Zero to Eighty

Spending time with Ella wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. I still wasn't fully adapted to her overly perky attitude about everything, or how she managed to be easily excitable, but she wasn't a total bothersome. It was like we traded places. There was a time when I was extremely joyful about everything and Ella was an anal retentive prude who could only smile about Tiffany and Company jewelry or dead kittens--- okay, maybe not dead kittens, but seeing this side of my sister was like a glass of cold water to my face: jolting.

After being felt up several times from getting my bridesmaid dress fitted, Ella and I grabbed lunch by the pier. She once again surprised me when I witnessed her scarf down an entire cheeseburger, with bacon might I add. In the three years of not being home, I guessed Ella really learned how to loosen up because three years ago, my perfectionist sister would not be caught dead with a tablespoon of grease, let alone an entire burger. Our conversations over lunch consisted of light catch-up. Nothing serious was really discussed and I could tell that Ella didn't want to pressure me into talking about hard-hitting topics.

It was eggshell walking at its finest.

When Ella suggested we bring lunch to our dad at the auto shop, I was more than willing. My dad's shop was home to me, and his presence was something I genuinely missed the most. We walked into the large, opulent auto salon, and immediately I felt a smile grace my face. Except for the fresh coats of paint that kept the shop looking like new, everything was exactly how I remembered.

"My girls!" Dad grinned from ear to ear with his arms wide open.

"Hi Dad," I smiled, hugging him first. He smelled like a mixture of Ralph Lauren cologne and cinnamon-flavored gum.

"Hey Dad," Ella hugged him after I pulled away.

"Ooo, white girl status," Dad jokingly mocked, noticing the Starbucks cups in our hands, "did you bring me one too?"

Ella shook her head, "we brought you lunch instead."

"It's not a salad is it?" Dad grimaced, eyeing the brown paper bag in Ella's hands.

"I'm not mom," Ella chuckled, "it's a pulled-pork sandwich with fries."

"Oh," Dad's eyes widened with great delight and quickly attempted to grasp the paper bag. Ella rapidly pulled it away and raised a stern brow,

"You still have to get some exercise in though dad."

"Yes okay, I promise," Dad reassured. I could tell his mouth was salivating from the strong, savory scent that was ventilating through the bag, "I'll go to Zumba tonight with your mom."

"Oh dad," Ella rolled her eyes, letting out a laugh, brandishing the food towards him.

"Thank you," Dad happily took the bag, opened it and sniffed the contents. He noticed me staring, "don't tell your mom."

"Uh, don't worry, I got your back," I told him.

"You reminded me," Dad began, placing the paper bag on top of his messy desk, "I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?" I eyed him suspiciously, "what kind of surprise?"

"A birthday present… I think you'll love it. But you can't tell your mom," Dad repeated.

"Isn't there some kind of marital rule about staying honest with your spouse?" I chuckled, "first the greasy food, now a secret birthday present? I'm not sure if this is ideal for the best marriage."

"Kenzie, you know your mom. She gets mad easily… she won't like my gift to you. We'll keep it our little secret," Dad switched his attention from me, to Ella who nodded her head with a smirk.

"Okay," I said, "I won't tell mom."

A large smile formed on my dad's face, "follow me."

Ella and I followed my dad out of the air conditioned office area and into the long tunnel, the heat hitting my exposed legs and arms. I took a sip of my iced coffee, letting it cool down my warm body. We walked across the tunnel, to the other side where the actual shop was. My dad opened the door and Ella entered first. As I walked through, I looked down onto the floor where an old bench was--- still in the same place as always. But next to one of the bench feet, was an odd stain of dark blue.

Nail polish.

I dropped a glass bottle of dark blue polish when I was watching my dad fix cars one day after school. I had accidentally taken one of Ella's polishes with my things and as I observed the pretty, pearly-sheen shade, some dick decided to scare the shit out of me, causing my hands to tremble and drop the bottle. Tiny shards of glass littered the floor, and the thick, dark blue liquid oozed out.

I smiled at the memory, and smiled more of the fact that my dad had done nothing to hide it.

"This way Kenzie," my dad's voice interrupted my train of thought and I looked up to see him walking towards the back of the shop where a thick curtain hanging on metal poles stood. "Stay there."

I followed my dad's order and stayed still with Ella next to me. My dad grabbed ahold of the metal poles, and only then did I notice the wheels at the bottom. He pushed the contraption away revealing the ugliest, yet most beautiful project ever. The car, which looked oddly familiar, was demolished. The windows were missing, the hood was severed, the blue paint was scratched in several places, and one door was hanging off of its hinges.

"Where'd you get this?" I asked, stepping closer to the broken vehicle before me.

"Look closer, it'll come to you," dad answered.

I furrowed my brows at his statement, but did what he said. I leaned in closer to the car, examining every inch of the once-working piece of machinery. As I peered through the open holes of where the windows once were, I noticed a silver chain hanging from the shattered rearview mirror. I grasped the chain and pulled it closer towards me, observing a charm at the end of the chain. A bird. And that when I realized it.

"This is Regan's car," I whispered, backing away. I gazed at the broken car, putting all the pieces together in my head, and finally I could see that the piece of shit metal in front of me was in fact the same car that my brother both loved and died in.

My dad draped his arm around my shoulder, rubbing it with care, "I'll understand if you don't want it. It's kind of sadistic thinking about it, but I thought that fixing your brother's car could be a nice escape and closure for you."

I looked at my dad, thinking about his kind intentions. Behind him was Ella whose eyes were starting to gloss over and I knew she was only seconds away from breaking down. Dad noticed my eyes drifting away and turned around.

"I-I-I… Sorry," Ella shook her head and bit her lip, "I just…"

With that, the tears that welled up in her eyes escaped and trickled down her face. She turned on her heel and proceeded to run out the door. My dad immediately followed after her, and I watched through the window as he led her into the offices. Today was the first time in ages did I see Ella break down the way she did. Growing up, Ella was filled with drama--- always crying about some stupid boyfriend, and problems with catty girls from school. But all those immature high school tears were in no comparison to the hurt in her eyes that I've only witnessed twice. Once, at Regan's funeral, and once, at this very moment.

"Your parents must not love you very much,"

My attention snapped away from Ella and my dad to the voice who unpleasantly halted my thought process. Standing by Regan's car with his hand resting on the roof, and his body leaning inwards through the glassless window, was none other than king cock face himself.

"Styles," I sneered through gritted teeth.

"Suarez," he smirked, standing from the car and sauntering towards me.

"What do you want?" I questioned, taking in the purple bruise on his lip.

"All that money your parents make and they don't even have the decency to buy you a brand new car," Harry taunted.

"I'm sorry, say that again. I'm distracted by your swollen lip," I retorted. Harry wasn't too fond of my comment because he promptly sent me a vile glare.

"I'm just saying, you got shipped off to the middle of nowhere… did you parents not want you around? I mean, your sister is virtually flawless and I guess they sensed the devil all up in this…" Harry wavered his hands out in front of me, his action implying a dick thought.

"You're pushing my buttons Styles. Back down, or do you want a black eye too?"

"Whoa, no need to get hostile," Harry threw his hands up in defense, adding a snarky grin, "and it looks like your dad never cleaned up your mess back there," he nodded his head in the direction of the nail polish stain.

"You mean your mess? You're the one who caused me to drop the stupid bottle in the first place," I coldly stated.

"Don't blame your mistakes on me Suarez. We all know what happens when you make mistakes,"

"What are you getting at Styles?"

"You never belonged at The Warehouse, and you made the mistake of being there. Your mom lost her marbles, and I'm pretty sure you can figure out what happened next,"

Son of a bitch!

"As much as my family tries to be perfect, at least mine still functions as one. Say hi to your dad for me… oh wait, never mind. That's awkward. And how's your mom? Still sleeping with a bottle of vodka every night? And what about Gemma---"

"Fuck you Kenzie!"

"No thank you," I smiled with malice, cocking my head to the side with innocence, "you may actually like it and then I'll never get rid of you."

Harry glared at me, his fists starting to clench. The clenching caused his arm muscles to flex through his shirt and I tried my hardest not to succumb to them. Suddenly, I heard my name being called and I used it as the perfect opportunity to un-distract myself from the fuckery that is Harry's good looks.

I abruptly turned on my heel with abrasiveness, but in doing so caused Ella to bump into me. The iced coffee in my hand bursted open and spilled all over my white tank top. Ella's eyes grew and her mouth opened wide, as Harry's obnoxious laughter filled my ears.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry Kenzie," Ella apologized, "let me find some towels."

I still heard Harry's stupid laughs which for some reason made me angry, and I had to shut him up. Thinking on my feet, I knew exactly how. Putting on my sweet girl voice I smiled kindly at Ella,

"Don't worry about it sis, it's just a shirt."

I lifted an eyebrow in Harry's direction who was failing miserably at stifling his chuckles. I unbuttoned my shorts and slowly unzipped them. This act suddenly made king cock face to slowly stop laughing. I grabbed the hem of my tank top, pulled it upwards and over my head, revealing my navel ring and the black lace panties I was wearing. Whore-ish move, I know, but at that moment I couldn't think of any other option but to strip down.

"Can you hold this please," I smiled at Ella, handing her my coffee-stained top. She looked at me with a shocked expression, taking the shirt out of my hands.

I continued to stare Harry down with a smug look on my face, and as I intently studied the jerk before me, I saw him nervously swallow. I caught his eyes fall to my black bra, and I thanked the puberty Gods for blessing me with C/D cup sized breasts after being flat chested for so long. I licked my lips, feeling the metal ring against my tongue.

"Hey Harry, your tires are-- Oh fuck," and perfect timing continued to ensue as Louis Tomlinson walked in on my little scantily-clad act. He immediately turned around and hastily scampered away mumbling something about 'Regan's kid sister'.

I untied the flannel that was still around my waist and slipped my arms through. After zipping and buttoning my shorts again, I proceeded to button up my flannel. Gazing at Harry, I took note that he seemed to have trouble breathing, and I prided myself knowing that it was I who caused it.

Mental high-five.

When I was done, I ceased the shirt that Ella was still silently holding for me and tucked one end into my back pocket. With a little sass and a little hip swaying I started for the door, but stopped when my steps met Harry's feet.

"Problem fixed," I whispered, with a smirk that caused Harry to try in regain his normal breathing patterns again. My eyes drifted downwards to the bulge that was pressing against his tight pants. When my eyes lifted, they were met with Harry's green ones and it was my perfect moment to address his little issue, "but it looks like you've got one now."

I winked at him before I continued what I believed to be a grand exit. I pushed open the auto shop door and never turned my head, despite how badly I wanted to. I could feel Harry's eyes pierce my back, and I had the strongest urge to turn around and look at his reaction but I didn't want to give myself that satisfaction. I wanted to stay enigmatic, and to straight-up show Styles that he has no control over me--- that whatever he says or does, will not faze me.

At least, not this time.

Notes

Hi everyone!!

Happy Friday! Hope all is well with everyone, and is enjoying their weekend so far!! So here is Chapter 12! Kenzie is quite the sassy pants, isn't she? I loved writing this chapter, and I hope you all enjoyed it. If you did like it (or didn't) please leave me feedback. Vote up, and subscribe if you life. Thank you so much for reading my story, I seriously appreciate it!! Much love!

--Erica Jaine <33