The car hummed steadily down the highway, the dull thrum of the tires blending with the upbeat playlist Stacey had insisted on curating. A sugary pop song filled the space, the lyrics too catchy for Ryan’s liking, but he endured it with an easygoing grin. The sun hung low on the horizon, casting long streaks of gold across the dashboard, illuminating the four friends crammed inside. The air smelled faintly of Stacey’s coconut-scented body spray, mingling with the remnants of fast food they’d devoured hours ago.
Ryan sat behind the wheel, one hand lazily draped over the steering wheel, the other tapping an absent rhythm on the door. His lean frame fit comfortably in the driver’s seat, broad shoulders relaxed as he navigated the seemingly endless stretch of road. His tousled brown hair was flattened from the hours spent sitting, and he adjusted his grip, flashing a smirk through the rearview mirror.
"Tell me again why I agreed to this?" he asked, his deep green eyes catching Amelia’s briefly.
"Because you love us," Stacey chirped from the backseat, her bare legs stretched out across Amelia’s lap, the hem of her volleyball shorts riding dangerously high. She flipped through songs on her phone, the colorful beads on her bracelet clinking together.
"Yeah," Clarissa muttered from the passenger seat, her toned arms folded across her chest, eyes fixed on the passing landscape. "You just couldn't resist the charm of a weekend with us." Her auburn ponytail swung slightly as she shifted in her seat, the tension in her jaw betraying the focus she had on tomorrow’s tournament.
Amelia sat tucked in the backseat beside Stacey, her oversized hoodie swallowed around her small frame as she hunched over her sketchbook, her pencil gliding in rhythmic strokes. Her long blonde hair fell like a curtain, shielding her from the chaos of the car, though the ghost of a smile tugged at her lips.
"I mean," Ryan continued, "I could be at home, feet up, playing video games right now. Instead, I'm stuck driving you three athletes to glory."
"Please," Stacey scoffed, nudging Amelia with her foot. "You practically begged to come."
Ryan rolled his eyes but couldn’t argue—there was something comforting about being around them. He liked the contrast of Clarissa's serious determination, Stacey's endless energy, and Amelia's quiet presence. He wasn't just their chauffeur; he was their friend, and deep down, he was excited to watch them play.
"Besides," Stacey continued with a sly grin, digging through her duffel bag. "I brought something to make this trip... interesting."
Ryan glanced at her in the mirror, raising an eyebrow. "Why do I feel like that means trouble?"
Clarissa sighed. "It always means trouble."
Stacey pulled out a small, ornate-looking box, the dark wood polished with intricate golden designs curling around its edges. The way she cradled it made Amelia glance up from her sketchbook, eyebrows pinching together.
"What’s that?" Amelia asked softly.
Stacey smirked, hugging the box to her chest. "A little something I found at that quirky shop downtown. The guy who sold it to me said it's... special."
Ryan groaned. "Great, another cursed thrift store find. Remember the time you bought that haunted music box and it played by itself?"
"That was one time," Stacey said with a dismissive wave. "Besides, this is different. It'll be fun. Trust me."
Clarissa rolled her eyes. "I don't like that phrase coming from you."
Amelia bit her lip, casting a wary glance at the box before returning to her sketching, but Ryan could see the curiosity lurking in her eyes. Despite their teasing, they all knew Stacey had a knack for finding weird, intriguing things—and this looked no different.
Ryan sighed dramatically, tapping the wheel. "Fine, but if something starts glowing or talking, I’m out."
Stacey chuckled, tucking the box back into her bag. "We'll see, driver boy. We'll see."
The highway stretched on, the glow of the hotel lights finally appearing in the distance. As much as Ryan enjoyed their playful banter, a bed sounded like heaven right now. But something about the way Stacey smirked made him think this trip was going to be a lot weirder than just volleyball.