Selena

Could I just finish it and strangle this guy?

"I can drive just fine!" I defended myself, arms crossed over my chest.

"Says the person who does not have a driver's license. No. I have already been warned to not let you drive by both Makenzie and Maria."

"Traitors!" I hissed, glaring out the front windshield. Seok was driving down Milton street, heading towards the Oakley Town Park. My mom's giant, green '07 Dodge Caravan gave him absolutely no problems. The entire ride so far had been smooth and perfect—it was almost a little creepy. "It's not like I don't know how to drive."

"No...But you are apparently scared of the vehicle," he nodded his head. He hadn't taken his eyes off the road once, effortlessly checking everything he needed to monitor with less than a second's glance.

I couldn't help but steal peeks at his profile every few blocks, drinking in the sight of him. I had played it off when I'd first seen him. But there was no denying Seok looked like my favorite kind of dessert I wanted to just sink my teeth into.

Biting my lip, I turned my eyes away. Raising a hand up to my temple, I sucked in a shaky breath.

"Are you alright?" he asked me. Those sharp eyes of his missed nothing, even though he wasn't looking at me directly.

"I'm just...tired," I sighed, lowering my hand. My phone beeped at me, letting me know I had a text message. I ignored it though. I could only handle so much drama and I was certain there was going to be more than my fair share on this outing with Seok.

"Hmm," he commented nonchalantly. Silence fell once again.

I was able to handle it for exactly half a minute. I reached out, stretching a little to press the volume dial in to turn on the radio.

"Touch that dial and I'll make you regret it," Seok promised in a calm tone.

Blinking, I turned my head to stare at him, hand still hanging in the air. "Are you serious? Seok, it's awkward with just silence between us."

Damn it all, I sound like a whiny little kid!

"That's what we have the lovely invention of conversation for. Is not the purpose of this all so that we can get to know one another better?" He was so calm, completely unfazed, making a left turn at the Wilvern avenue intersection, passing by the local CVS Pharmacy.

Unconsciously, my fingers curled into a fist and I eyed the entire intersection nervously. Just a week ago there had been a really bad accident here. Some drunk driver in the middle of the day had thought to play chicken with a turning semi-truck. It hadn't ended very well and the drunk had died as a result. Thankfully though, the driver hadn't been carrying any passengers.

Even so, it still made my skin crawl...Why did cars have to be so scary? Honestly, it was a stupid fear of mine, but one I'd had since I was a child. Riding a bus to school was like a form of torture. My nerves were a wreck by the time I got there and coming back home wasn't any better. Worse, I was often teased over my fear.

It didn't matter though. I still broke out in a cold sweat while in a car and my heart rate would always kick up by two levels, at least.

"Selena? Don't worry. I am a very cautious driver. You will be fine." Seok's voice broke through my inner musings.

Blinking, I turned to stare at him. Glancing down, I realized I'd half-pulled into a ball in my seat. My cheeks flushed and I lifted my eyes back to his face.

I expected judgment. I expected ridicule. I expected laughter.

All I saw was a blank, empty mask.

My breath came out in a giant rush and I struggled to pull up a mask of my own. A mask of bravado, with none of the fears I actually had. "Y-yeah," I started in a big bluster. "I wasn't..."

My voice trailed off as I continued to stare at Seok's calm face. Slowly wrapping my arms around myself tighter, tucking my hands in, I swallowed. In a much softer, tiny voice, I spoke. "Thanks, Seok," I whispered, leaning my head against the glass of my window.

"I don't understand...Why are you ashamed of your fear?" he asked, voice detached.

I shuddered in reaction. Would I ever get used to his dead voice? Closing my eyes tightly, I spoke in the same tiny whisper. My head was pounding from trying to fight off the fear I felt. I'd been trying to appear "normal" in front of Seok.

Really, why should I have even tried?

"It's stupid," I explained quietly. "C-cars are everywhere today. Even so, they are...ter-terrifying," I struggled to get out.

He was silent for several minutes. I kept my eyes closed, head against the window. I really didn't want to see his face. "...Thank you," he finally said.

My eyes popped open, but I resisted the urge to look at him. "For what?" I asked in a weary voice. Why would he thank me?

"For explaining to me a little bit more about you. In exchange, I will tell you something about myself," he decided. "I do not lie, to anyone, except for one person."

Now I did raise my head. Seok, lying?! "Who is the person you lie to?"

His voice took on a low, slightly gruffer tone than it normally did. Twice, I felt shock rock through me. "Franklin." His hands around the wheel tightened just slightly. "That is all I will share for now though."

My mind buzzed in curiosity. Who is Franklin? Why is he the only person Seok lies to?

"Okay," I murmured, brushing back some of my bangs from my eyes. "Um, thanks as well."

"You are welcome. We are here," he announced in a bored tone. The car pulled up into an open spot as he put it into Park and turned off the engine. Looking around I took in the familiar Oakley Town Park. There was a much bigger one that was designed for young kids; including a large jungle gym and covered areas with crude equipment for cookouts and tons of benches for seating. That was Rayton Park, about seven miles north of here. This park was filled with a lot more nature and a lot fewer kids. It was only about two miles large, but it had several paths set up to enjoy. There was a tall, green, perfectly crafted maze to stroll through, as well as a mid-sized garden area.

Getting out of the car, I closed the door behind me. Seok came around the front of the car at the same time as I did, standing stock-still, gazing at the entrance to the park. A large trellis created an arch with tons of vines all massed together. Threading all throughout the vines were small white flowers, the petals long, narrow, and spread wide. A dozen or more tan-colored stamens surrounded the flower's pistil, making each flower seem chaotically unique from each other. I shot a glance at Seok again, taking in his blank expression as he continued to stare straight ahead.

"They're pretty," I noted. "I'm a little surprised you drove here. This place is a pretty common dating spot around here, though mostly for couples who've been together for a while," I explained. "It's more, um, 'romantic' and less 'getting to know you'."

"Hmm, yes. Considering what they have placed above the entrance, I find that quite ironic," he stated.

I raised an eyebrow, crossing my arms in front of me. "Why's that?" I wondered, honestly curious.

He finally turned his head down to glance at me. "Those flowers are known by the scientific name Clematis flammula. Another common name for them is fragrant virgin's bower. See now why I find it ironic they are being used over a well-known dating spot in the area?"

I couldn't not flush...I mean...How did talking about flowers suddenly sound almost dirty?

"I-I guess," I muttered, shooting him an annoyed glare. Did he honestly have to ruin everything? "Shouldn't we be...I don't know, going in?"

He tipped his head forward slightly in acknowledgment. "Yes, we should. After you, Selena," he swept his hand out toward the entrance.

I started forward, though a bit hesitant. Clutching my fingers tightly together in front of me, I glanced over my shoulder as I continued forward. Seok was a step and a half behind me, his expression making it seem like he wanted to just end it by putting a bullet to his brain. My hackles started to try and rise.

Don't take it personally! He's a robot, remember?

Swallowing, I cleared my throat awkwardly, stretching my arms out behind my back a little. "So...um..."

What the hell do you say on a date anyway? What are we supposed to talk about? What can we even talk about? I've been living with—sleeping with!—this guy for two weeks and I know...three things about him.

One, he's emotionless. Two, he has no sense of shame. Three, he's a jerk.

...Wait, make that four. Four, he might end up being my husband by the end of the year!

My nerves were going to kill me before I even made it through the stupid bower!