They sat down with their food and ate while they continued talking.
They were talking about clothes so I was uninterested.
Once they were done eating and got ready to go back out there, Layla asked, "Hey are you feeling any better?"
I replied, "Yeah, I'm feeling much better."
Layla, "Then do you want to come and ride with me?"
Me, "You know what? Sure."
I was going to turn her down, but I really do feel better.
We all went out, Lay and I got into our car, while Aerial got into hers.
They had already refueled so we were primed and ready to go.
Layla started the engine, which growled to life. She pulled out onto the track and slammed the accelerator to the floor.
We took off like a rocket taking flight. We flew around the course, taking turns with measured precision, and sending straights with all out speed.
I sat in the passenger seat sweating while gripping the handle for dear life. But, Layla, time and again proved that I was in good hands as she never crashed or even made me doubt for a moment.
We continued like that for a few hours until Layla decided that it was my turn.
When we switched I was nervous, comparing my driving to Layla's, wasn't much of a comparison. So I was rather nervous about embarrassing myself.
I took it easy and focused on smooth stability. I wasn't concerned about speed, but I was concerned about staying in control.
There is no point in going fast if you crash.
We spent the rest of the day driving.
It was fun, we stayed in a call with Aerial while driving. She occasionally gave tips, but mostly kept talking with Layla.
They seemed to be fast friends, which made me feel a little jealous. It felt like Aerial was trying to hit on Layla, while that could just be my imagination, it still irritated me.
Aerial invited us to dinner, but we declined saying that we had plans tomorrow. That we would have dinner another day.
Aerial accepted that and we parted ways.
Layla and I made our way home.
I said, "You and Aerial seem to be fast friends."
Layla, "Yeah, She's cool and has a ton of experiences that I couldn't fathom."
Me, "Sure, I imagine coming from extreme wealth would do that."
Layla, "Maybe, but I think that there is more to her than that. She has that kind of mystique."
Me, "What do you mean?"
Layla, "Well, she has traveled around the world, for one. Which gives her a unique view on the world. Um, since she is in the military she has trained in combat. Which means she has experienced horrors to gain that understanding.
She went to a boarding school, despite still having close relations with her family. And I really like the boarding school aesthetic. I wish I had been able to go."
Me, "Yeah, like I said wealth, opens a lot of doors to experience life and the world."
Layla, "Haha. You sound really jealous right now."
Me, "Well I am. I wish I could have grown up in massive wealth and explored the vast world. Enrolled in a boarding school, and experienced the hidden mysteries that lay dormant there. I also wish I could have taken up all of your thoughts for the day."
Layla, "So, not join the military?"
Me, "I actually wanted to join right out of highschool, but my family didn't want me to. Now as I've gotten older I realize that I wouldn't be a good fit for the military."
Layla, "Why is that?"
Me, "Because, I wouldn't be able to follow stupid or nonsensical orders. I would push back and question everything. To put it bluntly, I don't have the ability to blindly follow orders. Plus if anyone gave me an attitude I wouldn't be able to just take it. I would give an attitude back."
Layla, "Basically you are obstinate and don't take orders well."
Me, "That's a pretty bland way to put it but, yeah, you're right."
Layla, "Haha, then I'm glad that you didn't go. You would have spent your whole career in the brig."
Me, "Probably. I wish I had the discipline to hold it in."
Layla, "I don't. Because if you did, you would be in the military right now, and I never would have met you."
Me, "Haha, are you admitting that you are glad to have met me?"
Layla, "I guess so. Don't let it go to your head but, you did possess my thoughts for today. When you said that you weren't feeling well, my thoughts were only about you.
Wondering if you were ok, if you needed any help, or about how I wished you were sitting in the car with me so I could keep an eye on you. All of it was on my mind.
So, I used Aerial as a distraction, to take my mind off of you."
Me, "Ha, so are you finally admitting that you lik-."
Layla, "No! Remember what I said, once I am on even footing. Then… yeah, we can talk about it."
Me, "Sigh, ok. Whatever you say. So, did Aerial say why she joined the Air Force?"
Layla, "Yeah, she always wanted to be a pilot. Because, ever since she was a child the only superpower she wanted was the ability to fly. To freely soar though the sky unburdened by what was happening on the ground. So, she traveled around the world. Flying everywhere she could, to be as free as possible. But, she realized just how cruel some parts of the world are, and she wanted to make a difference. So, she came back, used her flying background and family connections to join the Air Force. Then ended up becoming one of their best pilots. Helping the world while flying."
Me, "Did you find out what her usual missions are? I imagine most would be more bombing or combat oriented."
Layla, "Yeah, I was worried about that as well. I asked and she said that most of her missions are about delivering aid through air drops of supplies."
Me, "That's good."
Layla, "I agree."