Lightning parked the car in front of the old dirt track. It was vaguely dark and light. Sun barely coming up. It was quiet. No one was out here except for Lightning and Jackson. Jackson got out with Lightning and stared at the track. "Little.. Chillie.. Isn't it?" Jackson asked with a shiver. You could see his breath in the frosty air. Lightning glanced at Jackson explaining "It's perfect racing weather." Jackson fidgeted in the suit then griped "And the suits a little tight.." Lightning glared without a word. Jackson sighed and stared a moment before asking "Did you have my race car brought out here from the school yet?" Lightning nodded.
Jackson shivered a bit more then out of curiosity asked. "Wait.. Are we racing together?" Lightning nodded again. That made Jackson snicker. "Look, no offense old timer.. But.. My car is quite a bit faster than yours. I mean.. You just don't stand a chance against me. Unless this is suppose to be some.. Leisurely drive or something." He chuckled a little. Lightning shrugged replying "Entertain me." Jackson snickered joking "I'd need tits for that." Lightning glared. Jackson immediately apologized. Lightning sighed with an eye roll explaining "You've been doing good. When you were out here with Dan, I saw the potential and the problem. You're sloppy. Quick without thinking. You aren't feeling the car." "Hey! It's.. Hard to think with the hearing aid getting all sqealy and pitchy at higher speeds." Jackson defended. Lightning sighed asking "Have you gotten that looked at yet?" Jackson frowned and shook his head.
Lightning stared at the track before continuing "So you have to shut it off to race.. That's why you're sloppy. You can't rely on listening to the car anymore. gotta learn to feel the car." "I have." "Not really.. But that's what we're gonna work on." Lightning explained then walked to the academy back garage. Jackson Followed. Lightning unlocked the doors explaining "We won't be driving stock cars today." Jackson raised a brow asking "What? What are we driving than?" "You've relied on speed for far too long.." Jackson's brows lowered. "You don't want me to be fast? But.. Fast is who I am. Speed is my thing!" He defended as he was confused and maybe offended a little.
Lightning looked at the kid and explained "Speed is your weakness. Time to teach you how to be great without it." "But.. But without speed I'm no one!" Jackson snapped rudely. "Speed is the heart of racing it's who I am!" He shouted. Lightning glared a bit then opened the garage. Jackson stared at the two old mustangs. One red, one black, side by side. "Woah.. Wow.. Are you serious?" He asked. Lightning nodded and walked up to the red mustang, petting the hood.
"The Nine teen seventy four mustang two." He announced. Jackson snickered and crossed his arms. "These are severely underpowered cars. No speed at all." Lightning smiled saying "Exactly." And grabbed the keys. Jackson continued to gripe, "These cars take like.. fifteen seconds to reach sixty on a straight a way! I'll be lucky to get her to that on this track!" Lightning only corrected "It's actually thirteen point five, eight seconds. Depending on the driver's moves." He dangled the keys.
Jackson sighed and snatched a set. "Fine.. But I'm taking the black one." Lightning snickered with a proud smile. Determined to get Jackson back to his former glory. Jackson started it up, revved it a bit, then pulled out if the garage. Lightning knew he might had been just trying to get his mind off things like the nightmares, but he and Jackson both needed this he felt...
Peeling out means grinding into a start. Start slow and feel what she tells you. Dig deep Jackson. Hear that rumble, that's bad. Alright try again. Harder! What are you doing!? Don't force her! That's it, nice and easy. Ignore your speed! Stop Looking at the speedometer! Alright turn sharper. Too tight! Bring it in. Back set again. Drifting is fine, but these turns aren't tight enough. Don't push to hard. Alright stick it in deep. Do you even know how to drive!? Shift! Shift! Use the brake! Gas it! What was that? Slow down or you'll wind up in the tulips! Better. Again. Wow..That was awful..
Jackson stopped the car and opened the door and got out. "You are the most AGGRAVATING teacher EVER!" he immediately yelled at Lightning. Lightning glared and stretched out some painter's tape. Jackson's eyes widened. "Woah, hey now.. What's that for?" he stepped a few steps back. Lightning got into the car and explained "You keep watching your speed. I told you, speed is your weakness." He taped over the speedometer and rpm, etc. Jackson immediately griped, "Hey, I need that to read the car!" "No, you don't. Feel it.." "ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME!? You want me to feel a machine!?" Jackson whined. Lightning glared and ordered for him to get in. Jackson sighed and reluctantly did as he was told...
That's better! I like what I'm seeing. Bring her around easy. Inside. inside then back out. Follow a line. Pick the line! That's it. Dirt, dirt! Not asphalt! There you go! Faster! Faster. Again. Well.. You could always do that.. Oh Chrysler.. That's not how you drive a car. Do you want to race!? Wow.. I would say I've seen worse, but.. I haven't. Alright, better. What's she feel like? Perfect! Great job! Watch the turn! Got it. Feel low? That's a good sign. Outside line. There we go. Stick it in. Don't be loose. Too loose! Tighten up. To tight! Better. Yes!
As Lightning stood and coached Jackson into the turns, coming to a stop. Jackson slowed down, stopped the car and turned it off. Lightning quickly applauded. "Great job! How's that feel?" He asked as Jackson got out. "I think we can take the hearing aid out or turn it off for the next run." Before Jackson could answer, they heard a crowd of applauds, whistles and a few shouts. They looked over to see the group of girls that had been striking and other students from the school that had come out at some point during the lesson.
Jackson and Lightning were so caught up in the moment, the track, the racing. They didn't even notice them come out. And in that crowd was even Cal and Sally. Sally wearing the proudest and warmest smile as she looked at Lightning. Lightning turned to Jackson and asked. "Who are you without speed again? Because no one couldn't get a reaction like that." he asked with a proud smile. Jackson was shocked and slowly a smile crept to his face. A determined smile as he looked at Lightning. "So you wanna try again? Without the hearing aid?" He asked. Jackson nodded answering "Yes. I think I I feel it." That was the best news Lightning had heard in a while!
Jackson got back in and began racing again. Training. Sally went down and stood with Lightning. Lightning smiled at her and pulled her close against his body. "Where are the kids?" He asked with a smile. Sally lay a hand on his chest and nestled into hia side answering "Your brother got to the house a few hours ago. He and Minty are with them." Lightning snickered hapily ans watched Jackson. No reason to coach him sense the hearing aid was off right now. So he just watched. "Hey Stickers." Sally cooed. Lightning glanced down at her warmly. "It's good to have you back." She said with a smile. Lightning sighed and smiled at her. He wasn't sure if he was back. But something inside felt good today. Something felt right and for once. Cleo didn't matter at all.
"You know, I'm felling pretty good. We should celebrate this. The academy looks like it's gonna do alright. I called Smokey. He's gonna come out and help." Lightning exclaimed. Sally seemed excited for her husband and nodded and agreed. "Thats great!. And some how, showing those girls what you can do out here, put them in place and shut them up. Reminded them why they came out here to." She replied. Lightning glanced up at the small crowd and snickered admitting "Wasn't intentional. I couldn't sleep and Jackson was awake. Thought we'd try something, but.. I'm impressed. I didn't think it would go this well!"
Sally giggled a little quietly then kissed Lightning's cheek. "Let's celebrate than. Dinner tonight?" She asked. Lightning chuckled asking "Just tell me where and when." "Alright. Here. Your office. Say.. Seven? That way Minty and Chad can have the kids at the house. If they don't mind that is." Lightning nodded replying "They won't. Sounds good. I'll finish up with Jackson then go get ready." "Don't worry about how you look. You kinda look sexy all covered in dust and smelling like motor oil." She was joking. Maybe. Lightning couldn't tell for sure. But it was cute none the less...
sense the last chap was so short, i went agead and posted this, another short one. give you guys two short ones before i write the next chapter. hopefully you guys are atull reading and not just reviewing. i am excited that this one is coming to its end in all honesty, as i cant wait to get back into the what brought me to you story ans the adventures that await.
I watched cars 2 with a friend yesterday and i told them about how i am going to be re writing it a little and cleaning it up for ffn into a story. They pointed out a BUNCH of things i will need to clean up and tweak
Cars 2 was pretty awful i guess. i loved the story but i think it could have done better. anyways enjoy!!!