Do You Even Know Me?

I'd been driving for thirty minutes now, with nothing but stretches of barren land and lonely fences flanking both sides of the road. It was surreal—just how far we really were from everything. No houses, no people. Just silence and endless space.

Wow... we really are in the middle of nowhere.

I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. The quiet was both calming and unsettling. I had never realized just how isolated we were on that farm. Maybe that was the point. Maybe that was the plan. But I pushed the thought aside. I didn't want to ruin this with questions I couldn't answer yet.

Then—finally—something shifted.

Lights.

Faint at first, then brighter with every mile. Neon signs in pinks, blues, and greens, blinking lazily outside buildings. Gas stations. Diners. Little shops with dusty windows and flickering signs. The edges of the city.

I smiled without meaning to.

I caught sight of a diner with a massive, flashing burger sign. Red, blue, yellow, and white lights surrounded the giant patty like a carnival attraction. It was bold, silly, and oddly comforting. I pulled into the lot. Only two other cars were parked there, so it wasn't crowded. Perfect.

I stepped out of the car and took a breath. The air smelled like asphalt and grease. Not exactly the fresh mountain air of the farm, but it was real. Lively. Human. I looked at the burger sign again, feeling drawn to its tacky charm. It was cheerful in a way nothing back home ever felt.

I leaned against the car door, hugging my arms as a breeze picked up. And then it hit me like a slap: I didn't bring money.

I touched my lips, my eyes drifting down to my beige flats with the tiny black ribbons. What was I even thinking? I wasn't supposed to be here. This wasn't part of the plan—if there ever was one.

Then—

"Are you lost?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin.

I turned, startled, and saw a guy standing a few feet away. He looked... familiar. Like Marco—but not quite. Same tall frame. Same strong jawline. And just like Marco and Andreis, both of his arms were covered in tattoos—an intricate blend of patterns that peeked out from under his dark hoodie sleeves.

Seriously, is that a thing now? Tattooed arms and ocean-colored eyes?

He had a brown paper bag in one hand—probably food from the diner. Lucky him. At least he had something to eat.

"N-n-no," I stammered, raising a hand to my forehead. Ugh. Pull yourself together, Mia. My heart was suddenly pounding. I wasn't used to being around strangers. Especially ones that looked like... that.

He walked up slowly, casually, like he had all the time in the world. Then held out his left hand.

"Angelo," he said, his voice smooth and calm.

I hesitated, then took his hand. "Mia," I replied. I looked up—and for a split second, time did a weird thing.

His eyes. Exactly like Andreis'.

Like staring into the ocean on a cloudy day—deep, blue, and unreadable.

I realized too late that I was still holding his hand.

"Oh! Sorry!" I let go quickly, cheeks burning.

He grinned and gave me a slow once-over. Not in a creepy way, more like he was... curious. Still, I crossed my arms, a little annoyed.

"I—I should go. Nice meeting you," I mumbled, already reaching for the driver's side door.

"W-wait!" he called out. "Don't go yet. Let's share the food?"

He lifted the paper bag slightly, as if that would convince me.

Right on cue, my stomach let out a loud growl. Perfect.

Is that how he knew I was hungry? I mentally kicked myself for skipping breakfast. I should've just eaten the damn bacon.

I hesitated. Every instinct told me to get in the car, drive back, and forget this ever happened. But another part of me—the one that felt alive for the first time in years—told me to stay. Just for a moment. Just to remember what it felt like to be someone else.

I let out a breath. "Are you sure? You don't even know me."

He gave me a half-smile, eyes twinkling under the glow of the diner lights.

"Oh, I know you."