Chasing Stars ✔️

9.

"Some people are born with tornadoes in their lives, but constellations in their eyes.

Other people are born with stars at their feet, but their souls are lost at sea."

― Nikita Gill

She

My body was tense. The constant humming from the bees flying around the flowerpots on the far corner in the front porch was creeping me out, but I was too lazy to move. At least I was protected from the sun in yet another day of unforgiving heat.

Deciding not to make any rash movements as a bee flew uncomfortably close to my nose, I moved only my eyeballs to meet the screen of my cellphone. 15 minutes. Jake was not late this time. I was earlier.

Waves of anxiety washed over me from the perspective of seeing him again. It was bound to be awkward. I spent days avoiding speak to the guy, only to end up confessing to him my deepest emotions. Things that I didn't want to admit, even to myself. Things that even Dr. B didn't manage to pull out of me.

I would have to talk to him now, right? Not that we were friends. Maybe being friends wouldn't be such a terrible thing. But he screamed at me; that wasn't nice.

The mighty roar of the engine filled the silent street. I immediately recognized the noise that announced Jake's approach. Taking a last look at the purple flower pots, which seemed to be the bees' favorites, I got up, walking away at a racing pace, slightly embarrassed with myself.

When I approached Jake at the garage gate, he was shaking his head, his fingers running through the brown locks, trying to get rid of the helmet marks. I waved my hand, offering him a shy hello.

"Hi. You ok?" He said as he took off the black leather coat. His broad torso, hugged by a dark blue t-shirt, left no doubt about his athletic build.

I should have had an extra cup of chamomile tea for breakfast.

"Yeah, I am good. You are earlier..."

"Oh! Yes, I finished work earlier today."

I wanted to ask about his job, but decided it would be weird to chat just because he helped me with that revelation moment yesterday. I gave him my car key and waited for him to open the door for me. I was past the point of trying to fight him or give him strange looks about it.

"I'm a mechanic," he said as soon as we reached the main street. I must have given him a questionable look because he smiled and explained: "In case you were wondering what my job is."

I was. Yes, I was wondering what Jake's job was, and I was thinking how he knew what drink to buy for me, and how he made me do what Dr. B couldn't in almost a week of sessions. Of course, I didn't tell him any of this.

"You work with Brian's father?"

"Yeap. Just for the summer. I'll still work in a garage from his friend close to campus and take a few classes."

"Brian mentioned you took a year off, were you indecisive about college?"

He seemed a little uncomfortable as he answered me, "Something like that."

Yeah, small talk was an awful idea, I thought, leaning down to turn on the radio. That was a lot of talking for us, anyway.

Dr. B was not in her office yet, so I just waited in the sitting area outside her door. Jake took the chair to my right side. It was kind of funny the way he had to adjust on the chairs, searching for a comfortable position, his back sinking low against the white plastic, legs open in an awkward angle.