Braking Hard (Riverdale-Jughead Jones)

4

I turned sharply and knocked over a toolbox as I did and swore under my breath. I instantly dropped to the floor to pick up my tools but so did he.

"So, uh, apparently you're the best mechanic in Riverdale?" He tried to start a conversation as we picked up my tools but I shot a glare at him and he shut up quickly.

After I had got my tools sorted I turned back to him and looked at the bike he was supporting. I knelt down to take a closer look.

"A Honda Cb550 right?" I asked as I reached out to touch the wheel. "Pretty good condition. What seems to be the problem with it." I asked as I stood up wiping my oily hands on my overalls.

"Umm, it's just some sort of noise when it starts up, it makes a funny noise and takes longer than it should do. Hey, do I know you?"

I turned to the table and rolled my eyes out of his sight line.

"Don't worry, I'll get it sorted. Mind writing your name and address in this log. Phone number too if you have one." I turned to hold out my book and a pen.

"Oh yeah totally, sure." He fumbled to grab it off me and awkwardly waved the pen at me before writing. I turned to the table again and bit my lip. "So, you look pretty young for a mechanic?" He spoke.

"I'm 16." I replied shortly and he chuckled.

"You go to Southside High?" He asking with a joking tone in my voice. I spun around.

"Jughead Jones-"

"Woah how did you know my name?" I rolled my eyes and continued.

"We've been in the same class since 7th grade you idiot." I snapped.

"What do you mean?"

"And you think you're unoticable. Even YOU don't know I exist." I poked him in the chest with my finger and spun back to pick up my tool box.

"That's not possible." He muttered to himself and I scoffed at him.

"It sure is Jughead. Bet you don't even know my name." I retorted and he stammered for a second.

"Umm, I-I guess not." He spoke softly.

"Alison. McFarlane. Now, hurry up with that damn log so I can get started on your bike."

"How do you own your own auto repair shop if you're only 16?" He blurted out and I sighed.

"I'm emancipated. I have full control over my own life." He stared at me blankly and I rolled my eyes. "Legally, under the court, I'm an adult. I live alone, I pay bills, I own a company. Plus my dad left this company to me for when I turned 14. Been running it since."

"Oh right." There was a silence that filled the garage and I coughed quietly as I shuffled through my tools.

"Look might as well-"

"I'll just-" We both spoke at the same time and I smiled awkwardly.

"I'll just go, leave you to... mechanic away, I guess." He said unsurely.

"Yep. I'll call you if your bike needs parts or when it's fixed." I told him and picked up a wrench. He smiled at me as I waved the wrench at him and finally left. I let out a breath and put the wrench back down.

Leaning on the table, I closed my eyes for a second and slowed my thoughts.

Jughead Jones.

A serpent? Was he always a serpent? Or was it something recent.

I headed over to the bike and bent down, hoping to spot the problem straight up.

I started the bike, and listened closely. It was a whining noise, beginning at the bottom of the engine.

I turned the engine off and leant back on the table. No new parts seemed to be needed, just a good clean out of the bearings, but I could never be sure until I got a proper look.

About 3 hours later I had the bike taken half apart and spread all over the floor, and I was sat at the table, cleaning and greasing the bearings for the gearbox.

I heard a clatter behind me and turned.

"Can you not show up without knocking something over?" I snapped at the boy.

"Is that my bike?" He asked in dismay.

"Don't worry. It will be back together by tomorrow morning at most." I replied, fitting the bearings back where they belonged.

"What seemed to be wrong with it?" He asked, stepping over parts of bike to get to me.

"Gearbox failure. Look why are you here? I said I would ring." I asked, turned away from my work.

"Well, I thought, well since I'd never-" He started and I groaned and cut him off.

"Get to the point?" I turned back to the bearings.

"I was wondering if we could hang out some time? I know I'm at Southside High now, but-"

"Yeah sure. Whatever." I told him as I stood to walk over to the bike.

"That quickly?" He asked in confusion.

"Anything to get you out of this work space. I bet you've never fixed a bike, right?" I asked, slotting two parts together.

"Well, I've pumped the tyres up." He joked and I chuckled at his lame attempt at mechanic humour.

"Look. It was the bearings, you've got a bit of wear on them, not enough to replace yet though. You just needed them cleaning and regreasing." I pointed to the gearbox and showed him the bearings.

"Right. I'm going to pretend I understood what you just told me." I giggled and turned, wiping the oil from my hands onto my trousers.

"Right. Shove off while I work. Come in tomorrow to pick it up in the morning." I said, pushing him towards the exit.

"Promise we can hang out some time?" I sighed at this and reluctantly replied.

"Promise. Now out!"