The academy sat on a hillside near Willy's butte. A dirt road lead to the large school. It was a sight to see! Large number 95 outside the building and the name. Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy! It looked great. Matching the rock or stone buildings of town, with red and yellow on the sides. A ling strip of paved asphalt in the front. Stretched as far as your eye could see just about. Lights shined of red and yellow. It was sunset for now. But once the sun was gone and it was dark, the fireworks show would begin.
When you pulled up to the entrance, you had valet parking. Which was actually kind of nice. There were waiters and waitresses walking around with large silver trays. Giving out small deserts, appetizers, and shots. The large entrance was just a huge showroom. Glossy black floor with cars everywhere. If you knew Lightning personally, you knew he loved his cars! There were plenty of them out in this showroom. A large circular stage in the middle with ramps on either side for cars to be driven on and off. It was decorated with a large 95 billboard. Lightning didn't spare advertisements and publicity here it seemed. A band was there and a dj too. At the moment the dj was playing though.
A large buffet table and at least 50 round tables seating 5 per table in one corner and a bar was even set up. It was classy yet sharp with the way Lightning had it built. Lightning was with Cleo, or rather she was with him. Greeting a few different guests. There were a lot of people. Friends, some students from the racing school of Cal's, ofcorse town folks, some higher guest who paid to be here. Sort of investing and sponsoring. A few of Cleo's friends. Though they were snooty. And press. Tons of camera flashes throughout the night.
Lightning shook hands with a guest as they entered. "Yes, thanks for joining us!" he called then two close friends walked up and Lightning smiled greeting "Ramone! Flo! How are you two!? Wow! Flo, lookin good." Lightning winked. Flo smiled on her silver and flattering flapper style dress and Ramone chuckled agreeing "Doesn't she. Hey, the place looks great man. You got the new one here?" Ramone asked. Lightning nodded answering "Sure do. Even got someone there to show off what you did to her. Think it's to the left after to enter. You two have fun and enjoy!" "Oh we plan too baby." Flo said happily. Lightning snickered.
Following them was Luige and Guido. "Mcqueen! This a place, is magnifico." Luige said. "Where are the Ferrari?" he added asking. Lightning chuckled answering "Sorry guys, all my cars only in the show room. That and one of Doc's." They went on in. Everyone was dressed nicely on their formal. Cleo looked amazing. Wearing a two piece dress. The top was sleeveless but had wide tank top straps and high neck. It was silver and glittery. Sparkled with every movement she made. It was short and showed her tan tummy and diamond belly button ring. Lightning did love that but of teasing. Her skirt piece was a petal pink and was flowing and poofy. Flew as she walked like a feather. Her hair was curled up to one shoulder and her make up was dark. Only wearing one long tassel like ear ring and the other had a diamond. She looked really hot.
"Dadgum this place is awesome!" The familiar friend said. Mater walked up wearing an old baby blue suit. Lightning smiled greeting "Wow, lookin good buddy. You clean up nice." Mater bowed and thanked him "Good. This thing is all I had in the closet. This Cleo?" He asked. Lightning nodded introducing "Yes. Cleo, this is Mater. He's"-"Only McQueen's most bestest most greatest and awesomest best friend alive! Sir Tow Mater. But you can call me Mater." Cleo faked a smile and stepped back saying "Wow.. yes.. I see.. Um.." She turned to Lighting and said "I am just going to grab us some drinks baby.." And she took off. Mater frowned and asked "Did I say somethin wrong?"
Lightning shook his head explaining "No, Cleo just.. She's high maintenance. She gets uncomfortable and... Doesn't hang out with.." Mater nodded replying "I understand.. So she your new girlfriend?" Lightning shrugged answering "I don't know.. I guess. She's just.. Fun I guess,I don't know, I don't wanna talk about it. Hey, heads up. Everything is free and you just be yourself tonight. Don't you worry about anything. Go on and have fun Mater." Mater's eyes widened and he smiled saying "Shoot yeah! Look out every one! Mater's fixin to get funky!" Lightning chuckled. He couldn't help it. Mater was a character.
Then he saw her. The entire world seemed to stop or slow. She.. Sally, looked beautiful. She had a gorgeous smile to match her white blonde hair as she flipped it over her shoulder in such a sexy and slow motion. She wasn't boldly sexual with her looks like Cleo. Sally was more of a tease. Wearing a dark maroon like red dress that was slim but long, full to the ground. Kind of a mermaid style. The top had the slimmest spaghetti straps. No bra straps. So either she wasnt wearing one or it was strapless.
She walked closer and closer. He missed her. Sally was who he wanted to be spending this celebration with. How could he have lost her over such stupid actions.. Now she had someone else. None other than Francesco Bernoulli.. He looked great in his black suit. He looked better than him. At least that's what Lightning thought. He missed Sally so much. And was jealous that Francesco had her. Cleo was just who he was with. He did not love her. She was just good looking, willing, fun, and gave him whatever he wanted pretty much. She overfilled his ego. Treating him as such a superior. Cleo knew how to treat a man. But she didn't know how to love one.
He sighed and smiled as Sally and Francesco walked up and greeted. "Ah McQueen. How nice of you to invite us." Francesco said. Lightning nodded and shook hands with the former racer. "Ofcourse. You both are.. Friends." That stung to say. Sally smiled complimenting "You look good." Lightning was in a new and expensive suit himself. Cleo picked it out. It was just a light gray. With a pink tie matching the skirt of Cleo's dress. "Thanks." Lightning replied. "You." he would be more honest but with Francesco standing with her, Lightning complimented Sally lightly, "Look nice Sally." Sally smiled kindly. Francesco then spoke up saying "Well, we will go and enjoy ourselves. Congratulations on the academy McQueen."
Lightning nodded "Alright. I'll.. Catch up later." The couple then went on in. Dam. Even Sally's ass looked good as she walked away. She must of been working out more too sense they last had an evening. Lightning sighed. He missed her. He wanted her. And yea, he could be aggresive and try to get her back but.. She seemed happy with.. Francesco and.. He didn't want to hurt her anymore...
Lightning was making his way to the center stage to thank everyone for coming and such, when a tap on the shoulder stopped him. Lightning turned and glared a bit muttering "Chick.. How are you.." Chick smiled in his rather odd green and black suit. "Doin great old man. Place looks good! Here, let me snap a photo!" Chick pulled out his phone and Lightning did smile. But more like the smile from cars 1.The annoyed I have to fake a smile with the old people I don't like kind of smile. "Beautiful." Chick said after snapping the picture.
Cleo walked up and Chick's eyes widened as he whistled. "Woah. Who is this?" Cleo smiled introducing herself "Cleo De Frank." She held out her hand and Chick took it so gently and knelt down to his knee saying "My oh my.. You are a goddess madam." He gently kissed her hand. Cleo smiled and rolled her eyes saying "Awe stop. Please." Lightning rolled his eyes muttering "Kiss ass.." Chick stood up asking "No way a creature like you is with this guy?" Cleo grabbed Lightning's arm and corrected "I am. Daddy here is exquisite." Chick raised a brow and repeated "Daddy? Hmm. Nice touch there. You darlin, should be with a real man. You know I own a show on tv. Chick's picks with Chick Hicks! That's me." he smiled.
Lightning rolled his eyes again and pulled away explaining "I gotta go but please, you two chat. I'll be right back babe." Lightning said to his girl. Kissing her on the cheek real quick before going up on stage. Everyone clapped and some even cheered! Most everyone loved Lightning. Even though he had been having some bad reputation with the press and the women lately.
The music stopped and Lightning grabbed a cordless mic by the dj and spoke to his guests, "How is everyone doin tonight?" A few cheered loudly. "Great! I want to welcome you all to the grand opening of the Lightning McQueen Racing Academy!" Everyone applauds and cheered loudly. Even a few whistles! "Wow, thanks everyone! You know I never could of done this without all the support I received in my career. Means a lot to me. So I say this a lot, but I want to thank the old rusteze racing team again. Guido, Luige. You two saved me tons of time in those pits. Sarge, Filmore. Let's not forget Ramone. And if you haven't seen his hot new paint scheme yet, check it out in the first corner back that way! Color changing paint. Proud of you Ramone!"
Ramone waved and yelled "Thanks McQueen!" People cheered and clapped for him. Lightning sighed with a smile and continued "And Sally. Sally you supported my career and me. Even in the darkest parts.. Always gonna love you Sal" he winked. Sally stared. Surprised was a word. "And Ofcourse we can't forget Doc. He's the entire reason I started this place. So anyways, I hope you all enjoy the show. We got a night time drag race out front about to start. You don't wanna miss that! And fireworks in the back shortly to follow. Don't forget about that delicious buffet and grab some drinks and most importantly, thanks for coming out tonight." Everyone cheered at the end of his speech. Lightning stepped down and the dj continued the music back up.
Sally felt that maybe Lightning shouldn't have said that about her on stage. She turned to Francesco and patted his hand saying "I'm gonna run to the restroom. I'll be right back." Francesco nodded. But stopped her asking "You do not wear your ring?" Sally stared at her naked finger and explained "Yeah um.. I just didn't want to make tonight about us." So Sally disappeared.
Lightning was making his way through the crowded floor. Being asked to stop for pictures over and over. Even a few autographs. Mostly by younger people, students from Cal's school wanting to blow up their news feed on social media. Then the familiar cowboy greeted "Lightnin McQueen!" "Tex! Thanks for comin out." Lightning said happily as he shook Tex's hand. Tex smiled complimenting "The place is great. I'm hopin I can set up a private tour sometime?" Lightning's eyes widened "Ofcourse. Anytime you want, you just stop on by Tex. I owe you." Tex snickered and patted Lightning's back "Great. I'll remember that. Now, I'm gon have myself a good size drink. Congrats again Light." Tex said with one last pat onto Lightning's back. Lightning was feeling pretty good about this. He had a small amount of students ready and lined up already too. For now, he was the only teaching coach. But he would find a few to hire.
Lightning saw Sally. Standing in the hall near the restrooms. She was staring at the wall of photos. So Lightning walked up asking "Memory lane huh?" Sally glanced at him and smiled warmly before answering "Yeah.. Good photos. Really tells the whole Lightning McQueen story.." They stood next to each other staring at all the photos. Photos of Lightning back in his school days, rookie days, his sponsor, Mack, the bolt, Radiator Springs family, friends, race friends, Sally and him too. The kids, Cruz.. Sally sighed and spoke up about his speech, "You didn't need to mention or thank me up there. In front of everyone like that." Lightning shrugged correcting "I did to. You deserve more thanks than I ever gave you. I took you for granted. I'm sorry. And.. Thank you. For everything." Sally snickered but stared at the photos.
Both stood there quietly a moment."Been a wild ride huh?" Sally asked. Lightning nodded agreeing. He gazed at her. "You look extremely beautiful tonight Sally." Lightning complimented now that they were alone. Sally didn't reply though. Lightning stared. Taking in her beauty. Then an idea. "Hey? Wanna see the best spot in the entire academy?" he asked. Sally raised a brow but curious, she answered "Sure."..
As they made their way up two more levels, the music down below in the entrance and show room could no longer be heard. Just the sounds of their footsteps. "Come on, this way." Lightning pulled her along. They came to his office. Which was huge, but basically empty. A black desk, with a black chair, black lamp, black shelf but it went well with the light wooden floor. Sally whistled "Wow. It's a big office." Inside was even an old vette. Sally stared at it and asked "Is that like the same one you said you first raced?" Lightning nodded proudly "You won't believe this one. I kept a bunch of my old papers and records from that one way back then, I mean you knew that but this car. Same vin number." Sally's eyes widened."No way?" she said. Lightning nodded still very proud. Sally brushed her hand across it as she stared at it.
"So... This is car that started it all?.." Lightning wasn't gazing at his prized old worthless car. He was gazing at the beautiful woman next to it. He hated this but he was falling back in love with her somehow. "This isn't even what I was talking about though." Lightning added and motioned for Sally to come. They reached double doors and Lightning explained "This isn't as good as your beautiful view from wheel well or your house now. But this is my dream view." With that, Lightning opened the door and the cold air swept through. The two steppes out on the balcony. It was dark, but the stars were beautiful. Down below was the dirt track of Willy's Butte. Sally gasped. "It's beautiful." Lightning snickered correcting "It's just a bunch of dirt."
Sally shook her head snapping but nicely "No, it's much more than that!? This is the track you and Doc use to get your tires dirty on! Gosh..It's like you can feel him here." Lightning smiled. The view was so much more amazing with Sally in it. The nighttime sounds of the desert was peaceful. Calming. But mixed with the sounds of loud engines from the drag races on the front of the academy.
"You make Doc proud Light." Sally said softly. Lightning smiled to that and stood close next to Sally. "I'm proud of you. You've done well. You seem happy." Lightning stared at her. Fuck he was falling hard and it hurt. "You.. Seem happy with Cleo. I'm happy for you." She added. Lightning snickered and shook his head admitting "I don't love her. She doesn't make me happy." Sally raised a brow and asked "So why are you with her?" Lightning stared into Sally's eyes and decided, what did he have to loose? Really?
"Because I can't have you." Sally's eyes widened hearing that. They stared. She sighed and whined his name "Lightning.." "Sally.. I love you. I want you and I miss you." he admitted. Sally couldn't believe he was doing this now. "It's a little late for that." she muttered. Lightning quickly disagreed "No, it's not. I love you and always will. You wanted the divorce, not me. I wanted to stay and fight for us." he reminded her. Sally growled a bit as she replied "And you left. The moment we were seperated, you ran off for months! Leaving me alone!" Lightning and Sally both did not want to fight. They stopped and fell silent and stared out at the dirt track. They could see a few people down in the center getting the fireworks ready and set up.
Sally sighed saying "I'm with Francesco now." Lightning nodded "I know. That's why I have never and I'm not still, asked you anything. Because I want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy." Sally stared at him. That was sweet of him in a way. "Lightning..." She whispered facing him. Lightning brushed her hair behind one of her ears when suddenly Bang! Pop! Both jumped at the sudden sound of the firework! They stared a moment and watched the show. Then Sally said "I should.. Go back. Francesco is probably looking for me and.. I'm sure Cleo is looking for you to." They stared at each other again. Lightning didn't want her to go. "You have done a great job Light." Sally said then left. Lightning didn't try to stop her. What would he say?
"I want you back.." He whispered once he was alone. But he messed up and it was too late...
Lightning went back down as the fireworks shot off. He went looking for Cleo. Not finding her he grabbed a shot as one of the waitresses passed by. A lot of people were dancing as the band began to play softer and older and slower music. Including Sally and Francesco. Lightning stared at them a moment. He did this to himself. He should have never cheated. He lost an amazing woman. It hurt and was such heartbreak.
Lightning walked away. A little hurt. But needed to use the restroom. He went in, stood there, unzipped, doing his business, he could hear people fumbling in the stall in the corner. Zipping back up, washing rinsing his hands he heard a woman moan. He sighed. Nope, not at his academy. Lightning hit the side of the stall scolding "Alright! Enough of that. You had your adrenaline rush, now get out of my building." But the girl whispered and he immediately recognized her. "Cleo?" he mumbled then hit the door open hard! Yeah, it was Cleo. In the middle of getting fucked by Chick Hicks! Lightning stared a moment as they both stared getting caught. Cleo looked upset and struck with fear and embarrassment as she pulled away, pushing Chick's member out of her but before she could say a word Lightning snarled loudly "No, please!? Finish first!" then turned and left!
He should have known Cleo would do something like that! He was angry. Not because it was Cleo and Chick. He could care less. Chick could have that money loving cunt. Lightning needed air. Fresh air. He stomped quickly toward the door and through the crowd, grabbing another quick shot. Sally noticed him but.. She was in the middle of dancing slow with her secret future husband to do anything. Lightning stepped out and took a fee deep breaths. Once again the music faded. But sense the drag racing was over now. It was pure desert night sounds. Beautiful and peaceful. He took a deep breath. Not sure what he should do.
A car pulled up, the valet took the keys and drove off. Lightning wasn't even paying attention until she spoke "Mr McQueen eerrh.. Lightning? is that you?" He looked up and oh god, wow.
Cruz was back!
sorry for not using all the ideas in this chap. But I loved them and a few I definitely want to use just later in the story! Thanks guys. you are all.the best!