Chapter 4: The Reject

It only felt like a few minutes, but it was already evening. I had taken the bike I was working on apart, and put it back together. I greased the parts that needed it and replaced parts that needed replacement.

I took it off the stand and set it on the ground. I stepped on the pedal and rotated it backwards and spun the bike in a circle while mounting it. It felt different then the bike I am used to, but I liked it for some reason.

I stopped and began to balance on the bike, I looked up at Lexi. She was still working on a bike and it was obvious she was troubled. Her expression said it all.

"What's wrong?" I called out to her.

She slightly jumped by my sudden outburst. "I don't know." She said through a yawn as she looked up at me. Her eyes widen as she realizes what I was doing.

"I finished by the way." I said with a smiled.

"Wow!" She cheered as she picked her phone up and ran over to me. "Let me take a pic."

I blushed at her excitement. 'She is so adorable.' I couldn't help think. She held her phone up and it flashes several times.

"Your crazy good with bikes! How did you manage to take it apart and put it back together so fast." Her excitement was practically pouring out.

"I don't know. During the winter I take my bike apart and clean it often."

"Your something." She began to giggle.

I continue to balance for a moment before getting off and looked at the bike. "What are you going to name it." Lexi said as she appears next to me.

"I don't..."

"I know! The Reject!" She interrupted me with excitement.

"You know, that is actually perfect." I said with a smile. 'I dose fit it perfectly.' I thought. I did use a lot of parts from the rejected bikes from the factory.

"All it needs is a little bit of makeup and it will look brand new." She smiled as she looked at the bike.

"I will do that tomorrow. I think I have an idea on what colors I want to paint it."

I looked at her and she was smiling at me. My heart ponded out of my chest. He smile was so intoxicating. I didn't know what was happening to me.

"Well, I need to close up shop." She said as she clapped her hands together. As she walked to the front end of the store.

I followed her and she closed and locked the door to the back of the shop. 'The Reject' was hanging from my shoulder and I guided my other bike out of the shop.

Lexi pulled the shudder down and locked the shop up for the night. And walked over to a door next to the entrance and began unlocking it.

"I guess I will head home." I said as the two bikes leaned on me.

"Be careful will you. I don't want 'the holy grail' to end up in my shop." She said.

"So you named this one as well."

"Yeah." She smiled softly. "Ride 'the Reject' home and let it tell you what is wrong. If there is something a miss you will find it." She said with confidence in me.

I hopped on 'the Reject' and slung 'the Holy Grail' over my shoulder. I began riding home, but could loose the feeling of sadness.

Lexi opened the door of her house and walked in. It was located above the bike shop. It made it easier for her to go to work.

"Dad, I'm home." She called out to her father who was in a distant room.

"How was the shop. I hope you didn't mix up my tools." He called out.

"For the hundredth time. I didn't, but maybe that cute boy did." She said with a smirk.

Loud and rapid footsteps can be heard as Lexi's father ran around the corner and looked at her.

"What did you just say?" He looked at her surprised.

"Nothing!" She cried out as she looked away blushing.

I quietly rolled both bikes into the garage. I looked at the clock and realized it was 9pm already. 'Fuck me.' I thought as I realized that school starts tomorrow.

I walked into the kitchen and see that mom was washing dishes. It was her night to clean them. Since there was only three of us in the house we rotated the chores between each other. I never fought with mom or dad about chores when I was younger.

"Where the hell have you been." She said calmly as she continues with the dishes.

"I'm sorry." I said softly. She was always nice, but she can be very aggressive when it comes to doing things wrong.

"You have ignored all my calls and texts. You didn't even eat the breakfast I made." Her voice began to get deeper as she continues to scold me.

The mention of food mad my mouth water. That was when I realized I didn't eat all day. I looked down at my hands that were shaking. That was either fear, or low blood sugar.

"Food is in the microwave." She said quickly as my train of thought derailed.

I shamefully grabbed the food and sat at the table and began eating. As I ate the food I felt the arms of my mother wrapped around my shoulders.

"Who is she?" She whispered.

I immediately froze. 'How the hell dose she know!' I screamed internally. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end as I felt the gaze of my mother behind me.

"Whatever, just finish your food and go to bed. You have school tomorrow. And don't think I won't forget about this Jack." She said coldly as her presence disappeared.

I finished my food quickly and washed my plate. I made my way to my room and flopped on my bed. 'I already hate school, and it hasn't even started.' I thought as I fell asleep.