This time, she smoothly backs out of the space, and I can feel her relax. It takes me longer to calm down, seeing flashes of blood every time I close my eyes, but eventually my heart rate returns to normal and I’m able to lean back against the seat. We don’t talk much as she drives, listening to the peppy songs on the radio instead, and I watch the scenery pass by the window. The sun is out in full force today, filtering through the trees and creating intricate patterns on the pavement.

It gives the town a lighter feel than usual, as people emerge from their homes to enjoy the sunshine, strolling the shopping strip and taking advantage of the parks scattered throughout the neighborhood. But it doesn’t take long until we’re going past the town limits and heading onto the highway, weaving a path through the mountains.

Zoe rolls the windows down, and I reach a hand out, letting the cool breeze glide between my fingers. Eventually, the mountains give way to a lush valley where people have set up their homes in the fields below. As usual, the sights are breathtaking. It’s crazy to think that I’ve lived in this area all my life and looked at this view every day growing up.

“Almost there,” Zoe announces, turning the music down.

I turn to her, trying to push my hair back as it blows into my face. “Do we always come this far out to go shopping?”

“At least once a month,” she explains. “Pender Falls is cute and all, but there is absolutely jack shit to do there.”

Pender Falls is beautiful, and there’s something alluring about it, but I can imagine it must feel small and secluded to someone like Zoe, who seems like she has the world at her manicured fingertips. “What are you going to do after high school?”

“It’s weird to hear you ask me that when we’ve had so many conversations about it in the past,” she admits, looking a bit uncomfortable. “I’m going to McGill University in Montreal. If everything goes to plan, you’ll be calling me Dr. Zoe Harris in, like, ten years.”

“Impressive.”

“My parents are thrilled,” she says, not bothering to hide the boredom in her voice.

“Did I ever talk about what I wanted to do?” I ask, and she softens a bit, seemingly relieved she’s no longer the subject of conversation.

“College wasn’t really your thing. You were determined to become a star someday,” she says, sounding wistful. “If anything, you would’ve studied acting, I guess. But most of all, you just wanted to leave this place far behind you.”

“Where did I want to go?”

She laughs once without humor. “Anywhere.”