Page 21 of Jockstraps & Newspapers
“Are you saying that this isn't important?Thatmy jobisn't important?”She could have said it nicer.Cass could have been less defensive.But life is full of could haves and would be’s, and Cass was too angry to think.A week on the field chasing him around in the heated gaze of the sun, doing her best.And now, it wasn't important?She did not get up at the crack of dawn every morning, chug her coffee while snarfing down a bagel on the way to this forsaken field, to have her efforts called unimportant.She'd even driven her death trap of a car today, and worn the sneakers he'd given her.Just another woman with a crush on Elliot Bonesaw—nothing more, nothing less.
“I'm saying some people have things to worry about that aren't you.”He finally looked at her and they both were shocked.His mouth flapped open and shut.She stumbled back a step, clutching the notebook to her chest.It shouldn't hurt.She didn't think herself the center of anyone's universe.The sun did not revolve around her.Yet, it was how he said it.Slinging it right at her like a hex, it dug deep in her chest.Invisible.Ignorable.Not worth the time.He put up a hand like a white flag, “Cass, I didn't—”
“The world doesn't revolve around me, Elliot, but it sure does seem to revolve around you,” she scoffed, taking another step away from him.
“That's not what I said.”He followed her.
“But it's what you meant, isn't it?I'm just another person begging for your attention, and you're so much more important than me."Her face scrunched in an ugly scowl.
“Cass, I have a lot going on right now.”His face was pleading, and she was having none of it.This is what you get for liking a person like Elliot Bonesaw.The perfect, golden retriever that everyone fell for, and no one could have—he was the city's golden boy and a complete dickwad.That was his real secret!The angry thoughts buzzed around her head as she shook her head in disbelief.
“And you think that I don't?I don't have to be here on the field in the stupid sun, getting sunburnt and agitated, waiting for you to give me the time of day for your interview.”She jabbed a finger in his direction.Cass panted for air, “You know there are easier ways for me to do research which don't involve standing around and watching you sweat for hours.I was doing this for you.”
"I didn't ask you to," he huffed.
"Well, don't worry, I'll get out your hair."Hot, angry tears welled in her eyes.The truth was, she wasn't doing this for him.She raced up the track and toward the parking lot.In his flashy red sneakers and the leggings he'd bought her, his braid coming loose.She let the scrunchie fall to the ground as she rounded the gate to the field.The truth was, she kept coming back because of him.She wiped the back of her hands against her eyes.
How silly…a guy gave her a single iota of serotonin and she was a bumbling mess.Was she so romantically starved that she'd made up an entire illusion in her head?Had that night at the pizza shop been a delusion?Her heart raced as she reached her car.The metal whined as she ripped the door open, tossing her notepad inside.A small chip of paint fell off the frame of her car as she dropped into the seat.Her key in the ignition, she debated going back.Give him a piece of her mind.But, she turned the key instead.
Sputtering.The key turned over and over until she saw plumes of smoke coming out of the hood.Cass screamed, kicking at the brakes, and slapping her hands against the steering wheel.Not now, please, not now!But, it didn't matter.Fate had seen her childish temper tantrum and judged her for it.The car did not start.Spitting mad and determined to get as far away from the field as possible, she threw herself out of the car.Cass popped the hood like she would even know what to look for, holding it up with one hand.Her engine was searing hot.Inhaling sharply through her nose, she steadily let air out.It didn't help.Her car was broken down and there was nothing she could do about it.
Cassiopeia used the stick to prop her hood open, keys digging into one hand and the other undoing the braid more, she stepped back."Well, fuck my life."
The sun beat down on her as she stared at the dumpster fire that was her life.She'd blown her lid at Elliot, blown something inside the car, and probably ruined everything.There's not a story without Elliot.She hadn't even done his full interview."Idiot," she hissed, kicking her front bumper."Why did you have to go and do that for?"
Something clattered a few feet back from her and she twisted in place.As if it couldn't get any worse.Elliot Bonesaw was scraping his water bottle off the asphalt.When his eyes lifted, catching hers, they both turned to stone.He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.She took another deep breath before breaking the silence, "My car's busted."
"Let me," he spoke, jogging up to her.She stepped to the other side of the hood; hands crossed under her chest.Every muscle and braincell went on high alert when something was offered to her.Snapping her attention to his hand, she found her scrunchie and his water bottle offered to her."I didn't see you drink much water, you should hydrate."
Cass wanted to bat both of them from his hands.However, with the looming destruction of her career and her pride held in the balance, she took both offered items."Thanks."
He waited till she took a long sip from his bottle before looking under her hood.Cass, shamelessly, studied him as he ripped his t-shirt off his torso to keep his hands safe from the hot metal.Leaning over the steaming, hunk of junk, he poked at a few things."When's the last time you got an oil change?"
"Like last month?"She grimaced, remembering taking it into the shop to change the oil and declining all their services.Not because she didn't want her hunk of junk to run, but because she couldn't afford any of it.
He ripped a stick out of some tube and shook his head."You're out of oil; bad boy won't start cause you're bone dry.Probably used up the last drop to get here."
"What!"she squawked, once again enraged.Cass tossed her arms up as she stormed to his side.He showed her the dipstick and her heart sank.It was, indeed, dry as a bone.Elliot stuck it back and dropped to his knees.Poking his head under the car, he grunted something.Cass waited as he poked and prodded her poor death trap.It bounced left and right as he moved things.Then, with a huff of discontent, he scuttled out from under the car.
"What shop did you take this to?"
"I don't remember, the one near my apartment?"She grimaced.
"They didn't change your filter, the oil cap is cracked, and you've got a leak on your transmission.Did they tell you about any issues before you left?"He dried his hands heavily on his shirt before climbing to his hooves.
Cass tossed her head back, stomping away from him.Another temper tantrum, but this one she wouldn't feel shame for—she kicked and stamped before letting out a frustrated scream.Don’t cry.Don’t cry.Don’t cry."No!No, they didn't!They told me I needed to get a tire rotation, my air filter replaced, and that my alignment was a little off."
Elliot let down her hood and clicked it back into place.She finally stormed her way back to the car, shaking with rage.Only, all of it stopped when he gently nudged the water bottle up to her face.She, without question, took another sip from the rubber straw of his bottle.It took a moment, breathing in through her nose, taking a sip, then letting the air back out.He smiled softly, nudging it again.She took another sip.
"Hey, it's okay, I know of a place, friends and family discount, we'll get this fixed for you," he breathed.
She glared at him weakly, "I don't want your pity."
"It's not pity, I'm trying to apologize."He stuffed his hands back into his shirt, looking down at his fingernails."I…I was mean, back there.It's not you, and I was ignoring you."
She shoved his water bottle forcefully into his chest.He grunted, taking it back.Cass kept her hands busy, wrangling her curls off her neck viciously."Why?What did I do?I thought we were fine, and then you won't look me in the eyes and you're blatantly avoiding me?"
He let out a low whine, "Cassie, I'm sorry, but please don't ask."
