Not Quite Enough

9.April

Shock the Monkey // Peter Gabriel

Three days of rides all over town and looks that could melt steel from just about everyone I come across. I don't think that everyone is actually angry that Nico is giving me rides, but there's some kind of taboo about the whole thing. I find it hard to believe that it's all due to what happened when he was a freshman.

From my point of view, the reputation he's got hanging off of him is totally blown up, and he's said nothing about it to anyone as far as I can tell. When Emily and Sabrina, my new lunchtime crew, finally whispered some details to me the other day, and only after they realized my hanging out with him is now a regular thing, their story took a detour from Nico's.

Emily is clearly in full admiration of Nico for, as she put it, teaching those football asshats a lesson. Sabrina wasn't nearly as complimentary. She told me to be careful. Nico is fine to talk to in the lot, she said, but I shouldn't get too comfortable being alone with him. What the hell is that supposed to mean? Every experience I've had with the guy so far in the two weeks I've known him has shown me that he's more trustworthy than anyone else I know except for my mom. And even she has played me a few times recently. Namely, shop class.

I still don't understand that one at all. What was she thinking when she signed me up for that?

Nico has been patiently teaching me engine parts, while I glaze over and zone out because oh my god it's freaking boring. I get three doses a day: an hour at shop class because somehow Nico talked Mr. DeWitt into pairing us up, two hours after school while he works on my car, which no joke looks like the engine threw up all over his garage floor, and another hour after he picks me up from the salon. Every single day this week.

Okay, it's only been three days of this. I need to chill out about the intensity level because really, the guy is doing me a favor on two fronts—the exam and my actual car. Plus, he's making this stupid class a little easier to tolerate. Eye candy for the win.

The bell rings for the end of the day, causing me to startle the same way it has all week. I pretty much stand right under the thing watching Nico point to parts for the entire class period. I have to admit, he's pretty freaking hot with the grease smeared on his cheek and hands. Not that I want those hands anywhere near me, but the fantasy is there for dang sure.

"Wash up so we can get you home. Isn't that exchange student arriving today?" Nico asks as we walk over to the sinks. I have minimal grease on my hands so the clean-up will be quick, but Nico is another story. I'm not sure it will ever fully come off.

"Right. She's probably already there. Thanks for the reminder. It's like you know my schedule better than I do." I shake my head. "You've upped the stalker game for sure grease boy."

"Ah but you are mistaken. I have upped my chauffer game, sweetheart." Nico smirks but doesn't make eye contact. He's hyper focused on washing his hands this afternoon. Seems suspicious. He hardly ever spends this long getting degreased.

"Hot date tonight?" I tease, but there's a flash of something that shoots through my system as I ask.

"Maybe, if things go as planned." Nico leans closer. "Jealous?"

"Not at all." I scoff. But, yes. I mean, no. Not really. Kind of. Crap.

Nico just laughs and grabs his backpack before picking up my bag as well. "Don't worry. If I have a hot date, you'll be the first to know."

That's not information I'm interested in having, to be honest. But I don't say this to Nico. I say nothing, in fact, and just follow him out of the shop like a puppy. Like I have been for the better part of this week. Like I will be doing for the foreseeable future.