Daytona

Ch.2 (Chicago, IL)

a/n: the picture above was taken by yours truly ;) I've only visited Chicago a couple of times but it's the most amazing place I've ever been. If you haven't visited I highly suggest that you do, happy reading xx

Clarke
4 months later

    I stand back and take another picture of the Bean. After about twenty minutes of trying different angles and many awkward positions I was finally able to get a decent photo.

"Want one with you in it?" I turn to see an older gentleman and his wife. I smile and nod.

I toss my hair to the side and adjust my sweater, "A little to the left, hun." Laughing, I move over and flash a quick smile to the camera. I hear a few clicks, and head back over to the couple.

"These are fantastic, thank you!"

"Of course." They both smile at me and the woman waves as they continue on their way. My heart aches as they walk away. I imagine them as my parents. Being here with me and taking silly pictures in front of every monument.

I sigh and continue through Millennium Park. The people, the constant hum of noise, the atmosphere, all helping me remove myself from my mind.

I notice a small comic book store as I'm walking and decide to take a look. Glancing through the crinkled comics and around the store at the various posters reminded me of Jaxson.

I met him about a month ago on my way out of Michigan. We caught up with each other on a bus of hippies headed to some festival. Cliché, I know, but it was a great experience nonetheless.

"Looking for anything in particular?" A young girl with bright blue strips in her hair approaches me and smiles

I smile back politely, "Not exactly. Have any suggestions?"

Her eyes spark with excitement at my words, "Do I! I've read every series in this place at least three times."

I nod as she continues, " The Walking Dead is by far one of the best. The show goes along with them as well!"

"I'll take the first few of that then."

"Okay great! I'll go find them and start ringing it up." She grins and runs off to find the comic. I continue looking and my eye catches somebody passing by outside the store.

His tanned skin contrasted with the frosted tips of his hair. His deep brown eyes locked onto mine and a small smirk came across his face. I looked away and scurried to the counter.

The girl looks up at me, "Is this all for you today?" I nod and pull out a few bills. "I hope you enjoy them as much as I do."

"Oh god, don't tell me you got somebody else to buy that stupid comic." The voice is loud and raspy from behind me. I turn to meet the man from outside.

"Well, Zayn. She actually asked what I suggested, so of course I'd tell her to get it." She rolled her eyes at him.

Zayn. His name was just as beautiful as he was.

He laughs, and for a moment I feared he had read my mind. "Josie, when people ask what you suggest, most of the time they're just being polite. Amiright, little one?" He says turning to me.

I blush and look away, " Not quite. I was really looking for something different anyways."

"Mm, I see." Zayn says from beside me. "Guess I'd better clock in then, that way Josie can't hand out anymore awful suggestions."

"Hey!" Josie smacks his arm and he laughs at her. Then he makes his way around the counter, never taking his eyes off of me.

"Alright well, thanks for the comics. May we meet again." I smile and begin to walk away.

"Oh we will," I turn at the sound of his voice, "but to be certain, why don't you give me your number?" Zayn smirks holding his phone out towards me.

"Ew, Zayn leave her be." Josie makes a face at him and I laugh. Shyly, I take his phone in my hands and plug my number in. Couldn't hurt right?

"Clarke huh? I like that." He smiles at me again, but it's softer and more inviting than before.

"Thank you." I smile, "Nice to meet you both!" I wave as I head out of the store.

Zayn

I watch her intently as she talks with Josie. She folds into herself as she speaks, as if Josie is intimidating her, although she has at least four inches on the blue haired girl.

Josie skips off and my eyes flick away before she catches me staring. As I make my way to the entrance, I see her look up at me. Her bright blue eyes widen and I can see pink raise to her cheeks.

I smile and she turns away. Shy little one aren't you? Can't wait to get you out of that shell.

I enter the store shortly after our exchange and meet her up at the counter. I notice the comics that she's just bought and internally groan.

"Don't tell me you got somebody else to buy that stupid comic." I sigh at Josie. This girl was absolutely obsessed with it, and the TV series.

"Well, Zayn. She actually asked what I suggested. So of course I'd tell her to get it." Josie rolls her eyes at me and continues with her sale.

I look down at the girl, and laugh as she keeps her head low. I then turn to Josie, "Josie, when people ask what you suggest, most of the time they're just being polite. Amiright, little one?" I taunt the little blonde, seeing what reaction I could get out of her.

"Not quite. I was really looking for something different anyways." She blushes again looking away from me.

So adorable.

"Mm, I see." I pause to look at her a bit longer. "Guess I'd better clock in then, that way Josie can't hand out anymore awful suggestions."

"Hey!" She screeches and smacks my arm. I laugh and keep my eyes on the girl as I move behind the counter.

"Alright well, thanks for the comics. May we meet again." She smiles, and I feel my heart flutter a bit. She was stunning.

May we meet again. I liked that.

"Oh, we will," I say, causing her to turn around wide-eyed, "but to be certain, why don't you give me your number?" I watch her as she begins to blush once more. So shy.

"Ew, Zayn leave her be." Josie screws her face up at me in disgust but I couldn't care less.

The girl laughs, and my heart jumps at the sound. Beautiful, I think as I reach into my pocket and offer my phone to her. Surprisingly she takes it in her small hands and begins typing away.

I look down at my screen after she hands it back, Clarke.

"Clarke, huh? I like that." I tell her honestly and offer another smile.

"Thank you." She grins and I can't help but stare. "Nice meeting you both!" She waves us off as she steps out onto the busy sidewalk. My eyes follow her until she turns the corner across the street.

"Can you stop mentally undressing that poor girl and do your job?" Josie pokes at me and grins. I roll my eyes and laugh.

"Wish I could, but she was so, so- I don't even know." I puff and run my hands through my hair.

"Oooooh, someone has a wittle crush!" Josie squeals and giggles at me.

Yea, I guess I do. I think to myself, and then prepare for my shift.