"Yes mom..."
Chi listened and looked at the ceiling in frustration. She tapped the phone with her index finger. Be safe, make sure to have your money...do I need to come pick you up? When is your car getting fixed...?
Park heard those questions every day for the past week. Since that drive home with Chase, she had refused any more rides, determined to stick this out on her own. Luckily, since living with her parents, nearly all her money went into her car and rent. Since she had just paid rent, she had used the rest of her money to pay for 'full coverage insurance'. At the time, she thought it was just a waste of money that could have been used to help her family, but her parents insisted. Now, she was thanking them every day. She didn't have to pay that prick, her insurance did. Unfortunately, that didn't cover the damage to her own car, and while it wasn't horrible, it wasn't good that the bumper almost fell off on its way to the mechanic. As sad as her little car was, Chi wanted her car. It was hers and her freedom.
As Park said goodbyes hung up the phone with an exasperated sigh, she turned and grabbed her bag. Right now, she didn't feel very free. Another day on the bus. Since her mother offered to take Popo to her appointment, Chi couldn't take her mother's car, which, as she said to herself, didn't bother her. She wouldn't have to manage her time or hurry Popo out of the doctor's office. Still, as she hurried to the elevator, sometimes she wished she didn't work so late. Sure, Chi wasn't a beauty, but what if something happened? She saw those people on the bus late at night, stinking of booze and vomit, staring at her. It made her shudder. Park frowned. Now she sounded like her mother. She missed her car.
Almost there, almost there...Chi tried not to seem too desperate, but as she power-walked down the hall, elation hit her. Almost there and no Chase!
Chi raced into the elevator and turned, on cloud nine and happy until she heard that familiar accent.
"Hold the elevator,"
Damn it!
Park didn't move and hoped with all hope that he didn't make it, but damn his good-looking body! Chase made it into the elevator and caught his breath.
"If I didn't know any better," he said as he straightened himself and situated his coat, "I'd say you were avoiding me," he looked at her and arched an eyebrow. Chi flushed and licked her lips.
"I-I wasn't avoiding you,"
"Well then, you must be losing your hearing, because you didn't hold the elevator, and your eyesight, because haven't kept eye contact with me all week." There was an edge of annoyance in his tone, but it was his stare that got her.
"Alright! So, I've been trying to avoid you," Chi hurried to explain, "but it's only because..."
"Because?" Chase urged. She faced him just as the elevator opened.
"I didn't want you to offer me a ride!"
Chi left the elevator as Chase hesitated. Then he followed her.
"Wait a minute," his long stride easily overpowered her small legs and he stopped right in front of her, holding out his hand as he tried to process her thinking. Both stood in the middle of a nearly empty lobby.
"You haven't talked to me all week because you didn't want me to give you a ride home?" Chi looked around frantically and tried to find something to focus her attention on. Anything but him. Sadly, he wouldn't give her that liberty.
"L-look, I just-
"You told me last week you didn't want me to give you anymore rides,"
"I know,"
"You said you didn't want to bother me,"
"I know, I just-
"So, who said I was going to give you a ride home?"
"I crashed into that guy because of you!" Chi looked at his flabbergasted expression and felt a rush of words. "I-I mean, I was watching you walk to your car-and I wasn't paying attention and you have a nice walk-you're good-looking-
"Really?" Chase cut her off, plain confusion set on his face. "That's why?"
Chi composed herself and looked up at him, stone cold expressionless. "Yes."
"Wow,"
"Oh shut up," she looked at her watch, "Damn it, I have to get to the bus!"
Park started to rush out the hospital doors when Chase called her.
"I'll give you a ride,"
"No," Chi called back as she made it outside. The air was cool and comfortable, unlike the slight panic settling in her stomach. She couldn't miss the bus. The next one wouldn't come for another forty-five minutes.
"Wait, Park," Chi stopped and looked at her watch.
"I'm gonna miss the bus,"
"How about you buy me a drink and then I can give you a ride home."
"What does that mean?" Park asked suspiciously.
Chase looked taken back. "What do you mean 'what does that mean'? You don't like accepting help, if you buy me a drink, I can give you a ride home. We both win." He shrugged.
Park looked at him a minute, squinting her eyes and thinking.
"I guess so..." she said slowly, joining his side as he made his way to the parking garage, "but, I'm not sleeping with you." Chase chuckled.
"You wish," he replied jokingly.
"Maybe," Park answered honestly. Chase looked at her a minute and laughed, "but it's not like we haven't dreamed it." She smirked at the little comment as Chase looked away in embarassment.
