The engine hums beneath you as the highway stretches endlessly ahead, the sun dipping low in the sky. Elizabeth glances over at you, the fading light catching in her hair, and smirks

“So, this is your idea of a stress-relief plan?” she asks, voice teasing, but there’s curiosity there too

You laugh, glancing at her “Hey, nothing fixes a bad week like bad decisions and long drives. Plus… it’s just us.”

Elizabeth nods, a little smile playing at her lips “I like that. Just us.”

There’s a pause, the kind that feels like it’s waiting for something unsaid to finally escape. You clear your throat, trying to break it, but Elizabeth beats you to it

“You know,” she starts softly “I’ve never done anything like this before. Just… gotten in a car and driven with no plan, no schedule.”

You glance at her, intrigued “Really? I would’ve guessed you’d be the type to love spontaneous chaos.”

She laughs, but it’s quieter than before, almost shy “I… I’ve always tried to control everything. Even the small stuff. Makes life feel safer, I guess. But out here… I don’t know. It feels like I can just be me.”

The honesty in her voice makes your chest tighten. You nod, feeling the weight of your own secrets bubbling up“I get that. I try to control everything too… but sometimes it’s exhausting. I think that’s why I wanted this trip—just… a little freedom.”

Elizabeth watches you, studying your face in a way that feels intimate, personal “Freedom… yeah. I like that word.”