“Get the keys, Dierdra”, Kya yelled as she shuffled to their rental car, carrying both of their bags. She was stressed about being on time for pre-graduation pictures.

“We’re fine, babe. Graduation starts at nine and it’s only 6:30. We have plenty of time to get to the hotel and change clothes before we have to leave. Take a deep breath and stop acting like you’re thrilled to be here”, Diedra said with a grin on her face.

“You right, you right. But you and I both know that if we’re late, Skylar will never let us live it down.”

“It’s cool. We have plenty of time, and thank goodness we travel light.”

Kya threw the luggage in the trunk of their economy rental and closed it just in time to dodge the keys being thrown at her face. They landed on the ground behind her.

“I guess I’m driving?”, Kya asked with a smile. She knew the answer before Diedra launched the keys across the car at her.

“I love you”, Diedra softly mentioned as she made her way to the passenger seat.

Instead of Austin, they chose to stay at a hotel in Kya’s hometown of Pine View, close to the rest of her family. It was only a short 20 minute ride from the airport, but a vastly different setting from the metro.

She watched the shadows of large pecan trees deeply rooted in wide open spaces as they drove east down the highway, opposite of the evening cityscape. Kya’s dark brown eyes glistened in the sun as she admired the beauty that was Central Texas. She’d always loved the openness and simplicity of the landscape. She inhaled. Exhaled. Part of her was happy to be there.

Diedra was attempting to tune in to one of the local radio stations and finally landing on a song.

“Yaassss! Good music!” Diedra shouted from the passenger seat.

Kya just stared at her.

What would my world look like without her randomness? Quite boring most likely. 

As they neared the hill that descended into Pine View, a convenient store sat on the right-hand side of the highway. Kya glanced out Diedra’s window, catching a glimpse of it. She felt her chest tighten.

“Oh my gosh!” Kya screeched, grabbing onto the side of her seat with one hand and her chest with another.

“What?! What is it, love? You scared the heck out of me.” Diedra was surprised and confused by Kya’s booming voice.

“Hold on.” Kya demanded.

After slowing her breath and focusing her eyes on the road ahead, Kya attempted to explain what just happened.

“I don’t know why…what just happened to me. I felt like I was coming out of my skin. I got dizzy and I…don’t know. It’s just been a long time…”

“Kya, it’s ok. You don’t have to explain. I’m sure that was scary for you to feel. You’re right. It has been a long time. What were you thinking about at the time?”

“I’m ok now. I wasn’t thinking about anything in particular.”

Kya was mad at herself for feeling anxious. She was thrown off by the whole incident and hoped it was the one and only time she’d deal with that feeling. Kya kept driving and couldn’t help but wonder why.