Wrapped Up In You

Chapter 1

Snow. It blanketed the parking lot of Ez's gas Station. It was mid September. I let out a heavy sigh as I stared out the windows of my second job. I absentmindedly was washing a counter while new delicate flakes landed on the ground.

"I think it's clean." I jumped backwards right into my coworkers front. He backed away and shoved his hands in his pockets. His dark wavy hair wet with snow. He must've been shoveling the sidewalks. "Don't you normally walk big head?" I rolled my eyes. He always made some jab at me.

"I walk, yes, I just wasn't expecting a snowstorm before winter." I watched as the first shift crew came in, trailing snow and dark slush in with them. "I just mopped Carmen." I yell and then laugh when she stomps her feet at the ground. I follow her to my register and begin the motions of getting the hell out of dodge. If I had to walk through this I had to skip going home before heading to school. I went to the back room for my purse.

"I can give you a ride home Pumpkin head. You're on my way." I looked at him and glanced outside some more. I guess it wouldn't hurt.  I nodded as I swing my purse around my shoulder. Garett glanced up at me with his brown eyes as he shrugged on his jacket. "Where's your coat?" He looked around me in disbelief.

"I never wear one." I shrugged as he rolled his eyes and grabbed his keys. He may not of said a word to me, I felt it though, the irritation from my statement hung there. I follow him to his car, I asked if he had a brush to get the white masses off his windows. He arched a brow.

"Sit in the car, I'll brush it off." I hesitated as I got into the blue hatchback. Cold smoke filled the car once he got in my teeth chattered and then paused as the car sputtered. Oh, today was not my day. I unbuckled my seat belt and googled the closest bus line from here and it was about a forty-five minute walk. I sighed, chilled air enveloped me. "Where are you going." Barrettes voice dipped low.

"To school." I started to walk and he caught my arm. His grip possessive. I looked into his eyes, the lightness of his eyes were now a deep brown, almost black. I was nowhere near scared, I'd been working with him for a year now, I was just confused by his anger.

"It's almost negative one out here. You have no jacket on. Are you crazy?" His brows knotted as he waited for a response. I simply laughed at him.

"I am crazy. I have school, I can't be late the cars not working. I need to catch a bus." Snow started to stick to his hair and clothes. I hadn't realized how handsome this man was until now. I go to turn after mumbling a thank you for trying and he grabs me again.

"My friend should be here in about fifteen minutes. Please just wait." His eyes lightened and I almost caved. I could be late any other day, just not today. I shook my head and started to walk. "Dammit." He ran in front of me shrugging off his green and yellow hoodie and wrapped it around me. The faint smell of cologne and spices I could not place pricked my nose.  "At least wear my damn jacket if you won't wait." I rolled my eyes.

"Okay, I'll give it back tomorrow." I could feel his eyes burn into me as I was walking. I realized real quickly that maybe I should of waited. My legs sunk into the snow and cold liquid wet my socks. By the time I made it to a bus stop and school, I was late ten minutes.

Everything felt cold and wet. I bundled myself into Garett's jacket for most of the day. By the time I got home to my small apartment, my roommate was gone. I tossed everything into the washer and dryer and changed clothes, even piling on blankets and a sweater I still felt frozen.

I reached for the remote and set an alarm for 4:30 so I could make my second part time job by five. Once I fell asleep I woke up stuffy. Great. I mumbled as I swished around mouth wash. I gargled and switched into my work uniform. "It's freezing out there Gianna." My roommate called out and I circled back for the hoodie I needed to bring back tonight. I grabbed my own sweater and a cough drop from the medicine cabinet.