"Carl?.. I.. I didn't realize that you worked here now?" Lightning exclaimed. Carl smiled as he stepped up to Lightning answering "Well yeah. But, believe me. Me to. I've been working here sense I retired." "Wow that's.. That's great.. Good for you." Carl then frowned a little replying "Look, I hope to Chrysler there are no bad feelings about what happened so many, many years ago.. I.. I can't believe I did that.. You were a friend and I betrayed you.." Lightning sighed but smiled and happily answered "It's okay. I don't hold it against you Carl. Like you said it was many.. Many.. Years ago."
Oh how glad Carl was to hear that! He and Lightning shool hands and Celia, curious, asked "What exaxtly happened so many, many years ago?" Carl and Lightning stared at her. "Well," Carl answered "A scout came by to hire one of us young training racers back in the day for the x series of nascar." "Okay?" Celia muttered slowly. Carl smiled and explained "Lightning or Monty and I were the best! But the scout was only gonna hire one of us.. So... I ruined Lightning's chances and.. got the job.."
Celia stared at Lightning who nodded adding in "Yep, all true. But, if Carl hadn't of taken that, I'd never been in the piston cup series." "That's true." Carl replied. Celia snickered and asked "Would it be okay to take a photo of you two? For the public? I'll put that story up and people will ADORE this!" Carl raised a brow and looked to Lightning. Lightning shrugged "Sure.." He answered. Celia took out fhe phone and FLASH!...
So Lightning and Carl walked, chatting, catching up along with Celia, Liam and Dan. "So how did your career go? In x series?" Lightning asked. Carl smiled answering "It was great. I won more times than I could count! I retired a champion and I'm proud of that but I never settled well for what I did to you..I am so sorry for that.." Lightning shrugged it off. "Seriously Carl, I don't think about it anymore. We went seperate ways and that was it." Carl snickered. He really did feel guilty for his actions but was thankful Lightning wasn't angry. "So you want one of my or should I say our racers" He nudged Light with his elbow "To become the new driver of your academy?" "Yes I do! And I want only the best. I'd love to meet anyone you think qualifies?" Lightning asked. Carl chuckled explaining "You've already met two! Dan and Liam are definitely some of the finest here!" Lightning glanced behind them at the two racers who were walking and chatting or flirting with Celia between them. "They seem distracted." Lightning quietly griped. Carl glanced back and chuckled again replying "There boys! You remember being young? Don't you?" he joked.
"Let me tell you! Dan is usually the quiet one. He doesn't cause much trouble at all and is so laid back. There wouldn't be much drama on the track with him. I'd bet on it. You tell him to do something and he does it! But Liam, however... He's a bit of a show stopper. He likes attention and.. Girls.. and the spot light.. He isn't aggressive as a racer but he's fast. And what I mean by that is that he thinks fast before he acts and whatever he's doing? It's workin for him." Lightning nodded and asked "Well I'm more wanting to see the best all together in a race. Is it just Dan and Liam than?" "Oh no! I have three others off the top of my head. Bernadette Craven, Roger Gilly, and Fred Altimyers. Those three and Dan and Liam here are definitely the best here." he answered.
Lightning smiled "Great! Think we can set it up?" "Oh ofcorse! Anything you need! All I really want to ask of you is that maybe you do a little?.. Interview with some of our students. Let them get to talk and get some wisdom from a legend. Hmmm?" Carl asked. Lightning nodded answering "Sure! I'm sure Celia would tell me I have to anyway." Carl glanced back at hia two racers and Celia and joked "Pretty sure she won't be telling you anything for a while." Lightning couldn't believe these three. All smitten and ridiculous. They all stopped and "Liam! Dan!" Carl snapped! The two racers immediately looked to there coach. "Go on and tell the others to meet in the study hall. We have a legend to talk with us today." Dan immediately rushed off. Liam shot Celia a smile before running off too.
Carl snickered and asked "You like him?" Celia was just watching, staring, gazing at Liam leaving and muttered "Yeah.. He's..." She paused and turned red seeing Lightning and Carl staring at her. "He's alright I guess." she snapped quick. Lightning rolled his eyes before Carl motioned for them to follow "Come on than. We don't wanna make the students wait too long. You want a drink? Either of you?" he asked. "Yeah I could use one." Lightning answered. Celia nodded agreeing "Yes! i feel a bit dry myself.." She cleared her throat. Oh how funny she was...
So the students were naturally all talking amomst themselves while waiting for this visit by Lightning McQueen. Carl walked in followed by Celia, who was already on her phone. Prepared to catch any good stuff! And Lightning. Although, the students didn't really even seem to notice. Carl cleared his throat loudly to get attention of his students and they quickly stopped talking and looked to him. Lightning was impressed a little. Cal never had ahold of his students like Carl did! He only hoped he could keep his students maintained this well one day! "Alright! We have an extremely special guest at our school for a few days! It is my pleasure to introduce to you all, a former student and friend of mine, Lightning Monty McQueen!" The students applauded as Lightning stepped next to Carl.
"Mr McQueen here will be answering a few questions from you guys." He added.The students seemed surprised but immediately a hand went up! Carl pointed to the student saying "Go ahead and introduce yourself before asking please." The student stood uo and asked "Hi, my name is Wesley and I just would like to ask how was your experience when you debuted at the piston cup?" Lightning's brows raised but he answered happily "Well.. I was nervous. I was extremely nervous but it was one of the.. Coolest days and experiences of my life! I wish I could say I won but the King was just a little faster." A few kids chuckled or giggled a little. Then another hand went up and a young woman stood up, "I'm Angelina and my question is what does it feel like being a racing legend?"
Lightning smiled a little before answering that one "Well.. It's not easy. It took and takes a lot of work to become what people call a legend." A hand immediately went up and a student asked "What all do you have to do? I mean besides race and sponsor meetings? Because I would think the famous part is pretty enjoyable! Am I right!?" A few students snickered and Lightning sighed admitting "It is! The famous part is enjoyable but.. It's not at the same time. It's not about having fun. I mean.. I love racing and I enjoyed every minute of it! Racing wasn't just showing up for qualifying and the race itself though. I had to keep in shape, stay hydrated, stay vigilant, continue to practice or lose the edge. It wasn't just the boring sponsor meetings.. I had many, many sponsor events, signings, interviews with the same bor-uh.. Same questions.. And you have to really mentally keep yourself in a good place because racing can become a difficult and challenging, overwhelming and overworking cycle."
"What do you mean by that?" one student asked. Each and every student in the room was intrigued. Lightning had to think a second even. "Statistically?.. Most of you will never become that of legends. Statistically, most of you won't race for more than three or five years and half of you will decide to never race at all after you graduate. Racing isn't easy. It's not effortless. It can be fun and exciting at first and it can turn you into a legend and can give you amazing opportunities! But like all things it does.. Fade a little. And what I mean is.. It's work. You can't expect yourself to want to race and give away your weekends to work. You can't expect yourself to always be peppy and excited and ready. You won't go out there in the world, start your career and every single day, week, year for the rest of your life say I love my job and I can't wait to get out there! You will be tired, you will get sick, you will fuzz out, you will make mistakes, you will fail, you will hate your job, you'll be lonely, you'll wish you didn't have to train, work, race. It's gonna happen. Now.. I don't want you to all lose hope or decide to give up? I just want you to be prepared. Racing isn't all fun and attention and being famous. You gotta.. work..." The students were quiet. They just didn't expect that from Lightning and honestly?.. He didn't expect it from himself.
Carl raised a brow as he stared at Lightning and could see the mental wheels turning in his brain so for now he cleared his throat saying "Alirght! That's enough for now.. Tomorrow early morning! We can meet back up here and finish our questionnaire with Lightning McQueen!" The students began grabbing their things to leave. Carl, Celia and Lightning all headed out first and curious, Celia had to ask as they walked "What the fuck was that? That was most absolute WORST speach I have ever heard from you!?" Lightning shook his head replying "I.. I don't know?.." "Hey, you wanted to stay in the school right?" Carl asked bringing up. Lightning nodded. "Great. I got one room set up but if you want me to get a room for Miss Celia too? But.. Probably won't be until tomorrow." Lightning glanced at Celia.
Celia had to ask "Is that okay? I mean I would really love to stay here Mr McQueen." Lightning snickered and smiled because he actually had an idea. "Yes. Um.. Actually let.. Celia take the room you already have and.. I'll stay tomorrow." Celia raised a brow but who cares! That meant she could be closer to Liam Rover. "You sure?" Carl asked. Lightning nodded assuring "Yeah, yeah. I can just stay with Sally tonight and meet back here in the morning." "Okay. Good to hear. You know you could bring Sally and the kids too. I've only seen photos of them all but I would love to meet them." Carl insisted with a friendly smile. Lightning was surprised but surprisingly it seemed nice. "Yeah. I'd love to bring the kids over here and it.. It sounds great, really. Thanks Carl."
Celia smiled and glanced back seeing Liam. Carl and Lightning saw it to. "I'm.. Gonna.." She muttered. Lightning chuckled. Carl snickered saying "Go on! Get outa here! But don't wear my racer out to much. Liam is a top student. Maybe tomorrow I'll let you take one of our cars out." Celia rolled her eyed and rushed off. Lightning sighed and thought of something. "Hey Carl... Think I could?.. Ask a favor?" "Ofcorse!" Carl answered...
Lightning opened the door to the motel and it was already after seven. Minty was holding Ece asleep on her chest. Lightning smiled, locked the door and walked over asking "She have a long day?" he plopped down next to his mother. Minty smiled and nodded "Sally and I took the kids to a park. And I don't like to tell you how to parent.. But I think Colton needs a leash." Lightning sighed "Awe mom.. Come on... You love telling me how to parent." "Oh I do not!.." Minty quietly snapped! "Now I don't usually like leashing kids but... Colton ran off multiple times. He scares me. I don't want a phone call saying my grandson got hit by a truck or something!?...He's asleep now in bed but.." She sighed.
She sounded exhausted. Lightning chuckled replying "Okay, okay.. I'll.. Talk to Sally. Where is she anyway?" he asked. Minty nodded toward the bathroom answering "Giving Landon a bath." Lightning nodded and brushed his hand over Ece's soft hair that was slightly damp, stood up, kissed her gently then said "I'm gonna go talk to Sally." Minty smiled and called "Oh Monty.." Lightning stopped ans turned, looking to his mother. Minty warmly smiled saying "It's really nice.. Having you act like a father and a husband." Lightning stared at his mom and let that process. He nodded a little then walked away to find Sally.
"Knock knock.." Lightning announced as he opened the bathroom door slowly. "Dadda!!" Landon shouted! Lightning smiled and greeted "Hey sport. Hey Sal." "Hey." she smiled and greeted. She was just getting Landon dried off and going to get his pajamas on. "I thought you?.. Were staying at the school?" Sally brought up. Lightning leaned on the sink before explaining "Um.. Yeah. i am.. But.. Thought I'd come by and.. Well Carl, the school manager only had one room at the moment. I'll stay there tomorrow.." "Oh." Sally replied and put Landon's pajamas on. "Alright baby.. Time for bed." Sally picked him up and awkwardly moved around Lightning and went to take him to bed. Lightning sighed and thought bout a few things. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea but it was an idea...
Minty was asleep, the kids were in bed asleep and Sally was in her room in pajamas. Lightning peeked in and saw her rubbing some kind of lotion on her legs. She looked adorable. Lightning walked in slowly and greeted "Hey.." Sally sighed and smiled "Hey? You aren't in bed?" She asked. Lightning shook his head and had this devious smile. Sally noticed and stared asking "What?" "You look beautiful." Sally snickered hearing that. Lightning walked over and sat down next to her. "You wanna sneak out?" he asked. Sally's eyes widened "Excuse me?" she couldn't of heard that right!?
"Come on.. Let's sneak out. I wanna take you somewhere.." Lightning coaxed. Sally sighed. "Come on.." Lightning begged and took her hand. Sally stared at their hands. "Well.. I just got my pajamas on Light.. And I'm tired.." she was making excuses but Lightning wasn't gonna have it. "You will enjoy it and you need this more than me. Please." he asked once more. His smile and those blue eyed were hard to say no to. She sighed but oh Lightning knew he had her. "What are you up to?" Sally asked. Lightning only smiled, stood up, grabbed her jacket and some jeans for her. "Get dressed. Hurry. We'll be back before the break of dawn. No worries." Sally was suspicious but.. She wanted to see what exactly Lightning had in mind...