Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 4 - Slaps and Slushies

Mason and I agreed to meet up after school the next day. The project was due in two weeks, but I needed to get this over with. It was going to take us a few hours to finish the entire project, but that was okay. The sooner we finished, the better.

I was so glad I decided to wear sweats today. I needed to be comfortable if I was going to walk around for hours interviewing people.

I waited for Mason at the school courtyard for a few minutes until he finally left the building. I waved at him to get his attention, and he mocked me once he saw me.

"I can see you. I have eyes." He said as he walked towards me.

"Oh my God, really? Where?" I cupped my hands around my eyes.

He walked past me and pointed to his car. "Let's go to the park so that we can interview some people. We'll use my car to get there; I hope you feel honored by this kind gesture I'm giving you."

I scoffed as I walked alongside him. "As if. It probably has empty soda cans lying around on the seats."

"Don't tell me you expected my car to be perfect. Unlike you, I'm not a nit-picky perfectionist who keeps every part of my car spotless. I should also inform you that no, it won't smell like Febreze." He took out his key and turned the car on.

"Well, I'm so sorry that I prefer my car to not smell like socks. I have this interesting thing that you most likely don't have; it's called 'sanity'." I remarked as we got to his car.

He laughed boisterously. "That's the funniest thing I've heard all day. You're far from being 'sane'."

I furrowed my eyebrows as I opened the car door. Mason then ran over to me and shrieked as if he saw a ghost.

"No! My precious baby!" He whined.

I stepped back and wrinkled my nose. I should call the police.

He dramatically shot me a look. "How could you do this? You touched my precious car! Now I have to disinfect it so that my car doesn't get sick!"

I stared at him with my upper lip pulled up. "My apologies. Would you like for me to call the nurse to check up on your car?"

He sighed exasperatedly. "No. Just let me have a moment with her."

I crossed my arms. It's okay, I can handle this.

He patted his car. "I'm so sorry Betty. You didn't deserve to go through this. You have come so far, you've been through so many journeys with me, and you've always been there for me. I know I don't deserve you. I know that you'll never forgive me."

For some reason I hear sad violin music.

"But I hope you realize that one day... I truly care about you Betty. I hope you know that I would never do this to you on purpose. You're my everything!" He got down on his knees.

I scratched my head awkwardly.

"You're my whole world! You're my light! You're the jelly to my peanut butter sandwich! You're my- "

I tapped his shoulder. "Sir, I deeply apologize for interrupting, but we have an urgent matter to take care of. Please save your tears for another time... and never do this again."

He rubbed his eyes. "I understand."

He opened the car door for me, and I sat in the passenger seat. Once he sat in the driver's seat, he turned on the engine until he snapped.

"Hey," he began. "I have a few rules. Since I'm the one driving and you're my customer, you need to follow and agree to the terms and conditions I have here."