The Mechanic

TWELVE

"Shut up," I said, my cheeks warm. "I just wanna know so I could tell Mom and Grandma when you're coming."

"I already talked to them last week. They know I'm coming. I'll catch the train tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow? What's the rush?" I asked, intrigued. Yesterday was his last day in school and I was expecting him to spend some time with his friends first.

"There's a summer carnival being set up near Gram's place. I want to apply for a summer job. I bet they'll hire me coz I'm familiar with machines and stuff."

I nodded. "That sounds good."

"I know," Dirk stared at me. "Why the hell are you wearing sweaters in summer?" He said. "And what happened to your knees?"

"I love this sweater," I answered despite the fact that it makes me sweat. I didn't want to show my bruised wrists. "About my knees, I fell down last night and I got scratches," I added, touching my knees which were covered with band-aids.

"Clumsy," he chuckled, checking his watch. "I gotta run. I have to meet Tati and some friends."

"Are you taking the car?"

"Nah. We might drink and shit, won't risk it."

"Language, Dirk."

He stuck his tongue out to me before running to the door. "Ill be home really late! Call your boyfriend so you could spend time together!" he yelled, chuckling in the lawn while unlocking the bike.

"Shut up asshole!" I called out, walking to the front door and I saw him laughing like a child.

"Language, Jade!" he yelled back, then drove the bike away.

I watched as he disappeared from my sight. I went back inside and the oven let out a sound. I hurriedly opened the door and the delicious looking cupcakes greeted me.

***

I stood nervously in front of Harry's door, my hands holding the cupcakes I baked this morning. I glanced at the streets first to check if there were people around. Negative.

I was about to push the doorbell when my eyes fell on the windows and I saw Harry inside, talking with a woman.

They weren't just talking. They were obviously yelling to each other. I could clearly see the veins popping out of Harry's neck. The woman, who was sporting a bleached blonde hair and tight black dress, kept on pointing aggressively to Harry. I couldn't see her face. I couldn't hear their voices but they were clearly in the middle of a heated argument.

I decided to walk away. It looked very serious and I didn't want to interfere. As I walked back to our house, I noticed the red Ferrari that was parked in front of Harry's lawn. Crap. I failed to notice it earlier.

I went inside my house and put the cupcakes back inside the fridge. I grabbed a can of Coke and walked to the living room, checking if the Ferrari was still there.

Yup, still there.

My mind started to formulate unnecessary thoughts about what I saw earlier. Maybe the woman was his girlfriend? And they were fighting over something?

I shook my head. Impossible. The whole town knows how he hits on different girls around. And he told me before that he hated relationships.

Then why did their argument seemed very tense? They both looked pissed with each other. It couldn't be just a petty fight.

Maybe she was one of those girls she messed up with, and she went crazy over Harry just like Carly. Maybe she wanted more, she wanted him to take her seriously but God knows he wouldn't.