Finish Line

Alexia

This is the chance for a fresh start. That is what my father told me when he sprung the news of our cross country move. We’re going from Maine to California as a result of my father accepting a job transfer from the law firm he works for. I’m eighteen, a senior in high school and starting at a new school five months before graduation. Talk about a shitty way to start the new year! We’ve been driving for five days and we’re finally almost to our new home and while I don’t want to move, I sure the hell want to get out of this car. I love my dad, but his five day long musical performance needs to end.

We pull up in front of a two-story white house with a well-manicured lawn and decent landscaping then we both slowly climb out of the U-Haul and stretch before heading to the door. My eyes catch sight of the neighbor across the street as he climbs out from under the hood of his truck. He’s tall, well built, tanned and has dark brown hair that’s pulled back under his backwards hat. There are several other people in his garage that are all drinking and laughing, but the guy in front of the truck is now looking at me as I turn red in embarrassment. His green eyes glisten in the sunlight as he flashes me a playful grin.

“Alexia! Get your ass in here and pick a room.” My father shouts from the door. I sprint to the house and through the door, for once thankful for my father’s distraction. I head upstairs and settle on the second biggest room which has an attached bathroom. The house has four bedrooms, a large living room, a kitchen that’s a chef’s wet dream and an attached two car garage that I’ll be parking my 2008 custom Dodge Charger in post haste.

“So, what do you think?” My father’s voice purrs from behind me.

“It’s nice. I’m going to get my car off the trailer and get it parked so we can detach the tow trailer and unload the U-Haul.” He smiles and steps to the side so I can get downstairs. He follows me down and helps remove the straps and drop the ramps. I pull out my keys, climb in and fire up the engine, getting goosebumps when she roars to life. I see my audience across the street watching in admiration as my baby rolls off the trailer, but I get it…my baby’s a beast. Once my dad moves the trailer forward, I pull into the driveway and into the garage. Once she’s parked and the trailer is detached, we start the process of unpacking our lives from the back of the U-Haul.We’ve been unpacking the boxes as we get them into the house so after several hours, we’re only halfway done. It’s times like this that I’m appreciative of our minimalist lifestyle. It’s dark out by the time we finish and we decide to call it a night after eating pizza and unpacking the final box.

The sound of revving engines jolts me out of my eight-hour coma, though it’s one hell of a way to wake up. I take a shower and brush my teeth before grabbing a pair of short stonewash jean shorts, a black lace bra and black tank top. I have my ass length wet auburn hair pulled into a messy bun and throw on eye liner and mascara to help me feel less naked. I head downstairs to find my dad waiting for me, already drinking a cup of coffee.

“Hey sweetheart. Let me finish this and then you can follow me down to drop off the U-Haul and we can grab breakfast while we’re out.” I walk into the living room and peek out the window when I hear another loud engine revving across the street and I see the brown haired Adonis across the street working on his truck yet again.

“You know, it isn’t natural…being able to wear shorts in winter, I mean.” He chuckles as he walks into the room.

“Well, maybe you can get a little tan on that pasty white skin of yours.” I give him a playful glare, but he’s really not wrong.

“I get my skin tone from you, old man.” He laughs and motions for me to head out. When I pull out of the garage, I can feel their eyes on my baby and I love it. I follow the U-Haul through town until we reach the rental office where I stay in my car while dad does his thing then he comes out and hops in the passenger seat.

“There’s a diner not far from here. Pull out and take a right, it should be three streets down.” I follow his directions and we make it to the diner fairly quickly. We climb out and head inside with me locking the doors on our way in and we’re taken to a booth by an older woman with greying hair, brown eyes and a warm smile.

“What can I get you two to drink?” Her voice is raspy, but friendly.

“Coffee and a Coke.” My father orders as I browse the menu. I hear the roar of an engine and look up to see our neighbor pulling into the parking lot in his silver Dodge Ram. I go back to looking at the menu as a means of preventing me from staring at him like a damn creep and it mostly works.

“I want the Denver Omelet. Shit, I left my phone in my car. I’ll be right back.” I slide out of my seat and walk out of the diner, passing the Adonis and his truck just before reaching my car.

“Nice ride.” He shouts over the hood of his truck as I open the driver’s side door to my car.

“Thanks. Yours isn’t so bad either.” I flash a quick smile then snag my phone out of the center console, close my door, lock it and then head back inside. I return to my seat and my dad looks out at our neighbor then back at me.

“Isn’t that the kid from across the street?” I nod and take a sip of my coke, hoping like hell he’s not going to make that small interaction into a whole thing.

“Yep.” He smiles and takes a drink of his coffee.

“I ordered for you.” I smile and set my phone on the table, loving this momentary sense of normalcy…and loving that he’s already moving on from the neighbor guy.

“Much appreciated, old man. So, when’s your first day?” The waitress arrives with our breakfast and my dad quickly dives in, speaking between bites.

“Tomorrow morning. I know you’re probably eager to explore, but make sure you take the GPS.” I swallow the bite of my omelet and give him a look that’s half scolding and half offended.

“You act like I’m terrible with directions.” He laughs and shakes his head.

“You do remember when you got lost last year and it took us four hours to find you, right?” I roll my eyes, but I definitely do remember.

“That was one time…one time!” We finish our meal and while dad pays, I head out to my baby then once he’s done, we head back home and I practically growl in frustration when I hear an unpleasant whine as I turn into the driveway, so I pull into the garage and don’t bother closing the door.

“I think you have a lose belt.” I sigh and nod, having already reached the same conclusion.

“Sounds like it. I need to change the oil anyways, so I guess I know what I’m doing this afternoon.” He smiles and pats me on the shoulder before climbing out of my car.

“I’m glad you learned something from your uncle. You need any help?” I smile and shake my head, but I know he’s well aware of the fact that I don’t need help.

“Nope. I got this.” I quickly head to my room and change into a pair of old jeans and a black t-shirt then run back down to get the car pulled onto the ramps and get all the tools ready. I let the car cool down for forty-five minutes and am about to get to work when my dad comes out with a box.

“I found the stereo!” I clap excitedly as he quickly sets it up.

“Thanks dad.” I get into my car and grab my AV cord then hook it up to the stereo.

“Try not to assault the neighbors with your music, okay sweetheart?” I smile and nod as he goes back into the house and closes the door. I pick my playlist and hit play then get to work as Tourniquet by Marilyn Manson roars through the garage. I leave the garage door open to help the air circulate while I work and the breeze is a godsend. While the oil drains, I swap the air filter and cabin filters and then get to work tightening the pully’s and checking the tentioner while I work on replacing the belt.

“You need some help?” A deep voice calls out over my music. I hop down and meet the green eyes of the Adonis himself.

“No, I got it, but thank you.” He walks closer to me and extends his hand.

“My name’s Derek.” I wipe the oil off my hand and place mine in his, giving him my friendliest smile.

“My name’s Alexia…or Alex. It’s nice to meet you.”I turn around and turn the music down so we don’t have to keep yelling over it.

“So, Alex, where are you from?” I grab my socket wrench and climb back up to finish tightening the last pully.

“Augusta, Maine.” He leans in to watch what I’m doing, but unlike when my dad watches, I don’t feel like he’s waiting for me to screw up, or finding reasons to criticize my work. I know the man means well, but I always feel like he’s judging my every move.

“Oh damn, that’s a long ass move.” I laugh and nod as I slide back down.

“It took us five days and a lot of my dad’s deafening ‘car karaoke’ to get here.” He laughs and nods, clearly finding my suffering amusing.

“You still in school?” I lean against the front of my car and sigh.

“Yeah, senior year and a school transfer five months before it ends.” He winces dramatically, but it’s an accurate response, really.

“That sucks. Looks like we’ll be seeing each other a lot over the next five months. I graduate this year too…if I can keep my grades up.” I raise a brow in question.

“Well, I’m doing online classes, so you won’t be seeing me on campus. You struggling?” He drops his head and nods.

“Yeah, I do great in math, but English and government are kicking my ass.” I grab my bottle of water off the work bench, only debating on my thoughts for a moment before voicing them.

“I can help if you need it.” I’m taking a drink when I see the curious look on his face.

“You good at English and government?” I smile and nod, preparing to reveal my geek status.

“I’m in AP classes and have a 4.0 GPA.” His jaw drops and he shakes his head in disbelief.

“Smart and knows her cars…you’re something else.” I laugh and drop to the ground then slide under the car, securing the oil plug and replacing the filter before sliding back out.

“My uncle was a mechanic. He actually helped me rebuild this car, but the deal was that I could only keep it if I helped with the entire process. He let me pick out everything, inside and out.” I can tell by his face that he’s impressed.

“Yo, D! You comin?” Another deep voice shouts from across the street.

“I better go before they come over here and make asses out of themselves. See you around, Alex.” I smile and go back to adding oil to my car. Once I’ve finished I pull her off the ramps and get her parked for the day, but tomorrow…tomorrow me and my baby are going to see the sights. I head up to my room and spend the rest of the night sketching until I can barely keep my eyes open.