He climbed on obviously uncertain. "What do I hold onto?" *** She tilted her head. "It's not like it should matter anyways, right?"
She gave him a look. "Me. Unless you can figure something else out." *** "What do you mean?" he asked, turning to look at her.
He nodded, and hesitantly held onto her. *** "Well, since we're obviously not getting together, then it shouldn't matter if he were picked randomly or not."
She gunned the engine. "Where am I taking you?" *** "But for the sake of knowledge, Callie!" he said with a grin.
He was startled by the movement, and stuttered a bit. "C-Corner of J and 25th, please." *** "You're the teacher here," she teased. "You do the research."
She laughed for the first time. It was surprisingly light and warm for such a serious person. "J and 25th. Got it. Hold on." She pulled out of the parking lot and sped off at a breakneck speed, expertly dodging any and all obstructions in the way. *** "Hmph. I thought the need to learn was a human trait."
He would be able to feel her ribs shake as she laughed. "Not insane," she replied, tucking a flapping lock of hair behind her ear. "Just fast." *** "Hmph. You're just like my students."
He shut his eyes. "Oh my god I'm never trusting you again." *** She pursed her lips. "That's a bad thing."
She grinned as she turned the corner sharply. "I'm honored you trusted me in the first place." *** "No, it's not," Arlo said indignantly. "They're really good kids."
"I trust everyone," he said shakily. "Callie said that was a bad thing, though." *** "I just assumed it was a bad thing," she said. "Especially since you were comparing me."
"Hm," Val said as they turned into his street. "She may be right." *** He squinted at her with a small smile. "What makes you think I dislike you?"
He pursed his lips. "She always thinks she's right." *** "Maybe the fact that my boyfriend is your girlfriend's soulmate," he said with a shrug. "I could be wrong."
"Just don't tell her," she said with a smirk as they pulled into a parking spot. *** "I have enough confidence in my relationship," he said with a shrug.
He took off the helmet. "I think I'd rather walk next time." *** "That's true," she agreed. "How did you two meet?"
She took the helmet back. "Hm. Fine." *** He paused and a small smile crossed his face. "I used to work as a barista while I was in college," he said. "And she would always come in and order a venti black coffee, because she's crazy. Everyday at 9:43, like clockwork. I realized I had a crush on her when I saw that I had purposely moved my schedule so that I had that morning shift."
"Even though it was a little exciting," he admitted, smiling slightly. *** Callie grinned. "That's sweet. It's always nice to hear how people met."
"The motorcycle life is contagious," Val said with a nod. "Just you wait and see." *** "What about you and Landon?"
He chuckled. "Well, thanks for the ride. I appreciate it." *** "He was photographing a model who was wearing clothes I designed for some magazine," she told him. "We kept meeting after that, and it kinda just.. turned into this."
