20. The Carwash

Aron and I are at the carwash waiting for more customers to drive in.

Everyone's running around in the warm sun in their bathing suits and summer shorts. Both the cheerleaders and football players are helping raise money. Despite the fact that I think raising money for something as useless as football is ridiculous, I'm still here to support my friends.

Ever since Aron and I made out on the school yard people have been staring at us. It's incredibly annoying. Aron doesn't seem to care.

Today he's wearing red swim trunks. Period. End sentence. Just that. He looks amazing. Everyone is staring at his perfect golden brown torso. It is moments like these that I can't believe I have him. I'm dating him. Insane.

I'm wearing blue jean shorts and (his) white button up. And I, much like everyone else, can't keep my eyes off him.

"You look cute today." He says as he grabs a bucket with soap and water.

"Said the Greek god." I remark.

"You always sell yourself short." He says, pulling me closer by my shirt.

One by one he unbuttons it till it's completely open.

"There. Much better." He smirks.

I feel tingles all over my body.

He wraps his arms around my bare waist and pulls me against him.

I breathe in his smokey breath and kiss him passionately.

I wonder if I we could have sex now. Without me freaking out and stuff. Seeing him half naked in this heat without being able to do something about it is really making me restless. And jerking off doesn't exactly cut it. I wonder what it would feel like. What it would sound like to hear his golden voice in my ear..

"Get a room!" One of the guys yells playfully.

I hold up my middle finger.

Then we hear a car honk.

We pull away.

"I think she wants you." I say.

Aron sighs and kisses my cheek before splashing some water on me.

"Hey!"

He chuckles and walks over to the blue sedan to wash it.

I just stand there, waiting for a new car to come by.

All the other guys are busy cleaning.

"So you guys are for real now." Jimmy comes next to me.

I sigh. I already know where this conversation is gonna end.

Jimmy is the only guy from our group that hasn't expressed anything positive about Aron and I dating.

"Yeah." I answer.

"You know, you could really dial it down with the PDA."

I roll my eyes. "Why, are you jealous?"

He scoffs.

I look at him.

"I just never took you as one of those.. if you know what I mean."

"Well, that's not really my problem. Since when does my romantic life concern you so much?"

"Since you decided you like dick. Like dude, that's gross. We had sleepovers together. We changed in front of you. That's like pervert type shit."

What kind of moron is he?

I get real close to him.

"Even if I like dick. You'd be the last person I'd be attracted to. So trust me, you have nothing to worry about." I speak low and quiet.

Then I walk away.

I put on my sunglasses.

He's such a fucking idiot. Does he really think I care to look at him naked? Who does he think he is?

I grab some gum from my pocket and start chewing it.

A new car pulls up. It's old and red.

I lean on the window.

"Hi." I say.

"Why, hello." The guy smiles bright. He immediately gives me the creeps.

I try not to show my discomfort.

"Do you want me to wash your car? It's only five bucks."

"Tell you what, I'll give you twenty if you take off your sunglasses."

I frown. Oddly specific but.. sure.

"Deal." I say.

I take off my sunglasses and the guy stares at me for a moment.

"Damn." Is all he says.

The guy hands me a twenty. I put it in my pocket and sit on the hood while I scrub the front window.

After a while he steps out of his car.

"You know you can just stay in the car right?" I chuckle.

"Well, the view is much better out here." He smirks. "After all, I paid to see you eyes."

"Okay?" I frown. A complete weirdo.

"How are you doing?" He asks.

"Fine, thanks." I say curtly.

"You don't seem fine. It seems that something is bothering you."

"Oh, there are a few things that are bothering me right now." I say much more pointed than intended.

The guy just chuckles.

"My name is Steven." He holds out his hand.

I shake his hand unwillingly.

"Hi." I say curtly before getting back to washing.

What is this guy's deal?

"Do you have a name?" He asks.

"Sky."

"Sky." He repeats. "You look like you're called Sky."

"What does that even mean?" I say annoyed.

"Well, your eyes are blue like the sky and your skin is light like the clouds. Perfect name."

I look into Steven's brown eyes, searching for a reason why he's such a nutcase?!?!

"I want to help you." He says.

Oh God. He wants to help me.

I get off his hood and start doing the side of his car.

"Obviously you've been through a lot."

Is it that clear to see?

"I'm no therapist. I'm a healing arts practitioner. One of my kids goes to school here, that's why I'm here. I couldn't help but notice you. You stand out from everyone else. You're different. And then I saw your eyes. They tell a story."

What is this guy talking about?!

I splash some water on his car.

"Sky," He says. I turn around and look at him.

He grabs my shoulders. I resist the urge to pull away.

"I can tell you have a very dark past and it is still affecting your present. If you want closure, you need to confront your ghosts of the past head on. You can't run away from them."

He pulls out what seems to be a business card.

"This is the number to a therapist friend of mine. She can help you. I think you would really benefit from it." He shoves the card in my pants.

"Uhh, thanks." I stammer.

"Only by confronting the past can we better our future." Steven says earnestly. His eyes lock with mine and he gives me what's meant to be a comforting smile while he squeezes my shoulders.

It just kind of freaks me out.

"Everything okay?" Aron's voice pulls me out of this man's penetrating look.

I pull away. "Yeah, fine."

Aron wraps his arm around me.

"Well, the car looks great." He says. His voice sounds strained and his attempt to sound normal instead of annoyed seems forced.

"I haven't even dried it off yet." I say.

"Well, it's a sunny day. I think he'll be fine." Aron smiles.

Aaand the underlying annoyance has stepped out into the sun.

He's being pretty rude to one of our highest paying customers with a whopping twenty bucks.

"Aron.."

"What?" He seriously has no idea how rude he's being. Or maybe he doesn't care.

"You know what? It's fine. I'll just leave." Steven says.

"Great." Aron agrees.

"What? No, you're our highest paying customer.." Even I know that wouldn't be fair.

"It's okay. Just think about what we discussed, alright?" He steps towards his car.

Aron gets even more annoyed.

"Wait, what did you discuss?" He asks both of us, looking very irritated.

"Think about it." Steven smiles as he steps into his car and drives off.

"What the hell was his deal? He was way too touchy with you." Aron glares at the car driving off.

Can't disagree there. Though somehow it feels like he meant well.

"What did he 'discuss' with you?" He asks.

"He basically called me insane and told me get therapy. He said I have to 'confront the past to change the future' or something like that. He was a real hippy." I laugh.

"Hmm." He frowns.

He lights a cigarette.

"You really need to quit smoking. You're gonna die someday."

"As long as I die before you, I'm good." He pulls me close.

I wrap my arms around his waist.

"That's so selfish. What about me?" I laugh.

"You'll get over it." He mumbles as he exhales.

I jab him hard.

"Ow! Jesus!" He exclaims.

"Don't say that! Idiot." That seriously made me mad.

"I was just kidding!"

"You better be!"

I don't even think I could live without him. I can't imagine myself being without him. Just the idea hurts me so deeply. My eyes begin to sting.

"Hey, hey.." Aron pulls my chin up.

I try to keep the tears inside my eyes.

"I was just kidding. I'm not going anywhere." He looks at me concerned as he caresses my cheeks with his thumbs.

I sniff and nod.

He rests his head against mine. And I hold onto him for dear life.