A World Unknown

Chapter 6 Such a Sweetheart

I didn't want to overdo it, so I didn't get too dressed up. Instead, I wore my favorite outfit because it fit me perfectly. My jeans were snug, making my butt look a little bigger, and my shirt—my favorite color, orange—flattered my stomach. I'm definitely not a skinny girl, but I wouldn't consider myself fat either. I guess you'd call it big-boned. Back in high school, a girl once told me, "If your boobs are bigger than your stomach, you're not fat," and I've lived by that ever since.I thanked Mom and told her I wouldn't be too long, then headed out the door. When I pulled into his driveway, I saw him outside, working on an old square-body Chevy. I couldn't help but think, "This just keeps getting better and better." The truck was perfect for him, with its high lift and massive tires. It was so tall that when I stood next to it, my hips were level with the bottom of the doors.

As I admired the truck, he looked up and noticed me. In that moment, I realized that Nolon had never actually told me his friend's name. My cheeks instantly fired up, turning a bright shade of cherry red. I hoped he didn't notice my nervous blush as I made my way over. "You like my big old truck?" he asked with a playful grin. I nodded in agreement, unable to tear my eyes away from the impressive vehicle.

As he stood up and walked up behind me, I felt his presence brush against my back. He began telling me more about his truck, his voice filled with pride. "It's a 4-speed Muncie transmission. It’s not fast, but it's got power," he explained, the passion in his voice unmistakable.

I turned to face him, genuinely intrigued by his knowledge about vehicles. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself captivated by the way he spoke about his beloved truck. I heard Nolon coming up behind me. He must have just realized I was there because he instantly stopped mumbling about something. "Hey, SJ. Hey, Lizzy. I didn't know you were here," he said, looking surprised.

"I just pulled in, and SJ was here telling me about his truck," I replied.

"Oh, I didn't mean to interrupt you guys."

SJ moved a little farther away, and I could tell he felt a bit nervous. I turned to face Nolon and made sure to reassure him. "You weren't interrupting us. I was just listening to SJ explain why this old truck is so great."

We both shared a small giggle, easing the tension. Before we knew it, we ended up sitting in SJ's truck, talking for a couple of hours. I learned that Nolon and SJ were best friends who hung out almost every day, drinking beer. They worked together mowing lawns and doing odd jobs—anything to make a little money and stay busy.

As the sun set and the evening grew late, I started to feel hungry. I knew it had to be getting late since the sky was already dark. Tomorrow was my first training day as assistant manager, and I had to be there at 5 AM. If I wanted to have a good first day, I needed to get home and prepare for the morning.

As I started to get ready to leave, both guys asked almost simultaneously, "Where are you going?" I couldn't help but laugh.

"I have to go home. I have work in the morning. I'm starting training for assistant manager," I told them. "I get off at 1. If you're not busy, I can stop by."

As I turned to leave, SJ stood up and followed me to my car. "You can stop by anytime, day or night, if you want to," he said. "I'll be here tomorrow, so you should definitely stop by and chat a bit more. We can get to know each other better."

I couldn't help but feel those silly little butterflies in my stomach, and I knew my cheeks were burning up. I couldn't help but smile at him. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then," I said.

As I drove home, my mind was racing with thoughts of the evening. The way SJ looked at me, the warmth in his voice, and the unexpected connection we had made my heart flutter. I couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring. Would I finally get to know more about SJ? And what about Nolon—would he play a bigger role in this unfolding story?

The anticipation was almost unbearable. As I lay in bed, trying to quiet my thoughts and fall asleep, I knew morning was going to be rough with the clock already showing 10:30. One thing about me is that I love my sleep, and as long as I get enough of it, I have no problem getting up early. Finally, I could feel myself drifting off, hoping to dream about what tomorrow had in store for me.