Mystical (Mystical #1) (Revising)

Chapter Nine ☆

Eric leaned casually against the car, propping the door open with one hand. Eliza's heart danced with a mixture of excitement and nerves, her thoughts running wild about whether he'd let her in with her stash of snacks. Drawing closer to his sleek ride, her fingers tightened around the cup of yogurt, but before she could even speak, Eric swooped in, swiping the cup from her hand and giving her a pointed look.

"No food allowed, sorry," he drawled, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"Seriously?" Eliza's eyebrows shot up.

"No," he chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. With a quick, almost playful motion, he snatched the spoon from her grip and dipped it into the yogurt, taking a satisfying scoop. His words came out in a half-muffled, half-amused tone as he savored the treat.

A grin tugged at Eliza's lips, and she nudged him in the stomach with her elbow. He let out a mock grunt, and she seized the opportunity to slip into her seat, her laughter blending with the wind rustling through her hair.

"You always have to make an entrance, don't you?" she teased as she settled in.

"Was that necessary?" he shot back, the engine purring to life under his command.

"Yes. I attack thieves," she quipped, a glint of playfulness in her eyes.

"I was going to give it back," he countered with a laugh, his gaze meeting hers for a brief, electric moment.

"Sure," Eliza replied, her voice laced with playful skepticism.

Then, with a twist of the key and a confident rev of the engine, they were off. The car seamlessly merged onto the highway, the rush of wind hitting them as Eric deftly maneuvered into the fast lane. He rolled down the windows, allowing the cool breeze to sweep through the car, ruffling Eliza's hair. The radio's volume soared, and with a quick, practiced motion, he slipped on his shades, the world outside becoming a blur of speed and adventure.

As Eric's finger pressed down on the button, a magical transformation began. The roof of the car slowly lifted, and Eliza's eyes widened in surprise. The convertible before them was a thing of beauty, something she had only dreamed of. She gazed up at the sky, a canvas splashed with the hues of a fiery sunset – deep oranges, passionate reds, and soft pinks.

The sun dipped below the horizon with a graceful bow, casting a spell over the world.

Eliza couldn't contain her excitement. She threw her arms up in the air, letting out a scream that mingled perfectly with the wind's rush, muffling Eric's laughter. The wind was a powerful symphony, drowning out Eric's voice. 

An exhilarating wave surged through both of them, their hearts pounding in sync. In that moment, they felt utterly free, as if the wind itself was carrying them to new heights. Their hair danced wildly in the wind, a testament to their exhilaration.

With one hand on the steering wheel, Eric guided the car effortlessly, a master of this newfound freedom. His other arm found solace outside the window, fingers trailing through the wind.

"This is absolutely incredible!" Eliza's voice carried on the wind.

"What?" Eric shouted back, struggling to hear.

"I said, this is incredible!" Eliza's words echoed in the wind.

Eric attempted a response, his words a soft murmur, but the wind stole them away, leaving only the rush of the moment.

☆☆☆

Time had a funny way of slipping away when you were caught up in the whirlwind of fun. The idea of being the first ones at the party didn't really register on their radar.