Protecting Sunshine

3. Getaway Car

Lucy took off Tim's sweatshirt and reflexively brought it to her nose. It smelled like cinnamon and something unfamiliar but pleasant. She realized she liked Tim...someone who wanted absolutely nothing to do with her. The thought saddened her enough to toss the sweatshirt into her hamper and mope as she studied, because her mother was still ruining her life when she was across the country.

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College campuses truly are a space for free expression, so when she saw a protest taking over a quad, Lucy was not surprised. But there were two unexpected aspects of the situation: 1) She did not expect the protest to be about new legislation her mother passed. 2) She was surprised to see Tim there...in a uniform.

"We should just keep walking," Angela urged when she noticed Lucy moving closer to the throng of screaming people.

"Just a second," she replied distractedly and moved until she was facing Tim. He was wearing black pants with some sort of duty belt and a form-fitting black polo that made him look way too attractive it was UNFAIR.

"Lucy, get out of here," Tim hissed.

Her eyes finally settled on the white writing on his chest: "Stanford University Campus Police".

"You're a police officer?" She asked in disbelief over the shouts now directed at HER thanks to everyone noticing her presence along the edge of the protestors.

"Get her to safety," he ordered, and she followed his gaze to see he was speaking to her Secret Service Agents.

Talia gripped Lucy's wrist firmly to drag her while Aaron walked behind her with Angela in tow as they whisked the First Daughter away from the chaos.

"You know you're supposed to avoid protests about your mother. If someone took a picture and mistook you as a member of the demonstration, the President would kill you," Talia reminded her.

"I know...I just saw my friend, and I...he..."

"That's your friend? Mr. Blue Eyed Cop? He's cute." Angela smiled.

"I didn't know he was a cop. I've never seen him in uniform before," Lucy shook her head.

"I love a man in uniform. Is it too late to trade in Wes for a soldier or a cop...or maybe a firefighter?" Angela wondered half jokingly. Only HALF. She still loves him with all of her heart.

"We're taking you home," Aaron insisted and radioed, "Sunshine secure. Back to residence." Then, he lead the way back to Lucy's condo building.

"So, this cop friend of yours, is he boyfriend material?" Angela questioned.

"I've asked him out three times, and he keeps rejecting me," Lucy answered, her voice more upset than she wanted to give away.

"Three times? Sorry, but you gotta move on."

"But, I like him," she whined.

"He's hot. I'll give him that. Still, he's not interested. There are plenty of other fish in the sea."

"I guess you're right," she sighed. Still, she went home and stared at the folded sweatshirt and baseball hat sitting on a chair in her bedroom. The sight was taunting her, and she hoped to return the clothes to Tim.

And, now that she knew where he worked...

She could.

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Lucy approached the Campus Police station and turned to Talia, "I'm going to be in a room with a bunch of cops. Can't I go in alone?"

The agent considered the request for a moment and nodded; after all, she is quite safe amongst fellow people sworn to protect.