Page 66 of It's About Time
“I know. I debated keeping it, but if I sell it, it would help the business so much. Plus, it would help fund future projects. Besides, Raven gets me where I need to go just fine.”
Nick and I both turn to look at my Camaro that’s sitting just outside the open garage door. “Yeah, she’s a beauty.”
“She holds sentimental value too,” I say, meeting his eyes again.
Because when Elliot made me question myself, it was Nick and this car that brought me back to reality.
That’s one of the many reasons I love cars—much like people, they’re complex and full of pieces that have to be put together in the right order and right place. And when they are, they can take you places you never dreamed of.
Chapter 16
Dilynne
Flashbacks & Doubt
Age Fifteen
The bell rings, signaling the end of fifth period, when I finally get to go to my favorite class of the day: auto shop. Hoisting my backpack onto my shoulder, I weave through the crowded hallway to the door leading outside, where I can cut across the basketball courts to the auto building.
Laney doesn’t have this class with me, otherwise I would walk with her. But the truth is, I’m the only girl in the whole school who takes auto, a detail that is becoming more obvious and more annoying with each passing day. I knew it would make me stick out like a sore thumb, but I’m surprised at just how much it’s become a topic of conversation, especially among the boys.
“Hey, Dilynne!” Justin Cook calls out to me from the other side of the asphalt, jogging in my direction.
“Hey, Justin.”
“You ready for auto shop? Today we’re gonna learn how to change a tire, right?”
I scoff. “Child’s play. I can’t wait until we actually get to take the engine apart, especially a big block 454.”
Justin’s brow furrows. “What’s that?”
I roll my eyes at him. “Amateur.”
“There goes the grease monkey!” some boy calls out, drawing our attention in his direction. I recognize Nikko Ventura’s voice immediately, and my eyes narrow. “Oh, and her little fanboy!” Nikko laughs and then high-fives his friends, which includes Elliot Thorne.
Elliot is one of my brother’s best friends, also a senior. Normally I wouldn’t care who he’s hanging out with, but seeing him laugh at Nikko’s remarks stings more than I would have expected.
Justin grabs my upper arm gently. “Just ignore them, Dilynne.”
“Trust me. I could give a rat’s ass what Nikko Ventura has to say about me.”
“Where are you going, Dilynne?” Nikko calls. “Home Ec is in the other direction!” He doubles over laughing at his own outdated joke as Justin and I turn the corner and head into the auto building.
Our teacher, Mr. Porter, gives us a demonstration on how to change a tire, which nearly puts me to sleep, and then we pair off to help each other perform the steps he demonstrated.
I complete the change before any of the boys in the class can get their lug nuts loose, adding to Justin’s dismay.
“I should get a new partner,” he grumbles as he takes a seat on the stool, ready for his turn.
I rub his shoulder playfully. “Oh, don’t cry just yet, Justin. We haven’t even gotten to the hard stuff.”
He rolls his eyes, picks up the torque wrench, and struggles to loosen the first lug nut.
“Dilynne?” Mr. Porter calls out from the front of the shop, holding the classroom phone to his ear.
“Yeah?”
“You need to go to the office to pick up something from your counselor.”
