Chapter 102

• The drive home from Malibu is beautiful as is expected, but the cloud cover starts to move in and smother the coastline the closer they get to Santa Monica. They talk about this and that, nothing serious, but at the same time, Annabelle senses that Nicholas is distancing himself a bit from her. It’s nothing he says per se, but it’s more what’s not said.
• He’s not rude, just quiet, but it’s noticeable. Those little touches are absent. The knowing looks and soft smiles gone. The playful banter silenced.
• Assuming that he’s taking the drive to think about his dream, Annabelle leaves him to his thoughts and stares out the window watching the coastline fly by. The radio’s on low, and the song, "Just Give Me a Reason" by Pink, plays softly in the background as they exit the highway and head toward her house. She sings softly, the words making her think about this morning, and as she hits the chorus, she notices Nicholas glance over at her in her periphery. She knows when he hears the lyrics because he shakes his head, and the slightest of smiles graces his lips; his silent acknowledgment of her knack for finding the perfect song to express her feelings.