01 | Fast Lane

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The overhead traffic light turned bright yellow and my foot instinctively pushed harder on the gas. The light turned red before I even reached the intersection, but I didn't hesitate. The light could've turned purple and I would still be barreling forward.

In our small town, I could've worked anywhere within a two-minute walking distance from home, but of course, thanks to Darcy, I was working at the farthest distance from the house, which required a twelve-minute drive. Also thanks to Darcy, who was sick and therefore didn't wake me up this morning, her grandparents would be disappointed at their already lacking help, being incredibly late.

I looked at the dashboard, the time read 9:24 am. I partially slowed down at a stop sign, which in no universe could even pass for yielding and continued flying down the roads. I was supposed to be in at nine!

The Jones' were too kind and too old to be abandoned like this. I really didn't want their opinion of me to deteriorate, but it was starting to look like that might be inevitable.

As I made the turn onto Main street, gearing up for the final stretch, flashing lights flooded my rearview mirror. Flashing red and blue lights.

My shoulders slumped forward and I let out a long sigh. Of course this would happen. In a town with a crime rate so low, cops had absolutely nothing better to do than harass the tax-paying citizens.

I just really hoped they were off eating donuts, or doing whatever stupid thing they did to pass time.

I pulled over, opening my glove compartment to get the necessary documents.

The cop tapped on the glass and I jumped ever so slightly. Did he run up to my car? Jeez, he was fast.

I rolled down the window, feeling the cold air hit my face as I looked at myself through his mirrored sunglasses.

"Do you know why I pulled you over?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. From what I could tell, having had a few run-ins with the law, he had to be new. New to the town and new to the police force. He definitely looked young with his shaved face and strong hairline.

"We both know why you pulled me over, so please, spare me the lecture and just go write the ticket." I shoved the documents into his hand.

I was generally a kind and respectful person, but not at all when it came to cops. They didn't deserve it.

He paused for a moment and I could see the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. That made me even angrier. I was about to be hit with a fine and he thought it was funny.

"Go on," I shooed him off with a wave of my hand and he finally went back to his vehicle. I then noticed his partner at my passenger window, peering in to make sure I wasn't a threat. I waved at him, flashing my best fake smile before he, too, walked off. I had half a mind to flip him off.

My knee bounced impatiently as I watched them through the rearview mirror, taking their sweet time. I groaned, throwing my head back. I would've been better off going the speed limit.

My phone started ringing. I tilted my head to the side to see it on the passenger seat, the caller ID displaying the name, "Work."

I bit my bottom lip to prevent a rush of profanities from spilling out. I was beyond the extended courtesy time they were giving me. Now they needed me and I was still nowhere to be found, not to mention I never even called to inform them of my tardiness.

I didn't bother picking up, allowing the phone to ring out and looked into the rearview mirror again, watching as cop number one was chatting it up with cop number two.

I grabbed my phone, clicking the home button to see that it was 9:39 am. My knee was bouncing so hard, I was sure I was rocking the entire car. As soon as the time flashed to 9:40, I was pulling on the door handle and shoving it open.

The cold air stung as I stomped over to the cop-mobile, watching them as they watched me, no doubt thinking I had lost my mind.

I came right up to the driver side and tapped on the window. The cop who had taken my information rolled it down, and now that he wasn't wearing his glasses, I couldn't help but notice how good looking he was.

Not that it mattered, he was still a filthy cop.

He had a smirk on his face, unable to hide his amusement anymore. I had to take a deep breath before I got myself arrested for cursing him out.

"I know you two have a process for writing tickets, but can we hurry this along? I have to get to work." I tried my hardest to be polite, but it probably didn't register with my arms crossed over my chest. It was really cold.

The two looked at me like I had an extra head, "Ma'am," The new cop finally broke the silence, "Go back to your vehicle and stay there."

I should've cursed him out and just gotten arrested. And I would've too if I knew the Jones' wouldn't be drowning in work.

I looked at him pointedly for a moment, squinting my eyes before returning to my car.

After the longest five minutes of my life, new cop came back. I rolled down the window once again.

"You were going very fast," He started, handing me the ticket and my registration.

"Yes, I know and I am very sorry and I won't do it again." I ranted, my hand twitching on my key to start my car again and get out of this totally unnecessary conversation.

"Also, your left tail light is out. Fix that today before you get another ticket."

"Yes officer, whatever you say." My voice oozed sarcasm and I knew he felt it. "If that's all officer, I'll be on my way." I looked into his brown eyes, waiting for him to find some other way to waste my time.

He shrugged and I took that as my opening to start my car and leave. I drove slower than a sloth could, keeping my eye on the rearview mirror, making sure I didn't have another unwanted stopping.

Finally, I was parking my car and jumping into action, speed-walking up to the small shop that was connected to all the other small businesses on Main street.

"I'm so sorry," I told Mr. Jones, who was working behind the register.

I scanned the area and felt relieved that there were only three shoppers. The Jones' owned a small antiques and collectibles shop. Although that didn't seem like the type of business that received a lot of traffic, they'd collect donations nearly every weekend and with the high population of middle-aged caucasian folk in town, we'd get packed quite often.

Especially on a Monday in July.

Lucky for me, it was a Tuesday in February.

"My alarm didn't go off and on my way over here I was pulled over," I started explaining to Mr. Jones. He was in the middle of counting change for his customer.

"It's okay dear," Mrs. Jones came out from the back, "Glad you're here and well." She smiled warmly.

See? How could anyone feel good about being late when these people were the sweetest to walk the planet?

"I was starting to get worried you caught whatever Darcy has." Mrs. Jones laid it on thick. It was one thing to be scolded, another entirely to be quickly understood. It made me feel guilty. Like I didn't deserve the kindness.

"It won't happen again." I promised, going to the back to place my purse and lunch.

"Can you take over behind the register for me?" Mr. Jones asked when I returned.

"Of course," I said, already gearing into action.

"I think the cold is causing people to avoid us today." He told me. He was such a wonderful conversationalist. He was bald with a thick white mustache and a belly so round you'd wish he was Santa. He looked like a cartoon character. He was also just ever so slightly tall, which looked odd when he was juxtaposed with his exceptionally thin, short wife.

"It is a good day to sleep in," I said and he chuckled.

"I'm going to try and clean off some things I haven't gotten a chance to this weekend, I'll be in the back if you need me." He shuffled away and I waved him off.

I felt relieved. I wasn't too surprised that they were nice about my tardiness, but it wasn't my first time and I was worried they'd get fed up and either fire me or plainly stop liking me. And as bad as I needed the money, having them dislike me was by far the worse thought.

I reached into the back pocket of my jeans and pulled out the crumpled piece of paper. My heart dropped as I looked at the amount. That stupid cop wanted me to pay a whopping $225. He clocked me going sixty-seven in a thirty-five.

I ground my teeth together. I did not have the money for that.

"Stupid cop," I said under my breath. I felt tears sting the back of my eyes, despite myself. I blinked them away, watching as one of the tenets seemed very intrigued by an old Pennsylvania license plate.

And to think that jerk enjoyed giving me the ticket. He and his buddy probably laughed after I left, loving their torment on a helpless young girl.

If I ever ran into him again, I'd give him a piece of my mind.

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The next day I was driving to work, bright and early. Thankfully, Darcy woke up feeling much better, which I was positive was the result of the garlic and honey tea I'd given her, and was able to wake me up before she headed out.

Considering the fine I now had to pay, I needed to make sure I was working as many hours as I physically could. Which was hard considering I was also going to school full time.

As I waited at a stoplight, humming along to my R&B playlist and feeling like I needed a good dancing in the rain, I watched as a cop car pulled to the light, on the opposite side of me.

Staring into their windshield, I noticed a smirk I felt I was already far too accustomed to. I swallowed hard, remembering his warning about my tail light.

"Shit," I breathed, gripping my hands tightly around the steering wheel. I looked down, seeing that my seatbelt was on and felt a small bit of relief.

If I prayed hard enough, he'd continue on his path, me on mine, and we'd pass each other like nothing ever happened. "Por favor, señor." I begged. I really didn't have the money or the time.

And just like that, the light was green.

As if it all happened in slow motion, we passed each other, and despite thinking better of it, I turned my head to look at him. As my eyes reached his sunglasses, I saw that he was already looking at me. The moment probably didn't last longer than a second, but it felt like a solid minute.

He smiled at me, smug in his ways and I probably looked like I just saw a ghost. As the moment ended, I was quick to shift my eyes to my side mirror, waiting to see if his lights would go on and he'd make a U-Turn.

He never did.

I got into work and Darcy was already there, sweeping the floors (a necessary job when rust was crumbling off of everything).

"Good morning," I said to all three of the Jones' in the space."

"How is it that I live with you and feel like I haven't seen you in ages?" Darcy paused from her cleaning to give me a hug.

I squeezed her tightly, feeling like I was hugging a skeleton. She took after her grandmother in that aspect. Thin and tiny. Well, not too tiny considering she was an inch taller than me. "It's because you go into solitary confinement when you're sick. Only coming out for food." I teased.

"Thanks for the tea," She said, "It was gag-worthy, but I think it cured me."

"Anytime. That's a staple in my family." I told her before walking off to put down my things in the back.

"Good morning sweetie," Mrs. Jones greeted me once I was there, "Would you mind organizing some of the magnets for me? A young girl came in yesterday and shuffled them all around." She asked in her kind way.

"Yeah, no problem Mrs. J." I squeezed myself through the claustrophobic tables and shelves to reach the magnet racks. The magnets were so cool. There were old bottle tops, cars, little animals and snacks. I smiled at the rack, it looked like the girl had created a little farm scene with the positioning of a few of the magnets. I bent down on my knees and began plucking the magnets one by one.

"So, Gran said you got pulled over yesterday?" Darcy asked, pretending to sweep something up in front of the rack.

I kept my eyes on my task, "Yesterday was a day from hell." I started to explain, "By the way, thanks for not waking me up, I really enjoyed that."

"I was sick!" Darcy squealed, landing herself a coughing fit.

Looks like she wasn't fully healed. One more cup of garlic tea would probably do the trick. "Anyways, I guess I was kind of speeding and this super hot cop I've never seen before pulled me over." I ranted off, placing a cat magnet underneath a dog magnet.

"He was hot?" Darcy asked and I looked up at her for a second. She was smiling.

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Yeah?" She just nodded and looked elsewhere, I looked down at the magnets I still had left in my hand, "Anyways, he's a total jerk. I know he's from out of town." I sighed, "The ticket is so hefty too," I shook my head, feeling the anger cover me in a blanket, "You want to know what I think?"

"Cal," She cut me off, tilting her head and looking behind me.

I turned my head to look in that direction, gripping the magnets tight when I saw him. Could it have been a mirage? A trick of the mind?

I stood up, hearing my knees click. What were the odds that this very cop was in this very shop at this very time? It had to be such a slim chance.

But there he was, in full uniform, his glasses reflecting myself.

I couldn't say a word.

"You were in such a hurry yesterday, you forgot this." He flashed my ID between his index and middle fingers.

My face had to be redder than a firetruck. "Uh," Came my genius response. I slowly grabbed the ID to see that it was, in fact, mine. "Thanks?" My response came out more like a question.

"You think I'm super hot?" He asked and I wanted death to take me. He smiled so wide, I nearly saw his wisdom teeth. He waved us off and started walking towards the front door, "And get that tail light fixed." He paused at the door, turning back around to see me, who still couldn't figure out how to human, "Today, Miss Bonilla." He addressed me by my last name with a perfect Spanish accent.

And just like that, he was off. 

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Author's Note: I cannot tell you all how excited I am to write this story! Having spent so much time on my last two novels with the same characters, I've been itching to write a whole new plot.

And this plot is very interesting to me. 

Something about a police officer/troublemaker duo feels incredibly cliche, but we'll be adding relevant social issues (in America) that will provide a layer of depth I haven't tackled before. 

For this novel, I'd like to push myself to have a regular upload schedule, while also making sure I don't rush any of the chapters. As I work on the next chapter, I'll see how long it takes and by that update, I should have it figured out. 

-Criss

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