[chapter two]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-) Warning: Contains "colourful" language.
**
Kendall sat on the counter across from Chad in the Lowe's trailer, watching him devour a sandwich while she flipped through newspapers and printed electronic articles from the last few days. After winning the pole in qualifying, all the media attention had been focused on "rookie sensation Jimmie Johnson".
By extension, that also meant focus on her, Chad, and the rest of the crew.
Judging from some of the articles, she was the sore thumb in this scenario.
She harrumphed at another article that labeled her as "Jimmie's goth queen-looking, foul-mouthed girlfriend, Kendall MacPerson."
"They didn't even spell my name right." She moaned as she tossed the papers aside. "And I'm not foul mouthed. Well, usually." She amended with a scowl.
Chad grinned at her. "You goth queen, you."
"You know, Jimmie and I have been together for almost five years, and I've never been the subject of any scrutiny or articles. I thought this was about the driver and his team, not who he dates or goes to dinner with." Kendall said dejectedly. "They even dissed the rad tee shirt I wore yesterday in an article today."
"Your tee shirt said 'Are you normal?' on it." Chad laughed.
"It's a Ned's Atomic Dustbin concert shirt, and they are hard to find!" Kendall whined, making Chad laugh harder. "Fuck off!" She said with a grin at his laughter.
"You rebel." Chad said, taking another bite of his lunch.
"I was totally an outsider at Rusty's barbecue last night." Kendall continued. "Dale Jarrett asked me if I had accepted Jesus Christ as my own personal savior."
"Uh-oh." Chad said simply, knowing this could be disastrous. "And you said…"
Kendall blushed. "I told him I was a devil worshipper and sacrificed small animals during the week. But I was totally kidding!"
"He didn't think so?" Chad asked gently.
"Apparently not. Today Jeff Burton tried to give me a mini Bible for my purse." Kendall moaned. "I don't even carry a purse!"
Chad raised an eyebrow with a wry smile but said nothing.
"I don't apologize for who I am, and I don't apologize for what I said to that totally skeevy guy from quals. I mean, he was harassing me." Kendall said quietly and Chad nodded.
"I know. But perception is reality around here." Chad said. "You have to be careful what you do or say."
"But why?" Kendall asked seriously. "It's racing, for goodness sake, not a church and not a cult and not a political campaign."
"Yeah, but everything is still politics, even in racing." Chad said gently. "But I will say this…if that guy comes near you again, I'll personally kick him in the nuts for ya."
Kendall grinned. "You're a prince, Chad."
Chad smiled again then hopped down from the counter. "Listen, Kendall…don't let the press get you down, but be as careful as you can. What does Jimmie say about this?"
Kendall shrugged. "He's laughing about it…I mean, he knows who I am and that all this is totally bogus, so I'm not worried. He's told me it will all blow over, and not to worry about it. If it affected him or you, I'd be worried, but otherwise…I'm not gonna stop being my usual loud, obnoxious, semi-scary self." She winked and Chad laughed.
"Well, thank god for small favors." He grinned as he walked out the back door.