༻✦༺
Cʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 17
༻✦༺

2.2k words

(Y/n)'s POV
I stepped out of the drivers side of the used vehicle, and slammed the door closed with an excited smile on my face as Josie got out of the passenger side.

Anakin walked out of Rex's car shop as he wiped his oil covered hands with a brown rag, "Hey beautiful, to what do I owe this wonderful pleasure?" He smiled; waltzing down the small driveway until he reached my side.

A few of his friends that I recognized from the bonfire, and from last time I was here were watching us as they worked on the cars inside of the large garage. Along with Piett who had his gaze on Josie, but with Rex already standing by his sisters side, mid-conversation, it seemed Piett was too nervous to approach her. So he remained looking like a sad puppy as he pulled a tire off of a Chevy.

Rex is the oldest of all of them so he's kind of like everyone's big brother, and he has no problem putting them in their place. So it's not a surprise that Piett would be too scared to tell him that he's been seeing his little sister, someone he's very protective over.

"You owe it to this car," I placed my hand on the black car I just came out of, "It's a 1947 Buick Convertible."

He eyed it with a nod, "I know, I noticed it the second you drove up. Is it your dads?" He asked as he walked around and took in its condition. It seemed to be in good condition to me, but I'm no car expert, not like him.

"No," I dragged the 'o' as I followed behind him and trailed my fingertips along the cars exterior, "It's mine, I just bought it." I revealed excitedly with a smile that could light a thousand suns. I was thrilled.

I bought it with the money I had saved up to go out of state with Clovis. But now that we're no longer together, I don't plan to leave my home or my dad. I'll be going to college locally with Josie which isn't nearly as expensive. Plus I really needed a car, I can't keep depending on other people anymore.

Anakin faced me with a bewildered expression, "You bought this, as in you paid in full?"

I nodded, my grin widening, "I've been saving up for years Ani," I patted the car that I could proudly say is all mine, "But I did buy it used, so I was hoping you could look it over for me and tell me what it needs. I'll pay you for your time of course." I offered sweetly. I may be his girl that's more than a friend—but still not his girlfriend, but that doesn't mean I'm expecting free labor.

He smiled as he got closer to me while dragging his hand along the hood of the car, "I'll make sure it's nothing less but perfect for you," He placed his hand under my chin gently, "And you can just pay me with these." He brought his lips to mine as his fingertips lightly stroked my jaw.

Initially I was taken by surprise, affection like this in front of others wasn't something I was used to. Clovis and I had our romantic moments in public, but if his 'boys' were around, forget about it. I hardly existed, I was mainly on the sidelines and got pushed out of every conversation.

But once the surprise wore off and I reminded myself that Anakin is positively different, I kissed him back while the butterflies in my stomach flourished. I enjoyed this, knowing that someone didn't mind showing their feelings for me in front of others.

"Well isn't this adorable," Our moment was interrupted and I felt Anakin stiffen before ending our short kiss. He lowered his hand that was on my jaw to rest on my hip, before pulling me closer to him.

Then he drew his attention to our interrupter, "Go away Maul," Anakin sighed in annoyance as his friend smiled at us, but it wasn't a genuine smile; it seemed off, I'm not sure how to explain it.

"Stop being pissy," Maul rolled his eyes before holding his hand out to me, "I just came to say hello to this beautiful friend of yours. She is just a friend right?"

Trying to be polite, I went to accept his handshake, but Anakin quickly grabbed my hand before I could and locked our fingers together, "I just had my tongue down her throat about five seconds ago, so you tell me." He bitterly responded, and I did my best to hold in my smile at his obvious jealousy.

It seems this Maul is only trying to get a reaction out of him, and judging by his humored expression, he's getting exactly what he wants, "That doesn't mean much, I just made out with a girl yesterday, she's not my girlfriend," He shrugged before turning his gaze to me and giving me that same eerie smile once more, "So the position is still open Princess." He winked, "Besides you wouldn't want this one anyway, he-"

"Thats enough," Anakin cut him off while his hold on my hip tightened almost painfully, like he was worried about me slipping away.

Maul chuckled, "Calm down, I wasn't gonna say it."

I immediately furrowed my brows, curious as to what he meant, "Say what?"

"It's nothing," Anakin answered for him and when I looked up, he was shooting threatening daggers straight at Maul, "He just likes to talk out of his ass and cause drama." He sneered.

The tatted delinquent shrugged with a wide smirk, "He's not wrong, I do love some drama; this small town can be rather boring without it." He rolled his eyes as he folded his arms over his chest, "So you should be nicer to me Kin, it'd be a real shame if I told-" He glanced at me before looking back to Anakin, "Never mind." He smiled with his teeth as he began to walk backwards towards the garage, "Nice seeing you again pretty girl."

I didn't give Maul a response since I had my undivided attention on Anakin, and it almost looked like he was trying to avoid meeting my gaze, "Ani, what was he talking about?" I was getting this strange feeling that something is being kept from me. At least that's what it seemed like based off of the puzzling words that Maul said.

I saw him swallow thickly before he finally answered me, "Nothing," He quickly moved away from me and lifted up the hood of my car to inspect it.

"That didn't seem like nothing," I leaned against the car as I kept my attention on him. His eyes were scanning the interior while his brows furrowed, "You know you can tell me-"

"I said it's nothing (y/n), are you deaf?" He snapped harshly as he shot his annoyed gaze up. His tone took me by surprise, and I felt a painful knot in my chest; the kind of knot you get when your feelings are hurt.

I removed myself from the car as I blinked away my stubborn tears. I didn't want to look like a baby and start crying, but I couldn't help it. I'm sensitive to being spoken to in such a rude way, "Sorry I asked," I responded lowly and turned to walk away from him.

I barely got three feet away when I heard the sound of feet jogging on the cement, and I had to stop my movements when my path was blocked by the very person I was trying to get away from, "Wait (y/n), I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you." He apologized.

"Well you did, so," My voice cracked as I tried to get around him to go to Josie who was still with her brother in the garage. But Anakin's grip on my wrist stopped me, and he spun me around so I was forced to look at him.

His guilty eyes locked with mine as he placed his free hand on my cheek, "Please don't cry," He stroked my cheek with his thumb, "I was being an asshole and I'm sorry, I swear I won't talk to you like that ever again." He kissed my forehead gently as he continued to rub my cheek dotingly, "Forgive me." He begged.

"You want forgiveness? Then tell me what Maul was talking about." I negotiated, and his whole body nearly froze as a fear filled look took over his eyes. I know I probably shouldn't be prying, but I couldn't help but feel anxious thanks to my past relationship trauma.

Does it have to do with another girl? Has he been secretly seeing someone else while seeing me? Is he really too good to be true? All these insecure questions were circling my head and they nearly gave me a mind-splitting headache.

He slowly shook his head, "It's nothing, please let it go."

"It's obviously not nothing if it has you losing your temper on me," I argued, my tone was coming off as vexed.

He bit his bottom lip nervously as he looked around before looking back at me, "Maybe we shouldn't argue out here-"

"Is there another girl?" I blurted out before he could finish, "We're not exactly exclusive so obviously you can do whatever you want, but you're the only person I've been talking to. So if you're adding someone to the mix then I'd rather tap out now and save myself the heartache." I spoke quickly, and finished without crying even though I really wanted to.

He dropped his hands down from my face, looking stunned and disappointed, "(y/n), why would you even think something like that?" He seemed genuinely disappointed in my question, "You are the only girl in my life besides that annoying runt I call a sister," He joked, making me almost smile, and I probably would have if I wasn't feeling so down, "You are too insecure for your own good baby, and you have no reason to be with me," He sighed while brushing my hair behind my ear gently before stroking my cheek with his knuckles, "So let me assure you that there's no one else but you. On my sisters life I promise you that."

It was difficult to look past my insecurities and trauma, and actually believe what he was saying. But once again, I just kept reminding myself of that day in the bakery when he told me how he was nothing like Clovis, and that he would never do what he did to me.

I can't let Clovis ruin this relationship for me, he's the one with the issues - not me. I just have to get that through my traumatized head. So, after a few seconds of having an internal debate, I leaned my cheek into Anakin's palm. Allowing myself to trust him and believe his words.

But just because I now know there isn't another girl, doesn't mean I'm forgetting that there's still something I don't know, "Can you please tell me what you're keeping from me then?"

"Can you trust me to tell you when I'm ready to?" He asked, holding a pleading look in his eyes, "I promise it has nothing to do with you or us," He dropped his gaze to the floor.

I wanted nothing more than to continue to pry for information, but I've also been taught to respect other peoples lives. So if this isn't something he wants to share with me right now - then I'll have to respect it. Besides, he did say it wasn't about me or our relationship, so I can only assume it's something stupid he did that got him in trouble.

"Fine," I sighed in defeat; at least I'm content with knowing some other girl isn't trying to get their claws into him.

"Thank you," He grabbed my hips and lifted me up so he could set me on the hood of a car that's not mine, "Now do me a favor and take your car home.  Once I'm off I'll go over and check it out there instead, then we can get to the payment," He smirked as his gaze lowered to my lips, he slowly licked his own to wet then.

I nodded, I actually liked that idea better than it being here. At least at my house I can spend time with him while he works, and maybe even learn a thing or two, "And I'm going to want a better apology for how you snapped at me too." I stubbornly folded my arms over my chest. It takes more than a simple 'I'm sorry' to earn my full forgiveness.

His smile widened and I could swear I saw a lightbulb turn on, "I know exactly what I plan to do." He leaned forward and eagerly kissed my lips. I could practically feel him bouncing with excitement over whatever idea came to his mind. He ended the kiss with a satisfied sigh, as if my lips were all he needed to feel happy, "I'll see you in a few hours gorgeous."

༻✦༺
Hope you enjoyed it♥️
༻✦༺