COUNTRY GIRL - The 7th summer

Chapter 12 - Tom

I don't even know how we did it, but we did...We broke the fucking jack! I almost got my foot crushed by the wheel because the car dropped down out of nowhere. And then we couldn't get the jack to lift it up again...

I can't even look in Amelia's direction because I can feel her killing me with her eyes. Shit, I was just starting to get her to like me...Well, it's not really fair, Haz did it with me!

-- You had one thing to do, she growls.

-- It's not so bad, tries to ease Harrison.

-- Not so bad?! How are we going to lift the car now? With your chickens limbs?!

-- Maybe we can drive with the flat tire if we go slow, I try.

Man, that nasty glare I get!

-- We need to get some signal, I am not walking home on foot.

And with that said, she heads back on the road, pointing her phone to the sky. Haz runs to catch her which leaves me alone, by the car, feeling like shit...

For a while, I try to see if I can make the jack to work again but I give up quickly. Out of annoyance, I kick the tire and FUCK! it hurts! Nice one bro!

About half an hour later, Amelia and Haz are back., but still no signal...

-- So, I ask, what do we do?

-- It's past 2 in the morning and I'm exhausted, says Amelia. So I don't know about you, but I'm sleeping in the car until someone passes by.

I look up to Haz who just shrugs. Well, I would have prefered we walked home but I'm certainly not doing it alone so...I guess I'm fine with sleeping in the car...

Amelia gets to the back seat so she can lie down and Haz and I take the front seats. Of course, I get the wheel...It's getting really cold and I'm shivering in my t-shirt. Amelia must be freezing in her little summer dress. I think I can hear her teeth chattering.

Then something hits me. If I remember correctly, I think I saw an old blanket in the trunk when I was searching for the jack. It's probably dirty but it will keep her warm.

-- What the fuck Tom, yell Haz when I open the door. It's cold outside!

-- Just a second!

I hurry to the back of the car, grab the blanket, and get back inside. I hold it to Amelia who just stares at me, dumbfounded. She shakes her head eventually and takes the plaid.

-- Thank you, she mumbles and I give her a smile.

She wraps herself in the blanket and I can hear her sighting in relief. She looks at me again, like she's trying to read me. There's no secret scheme here, I just wanted her to be okay. It's partly my fault if we are stuck here for the night.

And then she smiles at me. A genuine and thankful smile and it feels like YES! One point dude! I smile even more and turn back on my seat. I meet Haz's eyes:

-- What?, I ask.

-- Nothing, he trails and I can't read him.

I just shrug and try to find a comfortable position.

-- Maybe you guys should come in the back, I hear her saying faintly. We'll share the warmth...

Haz is already sneaking between the front seat to join her and I look at them snuggling against each other.

-- Nah, I say, it's okay, I'm fine.

-- Just get your bloody self back here Thomas.

Even if she say it with an irritated voice, this makes me feel funny. I crawl in the back and I find myself squeezed between the door and Haz. The blanket is not big enough to reach me but with our body warth it does get more comfortable soon enough. I rest my head on Haz's shoulder and try to get some sleep.

Just when I'm about to nod off, I think I feel Amelia's hand grasping my t-shirt.