Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Monday

Inside the classroom, Rika was sitting in front of Tomoyo, Chiharu on her right, and Jia behind her. The four bundled together and discussed Friday night's race.

"It's too bad we had to race against Mei," Tomoyo remarked.

"Yeah, but at least we get to keep our 6th place," Rika said.

"I was hoping to be in the top 5…" Jia sighed.

"Hi girls!" Sakura greeted as she walked to her desk, which was on Tomoyo's right, and sat down.

"Why so bummed out?"

"We were talking about last Friday," Chiharu told her.

"Why? You were great, Tomoyo!"

"But I lost…" Tomoyo mumbled, resting her face on the desk.

"That may be true but what counts is that you tried your best. AND your time was fantastic! That alone, actually says how good you are!" Sakura pointed out.

Lifting her face from the desk, "You're right! I only lost to Meiling by a few seconds. And she is the number 1 racer!"

"That's the spirit!" Sakura giggled.

"Sakura…how do you know so much? About racing I mean," Jia asked looking at Sakura curiously.

"Oh that—"

"Settle down, class is about to start!" The teacher came in, interrupting Sakura's response.

"We'll continue this later," Sakura nodded and the girls faced the front.

-X-

The girls packed their stuff after the school was over. Together, they walked to the parking lot. Rika, Chiharu, Jia and Tomoyo all brought their own cars today. The girls had decided during lunch time that they'd go to Clow's Café for some cakes after school. Sakura also agreed and currently she was riding with Tomoyo.

At last they had reached the café; they noticed a red Honda, parked in front of the café with some other cars. The four girls parked and went over to the red Honda.

"Isn't that Meiling's car?"

"Yeah, and those cars are her team I think," Tomoyo replied.

As the five girls walked into the café, the door bell rang, notifying that there was a customer. The girls sat down by the window. A few moments later a waitress came for their orders. All five of them ordered a cake each, Tomoyo and Jia also ordered tea, Rika ordered water, Chiharu ordered a chocolate shake, and Sakura ordered a vanilla shake.

The girls were discussing about the project that Mr. Hirasawa had assigned them. None had decided on what topic they'd be doing. In the midst, a waitress came back with their cakes and drinks, the girl thanked her and she left. While they were talking, Sakura felt someone was standing beside her, and looked up to see a girl with black hair in two pig tails, wearing a white shirt and a maroon vest with a maroon pleated skirt.

"Hey Tomoyo,"

Tomoyo looked up from her cake, "Oh hi Meiling!" She smiled.

"Mind if I join you guys?" she asked, looking at the girls.

"No, go ahead." Chiharu answered.

Meiling dragged a chair from another table and joined them, putting her drink on the table.

"You were great last Friday," Meiling started.

"Nah," Tomoyo argued, "I still lost."

"Whether you win or lose, it doesn't matter. The thing that matters is that your time was great!"

Tomoyo laughed, "That's exactly what Sakura said!"

Meiling blinked. "Sakura?"

"Oh, that's right you guys haven't met. Meiling, this is my best friend Sakura. She has recently transferred from Japan," Tomoyo introduced.

"Oh, nice to meet you Sakura," Meiling smiled.

"Nice to meet you too," Sakura smiled back.

"Umm Meiling, if you don't mind, can I ask you something?"

"Sure Sakura, what is it?" Meiling asked sipping her drink.

"That red Honda…it's your car right?" Meiling nodded. "You use that car to race the other night right?" another nod. "But from what I know, your model only has the power of 160KW at 7,000 rpm? If that's so, why are you faster than Tomoyo? You must have modified your engine to a much higher one…I think to 180KW at 8,000 rpm?"

The table was silent as the girls stared at Sakura in surprise. Sakura looked at her friends and blushed, realizing she must have blabbed again.

Meiling laughed, "I'm surprised you know so much when you haven't see the car. But to answer your question, yes, my car has been modified. Both inside and outside. It was very slow when I first drove it but now, it's absolutely wonderful."

"Oh, I see," Sakura nodded in understanding.

"Sakura, I've never knew you're a car expert!" Tomoyo commented causing her to blush.

"I'm not!"

"You sure?" Chiharu asked.

"Of course!" The five girls giggled at Sakura's pink face. 'At least I think I'm not an expert.'

"Oh before I forget. If you guys interested, there'll be a race between the Emperor and Rising Sun this Wednesday night. I'll be the one racing." Meiling said suddenly.

"Sweet!"

"I'm coming for sure!"

"And Eriol will be going as well…" Meiling winked. Tomoyo blushed, sipping her tea acting like she heard nothing. The four girls giggled causing Sakura to look at them in confusion.

"Who's Eriol?" Upon looking at her best friend's reaction, Sakura deduced that he must be someone special. Her face split into a grin.

"Is he your special someone you haven't told me about?"

Tomoyo choked on her tea. "N-No, he's not," she argued but her face was getting redder.

"Really? Then why is your face so red?" Rika joined.

"Girls, girls. Eriol is not her special someone," Jia said, Tomoyo nodded. "She's his special someone." By now Tomoyo's face was as red as a tomato.

"Isn't that the same thing?" Meiling laughed.

"Yeah but it's not like to I get tease the 'composed' Tomoyo everyday!" The girls giggled. Tomoyo just huffed and ignored them all which made them laugh harder.

"Awwh, I think we should leave poor Tomoyo alone now," Tomoyo gave Sakura a grateful smile.

"You're ruining the fun, Sakura," Rika protested.

"Remember, there's still Wednesday night," she grinned.

"Sakura!"

"Haha. Sorry Tomoyo, I couldn't resist!" Sakura laughed.

"Such nice friends you girls are," she pouted.

"Alright, alright. Let's stop talking about Tomoyo's love,"

"Meiling!"

"So, you girls have a plan after this?" she asked, ignoring the red face girl.

"Kinda, we've plan to go to Jake's. Sakura needs a car,"

"Ahh, mind if I tag along?"

"Not at all. Should we get going?" Tomoyo said.

"Yeah, lets." The six girls left the café and walked to their cars.

"Hey, Meiling. Can I ride with you?" Sakura asked a surprised Meiling.

"Oh, sure!"

-X-

The ride to Jake's place was uneventful. Sakura had asked Meiling about other races she had, about her team and opinion on different driving techniques. Meiling was amazed at Sakura's familiarity with cars and races. She had first thought that Sakura was probably a racer herself but after she heard that Sakura had no car, she thought otherwise.

Finally, they had reached Jake's. The girls parked and got out of the car. Sakura was astounded by the many different types of cars. The place or was it a car garage, was vast with wired fences around the area.

"G'day ladies!" A deep voice greeted.

"Hi Jake!" they chorused, except Sakura was just looked at him. Jake was around 27-28 years old. His brown hair was tied in a low pony tail. He was wearing baggy, faded jeans with a singlet and a cover shirt.

"Who's this pretty girl?" he gave her a big smile causing Sakura to blush.

"You're such a flirt Jake," Tomoyo rolled her eyes, "That's Sakura, my best friend."

Jake looked surprised, "I can't believe you have a best friend!"

"Jake!" Tomoyo smacked his arm.

"Hahaha. I'm Jake, nice to meet you, Sakura," he smiled.

"Nice to meet you too," she smiled back.

"So, what can I do for you ladies?" he asked getting down to business. Sakura on the other hand sneaked off to look around the place. Inside the area, she found it was split into two sections. She walked closer to the left side and found that this side was filled with used cars. She studied the car closet to her. Even though it was a used car, it was however, in the best condition. She walked to the right side, and grinned. Her assumption was spot on. This side was filled with new cars.

"Sakura needs a car," Jake's raised his eyebrow.

"She's a racer? She doesn't look like one to me," he said looking in Sakura's direction.

"I didn't say she's a racer Jake. We just want her to have a car to drive," Tomoyo explained.

"Ah, I get ya."

"You have any good cars for her?" Meiling asked this time.

"Well…all my cars are good—"

"Jake, don't be a pain," Jia interrupted.

"Awh c'mon, you girls are no fun!"

"So, you want fun, huh?" Chiharu asked with a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

"Ahaha, I think I'll pass today…" he laughed and walked to Sakura.

"Chiharu, what did you do to him? He seems to be terrified of you?" Tomoyo asked with uncertainty.

"I…I'm not sure," she frowned, "You know what, that's a good question. I think I should ask him that."

Sakura, on the other hand, was enjoying exploring the cars in the garage. The cars ranged from normal day-to-day cars to racing cars, all in a top condition.

"Found anything you like?"

"Umm…not yet. You have many good cars Jake. All in tiptop shape," Sakura said.

"Thanks. I love cars so I took care of 'em like my baby."

"Jake, you should get a girlfriend," Meiling stated, "Thinking of cars as your babies is not a good sign."

"Hey! That was mean!" The girls laughed.

"You want to look inside? I have some more cars in there," he asked pointing to the furthest back. Sakura looked over at the pointed place. It was another garage. But this one was with a door and it was closed.

"Sure,"

Jake slid the garage door open and went in. He motioned for the girls to follow. Inside the vast garage were 5 cars. The car bonnets were all wide open; Sakura was able inspect the engine as well. She walked passed the cars slowly as she observed them one by one.

'A Red Honda Civic Type-R, a 2.0 litre DOHC i-VTEC, 206 hp. A Silver Honda Accord, V6 SOHC VTEC, 273 hp. That's out for sure, don't like SOHC. A Black Mazda 3, turbocharged in-line 4 cylinder, 271 hp. Hmm, hard choice between Civic and Mazda. Let see what's next. Gee, another Honda car? Jake must love Hondas. A yellow S2000, Inline 4 cylinder, DOHC VTEC, 297 hp. Not bad.'

Sakura gasped, stopping at the next car.

"I can't believe it! A Lexus SC 430! Jake how did you manage to get this?" Sakura squealed excitedly. Jake grinned, while the girls looked at her in amusement.

"It's a limited edition! The guys will be jealous if I told them about this. A DOHC, 4.3-liter V8 engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence. Powered by 288hp and takes 5.8s to achieve 0-60. Not bad for a Lexus. But then again, it's not suited for racing," she added as an after thought.

"Jake," Sakura continued, "You don't plan to use this car for racings are you? I mean it's not that it's bad or anything but this car is only good for straight road. So I-umm, why are you guys looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?" Sakura tilted her head.

"It's—er…" Tomoyo stuttered while the other girls were left speechless.

"Truth to be told, I'm flabbergasted by your outburst," Jake laughed his eyes twinkling.

"I—" Sakura blushed.

"But yes, you're right. This baby is not for racing, it's for women-catching," he winked.

Sakura giggled while the five girls rolled their eyes at his flirtatiousness.

"Sakura, why do you know so much about cars?" Tomoyo asked curiously.

"I was going to ask the same thing," Meiling concurred.

"Well, Tou-my brother, he loves cars and because I was with him most of the time. I picked up a few things from him. Not much really," she smiled.

"Your brother must be skilled with cars, huh?" Jake commented.

"Something like that, I suppose," everyone nodded in understanding.

"So anyway, have you picked your car yet?" Jia inquired.

"Oh, it's a hard choice," Sakura admitted. "These cars are awesome but—"

'Should I get another fast car or just…nah, just a moderate one is better. After all, my baby is coming soon.'

"Yeah, I think I know which car I'd choose," she answered.

"Oh, which?" Rika asked, looking at the four cars.

"The Mazda, I've always wanted to drive that car." Sakura pointed to the Black Mazda.

"Righti-o. I'll fix it up a bit more and it should be ready for pick up by next week," he told her.

"Cool!" Tomoyo grinned.

"Thanks Jake. So um how much is it?"

"For you my dear Sakura—" Sakura blushed, "I'll give you a special price," he winked.

"For goodness' sake, stop flirting," Meiling sighed.

"You're just jealous 'coz I'm not flirting with you," he grinned.

"What did you say?" Meiling narrowed her eyes dangerously at him.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all," he whistled.

Sakura laughed. Obviously the girls and Jake were close for them to tease and taunt each other like that. She smiled.

'I guess moving here isn't so bad after all.'

Only four more days…

-X-