=Eloise=

The rest of the evening went by smoothly.

I didn't see Roc anymore, even though deep down I sort of hoped he would pop up around the corner or something.

And other than that moment when a good chunk of the people out there were huddled together (Clem said it must be a wild ones meeting as Roc was there so we couldn't go) The night seemed really easy going and fun.

When the night began to come to a close the girls and I found Megan with her boyfriend.

"You enjoy yourself?" The guy asked, a lot less hostile than when I first encountered him.

"It was pretty cool." I sounded.

And in truth it was, I've never really been one of those girls who admired cars and I won't pretend to understand all of the work and money put into them, but I had a good time. The people were nice, the music (when you could hear it over the various engines) was good, Clem and Belinda included me in their conversations so I didn't feel left out in any way.

"Well I'm glad you liked it townie...come back next weekend though, things are bound to get even crazier."

I looked to the girls and saw the same curiosity on their faces.

"What's happening next weekend?" Clem asked.

He looked at her but hesitated before looking at Megan, she gave him a pleading sort of look.

I could be completely wrong, but as an awkward sort of tension rose I couldn't help but wonder if Megan's boyfriend didn't like Clem?

"Roc's Birthday, things are bound to get wild." He said knowingly.

"Will it be safe for...everyone?" Belinda asked.

The guy rolled his eyes as if her question had offended him.

"I know your pack thinks we're reckless and dumb, but we don't just go around showing off!"

'Pack?'

"Our community knows everyone in your own community IS reckless but we would hope you have a little more decorum and common sense than that...we'll see you next week, Megan you coming?"

"Oh, I'm staying the night with Kevin, see y'all later."

We said our byes to Megan before we headed toward my car, we piled inside and this time Clem rode up front. The car was quiet so I turned on the radio but left it kind of low.

"So thanks for inviting me tonight." I said.

Clem nodded, "you're cool Eloise, and I figured you'd want an escape from having to spend the night stuck in your sisters place."

"Well if I have to be 'stuck' anywhere I'd definitely choose her apartment, that place is amazing." I said.

"I've never been there." Belinda sounded from the back seat, "but I hear the apartments are pretty spectacular."

"They are, you guys are more than welcome to come over whenever you want."

"Really?" Belinda asked.

"Of course, Juliette said I could have people over and after tonight i'd like to think we're friends...well us three at least, I didn't get to spend much time with Megan."

"Oh she's just ultra clingy when it comes to Kevin, but she's cool once you really get to know her." Clem said.

"It's weird but we're use to it." Belinda added.

"Hey speaking of weird, what was up with that Kevin guy...I got the vibe that he doesn't really like you two."

Silence.

"W-well it's like we told you earlier Eloise, we're from rival towns so there's some animosity in the air when we're around each other." Clem admitted.

"But how does it work if Megan's his girlfriend."

"Well it's like I said just a minute ago, it's weird." Belinda sounded from the back seat.

"What Belinda is trying to say is it's a little more complex than just black and white, there's gray areas...essentially for those two I guess they work because Megan wasn't born in our town, she's a townie, meaning she moved in to our town...plus they're in love, and when you fall in love like those two...then nothing or no one can stop you two from being together despite town rivalries."

I nodded it made sense, Belinda and Kevin...those two really did seem crazy for one another. "And Townie...Is that why he called me that?" I wondered aloud. "Because I'm new?"

"Yes, but please don't take offense to it." She sounded with a slight pleading in her voice. "We don't mean it derogatorily, we only use it to differentiate from people who were born in our town and those who weren't."

I nodded my understanding, in all honesty I hadn't let the name rub me the wrong way.

Also as I didn't exactly know what initially caused this rift between the two towns, I couldn't imagine choosing one side over the other as I found the whole thing silly. I drove on down the dark streets, and followed the tree line as I remembered that that's how we came the first time.

"Shit." I sounded as I tried to look around ahead at the narrow street.

"What?" Belinda asked with concern.

"Someone's coming up fast behind me and I don't see the shoulder."

"There isn't one." Belinda said as she turned around to look at the two headlights glowing brightly into my car.

"The other lane is free, there's no oncoming traffic so just get into that lane." Clem instructed.

I nodded and slowly began to switch lanes, but with every move I alternated my vision from the mirror and the road.

As I was now riding both lanes in an attempt to be mindful of any oncoming cars and any deer that decided to jump out of the trees, the two headlights remained close to my car but I noticed a third light, a single head light, and that's when we all heard the distinct sound of a motorcycle as it began to speed up.

Call me crazy but deep down I knew it was him.

I got instantly giddy at the sheer prospect of this rider being him.

And like I'd hoped as soon as I saw the bike, I had recognized it.

How, I don't know as it was just a simple black Harley...before tonight you could put me in a room full of motorcycles and I couldn't tell you a single thing about what made them different except their color. But I was certain that if this bike was placed in a store full of bikes I could easily single his out.

When he got to my side he signaled for me to pullover.

Seriously confused I looked at the girls, they were just as lost as I was, what was he doing here?

Without anymore hesitation I put on my blinker and slowly pulled my car off of the road.