"Hey, that's really good!"

"yeah, I know." I said not looking up to meet his gaze.

"How do you do that?"

"I, I don't know."

Once an artist, always an artist~

October

Today is the last day to finish the paint job and for once I am glad to be done. Working on the same thing everyday for a whole year makes one become rather tired of their work. Usually this isn't the case for me since I have nothing better to do.

Wiping the needle of the gun (white tends to clot the most) with my finger I couldn't help but contemplate on purchasing a new gun. Chewing on the inside of my cheek," Served me well." I said then softly finished writing my signature on the far bottom right corner. I stood up, the stool scooting back a few inches, and wiped the excess paint on my stained pants. While walking to the water fountain and grabbing a small plastic cup to fill, I couldn't stop myself from staring at a small piece of plywood near the wall to my right.

No, there was nothing important about it no meaning what so ever, but now days, that's just me behaving as well… me. Then again I have seen other people do the same so maybe this is normal for once… to become fascinated by something of no importance.

Shaking my head before my thoughts wanted to let themselves be known, I continued to fill the small plastic cup. I started to actually think of my thoughts being separate individuals instead of just one. As days went on, I started to see things. At first it wasn't this bad, but now it has began to rapidly worsen. One of the things I see the most is a small cat that named itself as 300. I could tell it didn't exist for it would be there one second then gone the next.

I turned around and almost dropped my small cup at the site of 300 sitting where I was going to place my small cup. It squawked and disappeared in the blink of my eyes.

"Stupid ugly cat. Thinks it can play magician on me." I growled and stomped over to my stool and twirled around in it. This is what really gets me acting up when I have nothing to do. I hated silence, absolutely hated it. When it is silent, I begin to think and when I begin to think, those thoughts become conversations.

A small shuffling sound caught my ear and directed me over to the crate Diesel slept in. The silence is why I got a dog, to keep me busy so I have someone to talk to other then myself. However, I did not see Diesel in his crate or anywhere for that matter.

"Diesel boy, come er'!" No response, I tried again only louder, "Diesel! Where are you? Dumb ole' dog…" I muttered to myself and stood up to walk over to the crate. It became quiet again only this time, it was a suspenseful silence. Slowly bending down, I pulled up the tattered cloth hanging off the top of the crate and peeked inside. It was dark and I didn't see my old dog anywhere. I squinted my eyes and searched deeper- bad idea.

A loud snarling hiss with a hint of a growl accompanied a small cat lashing out at me through the darkness of the crate scratching me on my knuckle. I screamed and fell back fast falling on my butt on the verge of tears and scrambled as close to the opposite side of the building as I could. The scratch on my hand disappeared along with the cat. I dared myself to open my eyes and look back at the crate only to see Diesel with wide eyes starring at me cocking his head side to side. My stool began to quiver and creek underneath my deathly grip on the worn out padding.

When I even began to think about standing up, I shot back down with a quick screech when I heard a knock at the door. My heart was racing so fast, it could have won a marathon.

Slowly standing up, I made my way towards the small door. I turned the doorknob and opened the door enough to fit my body through it. Of course it was the commissioner. How did I manage to forget that?

We stared at each other a moment until I realized the awkward situation," Sorry, I was uh... working on something." I lied with a sheepish grin to cover up my moment of devastation. The look in his eyes spoke bluntly 'of course you were' expression. I flinched when he folded his arms across his chest, but I listened anyway, ignoring the harsh tone of his voice," I take it you are finally finished yes?" he questioned. I nodded in return and opened the door further for him to walk through.

While he grazed on the field of cars with brand new paint jobs I turned the lights up giving him a better view. His eyes finally settled upon his truck. He paved a path to the paint canvas of a truck -with me close behind- inspecting it from the bottom to the top.

I must say despite my ever-growing disinterest, it was something for the eyes.

I spent a few days in the beginning to wash the entire vehicle before I completely change the base color from a yellowing white to a coffee tan-brown hinted with some smooth gray.

Setting paint defying borders to make sure I didn't get paint on the stainless steels, purchasing loads of quality paint (nobody wants the cheapest), believe me, it was a blow to my pocket.

My eyes beamed in freight when my feline of a friend glared down at the commissioner from a higher platform that held materials, brisling and preparing for what looks to be a predator's pounce. When said cat sprang downwards I screamed covering my mouth with both hands. With my eyes squeezed shut, I can already see my company's reaction. That cat, that beast of my imagination has caused many problems in its short time it had appeared to me, from scaring the piss out of me (literally), to falling into hysterics.

My prediction on him was confirmed once I opened my eyes to take a glance at him. His expression was startled, shocked and most of all somewhat angry. I could only say one thing to him," S-sorry, you see there is this cat th-" I began but immediently shut up when he began," There isn't a cat as far as I have seen, what are you half insane or half stupid? You scared the shit out of me." He frowned deepening his glare at me but changed the subject back to his truck," Although insane, you are talented. It is better then I foresaw. It is even better then what I had in mind." He finished without looking at me.

Ignoring his rude but true outburst," Thank you and you are free to take it at anytime." He nodded and walked towards the driver's door, opened it then climbing in and started the beast.

Once hearing the snarling of the engine coming to life, I walked over to the switch on the wall to raise the large door allowing him the exit he first used when he came here a year ago. He nodded his head towards me when he passed by and quickly said," Hope that cat doesn't give you anymore troubles." He finished and continued on his trek to the car show.

Once he was out of sight, I walked back into the building but not shutting the door. It was almost completely dark with a small windy breeze. The air wasn't cold but most certainly wasn't warm either. I sat back onto my tattered stool and leaned back placing my arms onto the counter I kept near me when airbrushing and stared outside. I watched the city lights at a distance only faintly hearing the cars speed by on the highway. Shivering, as the small breeze got colder by the minute, I pulled on a dark gray paint stained hoodie. I stood up to pick up my stool and carry it outside to watch the environment pass me by. Closing my eyes and leaning back against the building to relax for awhile was interrupted when I saw a familiar Camaro with a familiar someone pull into the cement landing infront of my shop. The door popped open only this time, an extra person opened the passenger door and revealed a girl with dark brown hair and fairly attractive for her age.

The couple I am guessing approached me as I stood up to meet their gaze. Picking up one leg and crossing it over the other I said," I remember you what was your name again? Sorry, I just can't remember names, sometimes I even forget my own." I said trying to avoid conflict knowing that I can say things that I don't mean to be rude but sometimes it tends to differ to the other. He smiled, more like grinned at me," Sam Witwicky, and this is-" the girl next to him interrupted," Sam I know how to introduce myself" She began while watching Sam's grin turn sheepish. She turned back towards me to introduce herself," I am Mikaela Banes" she said with a slight smile not quite soft but not hardened either. Smiling back to her," It is nice to meet you Mikaela. I am FlyVn' Skyler but please, call me Fly." I said smiling more confidently. I looked at both of them for a moment and the voice in my head began,' Maybe you should uh. I don't know, let them in! They might think you're smuggling Hawaiian Ice or something.' I twitched my left eye but as much as I hated that voice, I knew it was right. Shaking my head," It's cold enough to preserve a body out here, come inside." I said letting them go ahead first. Following them in while grabbing my stool, I flipped the door switch to close the massive doorway. As I walked over to the table I used to airbrush cars, I thought best to start a conversation," So, I see that you have fixed some of your rust problems yes?" I said while sitting down onto my stool and gave it a swivel. Mikaela glowered down at Sam as if warning him of some credit she deserved. I watched Sam shrink a little under her gaze but turned his attention back to me," Yeah Mikaela does many wonders and one of those many wonders just happens to be rust removal." Sam said shifting under Mikayla's gaze. She removed her eyes from Sam to look towards me," You should have seen him trying to scrub off the rust with dish soap and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser." She said with a chuckle. I turned towards Sam with a brow raised," Really? Like I said before, I still take my car to O' Riley's to get my oil changed by a mechanic and even I know how to wash a car even with rust." I said with a small laugh that grew with his ever- decreasing blow to his ego.

He slumped his shoulder with a dramatic glare towards the both of us," Why do you pick on me? It's my first car! I make mistakes too you know…" He trailed off while both of us girls raised our brows at him in mocking silence. His eyes switched between the two of us before he looked away with an amusing scowl.

"So FlyVn', weird name. Does it mean anything?" She questioned. I guess I would get that a lot if I contributed myself in social activities. But none the less I replied," No it doesn't really mean anything. My parents wanted something exotic and completely different so they got a little creative. I actually didn't have a name for a couple days because they couldn't come up with anything. It was a tie between Jasper and FlyVn' and I just now realized how boyish my names are…." I dropped off. I could hear Sam mutter," Wish I had a cool name…"

Mikaela and I smirked towards him but remained silent in the end. Realizing why they were probably here," So I am guessing you came back for the paint job correct?" I stated. He snapped his head up to look at me then smiled," Yep that's why I am here. Mikaela even pitched in some money for me." He said with a thankful nod towards the girl.

Looking between the both of them I wandered my eyes around the room before settling on him. I half smiled and said," Well I have room now. Within a couple days some of the cars will be picked up as well. You can drop em' off tomorrow morning if that works for you." I offered. He smiled and nodded towards me, deciding to head off but replying before he did so," That works fine. We're going to head back home and we'll see you tomorrow morning Fly." He said as he waited for Mikaela to follow. She gave her goodbyes and left after him.

Waiting until I heard their car snarl to life and pull out of the drive way I released a sigh of relief," Very interesting they seem to be." I said to myself before shutting down the shop and locking the doors. I left the light in front of the large doors on as to give the impression somebody was here even though there actually was. I headed off to the back of the building towards my room with Diesel following behind and the sharp eyes of 300 sinking into nonexistence.

….

Whelp that does it. Quote at the top is from me. Someone I believed asked me if Fly was a girl and to answer that she is. Hopefully more interesting action will take place unless I feel like torching your patience with the fires of suspense.

(O)ctober