as her lips parted, the light turned green.
I hit the accelerator and drove forward. My gaze followed the streetlights before settling on the night sky. Finally breaking the silence, I spoke while glancing back at her, "Remember when we first met?"
Her grin widened.
"Oh? You mean when you bumped into me as an excuse to talk?"
I turned away at once, not able to hold her gaze anymore, and mumbled, "It wasn't an excuse."
She waved her hand, dismissing my excuse for the 'excuse' which clearly never happened—by my memories at least.
"Yeah, yeah, sure. I already know. Your friends told me everything, Mr. Too Shy to Speak. They practically shoved you at me."
I gave up at once and lifted one hand off the wheel in surrender.
"Got me."
Lisa leaned closer. Her eyes shone in the night lights, and her voice softened as she whispered, "Still...that was the best thing that ever happened to me."
I smiled helplessly.
"Shouldn't that be my line? Without you, I'd still be single."
She gave a smug little shrug.
"Oh, don't worry. Some other girl would've seen your charm eventually."
"My charm?" I tilted my head at her words.
Lisa just continued to smile at me, letting the silence hang as she shifted in her seat. She leaned against the window, sitting sideways, and nudged my leg playfully with her small toes.
"My prince charming."
I let go of the wheel and caught her ankle with my right hand before she could retreat. Carefully, I pulled her closer until her leg rested on my lap and ran my hand over it.
"Me and charm? That doesn't sound right."
She shifted in her seat, adjusting her position until she was comfortable.
"You still don't know?"
Confused, I asked, "Know what?"
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she answered.
"You're naturally flirty when you talk. So much that you don't even notice it yourself. Do you know how annoyed I was at the beginning? You were too friendly with all my friends."
I laughed, more out of fear than amusement.
"No way..."
Lisa's eyes narrowed further as she raised her leg. Her foot pressed against my chest, softly pushing me back.
"Half of them thought you were flirting. They told me everything."
I grabbed her ankle again, pushed her leg back onto my lap, and brushed her skin with my fingers.
"That's the first time I'm hearing about it."
Her eyes widened.
"Really? Nobody ever told you?"
"Nope. Never had a girlfriend to warn me. And my friends never mentioned it."
She nodded at my words as if she'd expected that answer, then leaned back smugly and flashed me a teasing smile.
"Now you know. See how considerate and forgiving I am? Shouldn't you cherish me more?"
I sighed at her antics.
"Cherish you more than I do now? That's a tough challenge."
"Then think of something good."
I turned away then, looking at the street again, thinking about something that would appease her.
The ring back in our apartment came to mind, hidden in my drawer, waiting for the right moment and enough courage. Not tonight, but soon... maybe on that trip she kept talking about, but I could tease her a bit.
My lips curved at the thought, and I turned back to her with a wide grin.
"I've already got something."
Her eyes narrowed as she straightened.
"What is it?"
Shrugging my shoulders, I spoke, "That's a secret."
Her mouth fell open in surprise while her foot tapped my chest again, trying to get an answer out of me.
"Wow, really?" She sighed. "Playing that card? We both know people who don't finish what they start are monsters."
I chuckled at her antics and pushed her leg down again, softly tapping it as if to calm her.
"Right, right. So what do I get if I tell you?"
Her eyes widened at once.
"Now you want something in return? Shameless! Weren't we talking about cherishing me?"
"We were." I nodded. "But I'm an expensive boyfriend. You think you can stare at this face for free?"
Another chuckle escaped her.
"So now we're back to you complimenting yourself?"
"Not complimenting. Stating facts," I reminded her.
"Arrogant," she snorted, turning away.
"Confidence, girl. Confidence."
She turned back to me with narrowed eyes and hissed, "Confidence, my ass."
I paused and couldn't help but grin wider at the thought of my next words.
"You know what the problem is?"
She stared at me, already frowning.
"What now?"
"See how I have to compliment myself? That's because you don't cherish me enough."
She smacked my shoulder playfully, staring at me in disbelief before a chuckle escaped her.
"Wow. You really do it, huh? Turn the whole conversation around in seconds. How did we get from cherishing me to cherishing you?"
I chuckled as well, and before we knew it, we were both laughing. Then, just as we calmed, I called her name softly.
"Lisa."
"What now?"
I shifted my eyes away from the street and toward her. A breath passed before I spoke, lips already curving into a smile.
"I love you."
She tensed for a moment, surprised, before her lips curved as well. Her green eyes glowed as they stared right at me.
"I lov—"
HOONK—
A horn screamed, drowning out her voice. Headlights shone, too close, blinding me as they rushed toward us faster than I could react.
BWAAM!
Glass shattered into glittering rain, and metal screamed as the world spun. The airbag slammed into me, knocking the breath out of my lungs. Then my head hit something hard, and the world went white.