AN: Ahem! Hi guys. I kinda like writing author notes even though I guess they aren't needed with each chapter. Whoops... (: Anyway, I'm suffering a little from writer's block on this story currently because I've actually been working on other stuff (not submitted on the site - but mine nonetheless) so I'm thinking of submitting two just to hold everyone over & maybe get some feedback to help out. Thanks for all the views, reviews, faves, and the like! It really means a lot, guys. Enjoy!


Tommy Pickles

August 29th, 2009

My car smells like sweet pea shampoo. It's like, as soon as Maya steps a foot in here, her essence just overturns everything. That's what she's like. She's like... the girl that can steal your attention in a room full of people without doing so much as throwing a glance your way. I think I might be talking a bit big on her though. She's great and all but I honestly can't tell if it's simply because I'm into her or if it really is this way.

But she just looks so gorgeous. Even better than the last time when she was only sporting a v-neck and a button down denim shirt. She's not wearing makeup again, but I don't think she's the type of girl who needs that type of stuff. Today she's wearing a dress, which strikes me a bit odd but then again I don't really know this girl. I ask about it to strike up conversation. "What's up with the dress?" I say gently, just so she doesn't think I'm trying to be a smart ass.

She sort of blushes and brushes her hair to one side, twisting the end between her fingers. "I dunno. I figure it's a new school year. Why not try something new, right?"

I hit my turn signal as we approach a red light and I look over at her. "I know what you mean. I was just wondering. The first time we met, you were dressed pretty casual in like, vans and a t-shirt. It looked more your style. I mean, you looked comfortable."

She laughs this time. I take silent note of the way her cheeks lift with her smile. The creases around her beauty mark on the right side of her mouth. "Yeah, that's true." She shrugs a bit. "I dunno, did I look better that way? Be honest." I'm not sure if this is supposed to come off flirtatiously or not, so I glance over her way. She isn't giving me any knowing glances or smiling all sexy like I'm used to girls doing. In fact, she just looks... really friendly.

"I think you did. Well, you looked super cute that night. And you look super cute today as well so I guess it just doesn't matter." I see the look on her face and I just know that was the right thing to say. She mutters a shy little, 'Thanks, Tommy,' and I say, "Don't thank me, I didn't make you this beautiful."

A bit of silence runs between us and from the corner of my eye, I watch her smile fade just slightly. "Don't you have a girlfriend?" Her voice deadpans. I'm quick to jump to my own defense at first, but then she says, "And... Lil...?"

And any argument I have made up previously dissolves away. I open my mouth, but it quickly snaps shut. Suddenly, I say, "Yes... but don't you have friends?" I can tell she doesn't quite know where I'm going with that, but she nods slowly anyways. And I just say, "Alright then. Is it alright if we're friends?"

She's like, "Of course it's alright."

"Exactly. I'm allowed to have friends." I say in my defense. "This is a harmless friendship, that's all."

She comes back with, "Is that what you and Lil were?"

I immediately start laughing. "Whoa, what are you... a private eye? Ease off the interrogation." She smiles at this. "I know you and Lil are friends, but that doesn't have to fuck up anything between us. Plus, I'm not even flirting." I know I'm lying through my teeth and Maya knows it as well. She raises her eyebrow just slightly at me and I can't fight the smirk that finds it's way to my lips. "Well... not intentionally anyway. I'm just trying to chill and be cool with you. Is that alright?"

She nods again and she's about to say something else before her phone rings. She digs it out of her small shoulder bag and I get a speck of a glance at the name on the ID. It's Lil. I sigh loudly before she can even think of receiving the call.

"What?" She laughs. "Did you want to talk to her instead?"

Before I can respond, we pull into the parking lot of Romano's. How convenient is that? For an added measure, I send a smile her way. "No, it's just that we're already here. I didn't want her to hold you up during lunch. Besides, I can't even order for you. I don't know what you like."

She shrugs her shoulders and drops the unanswered phone back into her bag. "Guess you're about to find out."

I don't know how to take that. But instead of thinking about it, I hop out and open her door. She steps out and she gives me this look. It's like she's trying to ward me off but it's like... one of those looks that the hot substitute teacher gives you when you're fooling around in class. You know what I'm talking about? I don't say anything, but I smirk in response. Just so she gets the picture.

"I guess so."