Blinding Lights

Prologue

Iroll my eyes behind my mom’s seat, where she can’t see me, and my dad catches me in the rearview mirror. He gives me a slight grin, but it quickly disappears. He warns me with his eyes not to disrespect her. If it comes to it, he’ll always pick her side.

I understand where she’s coming from, but I can’t help but be annoyed. I’m barely an adult, but I need to make my own decisions, especially this one, because she doesn’t have all the information. She’s only interfering because she loves me. It took one mistake for me to shake the foundation of our family, but love is always there.

If only I could admit how terrified I am. My parents would only support me, and my best friend would hold my hand through it all. Instead, I put on a brave face, hoping I don’t look weak and unsure. My entire life has changed, and theres more to come.

The three of us sit silently until my phone pings with an incoming text. I smile as I exchange messages with my best friend. Her point may be the same as what my mom had tried to convey, but the tone feels totally different.

A chorus of honking horns drags my eyes up from my phone in my hand. I look around to see through the windshield and find out what’s happening. The headlights of an oncoming car blind me.

It’s heading straight at us.

My mom screams.

My dad shouts.

The car jolts to the side.

The smash of metal. Shattering of glass.

Then…

Blackness.