CECE - 6:55PM

I really wish I could see what was going on in his brain, she thought. She could read his disappointingly docile body language without looking, as his own worries carried throughout his shaky voice. He was a companion at times, a small animal the other. She was raised to be independent anyways, mainly throughout life beating her down at every opportunity it got. “We aint got nothin but the promised present” her mother would remark constantly, and for good reason. Besides, it would only be so long until one of the planet’s nearby moons crash-landed into them, killing half of the population- a constant fear resting on humanity's collective consciousness. She, however, opted to ignore it, choosing a life of freedom in the last days. She trusted Adam enough to let her know the important things, although primarily wanting to stay in the dark. She dreamed of leaving this place, mainly to look for her brother, but to do what others couldn’t- and actually save the ones she cared about, or at least care enough to try and return.

Uneasiness brewed within her, a feeling typically expressed through her hyper-focus on what she could control. She felt more powerless than ever, as Adam planned the weekend for her, wanting to surprise her before it all went down. They’d known each other since they were teenagers, hanging out way before the global emergency struck in high school. Cece knew deep down that she would miss him, a subtle underlying passion that may extend beyond friendship.

Welcomed back to reality by her stuttering confidant, she unbuckled her seatbelt and studied his face, just as she had done many times before. He sighed, probably noticing her recollection blocking an active response.

“Look, Cat”- a pet name he gave her many years ago- “You know I care about you, and I would really appreciate it if you could trust me a little more with this. I know that you aren’t super focused on the future, but I don't want you to waste your time. I want you to stay with the family you have, with the people you care about” Adam reasoned.

Turning back towards the steering wheel and crossing her arms in her seat, she reclined, processing the news. She knew the rest of her family was alive, she just wanted- no, needed, to prove it and bring them home to safety. She alone would save them, no matter what anyone said. 

All she needed to do was to somehow stop herself from wishing he cared a little less.