Sorry for the wait on this chapter guys, I was having difficulty writing it. The next few chapters (including this one) are going to move through time a bit faster because we're entering Doc's racing career and there are only so many race scenes I can write before they get redundant. However, I'm going to try and keep the social aspect going as best I can (like you mentioned in your review Lightnesco) so I'm glad to see that you guys like both Bonnie and Donna :) I also like the theories you're coming up with :3 Pancake: Nope, he spoke with his mother right before leaving at the end of a chapter a few back and she encouraged him to go. It is only Johnny who is entirely against it. Thank you everyone for the reviews, I was having serious block on this story but I knew I couldn't give up on you guys!

CHAPTER TEN

I tried to reach Bonnie a few more times that week but was completely unsuccessful in conclusion. I had no idea what had gotten to her, yet business was calling, so Rick and I soon had to bring an end to our downtime. We finished our visit with a casual party at the track and then left the following morning. While I knew I would miss our friends, I also felt a pang of heartache having to leave my family again. Mama and Cindy assured me they would be watching for me on television, and I vowed I'd come back as often as possible. I only hoped we could all keep true to those promises. And perhaps in time Bonnie would reveal her sudden disappearance to me.

Rick explained that it would be best for us to return to Daytona during the racing season. Many races would be held there and it provided better locations for training. As soon as we were settled in again- this time in a very small two-bedroom place that Rick rented- we got straight to work. The weeks flew by as Rick pushed me to work my body in all kinds of ways and gave me advice on how to improve even the smallest things. When I wasn't practicing, we were dealing with more formal stuff. Sponsorships had to be sorted out, along with being educated on all the rules of the league and how the season would work. Rick worked closely with the cars organizing things so it came as no surprise when the selected to title the league the 'Piston Cup Championship'. Apparently they found the story of Rick and the boys racing for in honour of his late friend quite endearing, and it inspired a fantastic idea for what the trophy could look like.

When the first race of the season came, I was feeling both exhilarated and anxious. The opener would take place at the Daytona track once again, and being that I had already raced on it, that was a comfort. However, there was a certain weight to it now. This time I wasn't racing purely hope. Things were serious now; everything was so much more real. It was almost so real to the point of being surreal.

Then I spotted Donna cruising around the track with such ease that it put my trembling tank at bay. She always looked so relaxed in this environment that it seemed to remind me that I should be too. So I took a deep breath and approached her. Maybe if I was around her more it would keep my nerves settled.

"Afternoon, Miss Mayfield," I greeted in the most charming voice I could muster.

Her emerald eyes lost their dull sheen and focused purposefully on me. She smiled with a natural glow and replied, "Hey there, Doc. Please, just call me Donna."

I nodded, "OK, Donna. How are you doing? I didn't expect to see you here."

She raised her windshield as if to say 'I didn't expect myself to be here either' and answered, "Well, since Daddy's workin' here and he doesn't want me roamin' around town alone, I guess I might as well be here."

"Ah, I see."

"Yeah…" she said in a softer tone, "But I think I could get to like this place."

"It sure is an exciting place," I agreed.

For a moment we just stared at each other in silence. It was a strange silence, one that was content and understanding but slightly awkward too.

I cleared my windpipe. "Well, I guess I should be going then."

"Oh," she said sheepishly, "Of course. It was nice seeing you, good luck again!"

I smiled, feeling much more confident than when I had arrived. "Thank you, Donna."

The dirt turned effortlessly under my tires that day, but if I learned anything it was that speed alone wasn't going to win me any races. Speed was like air, you needed it to compete. It was strategy that made all the difference; it was what you chose to do with that speed.

I was feeling in better shape than I had ever been in my life, and I soared across the track without experiencing any painful side-effects that most cars would feel after enduring such extended exertion of their engine. But I was only able to rise to third place, and even that was a challenge. As always, I was one of the youngest of the league and I was completely uneducated on the moves I should make.

Rick coaxed me through the entire race, using the headset all the racers had been newly equipped with. He could tell I was struggling and I got the notion that he too was a bit stunned by the amount of thought these racers had put into this. I knew we would have to up our game if I wanted a shot at that trophy.

When the race was over, I had held on to my third place and finished strong after some jostling near the last twenty laps. I wasn't entirely thrilled with my performance but I knew Rick was proud of me and that made me feel more content with myself. I had so much trust in him to guide me through this new world. I had so much admiration for Rick, at times I was afraid to admit that the respect I had for Rick was almost as strong as the respect I'd had for my father. It seemed wrong. I could only have one father, and he was dead and gone. But the way Rick took care of me, it made me wonder. Maybe a father didn't have to be defined as the one who had helped create me.

After I had received my congratulations and praise from many of my fellow racers, Rick and I escaped the crowd clouding the pit area. I kept catching snippets of conversations floating in and out of the bustling cars. I think I caught sight of a reporter swerving between the bodies, clicking a photograph here and there. I marveled at how magnificent I still found this atmosphere to be. I pondered whether I'd ever be able to truly get used to it as seamlessly as Donna had already.

Donna. I was suddenly searching my surroundings in hopes of catching a glimpse of her bright red paint. She'd been happy to see me earlier, and for some reason I had the desire to see her reaction to my race today. If she had been paying any attention to me that is; I couldn't forget that there had been 42 other racers out there today.

"What do ya say, Rookie? Should we go celebrate this win?" Rick asked me when we had moved away from all the noise.

I smiled at the fact that he considered third place a 'win'. I deliberated his offer and felt uneasy for a moment. I had hoped that we could go back to the room where I could call Cindy with the news of my results today. But I knew Rick would probably want to take me out to a fancier restaurant and bar instead and I didn't feel like interrupting his plans for one measly call. It could wait until morning.

Rick's voice repeated, "Well?"

"Alright," I replied and slowly added, "But let me invite Donna to join us first."

I don't love this chapter since I was getting out of my block and it is kind of like an in-between but I hope it was still enjoyable enough that you'll want to read on. Thank you for reading and reviews are welcomed and appreciated :)