Anything you don't recognize is mine, i.e. Kyle, Harmony.
A/An: I have a rough layout for this story, and I know that I'm making a sequel to an in-progress story-that's why some parts will be kind of unspecific- but I couldn't wait to start Cami's adventures!
Cami's POV
I walked out of my 11th grade math class and headed for the gym with my best friend, Harmony.
"What did your dad give you to drive today?" She asked, swinging her book bag over her shoulder and sliding her sunglasses down from the top of her head.
"It wasn't dad, actually. Uncle Lester forked over his 350Z for me to drive today, until tomorrow my LFA comes in." I said dangling the keys to my uncle's Nissan from my fingertips. We walked into the locker room where all the girls changed for gym.
I walked out of the gym alone and headed to the Z after school finished, passing by the gazebo where Harmony and a couple of my other friends where sitting, laughing and chatting. I waved at Harmony and she called me over.
"Hey, what's up?" I asked her, setting my book bag on the wooden floor, sitting next to my best friend since second grade.
"Have you ever seen Formula Drift? You know, where the racers are insane and go from one drift to another like that" She snapped her fingers.
"Yeah, why? You didn't find out that someone entered you in a race, did you?" I joked laughing with her.
"No, but I have tickets to Saturday's race if you want to come with me." She suggested.
"Okay, I'll have my LFA by then, we can take that" I said, picking up my bag and walking to the Z.
I got out the car and walked to the elevator, taking it to seven. I ditched my book bag by the door and walked into our living room where mom was sitting watching TV with Lester.
"Is my car okay?" He asked me, smiling from the chair perpendicular to the couch
"Yep. It's fine, safe and sound." I answered, plopping onto the couch with mom.
"How was school?" She said, drinking her water from the table next to her.
"Good. Harmony invited me to go with her to a Formula Drift competition Saturday, can I go with her?" I crossed my legs and threw Lester his keys. Dad walked in and went to the kitchen, coming out with some water for me.
"I don't see why not, as long as you stay safe and keep your trackers with you." Dad told me.
"Yay! Thanks mom, thanks dad!" I smiled and hugged them the headed to my room to start my computer up.
Saturday morning Harmony came over for breakfast before we headed off. We took the stairs down to the garage, waving at the cameras. I slid into the driver's seat of my yellow LFA. I backed it out and onto the road. We eventually got out of the city onto the interstate towards Newark. I hit the gas, flicking the paddle shifter into fourth gear.
"Why does the car snap every time you pull that lever?" Harmony pointed to the shifter.
"That's the shifter, when I shift, like this" I pressed the clutch in and flicked the lever towards me, "It snaps because the car is shifting gears, Like in your automatic. Only the engineers at Lexus thought that if it was smooth it wasn't authentic because you couldn't feel the shifts. After all, this is a sports car" I explained.
"How do you downshift?" She asked me.
"You push the clutch in with the brake, and pull the paddle on your left." I said downshifting to about sixty to turn onto the exit the GPS was leading us to. We eventually got to the track and I parked my baby in the space the farthest away from the other cars-right next to a Ferrari. Which was next to a Lamborghini which was next to a… Fiesta?
"Let's head in, we don't want to miss the race!" Harmony suggested, pointing to the gate when we got out of the car. "I have passes for the garages if you want to go in there after they race"
"Sounds good, let's get our seats" We watched as the cars zoomed past us sideways, left, and right. One car was painted black and green-a 350 Z, I believe- it won the class and the driver opened the door when he pulled into the winner's circle.
After the race, we walked over to the infield to visit one of dad's friends. We walked to garage number three and found the 350Z that won the race sitting there. The driver was talking to a team of mechanics when he looked over and noticed us standing there. Mr. Lorenzo was standing with him, and waved me over with a smile.
"Camille and Harmony! What did you do? Did Stephanie send you for punishment?" Jamey asked me, grinning knowingly.
"I didn't do anything! Okay, I sped on the way here, but the LFA wanted to go!" I said, hugging him.
"I wrecked my corolla!" Harmony smiled at him.
"Harmony! You do know that's bad, right?" He shook his head.
"You have a LFA?" The driver asked. He couldn't be much older than me, maybe 20, if that.
"Yep. Dad asked me what I wanted to drive and told me it had to be reliable, so I naturally chose a Lexus…just not the one he was thinking about." I smiled brightly at him.
"Why do I get the feeling that's not unlike you? I'm sorry I didn't catch your name?" He asked me.
"Oh, I'm Camille Manoso. And you?" I said, extending my hand-just to be polite.
"Kyle Lancer, I drive the little beast behind you." He grinned, pointing to the Z.
"My uncle has one of these; I was driving it Thursday, as a matter of fact!" I said
"He might have a Z, but he doesn't have this." He stated
"Yeah, I know. What do you drive when you aren't racing?" I questioned.
"A red 1967 Mustang Fastback." He grinned.
"Cool. Do you like the Z?" I asked.
"Yeah. It's a great car, and I love to drift it" He replied
"Must be fun, I wouldn't know" I said, sighing longingly.
"You've never drifted before?" Surprise crossed his handsome features and he cocked his head.
"No, but I'd love to try. I took a turn too fast once and Harmony almost had a heart attack, I won't be practicing with her around, that's for sure." I grinned, groaning when my phone rang. It was Mom. "Be right back-mom's calling. "Yo."
"Honey, I told you to not to pick up Carlos' phone manners. What's up at the track?" She asked I could hear her eye roll.
"Not much, Harmony's talking to Lorenzo." I bit the inside of my lip.
"What else is happening? Meet a boy?" She taunted.
"You're as bad as Harmony! And yes, in fact I did. And Lorenzo and Harmony can hear me- what are you and dad up to?" I narrowed my eyes at the phone.
"Watching your trackers" I could hear her smiling.
"Untrusting. What am I, a dog?" I smirked at the puzzled look on Kyle's face. "Harmony won't let me drive more than about 70 on the freeway…"
"Yes, we are. And Harmony is sensible. You don't need to be drive 120 on the way back."
"Of course, I'll watch the speedometer, mom. I swear. Adios." I hung up on her and stepped back to where Kyle was smirking.
"Let me guess, your father is about to come beat me to a pulp" He grinned, rocking back on his heels.
"You know who my father is? And no, actually, he won't be killing you-yet." I beamed.
"Cami! What time is it?" Harmony asked shouted to me.
"Almost three, what's up?" I questioned, cracking my knuckles subconsciously.
"I got guitar at three thirty; will you give me a lift?" She asked me, walking up.
"Sure, I've only lugged you around all day" One of Kyle's mechanics came up to us, speaking to him.
It was time to leave too quickly, but Kyle promised to teach me to drift on Tuesday. We said our goodbyes and walked out to the parking lot. Kyle was headed home, too so we walked together while Harmony chatted on her cell in front of us.
"Where do you live?" I asked him when we reached my neon yellow car.
"About three miles from you" He smiled.
"How do you know where I live?" I asked.
"Lorenzo had mentioned that your dad lived on Hamilton in a seven story building. It's kind of hard to miss." He grinned behind his mirrored sunglasses.
"Smartass" I said. "That yours?" I asked, pointing behind him to the cherry red mustang.
"Yea, that was my dad's favorite car ever" He half-smiled sadly.
"What happened?" I asked, stepping closer to him.
"I don't really want to talk about it" He said, looking down nervously
"Hey, you can tell me. But I'll be happy to forget if you want me to." I volunteered.
"My dad died in a car wreck, he was in traffic and he got rear-ended and pushed into another car. He was in the Mustang and his neck was cracked instantaneously. I was only twelve and I remember coming to the track with him every Saturday to watch him race his pride and joy." He explained, looking at the shiny car.
"Are you going to take me to my lesson or am I walking?" Harmony complained from her side of the car, leaning on the roof.
"I'm coming, don't have a hissy fit." I rolled my eyes. "I gotta take Harmony to her lesson, what time do you want me come by for that lesson you promised me?"
"What about four? Lorenzo won't be here hounding over my every move, and I'll be able to take the Z out on the track." He thought.
"Sure, I get out of school at 2:15, so I'll be here about 3:45. Do you mean your Z?" I inquired.
"Yes, my Z. See you Tuesday" He said as I opened the door to my car.
"Adios" I called to him.
"So what's up with that? Do I see something or am I blind?" She asked from the passenger seat.
"You're blind" I slid a glance at her,
"Liar"
"Gossip"
"Cold" My phone rang
"Yo" I answered, the number showing up on the LFA's screen.
"Is Harmony coming to her lesson or not?" A male voice rang
"We're headed towards your house right now, Catastrophe." I smirked.
"Okay, Sweetheart" he replied.
"Derek! I told you to not call me that!" I spat at the phone.
"You called me a catastrophe!" He defended
"Fine. Be there in about 15." I hung up.
"You didn't tell him!" Harmony screeched.
"About what?" I questioned
"About Mr. Hot Champion Racecar Driver" She exclaimed
"His name is Kyle" I corrected
"Whatever, but you still didn't tell Derek!" She said, waving her hands.
"Why should I?" I questioned as we neared Harmony's instructor's house.
"Because Derek has a giant crush on you, like every other guy on the face of this earth" She explained, getting out of the car. "My mom is picking me up, you can go."
"See you later. I won't make it to your practice Tuesday, Kyle invited me to learn to drift" I smiled brightly at her through the open window. She jogged up the drive carrying her guitar case that housed her precious instrument.
I drove off, and I got a call from Lorenzo.
"Yo" I answered
"Will you tell Kyle that I won't be at the track Tuesday?" He asked me.
"Sure" I hung up. I turned on my GPS. I set it to show all buildings within three miles of my house. 587.
"Narrow to houses" I commanded. 26.
"How many on Hamilton?" I asked. Two. I smiled and drove past one. No Mustang in the driveway, and no garage. Not it. A little farther down, the other house had a red mustang parked in the driveway- shiny and perfect, except for one small dent on the front left corner. Kyle was just getting his bag from the trunk when I pulled in.
"Hey" I smiled, sliding out from my seat.
"You found my house that quick?" He asked, shaking his head. Oh god, that smile!
"Killer GPS"I told him. "Lorenzo sent me to tell you he won't be at the track on Tuesday."
"Why not?" He asked me.
"Didn't say." I told him. I glanced at my watch. "I have to go home, mom's probably about to have a heart attack."
"See you Tuesday." He smiled at me, picking up his bag.
"Can't wait" I smiled brightly at him and turned to my car.
I sighed happily when I pulled into the garage. I waved at the cameras and jogged up the stairs to mom's office on 5.
"Hey, mom!" I bounced into her office, leaning against her wall.
"What's his name?" She asked me from her desk.
"Who?" I asked innocently, batting my eyelashes.
"Your new crush." She motioned to one of the seats placed in front of her desk. Her office was very high-tech, mirroring dad's. It had a touch-screen computer on the desk with a wireless keyboard and mouse sitting with it. There was a sliding glass shelf on one wall, holding records and forms. Behind her was a wall of windows-bulletproof, of course- with a glass shelf resting against it. On the shelf was a simple rose in a glass, beside it was mom's tablet.
"Kyle" I answered, sitting in one of her black leather chairs.
"What's up with Lorenzo?" She inquired, turning to me.
"Not much, Kyle won the championship today for him." I replied.
"What are you not saying?" she smiled at me.
"Can I go to the track Tuesday so that Kyle can teach me to drift in his Z?" I bit the inside of my lip.
"Before or after school?" Mom looked at me through the corner of her eye.
"After, of course." I said, getting more nervous by the second.
"Will you be alone with him?"
"In the car? Of course, it's a racecar, not a street car. In the garage? No, the mechanics will be there." I begged, looking over my shoulder at dad when he walked in. "Can I go, mom? Please?"
"Go where?" Dad asked me.
"To the track Tuesday so that Kyle can teach me to drift his 350Z" I explained. "After school, of course." Mom and Dad exchanged looks.
"Kyle?" Dad asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Kyle Lancer, he's one of Lorenzo's champion drivers. Do you remember that bad wreck about seven years ago? The one where the man was killed after being rear-ended into another car in his mustang? That was his dad." I explained "Kyle's very sweet dad, he wouldn't do anything to hurt me."
"You'll have your trackers?" he asked me.
"Maybe not in the car, but other than that, yes." I started to fidget under dad's stare. Curse those damn nerves.
"You'll be with someone else at all times" He asked.
"The car is a race car, dad. It's stripped down to two seats, and in the garage the mechanics will be there." I said, nerves in full swing. Another round of looks between mom and dad. "Please? Kyle invited me to! And you know Lorenzo has been trying to teach me to drive since I could sit behind the wheel!"
"Will Lorenzo be there?" I walked right into that one.
"No, he has meetings." I said. I knew mom was on my side when she told dad
"Let her go, Carlos. She needs something to do. I'll run a search on him" She volunteered.
"You can go, but please be careful." He told me. I squealed and hugged him, thanking him heading up to 7. I would have made it without an interruption, but Tank had to go asking me why I was so happy.
"I'm going back to the track to learn to drift Kyle Lancer's 350Z on Tuesday" I beamed.
"And you father knows about this?" He asked skeptically.
"Yes, he does. See you later!" I said, waiving and running to the elevator. I tapped my foot impatiently as it rose, dashing to my room to start my Acer tablet.
My room was on one end of the house along with my brothers and sister's rooms. It sat protectively at an angle in front of theirs so that if anyone where to walk down the hall, I would know. When you walked in, my bed was off to the right, with my desk directly sitting on the wall of windows. My desk was elaborate, made of glass and in the shape of an L along the corner. My HP Touch Smart 320 3D sat on one end by the glass, with my wireless printer on the other end. In between, I had numerous binders, notebooks, scrap paper, and pictures scattered. My wardrobe/dresser stood in the middle of the wall that my bed was on, with bookshelves on one side and a door to my bathroom on the other. I shared my bathroom with my sister's room, linking us together. Next to my bed was a side table, where my tablet was always resting along with a lamp and a clock.
My bed's s pink and chocolate patterned sheets where made up courtesy of Trisha, our housekeeper(although Ella still insisted on helping). I plopped down and started researching Kyle and the rules for Formula Drift.
I flew through the halls of school Monday, trying to find Harmony. I found her at her locker, beside mine.
"What's up, Harmony?" I asked, barely containing my excitement. She grinned at me knowingly
"You're meeting Kyle tomorrow?" She laughed at my over-excited nod.
"I can't wait!" I said, opening my locker and placing my jacket inside. I slung my backpack from my shoulder, placing it in there, too. I snagged my school iPad from the holder in the back.
"I'm sure you can- you have to." She smiled at me as we walked to our first class. I couldn't help my mind drifting when the teacher started the lecture about Ancient Greece. I started to sketch on with my 'pen'. I was almost doen with the silhouette of a race car when she called on me. I jerked my head up.
"Ms Camille, who was the god of the underworld?" She asked me.
"Hermes" I blurted out. She grinned in satisfaction before calling on the boy in front of me. I got a message from Harmony:
"That was close, get your brain off of the track before you're banned to go!" I sent her a thank-you and started to half-way listen.
Sorry for the super-long first chapter! I just had to get us to when she goes to the track!
Review- but torching me isn't a good thing…
JLRS