skid marks
~day one~
"Get your asses in this car," I yell at the boys before settling into the driver's seat. It's going to be a long ass ride.
"Jesus Elara, we're coming. Chill," Sirius says as they get in the backseat. "We were literally waiting on you," I look at them through the rearview mirror and see them smiling manically. I turn around and tackle him in his seat. "You asshole! You guys were not!"
"You were doing your hair when me and Reggie were ready! Regulus, back me up!" They look frantically to the passenger seat where Regulus puts his bag on the floor.
"Hmm. No, I'm staying out of this." He says as he clicks his seatbelt into place.
"Ugh you are terrible," Sirius says as they push me off themselves. They straighten their Bowie t-shirt and put their seatbelt on too.
"Okay guys, jokes aside, are we all ready?" I ask them both as I start the car.
"Yeah we're ready," Regulus says as I reverse out of the driveway. I double check Sirius brought their headphones, and finally start the five-hour drive to Hogwarts Academy.
Two hours into the drive, Sirius is quietly sleeping in the back. Me and Reggie have been talking about the art program Hogwarts offers when I pull over so we can use the bathroom.
"Sirius," I gently nudge their shoulder to wake them up as Regulus opens his car door. I try three more times and eventually resort to the only method guaranteed to work. I take out their headphones and Sirius immediately wakes up.
"What? What, I'm awake." They say as they sit up and regain their senses.
"We're at a gas station. If you want anything come in, if not, use the bathroom because I don't want to stop again."
"Damn. When did you get so bossy?" They ask me as they get out of the car.
The car is not a 'luxury car' but it is nice. Mom bought it for me when I turned 16. I remember the conversation perfectly, all the insults she jam-packed into all her rules and requirements.
~two years ago~
"Elara, while this is a privilege, there are many rules for this car," I was never trusted, even though I'm older than Regulus and more responsible than Sirius.
"Of course," I had said. I always said what she wanted to hear and never spoke up.
"You may not eat in this car. Nor can you have any trash. You will wash it, vacuum it, and wipe down every surface once a month. You will pay for gas, oil changes, tire replacements, and any other maintenance your car might need. I will not help you and neither will your Father. Is that understood?" That was a lot even for her. How the fuck am I supposed to pay for all this? I don't have a job, ironically because that's another rule. 'No jobs until you are 17'.
"But mom, I can't pay for that? I don't have a job," Maybe pushing back for the first time while she still has the keys wasn't a good idea...
"Then find one. Your birthday is in two months, close enough." Well alright then, I guess I'll just find a new place to live then too. Sirius would have to help, seeing we're twins and all.
"Mom, why am I getting a car but Sirius isn't?"
"You are more responsible than your brother," I try not to wince at her calling them that.
~Now~
"Okay, so Sirius what are you getting?" They show me the Cheetos they grabbed and Regulus holds up his coffee.
"Reggie, why are you getting a coffee at four o'clock?" I ask as they both hand me their stuff.
"I need at least a little bit of caffeine to put up with Sirius' bullshit," Damn. Okay, he isn't holding back. Thank God they're doing different things in life, Reggie might kill Sirius.
"What the fuck? I was sleeping the entire two hours!" The disbelief is evident on their face, as I hold back my laughter. Regulus just lets it all out.
"I'm kidding you, absolute idiot. I just wanted a coffee, calm the fuck down." Reggie says once he's stopped laughing.
I pay for the stuff and start the car back up. After I hand them their stuff, and everyone's settled, we get right back on the road. Three hours left.
An hour after we leave the gas station, it is 12:06 and we have stopped yet again because I need to get gas.
Sirius walks to the bathroom and I turn to start pumping the gas. I absent-mindedly notice a car at the station next to mine. As I'm watching the owner get out, I have to do a double-take. She has dark brown skin, the prettiest dimples, and long white braids with different colors of string tied around some of them. She is wearing a light purple crocheted top, with a long white skirt and my brain short-circuits.
"Your gay is showing," Reggie whispers to me, making me jump. He starts laughing manically and I swat his arm.
"Shut the actual fuck up. She's so pretty."
"Sure... Pandora!" He yells and she turns around, her face brightening immediately. How do they know each other? She comes bounding over and I can't breathe.
"Regulus?" She says as soon as she gets to us, wrapping him up in her arms. When they let go of each other, she kisses him on both cheeks.
"Hi Panda, this is my sister, Elara." He says, bringing me back to reality. I pick my jaw up off the floor and try my best to act casual.
"I- Hi," I regret opening my mouth right away. I stick my hand out, trying to recover, but she grabs me and pulls me into her, even though I am taller. When she pulls away, I can see a tattoo of a little bunny on her wrist. Leaving me in shock after the hug, she turns to Regulus and whispers something in his ear. He whispers back and Pandora looks back at me, smiling even wider now.
"Tell her she's pretty too," I can hear whisper to Regulus and I die a little inside. She's a goddess and she thinks I'm pretty? I can't help the way my cheeks flush at her comment, and she seems to love that.
"How do you two know each other?" I ask after clearing my throat quite unattractively.
"Oh! We went to high school together," She says smiling at us. I notice a boy, who looks exactly like Pandora, come over to us as well.
"Reggie?!" He says jumping on Regulus. Regulus has never once mentioned friends he was this close with. I vaguely remember him talking about an Evan and a Barty but I wouldn't be able to pick them out of a lineup.
"Evan!" Reg says in response after he can breathe again. He was crushed under Evan.
I walk away and let them catch up while I walk into the store to get a drink and find Sirius, they've been gone a while. It is no surprise I find them flirting with the cashier. As I walk in though, I can tell his gaze shifts to me instead of Sirius. Sirius plays this game a lot, they will find a new guy to flirt with and pretend he doesn't exist afterward. Sirius walks over to me and puts their arm around me as I try to decide between a Monster energy drink and a Redbull.
"Oi!" I turn around and see what the cashier is yelling about.
"Can I help you?" I ask and he just looks me up and down once more and whistles. I scoff and turn to walk out as I hear him cry out in pain. I quickly turn around and see Sirius on top of the man.
"You should have more respect for people, let alone women. And the next time you want to prey on my sister, you won't come out alive," Hearing them say those words is surprisingly endearing. I love Sirius and seeing that they quite literally got in a fight, means a lot.
"Sirius! Get off of him!?" I yell because I am not going near that situation. Sirius reluctantly gets off the man and I usher them out of the store.
"I'm sorry to cut this reunion short, but we really should go." Reggie gives me a sour look, and I try to silently tell him that I'll explain in the car.