There’s the real world version of dating, and then there’s the BookTok version: dramatic, moody, and full of fantasy. A trend built around that idea has been circulating on TikTok, with creators staging the moment they “go for a drive” and someone follows behind.
A Phoenix TikToker put her own spin on it, going viral with over 2.3 million views.
In the clip, she films the window of her moving car while the “Is he cheatin’? Man I don’t know…” section of Rihanna’s Breakin’ Dishes plays in the background. She adds text over the video: “Told him I needed to go for a drive and turned my location off.”
As she continues filming, a car appears behind her on the road. The implication is that after she turned her location off, her partner got in his own car and followed her.
“Protective is how I love mine,” she wrote in the caption.
The creator used the BookTok hashtag, which makes sense for the tone. BookTok is full of fantasy romance tropes where intense, brooding devotion is a common storyline.
BookTok commenters are on board
The comments section leaned fully into the romantic sentiment.
“As a book girly this did something to me lol,” one person wrote.
“That’s when you call him and say ‘babe help I’m being followed,’” another said.
“WITH THE LIGHTS OFF?! Giiiiirl you in troubleeeee,” someone else added.
Another viewer shared their own version: “Mine showed up at the gas station I was sitting at and just opened the door and said ‘you said you needed to go on a drive so drive.’ Mind you man lives 35 mins away and I told him that 20 minutes before hand.”
However, one commenter stepped in with a reminder that not every version of this behavior is cute. “Girlies remember this is only hot when you’re in a relationship and it is consensual and respectful. NOT if your partner is using this to stalk, abuse, or threaten you ok.”
When behavior like this stops being romantic
Certain dynamics only work when both people feel safe, respected, and in full agreement about the tone of the relationship.
According to Psychology Today, controlling behavior often includes isolating someone from loved ones, issuing threats, constant criticism, or demanding ongoing access to private information. Another sign is also “spying, snooping, or requiring constant disclosure.”
“A controlling partner typically feels that they have the right to know more than they actually do,” the publication notes. “Whether they keep their snooping secret or openly demand that you must share everything with them, it is a violation of boundaries from the get-go.”
@ashhtraytay protective is how I love mine >> #fyp #BookTok @Preston Flack ♬ original sound – eve
Tropes like the one featured in @ashhtraytay’s video can seem playful or protective on social media, yet the line between romance and control depends entirely on consent, communication, and context behind the scenes. What feels exciting for one couple could be alarming for someone else.
The Mary Sue has reached out to @ashhtraytay via TikTok messages for more information.
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