Chapter 26: Shiny and Bright

"Lizzie, would you like to hear me out?"

I stiffened at the sudden call of my name and I pretended not to hear him and leaned on the window to feel the night breeze in my face. I don't want to talk to him, but I do want to know what he's thinking.

I must be crazy to have such contrasting wants.

"Elizabeth Jennings, I know you heard me. Please, don't play your hot and cold games with me anymore." Bash said in a more serious tone.

I gave him a quick glance and his eyes were still fixed on the road, careful not to over-speed or to hit anything or anyone at that. His hand was on the wheel whereas the other was propped at the window.

He leaned in to scratch his head as if trying to think the right words to say.

His eyes traveled swiftly towards me and our eyes met for a few seconds. This time around I didn't flinch like I used to when I first came here and I countered his gaze with mine. We will see who will win this battle.

His eyes didn't linger long enough and he turned them back to the road.

Ha! I win this time William's reincarnation. Just wait and there will be more.

"Do you have a death wish? Don't push your head out too much. You don't know if some fast trailer would speed past us. We wouldn't want you headless before we return to Massachusetts." He chastised me.

It was ironic how Bash had looked like the spitting image of the man I loved and despised. And to think he actually asked if I had any death wish. How funny.

"I have died already Sebastian. And the pain was more than just a decapitated head." I whispered in a hush. The guillotine works fast. Fire eats slowly when it wants to.

I scoffed and did it too loudly that Bash actually heard it.

"Fine then, if you want to continue with your little game then I'd gladly let you be. But you are in my truck and unless you don't want to walk all the way to Coachella then you will answer me, Elizabeth." Bash spoke in an annoyed voice.

"Is that a threat?" I asked him, raising my tone in a way that challenged him. I couldn't help myself and I spoke out of anger more than curiosity.

"No, but if you see it as such then, yes." He sighed heavily, clearly at a loss for more coherent words.

It wasn't even past an hour since we drove and here we were on the verge of a heated argument. I just hope he doesn't stop the truck in the middle of nowhere and drop me for good.

I can't do my little revenge if I should be left behind.

"I apologize for calling you bipolar." He said in a soft-spoken, truly apologetic manner.

His words made me do a double-take. Where are all these sudden shifts coming from? I didn't think he'd actually say anything about apologies ever since he asked me back at the family restaurant if I was bipolar.

What was it with the term again?

I searched my present self's memories with regards to bipolars and I realized the topic was quite a sensitive one. How Bash could ask someone blatantly such question, it did deserve him my reaction back then.

After Bash apologized, silence filled the night yet again and I peeked at the back to see Suzy had covered herself with a thick fur coat.

Ali was like an ice queen, still rocking those punk vibes with her all-black style and sleeveless tank top not even bothering with the cold wind that whipped as Bash speeded through the highway.

Becky and Zeke? Well, the usual set up. Huddled together and being lovestruck as ever.

Suzy tried to scoot closer to Levi, probably attempted some sort of physical contact or a little chit-chat, but the big guy was just so dense he didn't give much regard to the lady.

Sometimes I just feel sad for Suzy.

We drove off for another hour or so. The girls at the back were quiet and were probably busy with their cellular phones. Or perhaps taking a short nap as they had spread a thick blanket to comfortably laze on.

We passed by a sign that said "Welcome to Indio" and Bash slowed down to grab his phone. He dialed a number and waited until it clicked. He put it into loudspeaker and the quirky upbeat voice of Nico resounded.

"Sebaaaaaaaaaastian!!! Where are you dude? I took the liberty to start the party earlier than your expected arrival time. Whoops!" something crashed and firecrackers exploded at the background before he continued,

"If you already arrived in Indio then come find the shiniest building. You can't miss it. I told the receptionist you guys are coming and you're with me so get your asses up here pronto!"

"Nico~ Thanks for the invite! Who are you talking to on the phone?" a woman's voice said. "Oh my gosh! Is that Sebastian, your song writer and lead guitarist? Nico let me meet him!"

"Yo bruv, some nice chic wants to meet you. Boobs the size of melons, sweet girl. Shiniest brightest building, don't miss it! I'm serious, you can't."

Loud music blared from Bash's phone and he immediately ended the call. He muttered under his breath, probably cursed too as his forehead wrinkled in annoyance.

"Nico that idiot. Always the party boy." He said too loudly.

He continued on the wide roads and sooner we approached the bustling night life of Indio, California. Even during the night, just like in Los Angeles, the city was full of vibrant colors and flashy signs.

How in the world are we going to find the shiniest and brightest building in this area? Every other establishment was shiny and bright! Even residential areas were lit with bright lights. It's like a city of party.

Music played everywhere and people with peculiar fashion paraded the streets. Scantily dressed women were everywhere and the men were all well-dressed for the nightly occasion of beer and merriment.

Bash turned left and was glancing at every side of the road for the shiniest and brightest building Nico mentioned.

"Levi! Do you know where Nico stays? The idiot just told me to find a goddamn shiny and bright building, no specifics at all." He shouted for Levi.

The big guy moved closer to the glass to peek into the driver's side and said, "I think it was someplace called the Palm Springs Star Hotel and Club. I'll look it up, this place has better reception."

Levi grabbed his phone and typed in some words to search for the place they thought Nico stayed and he instructed for Bash to go straight and turn right, then left at the first corner. After a rotunda, we drove for another fifty meters before a big building greeted us.

"Well, my lord… it is the shiniest and brightest building just as Nico said." Levi whistled at the back.

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
yu_chan_desu

they are closer now~ Nico will be introduced in the next chapter.. what do you guys think of this new addition to the gang? also, please send me golden tickets :) monthly top 3 contributors will win coin codes and chapter dedication from me hehehe

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