“Are you sure? I can text my brother to come get us. I really don’t mind leaving early.”

Emily Brown shook her head. She knew Caitlin wanted to stay. Plus, her house was only about thirty minutes east. She’d get home before midnight. Unlocking her phone, Emily checked how long until the car would arrive. Two minutes. Caitlin peered over her friend’s shoulder to see who the driver was.

“Oh. That’s kind of weird. He doesn’t have a rating… but aw, Em, he looks nice,” she said, glancing at his picture, “Look at that smile.”

Sean Williams smiled as he pulled up to the location shown on his phone. The colored lights flashed through the windows, illuminating the dancing girls. The early 2000’s song took him back sixteen years, when he had gone to one of his own classmate’s sweet sixteen party. Putting the car in park near the entrance, he looks at the destination, wondering how long his last drive of the night would be—the opposite direction of his apartment. He wouldn’t be getting home anytime soon. But, after looking up from his phone, he didn’t mind anymore.

After wishing her classmate a happy birthday and promising Caitlin that she would text her once she got home, Emily Brown walked towards the black car. Having spending two hours too long in the humid party, the comfortable summer air was refreshing. She thought that it must have rained. Her sore feet walked across the damp pavement. She carried silver heels that were now sparkling in the bright car’s headlights.

The girl’s long brown curls were shining as Sean looked up. He couldn’t help but think about how good she looked. It was almost as if she had worn that tight black dress just for him. She must have. He watched as she walked past the front seat and opened the back door.

“Come sit in the front, sweetheart,” he said, motioning for her to come sit next to him. He watched as she hesitated, but his reassuring grin drew her into the front seat.

Emily slowly moved into the seat next to Sean and pulled the door closed, quickly glancing back at the door of the party. Should she have just gone with Caitlin and her brother? No. She decided she’s fine. The car pulled away from the door, the illuminated dancers became smaller and smaller. It’s only thirty minutes east. 

The driver flipped the radio stations, finally stopping on one that happened to be playing Emily’s favorite song. Maybe this drive won’t be that bad. She relaxed her shoulders and let her head sway with the song. 

The car rolled to a stop at the red light. Sean looked to his right and was mesmerized by his passenger. He couldn’t help but stare as she moved with the music. Her eyes fixed out the window. He was relieved the girl was comfortable with him—she hadn’t picked up her phone to call or text anyone since getting in. Feeling confident, Sean decided he had a new destination. Hiding his new plan, he continued to stare at the girl’s tempting body.

Emily could feel his eyes and decided to avert her own by staring outside the window at the red light. As the light quickly changed to green, the car accelerated and she shifted her eyes to the passing trees. She was finally relieved when she read the sign “east to Merrick”. But the black car kept driving. Her chest tightened. The car should have turned. It should have turned. She watched as the GPS on the drivers phone recalculated. Trying to find a new way back to Emily’s house, the grey arrow spun and spun in circles. Emily’s head spun with it. Her breath quickened, but she knew she had to hide it.

“How about we go for a drink,” Sean suggested. “I know a place we can go.”

Emily finally spoke, insisting that she was not old enough for a drink. “Please, just follow the route. I want to go home,” she pleaded.

Sean smiled, “We’re going to have fun, sweetheart. I know my own route.” He swiftly grabbed the phone, cancelling the drive. The black car took a sharp left. “It’ll only be thirty minutes west to Brooklyn.”