Deer in the Headlights

Part 23 - Fireflies

[August 16th 2009 - Adam’s POV]

Flicking a chunky red switch inside the car I unlock the bonnet with a dull thud and get out, walking round to the front of the car I flip open the bonnet and prop it up. I smile to myself as my eyes scan over the engine compartment of the pickup, it wasn’t a new car by any means but I’d done a fair bit of servicing and tweaking on it over the years to make it almost as good as new.

Moving in time with a track that is playing on the radio which is sat on some of the shelving around the garage I begin to clean up the engine. Polishing up any working parts that are grimy as well as topping up the oil and washer fluid; I admit I wasn’t a true mechanic by any means but still I loved the prospect of opening up the car and giving it a good service every now and then.

Behind me I could hear the peaceful goings on of the neighbourhood, everyone seemed to be out today enjoying the warm summer air. Summer is rather short in Owatonna, half of the time it seems to be cold, or windy, or rainy, or just some kind of miserable. So when then sun did come, most of the locals certainly made the most of it.

The familiar sound of skateboard wheels on tarmac fills my ears for a second and I grin big as I glance at my own skateboard propped up in the corner by some old cardboard boxes; I’d had this house for almost a year and still I hadn’t got round to unpacking them I thought with a smirk.

“Hey Adam!” A voice behind me calls happily, I recognise it instantly at Brielle’s and I smile as I turn round to see her stood on the driveway, skateboard hanging from one hand. I grin all the wider as I see it.

“Brielle!” I acknowledge merrily, she smiles and walks up to me; her eyes gazing at the engine for a second gives me time to look more closely at what she’s wearing. On her legs are navy denim shorts that come to just above her knees and on her body is a white tank top over which is a red plaid shirt that she’s rolled up at the sleeves. I grin again as I see her take off the sunglasses she was wearing, classic James Bond style sunglasses, big, reflective and shiny; Brielle admitted to not being bothered about clothes all that much but I honestly had to admit it seemed like she could pull off any look.

She looks up and smiles warmly again, her slightly curled straw coloured hair framing her pretty face that was studded with those still icy eyes. A chill touches me for a second as she looks me over; I’m not wearing anything fancy, just casual shorts and a shirt with the ever present Onitsuka Tigers on my feet courtesy of Brielle.

“How’s it going?” Brielle asks returning her eyes to mine, I fight off a shiver as I smile awkwardly and gesture randomly to the car; I could feel myself getting nervous again, why did I have to get so shy around women?

“Good yeah just thought I’d give the car a bit of a service, keep her on her toes you know.” Brielle grins at me and nods her head as she folds the sunglasses and puts them in her pocket so they are hanging out, supported inside by one of the legs.

“What about you, it’s your day off today right?” I ask. Brielle nods and glances at the car again, her fingers running over the sleek metal surface of the grill.

“Yeah it is, I got a bit bored though.” She looks up at me with a mischievous smile. “So I thought I’d come annoy you.” I let out a laugh and Brielle grins broadly. Shaking my head as the laughter dies down I smile and shrug my shoulders.

“If you want to help you’re more than welcome.” Brielle throws me a quizzical look, but it vanishes almost instantly.

“Sure that’s cool.” Brielle looks at the car for a second then back to me. “But... I’ve just got to put it out there; I don’t want to embarrass you with my astounding mechanical skills.” She says with an awkward grin, I chuckle and shake my head giving her a knowing look.