* * *
The outskirts of town whizzed by, the reflective mirrors almost blinding. The panels made the city brighter, but they were also boring to look at and a potential driving hazard when they reflected the sunlight.
My phone rang. Thoughtlessly I answered, assuming it would be well-wishers.
"I know you went to see him," Oliver said, his voice angry.
"Oliver, I'm single. I can see whoever I want," I replied, calmly.
"No you can't," he stated. "I got you this far and I can take you out. We will be going to The Pageant together and we are going to win and become the Potentates of Tealé."
"Not going to happen," I responded. "My life is no longer your concern. We are over."
"You don't get to dump me, you stupid bitch," he screamed into the phone.
I hung up, my heart pounding in my ears. Clutching the steering wheel, I took some calming breaths. Henrietta's comet blazed slowly across the sky; my lucky star had heralded my break-up with Oliver and being in The Pageant all in one day.
My phone rang again. Seeing Oliver's caller ID, I ignored it.
A text flashed onto the screen. "You don't get to dump me."
The sound of scraping metal filled my ears. I jerked the wheel, trying to regain control of my spinning car. Spraying glass, heat and the sound of crunching surrounded me.
Then it was dark.