Should I give up, or should I just keep chasing pavements, even if it leads nowhere?

Adele

Z

The sounds of tools crashing echoed through the garage. Sean and Twinkie's laughter at Reiko and Earl's constant insults added to the din. I sighed impatiently as I replaced the wrench I was using and wiped my hands on a rag.

They were driving me crazy. Usually, the only reason I came to Han's garage was to escape the silence of my own, but this place felt suffocating today. It didn't help that I was still angry with Han after the way he acted at the races; I did not belong to him, and it bothered me that he acted like I did. After everything I had been through, not having control scared me.

"Hey, yo it ain't my fault!" Twinkie yelled over his shoulder as he flew down the steps towards the car I was working on, with Earl hot on his heels.

"Really, wanker? Ain't your fault?" Earl taunted.

Twinkie ducked under the car I had been tuning, first using the pole holding the car aloft as a shield from Earl, and then using me. Earl cackled as he shook up a soda. My eyes widen as I took in what was about to happen and I trying to make a break for it. Twinkie grabbed my hips, pulled me back in front of him, and ducked down behind me.

"Hey now. Don't hurt the innocent." Twinkie warned as he peeked out from behind me.

"Don't you dare, Earl." I warned through gritted teeth as I narrowed my eyes at him, hoping he would get the message. He grinned.

"What are you going to do if I do?" He asked smugly, thinking he had me.

"I know where the body dumps are. Are you sure you want to find out?" I bit out. A pounding headache started at the base of my skull. I was not in the mood to deal with them today.

"What kind of a threat is that?" Earl prodded, finally pausing the drink shaking. Twinkie saw this as a golden opportunity to grab the can before he ever had a chance to open it. He lunged, forcing Earl to jerk backwards defensively; a motion that sent that can flying out of his can and onto the concrete at my feet.

The can exploded on impact, splattering dark brown liquid all over my Vans, dark jeans, and mint green shirt. A hot, angry flush spread across my neck as I looked down at my stained clothes. My blood boiled even hotter when I noticed that both of them had managed to jump back and escape the spray. Earl noticed as well and began to laugh at the scene in front of him. Or, at least he did until he caught my expression; then he ran for safety with Twink following close behind.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" I yelled after them. "Clean this up!" I ordered. A door slammed in the hall and I knew they couldn't hear it.

"Great. Just great." I muttered as I made my way back up the loft stairs to get a change of clothes.

"It might wash out." Sean offered as he tightened something on the Evo.

"But still," I answered as I grabbed my bag from a cabinet. He nodded in understanding. "Every time I wear a color besides black, this happens." I gestured down at myself.

"It could be worse." He reminded casually.

"Yeah, but I'm still unhappy that made it out unscathed." I muttered as I headed for that bathroom.

"Can't go there." Sean called to stop me. I raised an eyebrow at him. "They locked themselves in. You've got wicked aim in with a wrench." I rolled my eyes as I tried to remember a time when I had used a wrench as a projectile against them after they'd done something stupid. I immediately thought of five and realized they were probably right to seek safety behind a closed door.

"Han." I began. He reluctantly looked away from his current girl. "Can I change in your room?" He glanced back at his girl before nodding.

I took a deep, steadying breath as I tried to force my irritation at him back under. He completely ignored me unless it was to break up a new friendship with another guy. I had managed to catch his attention for a grand total of ten minutes, and then it turned right back to his current leggy brunette. I had about had enough of him.

I chewed on my lip as I waited for him to pry himself off the couch and slowly make his way over to me. He didn't speak as he made his way down the hallway, but I didn't really expect him too. That didn't stop me from glaring at his back for his refusal to talk to me as he unlocked his door. My glaring was cut short by a text from Masaru.

Hey. Still considering my offer? I'm through at DK's in twenty minutes. I glanced up at Han's back to make sure he hadn't noticed, and then turned my attention back to my phone.

I had given Masaru my number before Han ran him off. After a couple of days had passed and he realized that Han and I were not actually together, he had offered to take me to dinner. I had politely refused, and then he tried again the next night. It was a little annoying, but I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy having someone's attention.

"That boy must be pretty special to get a smile like that out of you." Han stated casually. A blush hit my face and pressed my lips together.

A smile tugged at the corners of Han's mouth as he pushed the door open for me, but it seemed forced. I muttered a quiet thank you and slipped in, tossing my bag on his futon. After hearing the soft click of the door behind me, I yanked my shirt over my head and tossed it carelessly on the floor.

"I've been thinking." Han began from the other side of the door. "It's been a long time since we went drifting."

"I've been busy." I answered honestly as I dug through my bag.

"We could go tonight?" He suggested. I opened my mouth to reply when my phone went off again.

Done early. There's a great restaurant in Shibuya that you might like. Text me when you finish with the Toyota. My stomach growled as I stared at my phone. I still felt awful from having a headache and not getting much sleep from a run, but dinner did sound nice.

"Masaru's probably taking me to dinner." I answered absent mindedly as I typed out a reply.

"Why?" He asked with an arrogant snort.

"Just because you didn't hit it off with him, doesn't mean that I didn't either." I retorted. He muttered something unintelligible and a smirk started forming on my face. My finger was hovering over the send button, but I moved it off and tossed my phone to the side. Han pissed me off; he deserved to be messed with a little.

"I like him. He's nice and fun." I continued as I pulled some clean clothes out of my bag.

"He's also one of DK's little puppies and he's got a horrible temple." Han's voice floated through the door. I chuckled quietly as I pulled off my sticky jeans and grabbed the clean pair.

"I don't understand why you hate him so much. He doesn't act like one of DK's boys." I commented as I forced my legs into the jeans.

"How long do you think that's going to last?" He asked me as he pushed the door open. Panicking, I grabbed the clean shirt and threw it on as quickly as I could.

"What are you doing? I wasn't dressed!" I snapped as I turned around to face him.

"What are you doing? He shot back. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Can't handle the fact I caught another guys attention?" I replied dryly.

"When I said he was worse than Morimoto, it wasn't a lie." He told me.

"He's kind, and goofy, and so normal." I countered. Han sighed.

"How is that what you find attractive?" He asked incredulously as he folded his arms and leaned back against the door. "Most girls would go for him because he thinks he's a badass."

"You really consider that badass?" I snorted a little bit of laughter. He shook his head. "I'm not really attracted to people like DK."

"DK doesn't qualify." He deadpanned.

"And you do?" He met my gaze steadily as the corners of his lips pulled up.

Our spat was interrupted by my phone beeping with a text again. The tiny hint of a smirk vanished as his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance.

Damn, that boy's persistent. Han was right to call him a puppy. I thought as I grabbed my and deleted the message without reading it. I tossed it back on the futon.

"I guess you'll need to get ready for your date then." Han deadpanned as he turned to leave.

"Tell me honestly." I blurted. He paused. "I know you have a lot against DK and his crew, but give me one solid reason why I should stay away."

He turned back to me and his dark eyes scanned my face in the soul searing way they had. I felt completely transparent under his gaze, like he saw through my little attempt at getting a reaction from him. I was terrified he was going to call me on it or actually stay angry. Apparently he found what he was looking for after a moment because his eyebrows shot up cockily and he left the door to stand in front of me.

I opened my mouth to ask him what the hell he was doing when he pushed my chin up and bent down close to me, resting his forehead on mine. Shocked by his closeness, I tried to look away but he wouldn't let me.

"Come on, Elle. You need a real man." He muttered against my lips before closing the gap.

It was demanding and sensual; completely different from any kiss we'd ever had. My heart pounded as returned it. Unconsciously, I arched into him and put my hands on his chest. His arms snaked around my waist and pulled me flush against him.

I was almost out of air when my phone beeped again. We broke apart and stared at the phone.

"Well, he's as bullheaded as you are." Han deadpanned.

"Be nice." I demanded as I smacked him on the chest jokingly before rocking up on my toes to reach his lips again. He happily obliged, gently pressing me up against the wall beside the door. We were interrupted once again by my phone ringing.

"Ignore it." Han muttered against my lips.

"I can't." I reminded as I pushed him away. "It could be Kamata."

I snatched my phone off the futon and flipped it open before sitting heavily on the bed.

"Hey. I was starting to think you'd fallen asleep." Masaru stated before I had time to say hello.

"No, but I'm shocked you kept trying. Most people would have quit on the third unanswered text." I stated innocently. He chuckled nervously.

"Want to go out?" He asked hesitantly. I chewed my lip as I glanced at Han who was staring at me expectantly.

"I don't think so tonight." I replied. "Or anytime this week."

"Oh, okay." The kid sounded a bit hurt. "I get it. You work a lot."

"Yeah. I'm sorry." I answered before I hung up.

"You dropped him pretty quickly." Han commented, obviously pleased with himself.

"He was annoyingly clingy and gave a lot of mixed signals." I deadpanned as I grabbed my bag that now contained dirty clothes.

"He was worse than that. You can trust me to keep the dogs off of you." He replied, catching the real meaning of my statement. I hummed noncommittally in response. "Want to go to the mountains?"

"I'm tired tonight." I told him as I reached for the door handle. I stood on my toes and kissed him deeply one last time.

"But since you did ruin my plans, you owe me dinner next week." I whispered against his lips.

"Just you and me." He nodded slowly in response, almost meeting my lips against. I noticed his closeness and quickly pulled back and left him standing in his tiny storage room turned bedroom alone.

I had had my doubts about whether or not flirting with Han was worth the confusion; thanks to an annoying Masaru, I think I got my answer.

AN: I had so many people say they wanted to know what happened next, that this is now a twoshot. It is nothing like I planned to write in the beginning. It's been sitting in my computer for a while now. I still wasn't able to fix the ending.

Most of my in-progress stories have been deleted. I'm kind of burnt out on writing some of the stories I had posted. For a little while, I played with the idea of just deleting my account and being done with it. I decided to keep it and I have a few ideas, but I seriously doubt they'll ever get written. My writings kind of gone downhill since I started because of everything I've had going on, and it really frustrates me.