VIII

Danielle pulled out of the parking lot, the deep rumble of the Bugatti's engine filling the quiet night air. The city lights reflected off the sleek hood, and for a brief moment, she could almost forget she had two unexpected passengers in her car. Almost.

Riley sat in the back, practically bouncing with excitement. "This is so cool," she gushed, running her hands over the leather seats. "I've never been in a car like this before! It's so smooth—like, are we even moving?"

Danielle smirked, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. "That's the idea, Sunshine."

Maya, on the other hand, was slouched in the passenger seat, legs crossed at the ankle, arms folded. She stared out the window, her expression unreadable.

Danielle smirked, tapping her fingers against the wheel. The city melted into quieter streets, the distant hum of traffic fading as they got closer to their neighborhood. The silence in the car stretched, broken only by the occasional comment from Riley about the car's interior or how she could get used to this.

It wasn't until they hit a red light that Maya finally spoke again.

"So what's your deal, Chiron?"

Danielle glanced at her. "My deal?"

Maya tilted her head, studying her. "Yeah. Why offer us a ride?" She waved a hand. "I mean, you're you—Miss Too-Cool-to-Breathe-the-Same-Air-as-Freshmen."

Danielle hummed, tapping the wheel as the light turned green. "Maybe I was feeling generous."

Maya scoffed. "Right."

Danielle sighed, shaking her head. "Look, believe it or not, I don't enjoy watching people get steamrolled. And you two? You've got 'easy targets' written all over you."

Riley frowned. "We're not that helpless."

Danielle side-eyed her through the mirror. "You sat in their spot and thought people would welcome you."

Riley pursed her lips. "Well... when you say it like that..."

Danielle chuckled before looking at Maya again. "Anyway, don't get used to it, Chirp. I'm not about to make this a habit."

Danielle flicked her gaze toward her. "You good over there, Chirp?"

Maya's head turned, eyebrows raising. "Did you just call me Chirp?"

Danielle shrugged. "You keep calling me Chiron, figured I'd return the favor. Chirp. Like a tiny, annoying little bird." She shot Maya a smirk before returning her eyes to the road.

Riley stifled a laugh in the back. "Ooooh, I like it."

Maya smirked, shaking her head. "Oh, don't worry. I'm definitely not about to rely on you for anything."

Danielle just grinned, pressing down on the gas a little harder, making the car lurch forward slightly. Riley let out a small squeak, gripping the door handle, while Maya simply braced herself, shooting Danielle a warning glance.

As Danielle drove, the city lights blurred past them, the streets gradually growing quieter as they moved toward the more residential part of town. Riley was still buzzing in the backseat, gushing about the ride, while Maya sat silently in the passenger seat, arms crossed as she stared out the window.

"So, where am I dropping you first?" Danielle asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.

"Oh! You can drop me off at my place first," Riley said cheerfully. "It's not too far from here."

Danielle hummed in acknowledgment and took the next turn, weaving through the familiar streets until they pulled up in front of a warm, brownstone townhouse. The porch light was already on, casting a soft glow over the entrance.

By the time they pulled up to Riley's place, the air in the car felt different—charged with something neither of them wanted to name yet.

Danielle leaned back as Riley gathered her things. "Alright, Sunshine, home safe."

Riley beamed. "Thanks, Danielle! This was so fun. We should totally do it again sometime."

Danielle chuckled. "Sure. You paying for gas?"

Riley gave her a dramatic salute before stepping out and shutting the door behind her. She waved once before disappearing into her house.

The moment the door closed, the car felt noticeably quieter.

Danielle glanced at Maya, who still hadn't spoken. "And you?"

Maya finally turned, her expression unreadable. "And me what?"

Danielle sighed. "Where am I dropping you, Hart?"

Maya hesitated, then exhaled. "My place is in the opposite direction."

Danielle arched a brow. "And?"

Maya shifted uncomfortably, but finally relented. "Third and Jefferson."

Danielle didn't say anything, just nodded and pulled away from the curb, the car humming softly as they made their way toward the less polished part of town. The buildings gradually changed—less brick, more worn-down structures, neon signs flickering, sidewalks a little rougher.

Maya kept her gaze fixed on the window, arms still crossed.

Danielle finally broke the silence. "You always this quiet, or am I just that special?"

Maya let out a dry laugh. "Trust me, Chiron, you're not that special."

Danielle smirked, tapping her fingers against the wheel. "Could've fooled me. I don't think I've ever seen you go more than five minutes without some sarcastic quip."

Maya turned to her, eyes sharp. "You sure do like talking about me for someone who pretends not to care."

Danielle chuckled. "Oh, I don't pretend, Hart. I just find you mildly entertaining."

Maya rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

A few minutes later, Danielle pulled up to an apartment complex that had clearly seen better days. The streetlights flickered, the building's brick exterior slightly faded, but the place wasn't unfamiliar to Danielle. She knew of it. She knew about Maya's situation, even if she never acknowledged it before.

Maya reached for the door handle, but Danielle's voice stopped her.

"You always walk home?"

Maya paused. "What's it to you?"

Danielle shrugged, keeping her expression neutral. "Nothing. Just seems like a long walk from school."

Maya looked at her for a long moment before smirking. "Careful, Chiron. Almost sounded like you cared for a second."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Forget I said anything."

"For what it's worth..." She fixed her jacket. "Thanks. For the ride."

Danielle just smirked. "Don't get used to it, Hart."

Danielle let the engine idle as Maya reached for the door handle. The apartment complex loomed ahead, dimly lit, and the air in the car felt heavier now—charged with something unspoken. Maya hesitated, fingers curling around the handle but not pulling.

Danielle noticed. She smirked. "Having second thoughts, Hart? Didn't think you'd get so attached to my car."

Maya scoffed but still didn't open the door. Instead, she glanced sideways at Danielle, brows furrowing slightly like she was debating something. Finally, she sighed. "Give me your phone."

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Maya held out a hand expectantly. "Phone. Now."

Danielle narrowed her eyes. "You stealing it, or...?"

Maya rolled her eyes. "Oh my god, Chiron, just—trust me."

Danielle hesitated for a second but eventually pulled her phone from the center console and dropped it into Maya's waiting hand.

Maya quickly typed something in before tossing it back to Danielle. "There. Now you have my number."

Danielle blinked, looking down at the screen. Maya Hart was now saved in her contacts, followed by a little bird emoji. She smirked. "Cute."

Maya shrugged. "In case you ever feel like doing another selfless act of kindness and giving me a ride. Or if you wanna know when I plan to call you out for being a cocky pain in the ass."

Danielle chuckled, slipping the phone into her jacket pocket. "Noted."

Maya finally pushed open the door, stepping out. She leaned down slightly, resting her arms on the open window. "Don't overthink it, Chiron. Doesn't mean we're friends or anything."

Danielle smirked. "Obviously."

Maya rolled her eyes but couldn't quite fight the small smile tugging at her lips. "See you around."

Danielle watched as she disappeared into the building, waiting just long enough to see the light in one of the upper windows flick on before she finally pulled away.

She tapped her fingers against the wheel, glancing at her phone again at the new contact in her list.

Yeah.

She was definitely overthinking it.

As she drove off into the night, she couldn't help but feel like she had just made a mistake.

A very interesting mistake.

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A/N

i am well aware the car i choose has two seats I didn't realise this scene was gonna happen till i started writing and honestly couldn't be bothered to go and change the name of the car so we are just gonna imagine it had the normal amount of cars !

Thank you<3