FAKING FOREVER
this point, forgetting that I’d been operating a close-to-not-normal vehicle. A burning sensation began to fill my lungs as I put my turning signal on, pulling over to an open spot on the side of the road. Hurrying, I got out, walked to the front of the car, and saw the smoke now spewing out of the hood.
Waving my hand through the smoke, I pry the hood open to look in it, only to end up covering my face. It had gotten so cloudy I had no choice but to turn the other cheek. I close my eyes, hearing cars speed past me, the wind taking some smoke with it, relieving me. A few more cars pass me until one particular one stops. It was Nick’s car, blaring music and honking at me like a maniac.
“Oh brother…” I groan, shielding my eyes with one hand as his car pulls in closer to mine.
There were a few other guys in the car with him, none of which I cared to look at. Nick gets out, already looking as though he thought he struck gold.
“Hey! Need a hand?” he says, smiling a little too hard.
“No-no, I’m fine, thank you, you can go now.” I rush my words out of my mouth.
“Paisley, nobody is gonna stop for you. just let me help.”
he insists.
He doesn’t know that. He’s such a jackass.
“My dad can fix it. I can call him.” I nod, sure of myself.
Giving me elevator eyes, he ignores my reassurance, looking inside the hood of the car anyways. I sigh, looking around us, avoiding any frantic behavior. Even though I could probably explode right here. I stand behind him, watching him observe.
“So. You and Josh, huh? That was bound to happen.” he lets out a gritty laugh.
I cross my arms, clenching my jaw.
80
BAD IDEA
“I’m letting you look at my car. I didn’t say you could question me and my…” I pause, finding my words, “relationship.”
He turns to face me, straightening his posture.
“I’m sorry, were you and I at the same party? You weren’t exactly confidential. Just was curious when it happened.”
he shrugs, grasping his belt buckle slightly, “If I weren’t mistaken, I’d say it was an attempt to make me jealous.” he says, acting as if he doesn’t care.
He wouldn’t have brought it up if he didn’t.
“Guess it must be working then,” I state blandly.
“Paisley. Tell me right now that you don’t miss me,” he says, a sly smile showing up.
“I don’t. I think it would be reasonable for you to hurt the way you hurt me.” I say, standing my ground.
His expression becomes a grimace—angry with my statement. He then scoffs.
“Your engine got too hot. Change your cap,” he says crudely.
Dickhead.
He backs away, going back to his vehicle and getting in it.
Wasting no time, he speeds off, only for another car to replace his. It’s another familiar vehicle, but this time, someone I’m in better spirits about seeing.
“What happened?!” my mom yells from her window, stopping her car.
