Nichole Haught wiped the sweat off her brow, knowing that she left a black oily mark, but she was too tired to care. It had been a long day in the shop and iit was almost quitting time. She still didn't know what quite possessed her to move to such a small town after graduation. Her parents didn't know either, and they didn't really like that she was so far away. Maybe she just needed to get out of the city, maybe she just needed a change of pace, different scenery. Whatever the case was, she arrived in this tiny town of Purgatory with a duffle bag of her belongings and the clothes on her back, ready to start her first job, fresh out of school.
She was greatful for Nedley to give her the job, even if the pay was just enough for rent on a small apartment over the garage and a few groceries once a week, but thats all she really needed. It was hard work, but she liked it. She always loved working with her hands, especially with cars. Her parents never understood it, but her Grandpa did. He taught her a lot, way more then Auto school did. But she now was official, had a good job, and enjoyed her work, and thats all that mattered. At 22 years old, she felt she was in a good place.
As she was sweaping up, Nedley waved goodbye for the night, and she promised to lock up. Now that Nedley was gone, she changed the radio to her favorite channel, a rock channel she discovered the other day. While she was sweaping, she was singing along, quite enjoying herself. All until she heard a car door slam. She whipped around, and was startled to find an adorable girl standing in front of her. By the smile on her face, Nicole could tell she was watching long enough to see her acting like a fool. Nicole cleared her throat.
"Umm, hi," she said nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. She was suddenly very aware of how dirty her white tank top and grey shop pants were, not to mention her hands, face and red hair.
"Hia there, how are you?" the girl said with a giggle. "Im Waverly," she said, sticking her hand out for Nicole to shake. Nicole looked down at her hand, then looked up at Waverly with a blush.
"I, uh, dont want to get you dirty," she said.
"Right, haha," Waverly said, putting her hands behind her back. "I just came by to see if someone here could possibly change my oil?" She looked around. "But I see that you are already closed, im sorry," she said as she headed for her Jeep.
"No no, you're ok, I'll take care of it, just pull it in here, ok?" Nicole said, putting the broom away. Nicole swore she saw Waverly check her out as she said ok and got back in her Jeep, but she knew it was nonsense. She was positive she was the only queer person in this tiny town. Right? She shook her head as Waverly pulled the Jeep in to where Nicole needed it.
"Thank you for doing this so last minute, I appreciate it. I wanted to do this earlier, but i had a lot of things going on with my sister, but I wanted to get it done before I start my shift at Shorty's." Waverly said as she got out of the Jeep.
"No problem at all," Nicole said with a smile, her dimples showing. "Waverly you said, right?"
"Waverly Earp, great great granddaughter of Wyatt Earp the great gunslinger," she said proudly, her hands on her tiny hips. Id like to have my hands on those hips, Nicole thoughts startled her, and she quickly looked down and opened up the hood on the Jeep.
"You didn't say what your name was..." Waverly said, smiling.
"Oh, sorry, my name is Nicole. Nicole Haught." she stamered.
"Your new here, huh?" Waverly said starting to walk around the shop, picking things up and observing them.
"Ya, I just got here about a week ago," Nicole said, sneaking a glance at Waverly in her crop top, then silently cussing herself out for it. The last thing you need is a crush on a girl whos probably very straight! she thought to herself.
"How do you like our little town so far?" Waverly asked from across the shop.
"The name is interesting, and I haven't had a good chance to really explore yet, but I like it. Its nice and peaceful, compared to the city." Nicole said, pulling the oil tester out.
"Not as quite as you would think," Waverly said under her breath. "Well you will have to stop by Shorty's, the best bar in town. Its where everyone goes. Its also where Wyatt Eatp drank," she said, turning around to give Nicole a wink. Nicole melted a little. Damn it, this girl is going to be the death of me, she thought, biting her lip.
She finished up the oil change and wiped her hands off on the rag that was sticking out of her back pocket. She looked at her watch. 7:30pm. Plenty of time for a long hot shower, some dinner, and then an early night.
"So... Want to come to Shorty's, have a drink? My shift starts in half an hour, but i can show you around a little, introduce you to some friends. Unless you just want to call it a night, which is fine too," Waverly said, leaning against the Jeep. How could Nicole say no with Waverlys tan legs displayed right in front of her in cutoffs?
"Can I shower first?" she asked, looking down at herself.
"I dont mind this look, but I think everyone else would appreciate it if you did," Waverly said, winking again. Nicole almost choked. Was Waverly Earp flirting, or was she just imagining things?
"Ok, give me 20 minutes?" Nicole asked, heading for the stairs that led to her apartment.
"Sounds good, I'll meet you there. You know how to get there, right?" Waverly asked.
"Its a small town," Nicole said with a smile, dimples and all, "I think I can find it."