It had been a week since her last encountered with Lei and she missed him already. Yes, she liked him, as a friend. She enjoyed racing with him. He was challenging and her gut was telling her that there was more to him than what he showed. She hoped that he'd come back soon, she couldn't wait for their race.
Sakura's car came to a stop at the top of Shinto's hill. She got out of the car and walked to the rail. Grabbing a hold of the metal bar, she looked up into the sky. The sky was cleared tonight. She could see the full moon and bright sparkling stars. Leaning onto the bar, she stared out into the distance which was illuminated by city lights. It was such a peaceful night but unfortunately, it didn't last long. She heard several car engines coming her way and stopped. Sakura chose to ignore them and continued with her gazing.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" a voice said. Ignoring the female voice, she didn't reply.
"Looks like our 'guest' doesn't have a mouth," the same girl smirked causing some giggles to be heard. Sakura sighed. Her peaceful night was ruined.
"Didn't your mother teach you when someone is talking to you, you should reply?"
Sakura stiffened. How dare she pull her mother into this? Sakura turned around, glaring at the girl. "Didn't your mother teach you when someone is not answering means that they're ignoring you?"
The girl stopped laughing and glared at Sakura. "Bitch!"
Sakura rolled her eyes, "Whatever." Deciding that there was not point in staying when her night was already ruined, she started walking to her car but was blocked by the girl.
"Where do you think you're going? I'm not finished talking to you!"
Sakura sighed. "There's nothing to talk about." She moved the other side and was blocked again.
"Are you running away?" she sneered.
Sakura looked straight into her eyes. "Only from annoying pests, I don't like wasting my time." She moved to the other side and continuing walking to her car which was only a few metres away.
"What the fuck was that bitch?" the girl ran after Sakura and grabbed her arm, twirling her around.
"I don't like repeating myself," she said coldly, prying the girl's fingers off.
"I challenge you to a race,"
"Not interested," Sakura replied immediately, unlocking her car. The girl followed Sakura to her car, pushing the door close. Sakura sighed in annoyance but before she could say anything, a familiar voice interrupted.
"What's going on Ari?" So, this girl named was Ari. Sakura looked over Ari's shoulder and found herself looking at brown eyes, black hair girl. Meiling. Great, just great. Sakura pulled her cap down lower.
"Ari?" Meiling asked once she reached where the two girls stood.
"I've challenged her to a race but she decline. What a chicken." Ari said. Meiling frowned.
"Then you should leave it as that. She doesn't want to race then it's her choice."
"But Meiling," Ari whined. "Her attitude pisses me off!"
"Like your wasn't," Sakura muttered. Ari swerved her head and glared at her.
"What was that?"
"I will only race against her,"
Ari raised her brow and laughed. Some other girls joined in. "You? Against Meiling? The numberone female racer? God you cracked me up!"
Sakura shrugged. "If you don't accept then I have nothing else to say." Sakura opened her door.
"Wait. I accept," Meiling said.
"W-What? Meiling?"
Sakura turned around and smiled. "Great." Finally, a race against Meiling!
"One question. Are you the one called…Cherry?" Meiling asked after she observed the car. A pink Spider. Only one person she knew drove a pink Spider.
Sakura's smiled widened. "That's right." Ari's eyes widened. "I'm surprised you know of me."
Meiling smiled. "Trust me you're pretty famous around here now."
"Oh?"
"Do you want to race now?"
Sakura shook her head. "I'm not in the mood tonight. Make it next Saturday, here, same time this week, okay?"
"Sure."
"Sweet, see you next week then. G'night." Sakura smiled one last time before she got into her car and drove off.
"Meiling, are you sure about this?" Ari asked some time later.
"Definitely, I wanted to race her ever since I heard she beat Lisa."
xxxxxxxxxx
/Next day/
Sakura had a feeling that her 'best friend' and Meiling were up to something. And that something involved her and Syaoran. It had been two weeks since the HKA's school festival. And for some 'unknown' reasons, Syaoran had always ended up dropping her home, everyday. Not that she minded. Even though at times, he could be a jerk but he never ceased to amuse her. He was…fun to be with and she liked to sit in his car while he was driving. His driving was so smooth; it reminded her off Touya's driving.
Again, today, she and her friends sat at the table in Clow's café, waiting for Meiling and Syaoran. They were late. Sakura wondered why. She sighed sipping her vanilla shakes. Tomoyo giggled and teased her…again.
"Don't worry Kura. I'm sure he'll come soon." Sakura cheeks redden.
"What are you talking about?"
Tomoyo grinned, "Have you heard of river in Egypt? De-Nile?"
"Shut up," she mumbled. The four girls giggled.
"Sorry for being late girls. We have to do something at school." Meiling interrupted. "Eh? What's so funny? Tell me." She slid on to the stool next to Meiling, and Syaoran next to Sakura.
"Hi Mei, you see I was talking to Sakura here about—"
"Hi Mei. Li, I want to go home. Now," Sakura interrupted. Tomoyo start giggling again causing the emerald eyes girl to blush. Syaoran's brow rose in question. Meiling smirked. She knew something was going on.
"But I just got here. I need a rest and a drink. I'm thirsty."
"Here, drink mine." Sakura offered her shakes to him.
"But that's—"
"Drink." He sighed and drank. Didn't Meiling say it was an indirect kiss to drink from the same straw? He felt his cheeks burn. This was the second time he drank from her drink. Twice he had…kissed her, even though it was indirectly but it was counted as a kiss right? Too bad those kisses wasn't a direct one…Syaoran mentally smacked his forehead. Damn hormones.
Tomoyo and Meiling grinned. They had bet that Sakura didn't realise what she did and it seemed Syaoran didn't mind. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it. It was obvious that the two were attracted to one another. All they needed was a little push.
"As I was saying," Tomoyo started. "Sakura here was—"
"C'mon Li finish the drink!"
"What's wrong with you today Blossom?"
"Nothing. Finally, let's go." Grabbing her bag from the floor, she stood up. Once Syaoran was up, she dragged him out of the café. The sound of laughter could be heard before the door closed.
Once the two were inside the car, Sakura let out a huge relieve.
"Now, tell me what's going on,"
"I told you. Nothing," Syaoran cocked his brow.
"I'm not stupid Blossom." He looked at her, expecting some answer. Sakura sighed. Syaoran was too smart for his own good.
"Well, you see…Moyo was saying that I—err well—that is um…Argh! It was nothing! Start driving already," she said with a faint blush on her cheeks. Syaoran looked at her in amusement. He chuckled and started driving. Sakura huffed. What the heck was she supposed to say? That she was waiting for him? Damn it! She was not waiting for him. Of course not. Even though he was late and he made her wait—Argh! Damn it! It was all Tomoyo and Meiling fault. They did this to her. And him too. He made her feel things when she was around him. She sighed, frustrated.
Syaoran chuckled. "Are you winning?"
"Huh?"
"You seemed like you're having some arguments with yourself. I was wondering if you're winning."
"I'm not arguing with myself—" Ah, sure she wasn't. That little voice in her head was just her imagination. Yep, that was it. That annoying, nuisance voice that always taunted her when she was…
"Fine, I was. And I'm losing." She sighed, defeated. "Happy?"
"Very," he gave her one of his handsome smirk. Her heart fluttered, she quickly looked away. It happened again! He was making her feel nervous. Thankfully, they had reached her house.
"Thanks Li," opening the door. He caught her wrist before she got out. His hand was warm and it made her skin tingling.
"Syaoran," he said simply. Sakura gave him a confused look. "Call me Syaoran."
"Ok, err thanks…Syaoran." She blushed and she didn't know why. Syaoran smiled. He liked the sound of his name from her lips.
"You're welcome Blossom. See you tomorrow." He said, letting go of her wrist. Sakura felt a bit disappointed when his warm hand was gone. She mentally smacked herself. What the heck was she thinking? This was Syaoran! He was the person that she—that she…Realisation hit her liked a brick. Oh…my…god! This was bad, very bad. She had finally understood what was happening. She felt like this once before. It was when she had a little crush on her brother's friend, Yukito. Oh lord. Oh dear lord. She had fallen for him. For Syaoran Li!
"Y-yeah, see you tomorrow," she said and quickly got out of the car and walked as fast as she could to the house, and slipped inside.
xxxxxxxxxx
An hour later, Syaoran reached his house. He parked the car in the garage, unlocked his front door and stepped inside. He walked into the kitchen and found Meiling and Eriol talking, both sitting at on the chair. Syaoran ignored them and went to the fruit basket and grabbed a red apple. He bit into it.
"I can't believe that this day would come." Meiling started.
"What?"
"That you, my dear cousin, is in love." Syaoran shrugged. "My god, you're not denying it! Eriol, check the window for flying piggies!" Syaoran rolled his eyes and sat on a chair facing the two.
"So, when did you realise you liked her? Or loved her? Do you know that you're fan club will be heart broken? But that's okay, they still have me but maybe not in the near future. You know, I'm also planning to ask Tomoyo out. So are you planning to ask her out soon? Like how? When and where? What's your plan? Do you need my help? I'm good at-"
"Shut up Eriol." He interrupted.
"But Syaoran!"
"I'm not telling you two, anything. You'll know when the time comes." That was Syaoran saying of 'end of conversation'. Meiling pouted but didn't pursue on with the subject.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you guys. I have a race this Saturday night." Syaoran and Eriol nodded. "With Cherry."
"Cherry?"
"Yup, Cherry. Well actually, Ari challenged her but she declined. I turned up and she said she'll only race me, so I accepted, and we decided to race this Saturday. You guys coming?"
Eriol nodded, "Wouldn't miss it. It's going to be one hell of a race. That is, if the rumour about her is true."
"You Syaoran?"
"I don't know," he said after a pause.
xxxxxxxxxx
-Time skip-
"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. It's finally SATURDAY!"
Meiling laughed, watching her friend jumping up and down. "Calm down Tomoyo."
"But I'm excited!" she squealed. "It's going to be the race of the century! I can imagine it happening! Oh, oh, oh I HAVE to record this race! I can't wait!" she whipped out her camcorder. Meiling sweat dropped.
"God only a few more hours to go, I'm so nervous."
"You'll be fine. Just believe in yourself. Now smile for the camera!"
xxxxxxxxxx
Sakura was lying down on her bed, bored. There were still several hours until the race, and she had nothing to do. She sighed, closing her eyes. A few minute later, she drifted off into the world of dreams.
About two hours later, Sakura woke up. She sat up and stretched lazily, glancing at the digital clock with sleepy eyes. It flashed 9:45pm. She mentally nodded and lied back down with her eyes close. Some seconds later she fluttered her eyes open and sat up, looking at the clock again. She screamed.
"HOE! I'M GOING TO BE LATE!" She quickly scrambled off the bed, stripping as she walked to the wardrobe. Opening the wooden door, she took out a pair of faded jean and a long sleeve black halter top. After putting those on, she put on her cap and grabbed the car keys from the dressing drawer, and ran out to the garage. Looking at her watch she cursed. She had only 15 minutes to reach her destination. If everything was well, she should be at Shinto Hills at exactly 10pm, the time when the race would start.
Unlocking the car, she jumped in and started the engine. Once the garage door was opened, Sakura stepped on the gas and sped off.
xxxxxxxxxx
Meiling leaned on her car, looking at her watch. It was 5 minutes until 10pm and there was still no sign of Cherry. She was getting restless, tapping her foot impatiently.
"She'll come Mei," Tomoyo assured her with a smile. Chiharu, Rika and Jia nodded in agreement.
"Relax you need to be calm Mei. Being anxious will get you nowhere, isn't that right dear Tomoyo?" Eriol asked, smiling at the amethyst eyes girl. Tomoyo blushed. Meiling rolled her eyes.
"I don't know if you're trying to ease my restlessness or you just want to flirt with Moyo."
"Maybe both?" he grinned. "Ah, how about we make this more…interesting?"
"How do you mean?" Tomoyo asked curiously.
"A bet between you and me,"
"What kind of bet?"
"Well if Mei wins…you'll go on a date with me." He grinned, Tomoyo cheeks turned pinkish. "But if she loses, I'll go on a date with you! See, a win-win situation."
Rika, Chiharu and Jia laughed. Meiling only rolled her eyes. "God Eriol, is that how you ask a girl to date you now? Seriously, Moyo I don't know what you see in him. He's such a nutcase."
Tomoyo giggled. "Alright, deal." The two shook hands, sealing the deal.
"You won't regret it," he winked.
A familiar sound of car engine could be heard in the far distance. Eriol grinned and Meiling smiled. A few second later two headlights could be seen. The black sleek Ferrari P4/5 came into view. The car parked next to the midnight Mercedes. The driver's door opened and a tall figure stepped out.
"Glad you could make it, Syaoran." Eriol said as Syaoran walked toward the group. He looked around.
"Your opponent is not here?"
"No, not yet."
"I see." Looking at his watch, "It's already 10pm. She needs to learn to be on time for a race. What an irresponsible girl. It's rude to come la—"
xxxxxxxxxx
Sakura swore. She only had 5 minutes to get up to the top. Damn it, she hated being late to a race. She stepped on the gas and sped her way up to the top of the hill. She noticed that there were many people tonight. Too many for her liking. She didn't like to race with so many people watching her, it made her a little nervous.
Finally, what it seemed like ages, she reached the top. She parked her car on the starting spot which was next to Meiling's car. She saw the Dark Angel girls, Eriol and a guy with his back to her stood next to Meiling. Turning the engine off, she stepped out of the car.
"It's already 10pm. She needs to learn to be on time for a race. What an irresponsible girl. It's rude to come la—"
"I apologised for being late," she said a bit irritated. How could he say such a thing? "Although according to my watch, I'm here on the dot." The boy turned around, Sakura nearly gasped. Syaoran! What was he doing here?
"Yes, but a good racer should arrive at least 10 minutes before the race starts."
Sakura had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. Syaoran was such an ass. It was hard to believe that this Syaoran was the same as the Syaoran that had dropped her home everyday. Oh right, how could she forget? He would only be nice to his 'friends' and a cold, emotionless bastard to others. She needed to keep in mind that she wasn't 'Sakura' but 'Cherry', a stranger to him.
She shrugged, "It's more exciting this way. So, should we get started Meiling?"
"Sure," Meiling nodded. "The rules are simple. Whoever reaches the bottom first wins."
"Great," Sakura smiled. "May the best drivers win."
The two girls got into their respective car. Syaoran walked back to his car with Eriol and Tomoyo in tow.
"Thanks for driving us Syaoran," Eriol said and jumped into the front seat of Syaoran's car, and Tomoyo at the back. Syaoran shook his head and got into the driver seat. He drove and parked his car behind Sakura's and Meiling's cars.
"OKAY RACERS, LET'S GET THIS RACE STARTED. 5…4…3…2…1…GO!"
Meiling's car sped off with Sakura's car in tow, making her having the advantage of being in the first position. Sakura didn't mind, in fact she was glad that Meiling was in the lead. She dislike having someone driving behind her, she'd rather be at the back and observe her opponent first.
The two cars had just gone pass the easy five curves and were now up to the three consecutive curves, the challenging one. Sakura recalled the race between Meiling and Lisa; she knew just what to do. In fact, she knew of another method to overtake at the last curve. She grinned in anticipation. The said method was actually a theory; she had never tried it out yet. Hopefully it would be a success or…well, let just hope it worked.
Sakura entered the first curve with her current high speed. She turned using the E-brake drift technique. She then did a Heel-Toe Downshift to get into a low gear, so she could pull through a drift. She turned the wheel sharply and once she was at the curve, she pulled the brake sharply then quickly released it. And then counter-steer the wheel to face straight with the road. She throttled and didn't let it off until the drift was completed. She did the same thing with the second curve and now, finally she was at the last curve, right behind Meiling.
Meiling steered the car outward, readying for the turn. She looked at the side mirror and frowned. Cherry was still in the inner lane. What was the girl thinking? There was no way she could turn from the inner lane.
Meiling was now at the mid turn section, she stepped on the gas to gain speed as she was turning. She couldn't see Cherry as she was coming the turn exit, so she thought Cherry was probably still behind her. With that thought in mind, she allowed herself to smile. There was no way she could lose now, after all this was the last chance for her to over take.
"What the hell?" Meiling was surprised as she watched the pink car over took her at the turn exit and headed for the finish line at a high speed.
xxxxxxxxxx
/A few minute earlier with Sakura/
Sakura watched as Meiling steered the car outward for the turn entry. She maintained her current speed and position. This was the time to test the theory of hers. She headed closer to the edge.
THUNK.
If her theory was correct…she should be able to accelerate sooner and without any problemShestepped on the gas and accelerated, praying that she wouldn't hit the side wall.
Ah ha! Perfect. Dang, I am GOOD!
She grinned as she completed the turn without any mishap, and lead the race.
xxxxxxxxxx
Sakura came to a stop when she reached the finish line. A few second later Meiling stopped next to her, and a black car behind them. She got out of the car, beaming as she leaned on the door. Meiling got out of her car and walked over to Sakura.
"That was…I…wow!" Meiling laughed. "How did you do it? I was 100 sure that you were behind me at the last curve but then you just zoom passed me!"
Sakura opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted.
"The gutter. You use the gutter didn't you," it wasn't a question. (DK: Got the idea from ID :D)
Sakura turned her gaze to the chestnut hair boy and smiled. "No wonder you're the number one."
Meiling blinked. She gasped, "You mean that thunk noise…it was because you were using the gutter?"
"Yes. Truthfully, I wasn't sure if it would work. It was just a theory I have,"
"So, this was actually the first time?" Eriol asked and she nodded. "Amazing, simply amazing."
Sakura blushed at the compliment.
"Awwh, this means I'm not the fastest girl anymore. This suck," Meiling pouted. Sakura and Tomoyo giggled. Eriol chuckled. Syaoran remained impassive.
"Still, even though I lost, I'm glad I raced against you."
"Likewise,"
"Ah, that reminds me. My dear Tomoyo, I owed you a date. How about next Saturday? Or better yet, tomorrow?" Eriol asked, grinning.
Tomoyo blushed.
"Alright, it's settled. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 10."
Sakura was surprised at the announcement but she was happy for her friend. She had noticed that Tomoyo had feelings for Eriol and vice-versa. She inwardly congratulated the couple. Her lips curved into a smile. Finally, it was her turn to tease her best friend. Life couldn't get any better.
xxxxxxxxxx
No comments:
Post a Comment