Rewrite the Stars

by Charleigh Rose

“People are drawn to train wrecks. It’s human nature. They can’t help it.”

“Do you trust me?” Sebastian asks, his arm still outstretched, waiting for me to take the helmet. What an absurd thing to ask of a stranger. “Yes,” I surprise myself by saying. What an even more absurd answer.

and a circus?” “The circus keeps their animals in cages. We let ours run free,” he says, with a glint in his eyes. The insinuation is clear. They are the animals.

“You’re afraid of a lot,” he accuses with a wolfish smile. “Maybe you’re not afraid of enough,” I shoot back, surprising even myself.

“Everyone’s gotta die sometime,” he says, shrugging. “At least I’m actually living in the meantime.”

“Be careful, Princess. You’re wrapped in a pretty package, but you’re rotting from the inside out.”

“My friends call me Bastian.” I can’t see the look on his face, but I bet if I could, I’d see that cocky expression in place. “How about I call you Bastard?”

“Drugs are for people who are too weak to deal with their shit.”

“All will reveal itself when the time is right,”

“Don’t go.” His voice is full of gravel and reluctance. “Why should I stay?” “Because I don’t feel like waiting another year to see you again.”

“Don’t you have a normal vehicle? Preferably one with four wheels?” “I could take one of the trucks,” he starts. “But then I wouldn’t be able to feel those legs wrapped around me. Where’s the fun in that?”

He flashes me a dark smile. “Least of all me. The most dangerous men are the ones with nothing to lose.”

“Hanging out with townies now, are we?” “Not a townie. She’s with me.” I ignore how my stomach flips at those familiar words, the same words he said when he saved me from that pushy security guard the first night we met.

“Every summer comes to an end. Does that mean we shouldn’t enjoy the sun?”

Hope is a dangerous thing when you’re a McAllister.