Love Finds Itself

Chapter 2: A Flat Tyre

Hello friends! It has been a long while. I have been caught up in all sorts of works. But now I am back and I hope I can write more regularly. I do hope you enjoy this chapter and are eager to read more. Enjoy. :)

The sun rose as usual over Chicago. Hailey was up and ready to get to her academy. There was a tinge of excitement in her being, she couldn't quite place but she knew she was feeling something. Or perhaps she didn't want to accept that the tinge was emerging from the fact that she would be meeting Jay Halstead again and probably everyday. She had never felt like this before about anyone after having met them only for a day. Whatever it was, she would deal with it.

Jay started his car smiling. He couldn't wait to get to the academy and he were honest with himself he would admit that he wanted to see Hailey Upton again. Something about had caught his attention instantly and suddenly he couldn't stop thinking about her. He left, pleased that he would meet her soon.

At the academy again batches were formed and today the trainees were going to be taught how to hold a gun and use the different tools and weapons required on the job. The stadium was bustling with chatter and there was an atmosphere of enthusiasm and energy. Jay entered the stadium in his track pants and fitting T-shirt. His eye immediately fell on Hailey. She wasn't looking at him but was talking to a few colleagues. She was laughing about something and he couldn't help but smile. Her blonde hair was tightly tied in a ponytail. She was also wearing track pants and a T-shirt. It was their uniform in the academy. He looked away, realising he was behaving almost like a stalker. It had only been a day since he had met her, he needed to calm down. And he began talking to some of his colleagues.

Then the coach arrived and gave a detailed plan of the day and everyone was sent to their respective coaches. The training began and for the meantime both of them forgot about each other. Only when a short break was announced did Hailey come back to the world around her. She saw people heading to their lockers to either change or get something. Finally she spotted Jay in a far corner facing the wall. She couldn't see what he was doing but in the next moment he pulled his T-shirt over his head and put it on the bench beside him. Hailey looked away immediately, even though his back was facing her. She decided to do something to keep her gaze averted from that corner. Before she could really decide they were all called back from their break and Hailey was focused again.

The second half of the morning also swished by. The training had come to an end and people sat down on their spots, some stretched and some simply headed towards their lockers. There were small groups of people who also chatted. Hailey headed for her locker as well. She wasn't sure whether she should actually go out of her way to talk to him or just let it happen when it did. She changed and headed towards the exit. He was nowhere in sight and she thought it best to leave, she was tired after all. As drove a little ahead she spotted someone kneeling beside their tyre and examining something. She drove by slowly and realised it was Jay. She stopped and called out from inside, "Hey, you need a lift?"

Jay turned around to see Hailey asking him something. He got up and said, "My tyre's busted. I'll have to call the mechanic."

"I can drop you," Hailey said.

He looked at her for a moment and then decided that maybe she was right. How long would be wait here? Besides, he would finally get to speak to her. So he nodded and entered the passenger seat.

He said as he sat, "Sorry for the trouble."

"Don't worry about it. But you'll just have to tell me where to go," she said.

"Yeah," he replied, smiling and looking at her.

There was silence for a while. Then Jay asked, "You live alone?"

"Yeah," she replied. "What about you?"

"Yeah, me too," he said.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Jay asked.

Hailey was forced to look at him and said hesitatingly, "Uh…no."

Sensing he had discomforted her slightly he said immediately, "I am sorry, I didn't mean anything by that. It was a general question."

She looked and him again and nodded. Since they were on that subject she didn't leave her opportunity to ask him the same. She was looking at him when he replied, "No, I am single as well."

Then they changed subjects both of them internally noting that the other was available. Jay asked, "Why do you want to become a cop Hailey?"

She thought for a moment and then answered, "One needs power to change certain things and I think a cop has that power and calibre to bring that change."

Jay wasn't quite sure in which context she was speaking but he was impressed by her answer. He continued, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, justice has to be prevailed."

He nodded and looked out. Boy, this girl was something. He still didn't know her but he could sense that she was a strong personality. Finally they arrived at Jay's apartment. He got out of the car and told her, "You're most welcome to come in for a drink. In fact, I would be very pleased if you came. It would be my way of repaying you for the ride."

Hailey smiled, not sure what to do. Seeing her hesitate he opened her side of the door and asked her to come. She got out, still shy and smiling. She followed him cautiously until they reached the second floor and he opened the door for her. She entered still not sure what to do. He asked her to sit and went to get two bottles of beer. He handed her one and sat beside. "So what are your plans for the evening?" Hailey asked, sipping her beer.

"Uh, I was going to go to the range but I don't think I'll be able to do that since my car is under repair."

Hailey chimed in immediately, "Hey! You know what, I can take you, I'm going there as well."

Jay looked at her incredulously and wondered what were the odds. But he said, "No, that's okay. I wouldn't want you come all the way here again."

She looked at him smiling and said, "It's not such a big deal. And my house isn't far away from here. I can come."

He looked at her and asked, "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," she said.

And just like that they would meet each other again the in same day, without even having to try.

Well, that's the end of this chapter. Do let me know what you think. I would love suggestions as well as to how to proceed with this story. It is only the beginning, so if you want something in particular to be explored, let me know. Thank you for reading. :)