You ask the burning question

As you set off on your drive there's a lengthy moment of quiet, none of you quite sure what to say. Small talk doesn't seem appropriate considering the purpose for your journey, but you can't think of anything else to say about the crazy situation you're all stuck in. Instead, you feel one question burning inside you, like a match burnt down to your fingertips, and you have to let it out.

"So, about you and Nicole." You begin, trying to sound as casual as possible. "What about it?" Matt replies, playing dumb. "Did you expect her to kiss you?" When you ask that Matt stays silent, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Unperturbed by this you decide to keep pushing. "Are you two like, an item? Does Nicole have a crush on you?" Again Matt doesn't say anything, he just blushes and stares even harder at the quiet street. Sitting forward from the back seat Sarah asks a question of her own.

"You fucked her last night, right?"

"What?!" You and Matt both yell simultaneously as he jerks the wheel in shock, nearly swerving into the oncoming lane. Thankfully there is little traffic and fewer cops so Matt manages to recover without putting you in mortal or legal danger. "Why would you say that?" Matt asks once he's regained control of his vehicle, his face blushing beet red. "Well, she's still wearing the same outfit from last night, so I doubted she ever got back home and when she snogged you like that in front of everyone the pieces all fell into place." Sarah sits back as she says this, smugly satisfied like Sherlock Holmes explaining his deductions.

Thinking back you realize that Sarah is right, Nicole was still in the same clothes from the night before and based on the way Matt reacts you think she's right about everything else too. "Alright." Matt sighs as he turns down main street. "We... we had sex." You're too shocked to say anything but Sarah squeals joyfully in the backseat. "Congratulations!" She shouts, patting Matt on the shoulder. "I knew you'd make a cute couple."

Sitting in the front seat you can't help but just stare at your friend. Once he notices you out of the corner of his eye he sighs again. "What?" He asks, sounding a little nervous. "Nothing." You reply. "I just didn't realize you felt that way about her." Part of you does feel a little hurt. You shared everything with Matt and Nicole about your crush on Miranda yet they've apparently been keeping quiet about their own feelings. He drums his fingers on the wheel before replying. "I didn't. I mean, she was always cute but I never thought anything else of it. But last night one thing lead to another, you know?"

Neither you or Sarah are satisfied by his answer and she pushes him for more details. "Come on, you've gotta tell us more than that." She pleads excitedly. "Well..." Matt starts, unsure of how to explain it. "At first I was just going to take her home, but she said she was too scared to be alone. I offered that she could come round my place until she felt more comfortable. I was just going to put on a movie for an hour then drive her back but then she snuggled up to me in bed, and then she kissed me and... one thing lead to another." When he finishes his story he's blushing as red as the light you're stopped at.

"Why didn't you tell me you were together when I rang you though?" Sarah asks, genuinely confused. "Because!" Matt replies "I wanted to be a little private. I'm not like you." When he says that Sarah huffs dramatically. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asks, feigning indignation and making you all laugh. "Well I'm glad we cleared all that up." You state, sitting back in the passenger seat. "And don't worry Matt, we'll keep it 'private' for you." Sarah finishes before sitting back herself.

"Thanks." Matt answers, sounding a little unsure as he refocuses on the road. "Sarah are we nearly there yet?" He asks, as the car crawls down a sparsely populated suburban street. "Nearly." Sarah replies, sitting up to look around. "There it is, up that dirt road!" Matt glares up at her in the rear view mirror. "Oh don't give me that look." Sarah chides him. "I promise your car will be fine. Now go."

As the car turns up the narrow muddy track, fenced in tightly by thickets of thorny trees, you sincerely hope that what Sarahs leading you towards isn't just a wild goose chase.