"Found one!" Vin yells from my right. I turn towards Vin's voice, just as Veronica goes jogging by. I catch up with her easily. We round a car and walk between a row to where Vin is standing in front of an RSX that is still somewhat intact. Veronica drops her bag off to the side, and Vin moves to the driver’s door, opening it, then disappearing inside. The hood pops open, and Veronica goes about lifting the hood. Unfortunately, it's not as intact as we thought, the engine bay is pretty empty. Veronica sighs. "Dammit."
"Awe man," Vin says when he joins us. V lets the hood drop--which causes a loud bang--picks up her bag, and walks off. Vin runs his hands through his black hair. "If Vaughn didn't have classes so early in the morning, I'd make him take her to school." I think about it for a second. I drive towards their house on my way to work...I'd just have to take a slight detour but nothing that would make me late if I left a couple of minutes earlier than normal. It wouldn't be a bad way to start my mornings either.
"I could pick her up." I offer.
"I think Taylor is going to get her." I nod because as much as I'd love this new morning routine, I can't make it seem like I really want this.
"Okay, well the offer is there."
Vin pats my back as he walks by me and tells me, "Thanks man, I'm sure she'd appreciate it."
"I drive by on my way to work, so it really wouldn't be a big deal."
"Well, if we don't find anything today, you can let her know," Vin pauses and scopes out the area, "I'm gonna go look over here." He points towards the back nearing the fence.
"Alright, I'll check out over there." I point back towards where I came from.
After exploring the yard further I find another RSX, but the front passenger side is smashed. It doesn't look promising. Junkyards are a hit and miss. Sadly, car accidents happen daily, and insurance companies scrap cars all the time. We could come tomorrow, and THE car you need has been put in. The RSX, in particular, is a popular car. Not to mention, they're older cars and no longer made. There's probably not many left as it is, so car enthusiasts just like Veronica are always out scavenging and buying parts they don't even need but to turn a profit from it. The hood is already popped, probably from the crash, I lift the hood to find the engine bay completely bare. I sigh in relief….and sadness. If we don't find the parts she needs today, she'll be without her car for a couple of weeks or even longer. It will depend on where the parts are coming from. I almost--dare I admit--desperately want the chance to take her to school. I keep looking around the area but don't find anything. Without realizing it I walk right to where Veronica is. My footsteps aren't quiet, due to the glass and scrap laying on the ground, so I'm not surprised when she looks over her shoulder at me. I am surprised, though, to see the large smile displayed on her features. I like it. A lot.
"Find anything?" I ask her as I come to stand next to her.
She shakes her head, at the same time she says,” No”.
"I think I have an old bicycle you can borrow."
She laughs and it’s music to my ears. I think I could listen to her laugh for the rest of my life. Fuck. That's deep. I'm taken aback at the thought.
"How generous of you."
"Yeah, well I'm just that kind of guy."
She licks her lips and it doesn't go unnoticed--whether she meant for me to notice or not. It's fucking hot because she has these lips I'm dying to taste. There are sounds of footsteps coming our way and we both look in the direction of the noise. Vance is approaching us with some things in his hands that I can't quite make out. Fuck, if I'm not pissed at his timing. Of course, as much as I want to taste her pretty mouth, it won’t happen now.
"Dude. Look at what I found!" He holds up his hands with excitement shown on his face. Seems Vance made out pretty well. He lays down the grill on the hood of the car next to us, along with some other parts. First one looks like a short shifter that’s including the boot. He digs into his pocket and pulls out a shift knob. "I can't believe they just left all this in the car, these alone are like sixty bucks!"
"Nice!"
"Well at least someone made out okay," V mutters, annoyed, putting her hands on her hips. Vance's excitement slowly dissipates. "Oh, man. Nothing?"
"Nothing," V repeats, kicking a rock that also kicks up some dirt.
"Damn. I'm sorry V."
She shrugs like it's not a big deal, though we all know it is. Vin jogs over joining us, “Didn’t find anything, you guys?”
V shakes her head and stares off into the distance.
“Nah,” I respond. He sighs loudly, "You guys ready to head out then?"
There's some various yeahs that echo. Vance gathers his goods, and we all start walking towards the exit. Vance veers off to the booth to pay for his parts, while the rest of us continue to my truck. I peek at Veronica, who is looking behind her, at the old beat-up car. My truck beeps as I unlock it and the three of us climb into the cab. Veronica crosses her arms. "Looks like I may need to borrow that bike after all," she says to me.
I laugh and start the truck. "I'll do you one better...I travel your way every morning for work. I can just swing by and pick you up," I tell her. She looks at me and shifts her body to face me, putting her leg on the seat, then pulling her foot towards her. "You'd do that?" she asks. I'm kind of surprised. Doesn't she think I'd do something as simple as this for her? I guess I have to make myself more apparent. The back door opens as Vance climbs into the cab, putting his parts in the middle of him and Vin, before closing the door.
"Yeah, it's not a problem." What I really want to say is, ‘Of course, I would, just to spend some time with you.’
"What's not a problem?" Vance butts in.
Veronica looks back at Vance and tells him, "Chase taking me to school."
I look at Vance in the rearview mirror. He makes a face. "Why not take the bus?" he asks Veronica. Damn, Vance. I look at Veronica as her face pinches. "Seriously, Vance? No. I'm a senior, there is NO way I'm taking the freakin' bus."
"What about Taylor?" Vance asks.
"Taylor would have to pass the school to get me. It's kind of counterproductive. Besides, if Chase passes our house and the school, I won't feel so bad as I would making Taylor drive all over. It works out this way for everyone."
"Well except Chase," Vance continues.
"I don't mind. I used to pick up your ass every day until you got your car." I remind him.
"Yeah, but that's when we were in school."
"Shut up, Vance," Veronica snaps at him. "Chase is being nice. Stop making it a big deal." She looks at me and simply says, "Thank you."
"Yeah sure, have some coffee ready for me, "I joke trying to make the situation a little less awkward.”
Three Sugars
I need to fill in Taylor. After the guys drop me off, I scurry up the stairs to my room to wake my sleepy--and sure to be cranky--best friend. Her blonde locks cover my pillow and she’s trying to fight the light that’s been slowly seeping into my room by covering her eyes with her forearm. She looks so peaceful. Oh, well. I rush forward and plop next to her, causing her body to bounce. I shuffle onto my side, propping my head up with my hand. Her arm moves slightly, allowing me to see her blue eyes; wide and alert. She’s awake now.