10. Trouble with a Side of Pudding
Alex was in a pickle. She stood in front of Spritle, in trouble for causing a food fight. Why was a long story, but at least she found Talitha and Mariana.
-Flashback-
Alex was a good way along on her journey, trying to find out what exactly happened with Jason. She kept wondering what happened to her sister and her friend. Her train of thought was interrupted when her stomach started growling. She sighed, deciding now was a good time to take a break. She sat down, and opened the bag Speed Sr. gave her. Her eyes widened at the contents. Protein bars, five of them, and water. Protein bars! That's all!
"Speed Sr.! I don't even like protein bars, you jerk!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, knowing that he would not hear her.
She sighed and ate one bar for the time being and drank some water. Alex continued on her journey.
-Time Skip-
When she finally got to the school she was starving. Those bars did not last long. Once inside the school she smelled food. She followed the scent to the cafeteria. She sighed knowing that she didn't have any money (at least this universe's form). Suddenly she remembered something: her mother always made her keep extra money in case something happened. Mom… She realized she may never be able to see her again. She shook her head. She had to focus on now. She also realized that if the show was made in America, maybe it was also set in America. She decided to test out her theory.
Alexandra walked up in the line got food and handed the lunch lady the money. She accepted it without hesitation, which made Alex sigh in relief. She found an abandoned table and started to eat her lunch.
Two boys then walked up to the table she was sitting at. They walked like they owned the place and looked very stuck-up.
"Hey girl, you're sitting at our table." one of them said loudly, gaining the attention of the students in the cafeteria.
Alex sighed, wondering where the adults were when you needed them. She took a look around, seeing every eye one her, before answering.
"I don't see your names engraved on this table. I have a name by the way, it's Alexandra." she snapped at him, having enough crap for one day, or week. The kids in the cafeteria went, "oooh," impressed with her comeback. The boy, however, was not.
"You are nothing! I haven't even seen you before today! What kind of name is 'Alexandra', anyway?" he asked, getting a reaction from the crowd.
Alex snapped. She threw the pudding that came with her lunch at him. Someone then shouted, "Food fight!" Soon, an all-out war came. After a good five minutes, an adult finally came in. Everyone froze and went quiet.
"Who on Earth is responsible for this?!" the teacher demanded.
Every student pointed at Alex.
"Oh, come on!" Alex exclaimed, sighing and throwing her hands out. The teacher then proceeded to take Alex by the arm to take her to the headmaster's office.
-Flashback End-
"You may go, I will handle her." Spritle told the teacher. He went away with a huff, muttering something about today's youth being nothing but trouble.
"Before we start, I would like to speak with my lawyer." Alex told him, trying not to laugh at how old he looked. In the background Alex could see Talitha facepalm.
"No need to act like that... Alexandra, was it?" Spritle said. She nodded, and he continued, "Your sister has already explained what your situation is."
"She has?" Alex asked, looking towards Talitha a little. Mariana, she noticed, was really quiet.
"Yes, we know about you running away from your orphanage." Spritle elaborated
Alexandra was confused at first, but then she realized it must have been a story Talitha made up on the spot. Her sister was never good at impromptu speaking-after all, only in a corny TV show would anyone believe that. Alex immediately put her time in Drama to good use. Her face turned solemn as she nodded.
"Don't worry," Speed Jr. reassured her, with a smile, "We'll help you in any way we can!"
Aww, he was so much nicer than his father. Alex felt bad for lying to him about this.
"How?" she asked, sounding like she lost hope a long time ago.
"How old are you, Alexandra?" Spritle asked.
"I'm fifteen, sir."
"You and your sister may enroll in our academy, then. You are just old enough to start learning how to drive."
"What about my friend?"
Alex was really confused as to why they didn't mention Mariana. She was just about to ask when Mariana caught her eye. Mariana made a sign with her hand telling her to stop talking. Alex nodded slightly, showing Mariana she got the message.
"Unfortunately we have not seen her. However, since you don't know how to drive, you will not be able to participate in the invitational races I am planning. You may go to the dances though."
"I can help you learn, Alexandra. Talitha, come with us. We can find you a car as well." Speed Jr. said.
"Please, call me Alex." she told Speed. He nodded
OMG! Speed Jr is going to teach me how to drive a race car! Better than any driving school they have at home!
They walked down the halls. Speed was in the front, which gave Alex and Talitha time to talk quietly.
"Do you know why Mariana acted so weird in Sprite's office?" Alex asked her
"I have no idea. Hopefully we can talk to her later." her older sister replied
"Yeah, Spritle mentioned a dance. Maybe we can talk to her then."
"Or hopefully before." Talitha added, wanting to get to the bottom of things.
Before they knew it, two people were in front of them. Alex recognized them as Lucy and Connor.
"Connor, Lucy, this is Talitha and her sister Alexandra. Alex is going to come with me to start learning the basics of driving."
With that, they parted ways.
Yeah, Alex is having a hard time in this world. Oh well, Speed Jr. is teaching her to drive! Anyone would be happy about that!
~~Welcome back, AlphonseLover13 :D! We do not own Speed Racer: the Next Generation. Oh, and WHY DO YOU HATE PROTEIN BARS?~~