Crash Into Your Heart

Chapter 1// Kids These Days

       It all started last Friday night around seven. I was driving around in my baby blue, beat up convertible with the top down, the radio blasting country music, and my favorite shades on. I'm not gonna lie, I was feelin' good. I was heading to my Uncle Jim's to see him and my cousin, Phoebe. They live out in the country, so I drove along the back roads that go on for miles, leading to the middle of nowhere really.
            I didn't see any other cars, so I sped up. I watched the pedometer, 50, 60, 70.......ah this was more like it. I could feel the wind blowing my long, sun streaked, brown hair behind me. A feeling of complete freedom buzzed through me.
      After 20 minutes of my favorite country hits, I finally saw the street marker that reads "Sunrise Street". I slowed down to 60 mph and hung a left onto the street, when I saw a bunch of other cars waiting at the stop sign that leads to the small town my uncle and cousin call home. I huffed out an impatient sigh, and slowed to a complete stop, leaving a little bit of space between me and the car in front of me, remembering this from my driving test I passed just a few months ago. I specifically remember the driving instructor telling me that tale gaiting is "unsafe and a sure way to cause an accident". *Cue the eye roll from me*
        I began drumming my fingers on the steering wheel to "My Church", a pretty catchy song, and gazed around. Besides being surrounded by never ending cornfields, there were two buildings to my left. One looked like a small car repair shop with a garage attached to it and had a sign that read, "Auto-ready". Next to it was a blue, two story house. My gaze began to wander as I wondered how much longer I would be sitting here, when I saw something out of the corner of my eye that made me do a double take.
         A gang of 5 guys, were hooting at the top of their lungs as they all came bounding out of the blue house. I couldn't help but stare. Even from here I could tell they were all really good looking.
       As I sat there gaping at them, one of them grabbed a basketball, and soon enough a game had started. It was clear they were athletic, as they made shot after shot. I couldn't help but let a amused smile cross my lips as I saw one who acted particularly cocky, try and make a shot backwards. The guys around him chuckled, but backed away to the sidelines. The basketball hit the backboard hard and went flying. His friends laughed and shook their heads in amusement at their friend's cockiness.
           The ball finally hit the ground near the road, and then it just started rolling. And, as luck would have, it came rolling right up to my car and made a neat little stop right by the driver's (in this case my) door. The guy who's failed shot had sent the ball rolling jogged up to me.
       In reality he was just jogging up to grab the ball, but in my mind he was coming up to ME. Let's just say he was cute. Actually, scratch that he was gorgeous. He was tall for one thing, but that was the least it. He also happened to be incredibly tan, with toned arms and legs, and a sharp jawline. His hair was a dark brown color and his eyes were a beautiful bright blue that looked striking when matched with his otherwise dark coloring.
       And all of that got me excited. Maybe a little TOO excited. Because as he slowly started coming closer to my car, my heart started pounding faster and faster in my chest. Subconsciously,my foot started slowly releasing the break pedal. Before I knew it, I felt myself fly forward with a strong force as I rear ended the car in front of me. I felt my face turn red, as I turned to look and see the cute guy's reaction. But that should have been the least of my worries, because just as I opened my mouth to sputter out some stupid explanation at the now-smirking guy in front of me, a pudgy old man with thinning gray hair and a look of absolute rage barged out of the car I'd just rear ended.

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        "I'm so sorry this happened, I wasn't", I said and shot a quick glance at the cute guy, "paying attention." I bit down on my bottom lip as I thought about how I was going to pay for this. I mean, it's not like I have any money, besides the bit I'm able to save up is for gas. I think a lot of newly sixteen year olds can relate.
     The old man grumbled something about "kids these days", and then began taking off his jacket, which I didn't know how anyone could be wearing in the upper 80 degree weather.
       "Since you were obviously this young lady's distraction, I think it only seems right for you, young man, to help with the repairs", the old man said, sending a glare the cute guy's way. At this, my ears flames red, and I could feel my face gradually heating up. This old guy knew this cute guy?! What on Earth is going on, I thought to myself.
        The cute guy bit back a smirk as he said, "Of course granddad"- I nearly chocked-"I have no problem doing that. Let me just go tell the guys our game of scrimmage will have to be uh-delayed", he drawled out the last word. His grandpa let out a sigh and said, "Since my car doesn't seem to be in too bad of condition besides this dent", I cringed a little as I looked at the more-than-a-little dent he was pointing to, "I'm going to go ahead and go up to Indianapolis anyways."
       Seeing the confused look on my face, he added, "I have some car parts to pick up for a few customers." Ohhhhhh, I thought. Everything clicked. The cute guy must have brought some friends over to hang out and watch over the car repair shop his grandpa owned, while his grandpa had literally just pulled out of the driveway and began heading for Indianapolis. I felt like a complete idiot.

       "So", I cleared my throat, "How much will it be to fix this dent in your car?", I asked the older man nervously. He let out a chuckle, to my relief. "Dear, I fix cars for a living. You dented it pretty good, but it shouldn't be too hard to fix", he replied with a kind look in his eyes. "Are you sure you don't want me to pay anything for damages?", as soon as it came out, I knew it was a stupid thing to have said. Besides the limp $5 in my wallet, I had absolutely no money. I was basically broke.
     I glanced up at the old guy. He was studying me carefully, when he nodded his head slowly. "I imagine you don't have much money"- you got that right, I thought-"but, if you really want to make this up to me, you could work for me for the summer. I'm in need of employees, all I have is my cocky grandson and his goons." I nodded my head in agreement. Sure, I knew nothing about car parts, but how hard could it be? Plus, I really needed to make it up to this guy somehow. "Alright, that's sounds pretty fair", I said.
      He gave me a big smile and said, "Since I'm going to be your new employer, you should know my name is Charlie Davis, I'm 72 years old, and I have worked with cars since I was 15. What's your name young lady?" I smiled and replied, "My name is Peyton, I'm 16 years old, and I have never worked with cars in my life, but I'm glad to learn."
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Hi! Just wanted to put it out there that I'm going to try and post at the very least two chapters a week. Most likely it will be more, but I'll be sure to let you know during the week if I'll only be able to post two chapters.