Chapter 1: The Grand Prix

"Lizzy, look at all the fast cars!!" my younger brother, Matthew screamed in my ear, trying to be heard over the deafening crowd. I nodded and smiled, not really interested. My mom had forced me to take Matt to the Grand Prix so her and my new step-dad, the notorious Cannonball Taylor. It was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen in my life. And to make my life even more miserable, my dad will be away on business for 6 months! So I was being forced into staying with my mom.

Maybe I should tell you about myself. I'm 17, with medium length curly brown hair, and brownish hazel eyes. I'm 5'8" and am the friend that everyone confided in and was always there for anyone. I lived down the street from Thunderhead stadium most my life, and only recently moved away to live down the street from the Casa Cristo stadium. I moved there when I was 11, and came back only a month ago. My mom wanted to "reconnect with her roots" and Matt and I were tagged along with the ride. Matt has no problem with are new step-dad, but he hates me and has dropped several hints to my mom about sending me away, but my mom can't bear to part with me, so I'm stuck. I had actually grown up with Speed and Trixie, Speed's girlfriend, but I was never really that close. Yeah, we hung out a couple times, but nothing major. But Trixie has confided in me, which I guess makes me a good friend. I was the first to know that she liked Speed, and Katie was her "bestest friend in the universe" at the time.

"…Lizzy, are you even listening to me?" Matt yelled in my ear, breaking me out of my reverie.

"Yes, you were, um, talking about….the fast cars!" I yelled triumphantly. Matt gave me a look of disdain. "You weren't even listening, were you?!"

"Yes, Matt I was, but…couldn't focus on you…the crowd was so loud…" I was lamely trying to piece together an excuse when the announcer cut through.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it looks like Speed Racer is in the lead, with Taejo Togokahn in second, and the Grey Ghost in third. It's going to be quite the finish, with the finish line only 1000 yards ahead. Everyone hold on to your seats!"

I was getting into deep thought again when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned around and saw Emily, my good friend before I moved.

"Liz, is that really you?" she exclaimed.

"Yeah. Oh my gosh, well how have you been? I've been great…" we caught up on each other, and then I noticed some people standing behind her. She introduced me to Cassie, Emma, James (her new boyfriend), and Jamie. She looked really happy and I couldn't blame her. All of her friends looked really nice and welcoming. As I was talking to them, the race finished.

"And the winner is Speed Racer! This is his second straight win!"

The crowd went wild! And all of Emily's friend had crushes on them, and not wanting to leave Emily hanging, I went with them. I dragged Matt down the stands, promising him an autograph if he complied. That seemed to do the trick. He followed me like a lost puppy.

As Emily's friends were waiting in line for an autograph, Matt needed to use the rest room. And he is one of those spontaneous children that when he says he needs to go, he HAS to go. So I left Emily the piece of paper and went to go find a bathroom. Matt is 12, but my mom constantly insists that he could be mugged, or kidnapped, blah, blah, blah. So I have to take him into the girls' room. But he begged me not to and since he had a cell phone, I complied. As I was waiting, I looked at the stadium entrance, and there was a nice yellow car with the number 9 on it. I knew immediately that it was Racer X's car, but he wasn't even in the Grand Prix. As I walked over, I heard someone from behind me yell, "Hey you!", and then someone grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. I looked into the eyes of……

A/N So I wanted to add a cliffhanger. Hope you guys like it! Please R&R! :)

-lizzy-1809