A Ride To Remember
1193 Words
The night air outside the concert venue shimmered with leftover excitement—laughter, footsteps, scattered chatter from lingering fans, and the fading echo of the band’s final song. The crowd had thinned to almost nothing, leaving only a few street vendors packing up their stalls and a handful of people waiting for rides. Neon lights flickered against the pavement, and the cold breeze carried traces of popcorn, perfume, and rain-soaked concrete.
Ava and Bethany stood under a dim streetlight, clutching their tote bags and trying to process the sudden quiet after hours of screaming, singing, and dancing. Ava’s heart was still pounding, but not because of the concert anymore.
She glanced at her phone and groaned.
“Beth… Beth, look. We missed the last bus.” Her voice cracked with disbelief. “Oh no, we’re going to be stuck here!”
Bethany arched an eyebrow, unfazed. “Ava, calm down. We’ve been through worse.” She pulled out her phone with casual confidence, scrolling through her contacts. “Relax. I’ll call Jake. He works somewhere around here. He can give us a ride.”
Ava nearly stopped breathing.
Jake.
Jake.
She tried to act normal—casual, uninterested, sane—but her stomach flipped uncontrollably. The mention of his name alone was enough to send a shockwave through her chest. She’d had a crush on him forever, quietly, secretly, embarrassingly. And now, she might see him. Tonight. After the concert. While she was sweaty, tired, and still wearing a glowstick bracelet.
Fantastic.
Bethany lifted her phone to her ear.
“Hey, Jake, it’s Beth,” she said, tapping her foot. “Ava and I are stuck at the concert venue. Can you come pick us up? Pleaseee? We literally have no ride.”
Ava watched Bethany pace a short distance away. The cold breeze ran across her skin, but her face felt hot. Her mind replayed imaginary scenarios—Jake picking them up, Jake smiling at her, Jake talking to her. She hated how much she adored him. It made her feel silly. Stupid even.
But she couldn’t help it.
Bethany returned with a grin. “He’s on his way,” she announced triumphantly.
Ava swallowed hard. “O-okay… good. Great. Cool.”
Bethany laughed. “You’re so obvious.”
“I am NOT,” Ava protested, but her voice betrayed her.
They sat on the curb, chatting quietly while the night deepened. Five minutes later, headlights approached—bright and familiar. A silver car pulled up in front of them, and Jake leaned out the window.
“Hey,” he called with a wave.
Bethany shot up excitedly, waving back. “Jake! Finally.”
Ava stood slowly, trying to keep her knees from buckling. Her heartbeat practically echoed in her ears. She climbed into the car, taking the left side of the back seat. She avoided his eyes—not because she didn’t want to meet them but because she was terrified to.
Jake glanced at her through the rearview mirror anyway, offering a small smile.
“Hey, Ava.”
Her voice got stuck in her throat. “Hi,” she squeaked.
As they pulled away from the venue, city lights flashing across the windows, Ava exhaled shakily. Bethany nudged her foot with hers, smirking. Ava shot her a silent glare.
They drove for a few minutes in a comfortable, quiet hum. Ava watched the road, her own reflection faint in the window—wide-eyed, blushing, hopeless.
Bethany leaned forward a little.
“So… how’s Cynthia doing, couz?” she asked, voice casual but with obvious curiosity.
Jake’s hands tightened slightly around the steering wheel. He hesitated.
“Actually… we broke up,” he said calmly.
The words hit Ava like a shockwave.
Bethany gasped. “WHAT? When? Why? What happened?”
Jake sighed deeply, the kind that carried frustration and disappointment.
“She cheated on me,” he said quietly.
Bethany covered her mouth. “Oh my God… Jake, I’m so sorry. That’s horrible.”
Jake shrugged, trying to play it off. “Thanks, cuz.”
Ava couldn’t stop the tiny smile that crept onto her lips. She wasn’t proud of it—she knew it wasn’t exactly the most supportive reaction—but the thought that Jake was now single sent a warm thrill through her chest.
Bethany elbowed her immediately. “Shh,” she whispered teasingly. “Don’t make it obvious.”
Ava nearly choked. “I’m not making anything obvious! I’m just—just happy for him! Like… he deserves better!”
“Mm-hmm,” Bethany said, giving her a look.
Ava shoved her lightly. “Shut up.”
Jake glanced at them through the mirror, amused. “What are you two whispering about back there?”
“Nothing!” they said at the same time.
Jake chuckled. “Sure.”
A few moments later, he announced, “I’m starving. Let’s stop and get something to eat.”
He pulled into a small diner with yellow lights glowing warmly from the windows. The air smelled like pancakes, fries, and late-night comfort. The place was almost empty—just an old man reading a newspaper and a couple sharing a milkshake.
They slid into a booth, Jake across from Ava. Bethany sat beside her, nudging her playfully every two seconds.
Ava tried to focus on the menu, but Jake’s presence across from her felt too intense. He leaned back comfortably, one arm resting on the seat, his expression softer in the warm light.
“So…” Ava said suddenly, surprising herself. “Um… sorry about your breakup. Really. That must’ve sucked.”
Jake looked at her—directly at her. His eyes crinkled at the corners in a sad-but-sweet smile.
“Thanks, Ava. That means a lot. Honestly.”
Her breath caught. His voice…it was warm. Sincere. Gentle. She felt her chest flutter again, the feeling almost overwhelming.
Throughout the meal, they talked about random things—school, work, the concert, music, favorite ice-cream flavors. Every time Jake laughed, Ava felt her heart do another somersault. Every time he looked her way, she forced herself not to melt.
Bethany simply watched them, highly entertained.
After they finished eating, they got back into the car, the drive peaceful and sleepier now. The night felt deeper, calmer, somehow magical.
Jake slowed down as they reached Ava’s street.
“I’ll drop you off first, Ava,” he said, giving her a small smile.
Ava nodded, wishing the ride could last just a little longer.
“Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it,” she said softly as she opened the door.
Bethany leaned forward. “Goodnight, Av!”
“Goodnight, guys!” Ava waved, stepping out into the cool night.
Jake waited—actually waited—until she got to her door before driving away. Something about that made her heart feel full and shaky at the same time.
Jake continued the drive with Bethany, and finally they got home, she turned to him. “Thanks for the ride, Jakey.”
Jake smiled. “No problem, cuz. Get some rest.”
Bethany waved as she got out, and Jake drove off into the night.
- Writer
