How To Raise A Racecar Chapter 35: Two June Bugs on a Summer Night, a cars fanfic

Author's Note: Thanks for being patient! I wrote up a long chapter as a thank you for waiting while I took my final exams before and because Cars 3 is coming out this week! I figured we could all use a little bit of a celebration with the anniversary also being last week, so happy Cars week! It's as long as an average chapter and a half, making this chapter the longest I've ever written.

For those following the story's soundtrack on Spotify, you'll notice I added a new song for this chapter. You'll see it appear toward the end.

As always, thank you for reading! Please leave a review if you've enjoyed this chapter or if you're enjoying the story so far! You don't have to, but it'd sure be cool if you did. c:

And you should totally be part of the fun on my Instagram: artby0lemons0

I always post sneak peeks and extras. C:

Enjoy Cars 3!

Chapter 34 - "Two June Bugs on a Summer Night"

That very same evening, after news broke out that a brand new student was being chosen for the Racing Sports Network Program, was a night better for some than others.

An abundance of excitement and love poured into the streets of Radiator Springs while in other Carburetor County towns, the reality of another female racer kicked up the sleeping dust of the past.

In that town, Taillight Valley, the Firebird Racing History teacher stood alone in his kitchen. The chill from the tile flooring pressing against his treads was the only sensation that convinced him that he wasn't floating into a void. He was idling in front of an empty Dinoco beer mug stained at the rim with residual alcohol from his lips. He took a deep breath and lifted the mug over the sink. He tilted it just enough for the small amount left at the bottom to slide out of the mug and drip into the stainless steel drain.

After placing it down, he reversed away from the counter, and turned into his living room. On a coffee table positioned in front of his television sat a stack of final exams he hadn't yet graded and a spreadsheet for the grade input. It had the names of each of his students. He reversed onto his couch, then prodded the television remote.

The large 75-inch screen flashed on the Racing Sports Network.

"...racing legend's brand new television program showcasing his professional point of view regarding today's races: Chick's Picks," the feminine voice of Shannon Spokes spoke over a Chick Hicks racing montage from back in the day.

Adam Springwheel rolled his eyes and went to change the channel when the picture of a familiar black stock car, similar to his father, showed up on the screen. He paused, "Murphy?" then watched the screen with curiously furrowed eyelids.

"And speaking of Chick Hicks, it turns out the Former and Forever Piston Cup Champion's son isn't the only student from Carburetor County High School running laps in California."

Adam tapped the volume button on his remote with his tire to make it louder.

"Due to a loophole in the rules and regulations for our brand new Piston Cup Series Class - a class of racing specifically for commuter coupes and sedans - the daughter of current racing legend, Lightning McQueen, has also been chosen to journey to California and compete for the prestigious trophy. This story comes off the treads of the rumors of McQueen's possible retirement. For now, the racer has said he will not retiring, but will instead work with a new racing partner. We spoke to some of the other competing students for comments."

The screen moved to a video clip of another teenage racer. He was a 2004 Chevrolet Impala. His bottom half was painted in black below his door handles to the bottom edges of his body. From his door handles up, he was painted in sleek orange, including his trunk lid, hood, and eyelids.

"Thank you for your time, Luke Clutchburn," said Shannon, "What are your thoughts on the new addition?"

The brown eyed competitor replied, "I think it's ridiculous. It's an excuse for their school to have two entries. It's okay though," he revved his engine, "Shouldn't be hard for me to take her scrawny trunk out as fast as they stuck her in. And that other kid with the problem father."

Shannon quickly pulled the microphone away and blinked, "I-eh-ahem…"

Adam snarled under his breath, listening to his comments, as the television moved to another student. He was a scuffed up mint green 2005 Subaru WRX with bright yellow rims. He had a tattoo written in cursive Latin on his left fender which read Lutum.

"Great to meet you Lutum Ruedas! How do you feel about your new competition?" Shannon asked.

He smiled, wildly, and grabbed the microphone from her, "It's pronounced 'Loo-Toom'!" the spunky young car spoke as fast as he could race, almost tripping over his own words, "And I think it's gonna be awesome! I can't wait to meet her and hear about all of her racing stories! I'm sure she has a ton of them," his words accelerated, "Especially since she's Lightning McQueen's daughter. Who would have thought that one day I would be racing with her?!" and then they accelerated even faster, "It totally reminds me of the time when the Racing Sports Network chose me to be a racer for the PistonCupandthenIsaidOHMYGOSHYESIWILLTOTALLY-"

Shannon tried to grab the microphone away from him. It made loud bumping noises as Lutum tugged the microphone back, "Waaait! I AM NOTDONEYET!"

Shannon growled and finally got a hold of the microphone, "Ohhhkay!" she called out.

Lutum reached his axle over, "I HAVE MORE TO SAAAAY!"

"That's all the time we have for today! And Jane, if you're listening, we can't wait to speak to you and learn more about you!"

Adam turned off the television and placed the remote down next to the exams.

Suddenly, a small beep went off from a digital clock underneath his television. He sighed and stared at the numbers blinking:

9:03 PM

It was time again.

He looked over to the ramp leading to the second floor of his home.

"Emily!" he called out, "Time for bed!"

Silence.

Except for the soft chirps of summertime crickets coming through the walls.

With a tight throat and a choked voice, Adam said, "Sleep tight."

He turned his attention back to the exams and he lifted Murphy's from the pile. Reading through his answers, Adam furrowed his eyelids. He shook his hood all the way through the test.

No matter what, Murphy struggled with his history. Adam begrudgingly picked up his red pen and brought it to the top of the page. He wrote a big '10' on top of the paper.

Because everything was incorrect, except for one question.

Explain in a few short sentences how to properly execute a left turn to conserve time during a race.

Murphy answered perfectly; just as Adam taught him during the time trials. The young racer wrote:

The goal is to take a turn as straight as possible, by starting in closer to the inside and slowly pulling back out of the turn. You turn your tires less, to reduce friction, and take the turn quicker without a significant decrease in speed. You hold your racing line.

Adam's eyes opened wide. He couldn't believe it. Murphy completely understood the logic behind his lesson when he had the chance to go out and practice it himself, unlike the rest of the questions which were based on in-class lectures.

He glanced up at the '10' on top of the page, then smiled, and added an extra '0' to the end.

He added a note at the bottom of Murphy's answer.

You just needed someone to show you.

Welcome to senior semester. You did it.

And signed it with his old autograph:

Phoenix Springwheel

Two weeks later and as the hours passed over midnight, the newest Piston Cup racer remained fast asleep in the Wheel Well Motel. The Porsche was tucked into her own bed, no longer sleeping next to her parents where she slept through most of her depression.

Her irises shifted under her eyelids, still able to smell Murphy's body wash in her grille from over an entire evening before. The scent was light, but enough to intrude her dreams. She shuffled her tires, moving into a more comfortable position.

As she settled down, her dream came to life.

Underneath her tires, sand lodged into her treads. She could feel salty sea air brushing against her metal and could see the sun just rising over the horizon. It painted the sky in pastel watercolors ranging from light yellow to blue.

She studied all of the details. She'd never been outside of her little town in real life. She'd never seen the ocean, but tonight she idled right in front of it.

She took a deep breath in...then out.

The air - it was so different. It smelled just as fresh and clean as it did back home, but not the same. That is, until her deep breaths managed to take in the scent of Murphy's body wash, and reminded her of home.

"Told you California was nice," said a male's voice behind her. Jane quickly turned herself around.

Murphy stood there as a character in her dream. He smirked, "That was one hell of a race."

"Wh-...we're in California?" Jane tiled her body in confusion.

"Of course we are," Murphy pulled to her side, "Ocean is right there," he pointed with his wheel.

Jane looked out to the water again, "Oh, duh...silly me..," she paused, "Wait, you just mentioned a race."

"Don't tell me you don't remember that either," Murphy snickered, "That speed must have knocked the wind out of your memory, baby."

"Hah," Jane laughed, "You're probably right. It's happened before. One time I was watching my dad race in Willy's Butte and-...baby?"

"Uh, yeah. You're my girlfriend, but if you don't like 'baby' I could call you something else," Murphy turned toward her.

Jane instinctively rolled backward, "U-Uh..I-"

"No, come here," Murphy whispered, "Don't go."

Jane's tail lights flashed on and she stopped in her tracks.

"Gee," Murphy slowly caught up with her and brought his tire under her chin, "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"I really don't remember any of this, Murphy," she looked him up and down, "Honest."

"How could you not remember the intensity? You and I were battling it out around all of those other cars and managed to tie the entire race," he bit his bottom lip and looked into her eyes, "And just about after that adrenaline rush, you couldn't keep your tires off of me."

Jane's mouth fell open. She couldn't even imagine herself doing anything with a guy.

"Don't be shy," Murphy moved his tire off of her chin and brought it to her wheel, "You sure weren't before."

Jane gasped under her breath and her axle fell limp. Almost the entire back half of her hood turned a bright pink. Finally, she shut her mouth and smiled.

"Really though. There's nothing like having your girlfriend with you...alone...on a beach…," he lowered his voice, "You and I should drive to those ocean waves over there."

"I'd love to," her hood turned a deeper red and she cleared her throat, "...baby."

Murphy reversed to give her room then turned to the water, but Jane - as nervous and excited as she was - almost took off.

"Hey! Easy! You never drove on sand before," Murphy warned, "You gotta drive slower or you'll sink."

Jane's smile softened up and she let him catch up to her, "I didn't think you'd ever want to drive slower," she tilted her body toward him while they drove, "Especially around me."

Murphy noticed her leaning and smirked, "You don't have to awkwardly drive close to me...you can drive against me."

Jane pulled her lips in, then just let her body weight fall onto him, "Much better."

"Mhm," Murphy kept his pace even with Jane's.

When they reached the end of the shore, the cars gazed at the sun glistening against the rippling water.

"I have to tell you something," Jane admitted, into the brief silence between them.

Murphy's engine purred, "You can tell me anything."

"You have no idea-," she loosened her lips and exhaled a nervous breath, "-how long I've wanted to be with you, Murphy."

He laughed and suddenly his voice changed. He began to sound like her father - Lightning McQueen, "Jane, come on."

"How'd ya do that?" Jane blinked, "That's a scary good impression."

Murphy continued to speak in McQueen's voice, "You don't want to be late for your race."

"Okay, you can stop now," she laughed, "It's getting weird."

"C'mon, Jane," Murphy brought a wheel to her fender and shook her gently, "Wake up."

"H-Huh?"

"Wake up, Little Star."

Jane's eyes shot open and they locked onto a dark black object touching her right fender. The whites of her eyes stained pink at the corners of her windshield from the sudden awakening, but there was no cause for alarm. It was only her father.

Lightning pulled his tire off of her, "Morning, birthday girl."

Jane groaned, then shut her eyes again.

"No, no, no. C'mon, race car," Lightning hoped it would spark her awake, "It's a big day for you."

Jane's mouth stretched into a loud yawn. She spoke through it, "...what time is it?"

"Time for you to win a Piston Cup," McQueen brought his tire to her blanket and yanked it off of her.

"Daaaaad," her eyes opened up again, "Fiiive more miiinutes."

"In five minutes the next car to come wake you up is gonna be a lot louder, a lot rustier, and will pull you out with a tow hook."

Jane pushed her axles forward, "Fiiiine," she turned her wheels and rolled off of the bed. She picked up her blanket and threw it back onto her mattress.

"Mom already packed Mack with everything you need, but we wanted to wait for you to tell us if you needed anything else," said Lightning.

It was then, when Jane woke up just a bit more, that she realized she wasn't going to be home for a little while. She thought for a moment, "I'd sure like to bring something that'll make me think of you guys."

Lightning nodded, "We can help you with that."

"Now that it's hitting me, I'm really gonna miss the town, daddy," she looked up at him, "You ever miss it when you're gone?"

"More than anything," he said, "I can't wait to get back as soon as Mack drives us past the 'leaving so soon' billboard."

"In that case, I won't look out the window when we start driving. I don't wanna have to watch it go away."

"No, don't do that. I want you to take it all in. I want you to see it. Watch the countryside pass beside you. Watch it turn into Los Angeles. Trust me when I tell you this is gonna be something you'll remember forever."

"It's more that I'm kind of afraid of getting sad again."

"The town isn't going away," said a female voice. Jane's mother, Sally, was just passing by her bedroom door, "It's still going to be right here waiting for you to come back home."

Jane reversed enough for her to be able to look at both of them, "Thanks, momma, for all of your help packin' for me."

"Don't mention it. And happy birthday!" Sally swatted the air with her wheel, "You know, I never thought it'd be possible to stop missing your father when he went out to his Piston Cup races. Turns out," she looked at him, "It's still impossible."

Lightning lowered on his suspension and his engine ran warmer, "I love you."

"I love you," but Sally looked back to Jane, "It's going to be a little hard for me to watch you go though."

"She's a not-so-little star now," Lightning added.

Jane glanced between the both of them and her mirrors perked up, "But you two are coming to the race right?"

"Not just us two," said Lightning, "The whole town is gonna shut down for you. We're all going to California on your race day."

Jane gasped and her entire face lit up with happiness, "That's wonderful! I know I can do it with all of y'all there!"

"You can do it because you were built to do it," said Sally.

"And when you win," Lightning started, "You'll have that memory to hold with you forever too. It'll flash before your eyes at the beginning of every race. Believe me."

"So then you remember your first race," Jane noted.

"Jane, no one forgets that. Especially your first win. My first race wasn't my first win though," he laughed, "It was at Glen Ellen. Just after I met your new driver. What was his name again? Was it Mack?"

Jane giggled, "You sure knew Mack for a long time!"

"And now he's taking my daughter to-", he stopped himself, beginning to feel his throat constrict with emotions, "-mm."

Jane pulled forward and nuzzled her nose underneath his chin, "Daaaddy, you know he's gonna drive me back home too. The road always brings back cars who are meant to stay."

Hearing her daughter say that made Sally stand prouder.

"It's not that," said Lightning, looking down at her.

"You'll understand one day," said Sally, giving her a kiss on her fender, "When you have a little car of your own."

Jane scoffed, "No way! Not me! Not yet!"

"Good because with all the rumors of my retirement, the last thing I need is to be called 'grandpa' by a mini version of you," said Lightning.

Jane grinned so wide her eyes shut, "Okay, then I'll call you grandpa instead, grandpa."

"Waaatch it," McQueen smirked.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Sally exclaimed, "Your friend Murphy is waiting at Ramone's with Mack."

Jane gasped, "That's right! I need to be fixed up after the dust storm!"

"You sure won't be seen racing like this," Lightning gestured to the scratches on her fender.

Ramone was very busy at the House of Body Art that morning. While he developed a very loyal customer base after McQueen first came into town, that morning he was much busier with more familiar grilles.

"Thanks for fixing me up, Ramone," said Murphy, all buffed and repaired again, "Like that storm never even happened."

"You're welcome, man," Ramone said, proudly. He pumped himself up on his hydraulics and pointed just above his door, "You two are gonna be racing, so I thought your signatures painted on your cantrails up here was a nice touch."

"Definitely," Murphy agreed. He glanced at himself in the mirror and checked out his own cantrails. Painted in a sparkling silver was Murphy Hicks Jr. written in his own autographed writing, which Murphy wrote on a stencil for Ramone.

"He did a great job on my brand new trailer too!" Mack mentioned. He glanced down at his boss.

Lightning grinned, "It does look great."

Mack's new trailer no longer had Lightning McQueen's face on it, since Jane would be borrowing him for transportation. His trailer was still McQueen Red, but now the Rust-Eze logo spread across both of its sides next to his racing number '95'. The same went for his trailer door.

"Jane's paint should be dry by now," said Lightning, "She's gonna feel so much better."

Ramone chuckled, "Wait until she sees herself. I updated her headlights too," he looked at Murphy, "And you're absolutely sure you don't want me to uncover your headlights?"

Murphy nodded, "Positive."

Ramone turned and rolled behind a plastic curtain, which kept the paint fumes contained.

Murphy awkwardly stood next to McQueen, eyeing him every once in awhile. Lightning, on the other hand, didn't hide the fact that he was staring right back at the teenager.

"So, Murphy," he said, "Jane's never been outside of Radiator Springs before."

"About time," Murphy scoffed. He always gave an attitude to any car he was uncomfortable with.

"I trust her, but you? You're a different story. In fact, I want you to keep an eye on her," Lightning continued, "If anything happens to her-"

"She can handle herself," Murphy snapped, "Ain't nothin' I can stop her from doing anyway. If she wants to do something she'll do it."

"And that's why I need you to keep an eye on her. She's very curious and I don't want to see on the news that she's been removed from the race because of an injury."

"Here she coooomes," sang Ramone, returning through the curtains.

Following behind him was a brand new Jane. She proudly wore a much lighter feminine shade. Instead of purple, she was a rosey pink just slightly darker than her best friend Alyssa's baby pink paint job.

Her spoiler remained black and her quarter panels still bared two glossy raven decals of her father's powerful lightning bolts; for any car she passes in a race is going to know where she came from. But just like Murphy, written from a stencil of her own writing in black paint, was her signature along both of her cantrails: Jane Taylor McQueen

The pupils in Murphy's eyes widened at her new shade. She looked so much brighter than before. It matched her personality so much more.

But that wasn't all.

She flashed her brand new LED headlights on and off. Instead of halogen tailed circular lamps like her mother's, they were updated into the newer ellipse shaped Porsche headlights.

"Last chance for headlights, Murphy," Ramone said, "Going once...going twice..."

"Nah, I'm good," Murphy assured him, "I don't need them."

"Suit yourself, but you'll be the only one out there without them."

"Look at me!" Jane called out. Her eyes sparkled, "I look like a racer!"

"You are a racer," Lightning reminded her, with a smile of pride, "Get used to saying it."

Jane went to answer her dear father, but her eyes caught Mack's trailer resting with its new look, "Whooooa! Look at thaaaat!" she zipped on over to it, "Dad, your face isn't so huuuuge on it anymore! It's not on it at all!"

He laughed, "Wouldn't want anyone on the road to think Mack is driving me," he glanced over at the truck, "After all, he'll be driving precious cargo."

Jane reversed, "Aww, daddy!"

"Hello to you too, Jane," said Murphy, feeling ignored.

"Oh!" Jane turned to him and gave him a smile, "Murphy, I'm sorry! I was distracted!" her eyes trailed along his body, seeing the small changes Ramone made for him, "You look great!" she bumped her wheel against his, "Just try not to get stuck in another fence!"

"Hush, birthday girl," Murphy rolled his eyes with a grin, "And...happy birthday, by the way."

"Thank you!" Jane hopped her front axles up and hugged his entire front end.

Murphy gasped, "Watch the paint!"

"Nope!"

"Jane is as light as a feather," Ramone mentioned, "The only scratch she'll put anywhere is on that finish line."

In the meantime, Jane pulled herself off of him.

"Speaking of driving," said Murphy, "Mack, I know I keep asking, but did you find a guy who can haul me around?"

"Ohhh yes I did," Mack chuckled, "But yeah, you gotta remember...it's better than driving on your own."

Murphy's expression dropped, "...what's that supposed to mean?"

"Uh-heh…," Mack turned around and drove toward the exit, "Follow me."

Murphy glanced at Lightning and Jane, who both shrugged their axles. When Murphy saw that neither of them had anything to do with it, he furrowed his eyelids with worry.

The truck led the young man out into the boiling desert sun, where another truck was parked outside with his trailer.

"There he is!" the driver's familiar bear-like voice called out to Murphy, "The kid who just got me a new job."

Murphy's mouth fell open and he stared up at the truck with widened eyes, "Oh my grille."

The truck before him was the same Freightliner Century he met when he ran away to California. Instead of royal blue paint, Ramone gave the Freightliner a thick black paint job, which finally matched his old trailer, though now his dusty trailer was polished up with Piston Cup Series decals on both sides; including his trailer door.

"You remember him, right?" asked Mack.

"Unfortunately," Murphy replied, "Just not his name."

"Hammer," said the Freightliner, "Hammer Boone."

"Chrysler," Murphy slapped himself on the cheek with a wheel, then pointed at him, "You're the guy who told me to take a nap and next thing I knew I was back in Radiator Springs."

"You're damn right I am," said Hammer, rolling closer, "Looks like your attitude ain't changed a bit."

Mack cleared his throat, "You remember he was between jobs last time you two met. I figured since you needed a hauler...and he needed a job…you know."

Murphy narrowed his eyes, "Oh yeah? We'll see about that," he looked up at Mack, "You said you had room for two in there."

Mack nodded, "I also said Lightnin' probably won't let me drive you with Jane in the trailer."

Murphy raised his eyelids and turned to Ramone's. He brought a tire to the side of his mouth and called out to McQueen, "HEY LIGHTNING."

McQueen poked his hood out from the doorway with Jane, "Yeah?"

"Lightning, can I go to California with Jane in-"

"Absolutely not."

Murphy slumped on his tires and scowled at Hammer, "Fine."

The two trailers were then parked on the main road just outside between Ramone's shop and Flo's cafe.

As Jane rolled out of the body shop with her father, the rest of the town started driving over and surrounded the trailer doors. Both Mack and Hammer opened their doors, revealing their interior.

Murphy and Jane pulled behind and peeked inside.

Murphy studied his. Hammer definitely upgraded since the last time he saw Murphy. There was a puffy mat on the floor for him to sleep on. Up above the trailer door was a static infested radio hissing with interference. Along the sides were tinted windows, unlike Hammer's previous trailer which just had walls. Finally, an outlet hung out from the side of the wall for phone charging.

But in Jane's…

An Apple branded computer telescoped from the right wall. Above her trailer door, instead of a radio, was a flat screen television and along the walls were paintings of the desert in and around Radiator Springs. She had any music she could ask for ready at the swipe of her tire on the touchpads that would be settled underneath her wheels. The same touchpads controlled massaging buffer arms, could choose any cold drink she wanted, controlled the dimming of the trailer's lights, and could adjust the firmness of floor. With all of that, and so much more, were photos of Lightning, Sally, and the rest of the townsfolk.

McQueen kept them for himself just in case he ever felt homesick.

"There's no way you'll be too far from home now," said Lightning, pulling beside Jane.

"You have got to be kidding me," said Murphy, comparing the two interiors.

Mack and Hammer were just pulling up.

"Kidding you? Naw," Hammer smirked, "That's what you're getting."

"There's nothing in my trailer!" Murphy protested.

"That ain't true," Hammer reassured him, "That radio you got in there has - what 'we' in the future call - a remote control," and just like that, out of his wheel well, Hammer tossed the youngster a small remote.

Murphy caught it in his tire and glared up at his truck, "Just go get hooked up."

Jane hopped on her axles, "This is so exciting!"

Lightning glanced inside of Mack's trailer, making sure everything was in order, "Whatever you do, please don't break the massage heads."

"I won't, dad!" Jane promised.

"And again, don't play the music too loud."

Sally pulled around Luigi and Guido, "And make sure you keep your alarm clock set! I know you love the little car that comes out of it!"

"It'll make me think of you, Momma!"

"And don't rip my framed lucky sticker," Lightning reminded her.

"That sticker will be untouched and just as lucky as when I left!"

"Now, now hold on," said Flo, "She's forgetting one more thing. She has our pictures with her, but there's one more car she might want to bring along."

Murphy turned his body and reversed onto his trailer.

Jane looked around, "Who's that?" she asked, "Who am I forgetting?"

"Flo's right," Lightning sucked his teeth, "I almost forgot," he turned to Jane and from his wheel well, he pushed her small porcelain Piston Cup over to her, "I'm sure Doc wants to watch your race too."

Jane looked down and took it from him. She pulled her lips in, staring at her name engraved into the base - thanks to Murphy. She sighed gently, "He wanted to see my name on one," she said, "So I'm gonna go after that Piston Cup and give it my all. I promise."

"We know you can do it," Luigi said.

"Forza Jane!" said Guido.

"Thank you!" Jane positioned herself to reverse, "All of you, thank you!"

"Bye, Murphy!" Lightning and Sally said at the same time.

"See ya guys," he replied. His trailer wouldn't shut by the push of a button. Instead, Murphy had to grab a hanging chain and pull the trailer door shut. He gripped onto it and groaned as the large door finally sealed him in.

"Tip some of them Californian tractors for me!" Mater called out.

"Will do!" Jane looked out at her town as she rolled backwards into the trailer. She set the porcelain Piston Cup right beside her.

"Wait!" said Mater, "We ain't sung Happy Birthday to her!"

"Oh, gosh," Jane turned her wheels in, bashfully, but she kept her smile on.

"On the count of three then," Sally giggled, "We promise we'll have cake when you come back."

Mater started the countdown, "One...two...three!"

And the town sung together; including Mack.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear, Jane! Happy birthday to you!"

"Thank you! Thank you all so much!" Jane slowly lifted her wheel and waved one last time, "Goodbye, y'all!"

"You got this!" said Mia and Tia.

"Have a great time, sweet pea!" Flo called.

"We'll see you soon, sweetheart!" Sally yelled, "You can do it!"

"Good luck, Little Star!" said Lightning.

"Bye bye!" Jane waved until the trailer door shut and when it finally sealed, Mack looked down at McQueen.

"This is it," Mack said, "Will you two be alright?"

"Sally and I will be fine," Lightning gestured to the trailer, "Just keep her safe."

"You have my word," Mack promised. He cleared his throat and banged on the trailer door four times, like he always does before a trip, "Hey, Fearless, you ready?"

Jane's voice was muffled from the inside, "Ready!"

Mack chuckled, then took one last look at the McQueens, "California, here we come."

He pulled around his trailer and hooked himself up. He started his engine with Hammer, then let him drive ahead first. Once he passed, Mack followed behind.

Jane's eyes widened up as soon as she felt the gentle tug of movement. She wanted to close her eyes so she didn't have to see the town roll away, but then she remembered what Lightning told her. She looked out the window and let herself watch Flo's slide away. Next, Doc's Racing Museum. She couldn't help but bring the porcelain Piston Cup close to her again, "I'm fearless," she whispered, "And...I'll show you, Doctor Freudliner. And Coach Crankshaft."

Next, Sarge's Surplus Hut and Fillmore's Taste-In disappeared before her very eyes.

She exhaled a heavy breath between her lips and decided to pull out her phone. She slid it out from under her wheel well, but a voice thundered from the walls.

"How ya doin' in there, kid?" asked Mack.

"You scared me!" said Jane, "And I'm fine, thank you!"

"You let me know if you need anything. I'm telling you the same stuff I tell Lightnin'. Anything you need, you let me know."

"I'll hold ya to it," she looked back down at her phone and saw a missed call notification. She gasped when she read it was from Austin.

She immediately tapped the notification and her phone called the young officer right back.

The phone rang three times, before it was picked up abruptly.

"Hiya, Jane!" said Austin on the other end, "Happy birthday! You're on speaker phone!"

"Wooo hooo! Go, birthday girl!" called a female voice next to him.

Jane snickered, "Alyssaaaa."

"Jaaaane," she mimicked, "But seriously! Good luck out there!"

"I'm sure gonna need it."

"You don't need luck. Those other cars will eat your dust," said Austin, "But actually, u-uh…," Austin sighed, "I called before 'cause there's something I need to tell you."

"Oh...right...that…," Alyssa's chipper voice seemed to drop with Austin's.

"Nothing bad, I hope," Jane furrowed her eyelids, "You're alright...right?"

"You know how my dad's been bothering me about going to the police academy? I...decided to do it this Summer."

"He did," Alyssa confirmed.

"But that's great!" said Jane.

"I suppose…," Austin didn't sound too thrilled about it, though, "He said he'd never speak to me again if I didn't."

"Which we all hoped was a promise," Alyssa cut in.

"But I don't want to disappoint him," Austin defended, "I want him to know that I can do it. I want myself to know that I can do it."

"Jane, tell him he can do it."

"You can do it."

"Thank you."

"I'll believe it when I see it," said Austin, "And...so will my dad. The academy is actually in the direction you're driving right now."

"California?" Jane asked.

"Before California, no. It's just before the border of Nevada still in Arizona. Lake Mohave is right by it."

"I think I know where that is," Jane looked up at the air and tried to imagine a map, "But I support you. Whatever you want to do, I support you."

"Thanks, Jane. You're awesome, you know."

"She's cool beans," Alyssa agreed, "The coolest of beans. Very bean-like."

"Are you done?" Austin asked.

"Like 'Antarctica Cool' beans."

"Guys, I'm gonna hang up," Jane said through her giggling, "I need to relax," she looked up at a photo of her mother and father, "I need to think."

"I'm sorry for dumping this on you," Austin said, "Just wanted you to know in case we can meet up. We'll be so near each other."

"I understand," Jane hovered her wheel over the end call button, "I'll talk to you later, okay? Promise."

"Talk to you later!" Alyssa said.

Jane ended the call and put her phone into a charging stand. She took a deep breath in and stared at the cactuses passing quickly beside her. She couldn't imagine what she was getting herself into, but suddenly those same cactuses changed her thoughts.

Her lips curled into a softened frown. She remembered the flying cactus spines and the fence that caught her friend.

"Murphy…," she said aloud to herself, "I wonder what you're up to…"

Mack's eyes shot open wider. Jane didn't realize she needed to turn off her trailer's microphone, but he kept quiet, listening to her.

"You make this all look so easy...you're so…," she scuffed her wheel on the flooring, playing with the touchpads, "...perfect."

Mack felt bad for listening. He opened his lips to speak, "Jane."

"Whoa!" she jumped at his voice again, "Hey there, Mack!"

"You know there's music in there...and there are snacks. We have a long trip."

"I know," Jane nodded, as if Mack could see, "Thanks for telling me though."

"Sure thing...just uh-," he thought for a moment. Maybe he shouldn't turn off the microphone. After all, he promised Lightning he would keep Jane safe. He could always say that he was only listening to make sure she was being 'good'.

"Just what?"

Mack blinked, "U-Uh...uh...nothing! I was talking to Hammer here."

Jane raised an eyelid, "Okaaay…"

There was a long pause between their conversation. Jane assumed he wasn't listening, "...silly truck."

Mack furrowed his eyelids at her insult. He went to make a playful comment back, but stopped himself, otherwise Jane would know he could hear her.

In Hammer's trailer, it was all but silent. Murphy stared ahead at the door. His body swayed with the movement of the driving, but otherwise, he kept very still. No matter how many times he played with the radio remote, it wouldn't turn off, and the constant sound of static and interference plagued the teenager.

He grit his teeth and spoke through them, "I swear to the Manufacturer when I win this Piston Cup-"

"Testing….testing…," said a rough voice out of the radio speaker.

Murphy blinked. He looked around the trailer, then up at the old radio.

"Murph, can ya hear me?"

"...who the hell are you?" he asked.

"It is I….the Manufacturer."

Murphy's jaw dropped open, "...what?"

"HAH, just kiddin'. It's Hammer. Your radio goes two ways, Squeaky Wheel."

"That's just great," Murphy said, "Because your remote control of the future doesn't WORK."

"Hey, if someone put oil on your lips, would that make you less squeaky? I've been considering the option."

Murphy growled, "What do you want anyway?"

"Nothing. Just felt like bothering you."

"Nice job. Please don't keep up the good work."

"Kiddin' again," Hammer chuckled, "I wanted to ask ya something. It's been botherin' me for a while."

Murphy shut his eyes, "Whatever it is, I'm sure it's stupid."

"Ever since I met you, you've had this extremely annoying attitude."

"Get to the point."

"Naw, naw. Hold on there. I have some questions."

"I don't care."

"Fine, then I have a theory...and I think I'm right because what I saw today just proves it."

"Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Hammer chuckled even harder, "Just spill the truth, kid. Don't make me say it. You know what I'm thinking."

"Right, because I know the thoughts of some old guy I met at a truck stop months ago and decided to drive me to a Piston Cup race months later."

"Old guy, huh?" Hammer mocked the tone of Murphy's voice by making his own sound younger and purposefully squeakier, "Liiiightning, can I go to California with Jaaaane? In Maaaack?"

Murphy locked his eyes on the radio, as if he were locking eyes with Hammer himself. He didn't say a word.

"Your silence," Hammer noted, "Is even more convincing."

"I don't know what you're talking abou-"

"Quit it. I was your age once."

"Yeah, when your neighbors were the Dinoco dinosaurs."

"You have that attitude because you're wearing a mask over the goo-goo ga-ga eyes you have for that other racer. Lightning's girl."

Murphy raised his voice, "Shut. Up."

"Ooooh! I'm right, aren't I?"

Murphy grabbed the radio remote and smashed the power button over and over again.

"You've been having girl troubles since you ran away last Christmas, haven't you?"

Murphy didn't reply. He just kept struggling with the radio remote. He flipped it over and ripped off the battery cover; convinced that it mustn't have any batteries. Unfortunately for him, there were two batteries lodged inside and they didn't seem aged at all.

"You like Jane."

Murphy instinctively threw the remote at the radio to knock it over. The remote hit the radio, but it ricocheted off, and the radio stayed put.

"I heard that," said Hammer, "That radio is bolted to the wall, Squeaky."

Murphy exhaled a heavy groan.

"I'll make you a deal," Hammer continued, "I won't say a word to no one, but I have to know, because I think I'm right."

"Okay," Murphy said. He closed his eyes, "Tell me what you want to know."

"I'll make it extremely easy for you. Only yes or no questions. That's all you have to say. In fact, if you answer honestly, because I can already tell I know the answer, I'll help you. First question. Can I ask multiple questions?"

"Yes," said Murphy, keeping his eyes shut.

"Okay. Second question. Are you annoyed right now...because it has something to do with Jane?"

"...yes."

"Third ques-"

"Who are you talking to?" asked Mack with a muffled voice. Murphy could hear him outside on the radio.

"I'm playing twenty questions with my Squeaky Wheel," Hammer answered.

"I am NOT answering twenty questions," Murphy protested.

"Relax," said Hammer, "It's the name of the game. You don't have to actually answer twenty questions. Haven't you played this before? What do you do all day? Play Angry Thunderbirds on your phone?"

Murphy blinked his eyes open, "Okay, that was like three questions right there. You're up to six."

"If you want to be that way, then fine. Sixth question. Final question. Do you...like Jane?"

Murphy cringed and bit his lip. He could swear the trailer was closing in on him.

"I'm waaaiting," Hammer teased, "Yes or no."

"..."

"Murphy."

"I will pull over."

"...," Murphy muttered a noise.

"Couldn't hear you. Speak up."

"...," he muttered another noise.

"I know you can talk louder than that."

"OKAY," Murphy stomped a wheel on the floor, "...yes."

"AH!"

Mack flinched and yanked his steering over to the side. Hammer startled him. Inside of Mack's trailer, the sudden motion caused Jane's porcelain trophy to sway. She gasped and cupped her tires around it. She wouldn't let it break again.

"What the heck is going on with you?" asked Mack.

"Nothing, Mack! Not. A. Thing," Hammer replied.

Murphy just kept himself very still. He even put himself into park.

"Murph, ya there?"

Murphy didn't answer him.

"C'mon, Squeaky. That was harmless."

"Hammer...I can't stop thinking about her," Murphy admitted, "I don't want to talk about it."

"I told you I'd help. A deal is a deal."

Murphy thought about it. He slid his phone out from his wheel well, "I mean…," he unlocked the phone and pulled open his text messages with Jane. At the very top was her name, but right next to it was a heart that used to be next to Gianna's, "I guess I could...uh...use a little help…"

"You've had a girlfriend before. You're a teenage race car. I know you have. You could always do whatever you did to get your last girlfriend."

"No."

"You haven't had a girlfriend yet? Sheesh. I misjudged-"

"No, I can't speak to her the same way I spoke to my ex-girlfriend...Jane is different. She's nothing like Gianna."

"...go on."

"She's...Jane is everything Gianna wasn't and more. She's so kind and gentle with everyone she meets. She-...she's a bunch of stuff I can't say to anyone except her."

"I can respect that, young man. You have a soul after all."

"But I can never be with her."

"That ain't true."

"Hammer, she's a McQueen. It's like oil and water. We don't mix."

"So? She's Jane - not Lightning - and you're Murphy. Not Chick. What's stopping you?"

"I-," starting to panic, Murphy's attitude returned, "Hammer, if you're just going to harass me for the entire trip about this, just pull over now."

"Naw, I'll tone it down if you want me to...but let me just point out that it's her birthday."

"...and?"

"Use that to your advantage, knucklehood. Maybe the halfway point at Lake Mohave, Mack and I can go away for a bit, and you'll have Jane all to yourself."

"Why Lake Mohave?"

"Mack said that retired racer slash history teacher, Phoenix Springwheel, mentioned the halfway point is a county carnival."

Meanwhile, Mack was explaining the same thing to Jane, "Mister Springwheel told us to meet him there at the carnival for our road trip break. Not only that! You'll be meeting two of the other racers. The rest of the racers are coming from different directions so they can't make it. It'd be out of their way."

"I wonder what they'll be like! I wonder if any of them are related to current racers too!" said Jane.

"Ehh I don't think so," Mack replied, "I think the other guys are all first generation racers and it's just you and Murphy."

"Either way. Besides, I haven't been to a carnival in a very long time."

"Who are you tellin'? I can't wait for the cotton candy. And you'll probably get a free Ferris Wheel ride because it's your birthday. That's how it worked when I was a kid."

After about two hours into their three hour journey to the halfway point, Murphy became anxious. The whites of Murphy's eyes turned a bit pink at the edges. He couldn't even nap with the sound of the hissing radio. He stretched his front axles out and groaned loudly.

"What's the matter in there?" asked Hammer.

"Literally NOTHING," said Murphy, "I wish there was something other than this radio."

"Ah," Hammer sniffled, "Thought it was something important."

Murphy grumbled under his breath, "I'm hungry."

"Well great because I smell corn dogs and fried Oreos in your future. In...hmm...about an hour from now."

"Another hour!?"

"Lake Mohave ain't in your backyard, boy."

Meanwhile in Mack's trailer, Jane was blasting music with the massage arms pressed against her roof. Mack knew she wasn't supposed to be listening to music that loud, but even he broke the rules every once in awhile; especially if it meant he could sing along.

Jane's eyes were shut about halfway, in ecstasy, "Ah! This is my favorite part of the song!"

And Mack sang along, "Theeeere ain't no load that I can't hold!"

"The roooad's so rough, this I know!"

"And I'll be theeere when the light comes in!"

And together, at the height of their voices, they yelled, "TELL 'EM WE'RE SURVIVORS!"

"LIIIFE IS A HIIIGHWAY," Jane screamed, as she began hopping around to the beat of the drum breakdown. Every time she jumped, the massage arms would bend in a direction they weren't supposed to.

Mack reminded her, "Hey, hey! Easy in there!"

Half an hour later, Murphy was on the brink of insanity, "How much longer?"

"One more half hour," said Hammer, "We're almost there."

"This is gonna be the longest half hour of my life."

"How about you use it to think about what we talked about?"

"I'm not gonna sit here awkwardly rehearsing what I'm gonna say to Jane."

"So in other words, you're just going to blurt out the first ridiculous thing to come to your mind."

"If I sit here thinking about it, then it won't come out right later."

"You need to have a plan. She's a girl. Not your homework. You want to slack off with your homework, go ahead, but this is an actual girl."

"I got it."

"You don't 'got' it. Otherwise you two would be sharing a trailer."

"ENOUGH," Murphy stomped his tire on the trailer floor again.

"You keep stomping in there as if I can feel it. The trailer ain't actually part of me, Squeaky."

"No more talking. For the next thirty minutes, no more talking."

"No talking," Hammer cleared his throat, "Alright then. Let me just get this here-erm-mmm-," he sounded like he was struggling.

Murphy raised an eyelid, listening. He was still driving, as the trailer was still rolling, so he couldn't figure out why it sounded like Hammer was having difficulty.

"There we go!"

Murphy decided to ask, "Uh-...hey, what's-"

Suddenly there was a loud note played on a harmonica and Hammer hummed his voice into tune.

Murphy's eyes almost popped out of his windshield, "CHRYSLER, DON'T."

"Gotta be in tune if I'm gonna be singin' the rest of the way," Hammer played another note and tried to match his voice to it, "Hm...MMmm...HMMMM..hmmmm.."

"This isn't happening…," Murphy muttered.

"N-NNNNNnnnnnn-"

"Please."

"NNNNinety-nine cans of oil on the wall, ninety-nine cans of oooooil! Take one down, pass it around, ninety-eight cans of oil on the wall!"

Murphy put his tire over his mouth and screamed into his treads as loud as he could.

"C'mon, Murphy. Sing."

"No."

"Come on."

"No."

But in Mack's trailer, the music disappeared. Jane switched the television on. She flipped through the channels, moving through a bunch of cartoons, teen dramas, and news. She stopped on one show in particular; one that she's been following since the beginning.

"Tonight on Washer Falls High…," said the narrator.

A young actress sedan about Jane's age was on the screen in front of another actor. He was about Murphy's age and they were driving closer to each other.

"After all we've been through," said the boy.

"It was an accident," the girl swore.

"How do you accidentally end up in the locker room with my best friend?"

Jane pressed a button and a box of buttered popcorn slid over to her. She grabbed it and hugged it close, "You're gonna get it, Amanda," Jane stuffed a bunch of popcorn into her mouth.

"I loved you. With every carbon fiber of my being I loved you, Amanda."

"L-Loved? Shawn...please. Don't do this."

"Do it, Shawn," Jane said.

"I should have dated Kendra when I had the chance. She wouldn't have slept around behind my trunk."

"You can't be serious. She doesn't have ANYTHING on me. She's NOTHING like me."

"You're right. She is nothing like you. She's beautiful. She's kind. She's the best damn thing to ever happen in my life. And you know what?" Shawn pulled in close.

Jane snickered to herself, "Tell her, Shawn."

Mack smirked, listening to Jane's commentary.

"I'm gonna call Kendra right now and tell her how I feel."

"You wouldn't!"

"I'm gonna tell her how I've felt about her for months."

"You COULDN'T. You said you loved ME."

"We all have our secrets, Amanda. We all. Have. Our. Secrets."

"Ughhh yeeeess," Jane moaned, satisfied with the character's decision, "This show is so corny, but yeeesss. Get rid of her already."

It cut to a new scene. Another teenage girl was parked in the empty hallways of Washer Falls High School. Suddenly, Shawn drove around the corner and pulled up behind her. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

The girl jumped up and turned around quickly, "Ooo! I didn't know it was you."

"I didn't expect you to, Kendra," said Shawn. He scuffed his wheel on the tile floor.

"How was your date with Amanda?" she asked.

"I'm breaking up with her."

"YES," Jane cheered.

"Oh no…"

"She cheated on me, but-...honestly, maybe she wasn't the only one cheating."

"Shawn, I don't understand."

"And neither did I...in fact...it took this moment for me to realize how much I really care about you."

"You don't mean...y-you-..."

"Yes. Yes, Kendra. I didn't love her as much as I thought I did. The truth is, I love you."

Jane gasped and stuffed some more popcorn into her mouth.

Shawn rolled closer to Amanda then gently pulled her by her chin with his tire, "Kiss me," he begged.

Jane turned her wheels inward. She held her breath as she watched the characters pucker their lips and press them against each other.

"H-Hm..," she quickly swiped the touchpad and turned off the screen. She was reminded of her dream and remembered being so near Murphy.

She snapped out of it when the trailer took a turn and began to rumble and shake. Jane's eyes widened and she looked out the window.

"We're here!" called Mack, "Halfway to California-I-A!"

Jane was so distracted with the entertainment system that she didn't even watch her own setting change. They were all still in the desert, but since they arrived at Lake Mohave, the ground was becoming more fertile. Instead of loads of sandy dirt, there were real patches of grass and trees. Murphy's trailer came into view as Mack pulled himself even more off the road.

Murphy didn't hesitate to yank the trailer door chains, "F-Finally," he said, as if he hadn't seen the outside world in decades. He pulled and pulled, "It's like I've died and gone to-," the trailer door dropped open and standing in front of the ramp was Mister Springwheel, "-hell. I've died and gone to hell."

"Glad you could make it, Murphy," said the racing history teacher. He smiled, "Love the new look."

"Well, you're in a different mood," Murphy put himself into gear and pulled out of the trailer.

"How do you mean?" asked Springwheel.

"You sure didn't give Jane a big hoorah when she got into the RSN program. You hung up on us on the phone."

Pretending he didn't remember that happening, Mister Springwheel nodded, "Uh-huh. I have your final exam graded."

"Huh?" Murphy blinked, "Wh-...I said-"

Just then, Mack's trailer door opened and Jane rolled outside. She smiled in awe at the new world around her. The warm summer breeze swirled into her grille. She could smell the fresh cut grass. She could taste the barbecue in the air, "Wow! We've been on the road for three hours! It only felt like twenty minutes!"

Murphy furrowed his eyelids, "Maybe to you. My ride felt like three days."

Mack waved his wheel at Hammer, "Let's go unhook by the other racers' trailers."

"Right behind you," Hammer replied, "Man, that carnival smells amazing."

"Aren't you going to tell us why you hung up on us?" Murphy asked again, prying for information.

Mister Springwheel's eyes caught Jane's and his grin became even wider, "There's my other racer!"

"Hi, Mister Springwheel!" Jane called out with the wave of her wheel.

He chuckled, "Just call me Phoenix," he glanced at Murphy, "You too."

Murphy was still stuck on his bizarre behavior, "Yeah, sure, whatever."

After releasing their trailers, Hammer came rolling back with Mack. He leaned toward Murphy and spoke in a low voice so the others wouldn't hear, "What are you waiting for, squirt? Take her to the carnival."

Murphy pulled his lips in and looked at Jane. She was still talking to their teacher.

"This is the best birthday ever!" Jane proclaimed.

"Really? I didn't know! Happy Birthday!" said Phoenix, "Don't forget to tell the cars who work at the carnival. You'll get free rides!"

"That's what my driver said!"

"Because it's true," Mack added.

"Alright, kids. You guys have a huge race coming up, but don't let that distract you from having some fun," the 1982 Firebird pointed down a small hill to where a fenced in field surrounded a bunch of rides and loud country music. Every ride was beginning to show their lights off as the sun sank deeper into the horizon. In the far distance, trees silhouetted against the evening sky.

Jane revved her engine twice, "I've never been so hyped up!"

"Just be safe," said Mack, "I'll hang here with Hammer and Phoenix."

"Hang here? Why?" asked Mack's friend. Hammer turned with a raised eyelid, "I get it. You're afraid of me beatin' you at some carnival games."

"You might beat me in card games," said Mack, "But you'll never beat me at a carnival game."

"You're on," Hammer put out his wheel.

"Deal," Mack grabbed his wheel in his tire and the two trucks shook on their wager.

"Aw, hang on," Hammer looked back down at Murphy and nudged him. He motioned with his cab for Murphy to drive forward and talk to Jane.

Murphy flinched, realizing what he meant, and then cleared his throat. He stood taller on his axles and pulled up to Jane.

Jane heard the grass rustling under her friend's tire treads and smiled, "Well howdy, Murphy! What's up?"

"Nothin'," Murphy checked his mirrors, where Hammer stood behind him shaking his cab in disappointment. He looked back to Jane and gestured toward the carnival, "Just-uh...well, you heard the old guys. Let's-"

"DID I HEAR ANOTHER ROARING ENGINE!?" squealed an erratic voice.

Every single car turned to face who the voice came from; a mint green 2005 Subaru WRX. He posed one of his front wheels to the side, showing off his yellow rims. He saw Jane's lightning bolt decals, "YOU MUST BE LIGHTNING'S DAUGHTER."

Rolling around the Subaru came a 2004 Chevrolet Impala; bottom half black and top half orange, "Great. It's your turn. I've had to deal with him for a good hour and a half," he said, "I've come to realize Lutum doesn't have a volume switch."

Jane looked between the boys and turned toward them, "You two must be some a couple of the other racers!"

Murphy slumped on his tires. All he wanted was a moment away from everyone with that Porsche.

"Yep. Both of our coaches are driving straight to California, so we're stuck here with our haulers. I'm Luke," the Impala introduced himself, "And this is-OOooOF"

The Subaru pushed Luke away, "I'M LUTUM."

As the Impala regained his composure, he groaned, "I'll let him introduce himself."

"I HAVE HAD SO MUCH MELTED CHEESE," Lutum said, proudly, "YOU SHOULD SEE ALL OF THE THINGS YOU CAN PUT CHEESE ON."

"I love melty cheese!" Jane agreed. She giggled, "I'd love to see-"

"No!" Luke yelled, "Don't get him excited or he'll-"

Lutum took a deep breath through his maniacal, toothy smile, and suddenly he was speaking faster than Jane and Murphy could follow, "WELL, I PERSONALLY WENT TO ALL OF THE FOOD STANDS ANDIFOUNDOUTTHATTHEBESTTHINGTOMELTCHEESEONIS-"

Luke stuffed his tire over Lutum's mouth, "Will you SHUT UP?"

Murphy finally joined in on the conversation, "You two from the same school or somethin'?"

"Pffft," Luke scoffed, "Didn't you hear me? I met this weirdo literally an hour and a half ago."

"Ah, at least you guys got here first," Murphy leaned and looked past the rival racers. He stared at Hammer's taillights as he whacked plastic pitties with a fake mallet in his tire with Mack at a game stand, "I took the snail express over there."

"Unlike some students," Luke's eyelids narrowed, eyeing both Jane and Murphy, "We don't get to have two students represent our schools."

Murphy caught his attitude, "Excuse me?"

But Jane didn't pay much attention. She was so much more focused on meeting the interesting creature called Lutum.

"Cool!" Jane pointed to the Subaru's fender, "You have a tattoo!"

Lutum had a tattoo written in cursive Latin on his left fender which read... Lutum.

"And it's your name! Wow!"

He chuckled like a chipmunk, "IT MEANS DIRT IN LATIN."

"Whatever floats your boat!" Jane checked it out some more, "That only means it has two meanings where most tattoos only have one!"

"OHMYGOSH. YOU UNDERSTAND!" he jerked forward very hard.

Jane stumbled backward, expecting the crazy car to hit her.

"WE SHOULD GET YOU A TATTOO IN CALIFORNIA."

Murphy overhead the yelling and he took his attention away from Luke, "She's not getting a tattoo."

"My mom has one," said Jane, "I'm sure she won't mind."

"Yeah, but your dad might."

"ARE YOU HER BOYFRIEND?" asked Lutum.

Murphy coughed, "Ah-heh...no, I'm-"

"TATTOO THEN."

"Sounds like a plan!" said Jane.

Murphy sighed at her, "Don't make friends with your rivals."

Just then, Springwheel was passing by the group of students when he noticed them talking, "Good to see you've made some new friends, racers!"

Luke glared at Springwheel as he drove away, then pulled his eyes on Murphy, "No such thing as friends here," he said, making sure Murphy heard him. He turned his wheels and drove toward the carnival.

Lutum saw Luke driving away at the corner of his windshield and gasped, "LUKE! WAIT! WAITFORME!" he slammed on his accelerator and dust kicked up from his spinning wheels. He shot forward, rushing to the carnival with the Impala.

Murphy exhaled a sigh of relief then looked at Jane, "So...carnival?"

"Sure, I'd love to," she shifted into drive with Murphy.

He drove alongside her, but the closer they got to the fence gates, the closer Murphy got to Jane. He was only about a mirror's length from her. Every once in awhile, Jane looked at Murphy, wondering if she was the one who was driving too close. Murphy didn't seem to mind, so she kept herself close to him. They followed the sound of the country music, which became louder and louder.

The two cars navigated through the crowd of other teenagers. Jane gazed up in astonishment at of all the colorful lights surrounding them, while Murphy kept his eyes ahead of him, locked onto nothing in particular and lost in his thoughts.

"I saw Mack playing Whack a Pitty with your driver," said Jane, "Maybe we can play a game like that!"

"We can do anything you want," said Murphy, "It's your night, sweet- SWEETS. We should eat something sweet. I'm really hungry. That drive made me want to eat."

Jane raised an eyelid, "U-Uh...okay," then she followed Murphy to a snack bar.

A red and white candy striped forklift with a green hat pulled up to them behind the counter.

"Hiya, kids!" she called out, "What can I get ya?"

"My driver mentioned cotton candy!" said Jane, "And that's making me want some!"

"Sure! And what about you, sport?" she asked Murphy.

Murphy shifted around the money he had in his wheel well. He put whatever he had on the counter: two dollars and three dimes.

"Nothing," said Murphy, "Just one for her."

The forklift took the two dollars and left the coins, "Okie dokie!"

Jane's mirrors lowered. She knew how hungry Murphy was, watching him put the dimes away.

"I left the rest of my money in my trailer," said Murphy. He groaned, "Dammit."

"But you're hungry," Jane began to shift through her wheel wells for some money.

"No," Murphy brought a wheel to her fender, "It's yours."

"Aww...Murphy, that's really nice," she glanced at his tire on her. It was just like before her father woke her up.

"Here ya go!" said the forklift, passing a rolled paper cone filled with bright pink cotton candy to Jane.

"Thanks!" she said, taking it from her. She looked at Murphy, "And thank you," she leaned the cone toward him, "Have some."

Murphy moved his tire off of her, "Nah."

"Murphy, you're hungry."

"It's not like I'm gonna starve to death."

"We're sharing this," Jane grabbed a puff from the top and stuffed it in her mouth.

Murphy rolled his eyes with a smile, "If you insist," he took a tireful and brought it to his mouth.

In the meantime, Jane looked for a game they could play, but an intrusive sound spilled out from the country music.

"That sounds awful," Murphy commented, "You hear that?"

"Sounds like karaoke," Jane said, taking another mouthful.

"Whoever that is, they're terrible."

"Let's go see!" Jane finished her treat, then tossed her cone in a nearby garbage can.

"Are you sure you don't want to play a game?"

"Karaoke is a game!"

"Fine, fine…," he bit the inside of his cheek and turned his wheels.

They drove back on the dirt road passing all of the carnival stands. Some featured eating contests, ring toss, balloon popping contests, and even a stand to drop a car into a big container of water if they accurately tossed a baseball at a target.

As they drove by, Murphy commented, "Sure wish that was Springwheel getting dipped into that water."

"He's a good guy, Murphy," Jane said, but then she giggled, "Though it would be pretty funny."

Eventually, the duo made it to a section of the park where a rickety rotting wooden stage looked like it was dumped there decades ago. In front, a bunch of other cars idled or parked to watch anyone who went up to sing. On the stage a microphone connected to one big speaker while another speaker played the instrumental recording of a song. In front of the singer, a monitor was angled such that they could read the oncoming lyrics of the song. Off to the side sat a clear plastic bin of cowboy and cowgirl hats.

As the car howling away at the microphone finished his song, the music cut off, and a rusty mud splattered Jeep Grand Cherokee from 1997 pulled onto the stage, "Great job, boy!"

His southern drawl distracted the audience from the awful performance. Still, the Jeep praised him.

"Oh look who we caught up with," said a vaguely familiar voice. Murphy and Jane checked their mirrors to find the Impala from earlier with the Subaru. Luke pulled up next to Murphy, "Looks like they got here first to pretend they saw this whole mini park faster than us. Heh. Cute."

"IT'S THE CARBURETOR COUNTY STUDENTS!" yelled Lutum, "AWWW YEAH!"

And behind them came Hammer and Mack.

"You guys here to hear some music too?" Mack asked as he pulled up with the cars.

Hammer snorted, "Or lose your hearin' with these singers."

"We decided to come out here first," Jane corrected, "We heard some really funny singing."

"Just don't forget to get your free ride, Jane," Mack reminded her.

"Actually, I think they'll probably all get one for free if they all go together," said Springwheel, pulling up next to Lutum.

"FREE FERRIS WHEEL!?" Lutum cheered, "I CALL THE TOP!"

Luke groaned, "Everyone eventually gets the top, idiot."

Hearing about the ride made Murphy turn his wheels inward.

Jane saw this and asked, "Murphy, you seem nervous."

He snapped out of it and straightened out his axles, "What? I'm fine."

"If you say so," Jane said.

"Before ya go," said the Jeep to the singing car. He reached into the bucket of hats. He picked out one of the cowboy hats and tossed it onto the car's roof like a frisbee.

The young boy jumped up in happiness, "I got one! I got one!"

"Ya sure did!" the Jeep turned to the audience and scanned with his eyes, "Now is there anyone else out there willin' to get a hat? Who wants to be fearless and come sing a song?"

"ME," Lutum screamed.

The Jeep squinted and saw the hyper car bouncing around.

"PICK ME! PICK ME!"

Jane nudged him, "Lutum, if you go up there, you'll get a cool hat!"

"I KNOW! PICK ME! I'M A RACECAR!"

"Haha, alright there, son," the Jeep gestured for Lutum to come on over.

"OH BOY!"

"I've always wanted a cowgirl hat," Jane continued, "They have a version for boys and girls up there."

Murphy's mirrors twitched, "One of those?"

"Yep! You're the one who said I was a country girl. And you're not wrong," she winked.

"One of those hats?"

"Yeah...yes, why?"

Lutum put himself in reverse and went to drive toward the stage, but Murphy's eyes widened and he quickly put himself in gear. He pulled ahead of Lutum and cut him off.

"Murphy!" Jane called out, "Where ya goin'?"

"HEY!"

"Out of my way, Lutum," Murphy revved his engine and looked at Jane, "I'll be right back."

The other racers, Phoenix, and the trucks all watched Murphy with their eyelids locked to the tops of their windshields in shock.

"Whooo doggy! There's some competition out there!" called the Jeep.

"I WANT TO SING!"

"You can get the next song, but I'm going up there right now," Murphy drove all the way to the stage, then drove up the ramp.

"AWW COME ON!"

"Tell the crowd your name, boy," said the Jeep.

Luke put a wheel over his mouth, beginning to laugh.

Murphy cleared his throat, "Uh, Murphy Hicks...Junior."

Jane shifted her weight on her wheels, watching him. A small smile grew on her bumper.

"Nice to meet ya," the Jeep looked him up and down, "Where ya from?"

"Carburetor County," Murphy adjusted the microphone to his height.

"A country boy! I've been out there. Every town is in the middle of nowhere," he chuckled.

"Country boy? Not exactly," Murphy scoffed, "I want to move to-," he saw Jane watching him from the audience. He grumbled under his breath. He knew that he couldn't escape it. Whether or not he wanted to believe it, he grew up in the country. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, even he knew country music as well as the rest of the hillbillies he makes fun of, "Give me a country song."

Under her breath, Jane whispered, "...no way," but her smile couldn't help but get bigger.

"Hmmm," the Jeep scrolled through the list on the screen then pointed, "Friends in Low Places. That's a great song. I know you'd be lying if you told me you ain't ever heard it before. Especially where you live."

"I know it," Murphy gave the head of his microphone a tap.

"Tell 'em all what you're singin' then."

Murphy learned in and said, "Friends in Low Places."

"You're kidding me," Hammer's jaw dropped and he looked at Mack.

"If this kid knows this song, I'll eat my hat," Mack said.

"At least when he loses in California-," Luke started, "-this won't turn out to be as embarrassing for him."

Jane heard his comment and narrowed her eyes. She gave him a dissatisfied look, then focused her eyes back on Murphy. She whispered, "Sing it, Champ."

Phoenix pulled up next to Jane now that Murphy was on the stage, "Now I'm even happier we stopped here."

"I'm ready," Murphy told the Jeep.

The Jeep nodded and started the song.

An acoustic guitar strummed through the speaker. As the intro came to a close, Murphy began to sing. His smooth voice naturally slipped into the soft drawl he tries so desperately to hide.

"Blame it all on my roots,

My bolts became loose,

And ruined your black tire affair.

The last one to know and the last one to show.

I was the last one you thought you'd see there."

Hammer and Mack couldn't believe it. They dug their wheels into the dirt.

Jane stood taller on her axles.

Luke...ate his own words.

"I saw the surprise. The fear in his eyes, when I took his can of champagne."

Jane brought her wheel to the side of her mouth and yelled, "YEEEAAAH! SING IT, CHAMP!"

He pointed to Jane, "And I toasted you, said honey, we may be through, but you'll never hear me complaaaaain."

The song's electric chorus built up the crowd to naturally sing along with him.

"'Caaause I've got friends in loooow places."

"Where the whiskey drooowns," Mack continued.

"And the beer chases my blues awaaaay," Hammer sang.

Even Phoenix Springwheel, "And I'll be okaaaay."

The Jeep tapped his tire while Murphy kept going.

"Yeaaah, I ain't big on social graces, I think I'll slip on down to the oooasis. Yeaaah I got friiiends...in looow places."

Jane went to look at Lutum, but he disappeared. She raised an eyelid and her smile faded.

Were his feelings so hurt from not singing that he just left?"

"I guess I was wrong. I just don't belong."

But suddenly the microphone hissed and a loud voice screamed the lyrics with Murphy, "BUT THEN I'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE!"

Jane looked back on the stage and saw that Lutum actually drove up to sing with Murphy.

Her entire expression lit up again.

"EVERYTHING'S ALRIGHT!"

Murphy laughed and waved to the audience while glancing at Lutum, "I'll just say goodniiight! And I'll show myself to the door!"

"HEY I DIDN'T MEAN TO CAUSE A BIG SCENE! JUST GIVE ME AN HOUR AND THEN-"

"-then I'll be as high as that ivory tower-"

And both boys yelled into the microphone, "THAT YOU'RE LIVING IN!"

The song continued with just the chorus repeating until it faded out. The entire audience sang with Murphy and Lutum, hooting and hollering until the song was over, then gave them both a great big cheer.

Lutum winked at Murphy and snickered.

It was then, Murphy realized that another racer doesn't necessarily mean another rival. He gave Lutum a smirk, "Heh, heh."

"Woohoo! Murphy!" Jane squeaked.

Luke just stared in disbelief.

"Boys, that was incredible!" exclaimed the Jeep. He pushed over the bin of cowboy and cowgirl hats, "You've both earned one!"

Lutum grabbed a hat and tossed it onto his own roof, "LOOK AT MY NEW HAT!"

When Murphy turned to reach for one, the Jeep was already holding one out for him, "Here ya go!"

"Actually," Murphy looked at Jane, then back to the Jeep, "I'll take a cowgirl hat."

The Jeep blinked, "Oh...well, we don't judge out here," he put the cowboy hat down and picked up a cowgirl hat. The only difference was a big fake jewel in the center of the front.

Murphy leaned down as the Jeep threw the hat onto his roof.

Hammer watched with a smirk, "Atta boy," he said to himself.

Murphy drove off of the stage with Lutum. The Subaru pulled up to Luke and Phoenix, "CAMPFIRE."

"I'm sorry?" Springwheel furrowed his eyelids, "Campfire?"

"CAMP. FIRE."

"Phoenix, I think he wants us to get out of here and make a fire," said Luke, translating.

"YEP."

"We can do that," Springwheel nodded, "Let's let Jane and Murphy know so they can come along."

Murphy cruised next to Jane then tapped her door with his tire, "Ahem."

Jane blinked and reversed just enough to be able to turn to him. She saw the hat he wore and she giggled so hard that her hood blushed, "Murphy! You were so great up there!"

"For you," Murphy leaned forward and let the hat drop off of his roof.

Jane took the hat and threw it onto her roof. Her eyes crossed a little, looking up at it, "Thank you so much!"

"Naw, it's nothin'...happy birthday."

"Murphy! Jane!" Phoenix called.

They both turned.

"Would you like to come join us for a camp fire?"

Murphy went to answer, but Jane cut him off, "Actually, Mister Springwhe- I mean, Phoenix, we're gonna check out the Ferris Wheel. Don't wanna waste that free ride."

"Alright! Come join us when you're ready."

Murphy let out a sigh of relief. He was hoping she'd say that. He looked back toward the rest of the carnival, where the Ferris Wheel stood tall in the center. Suddenly, he wished she didn't say that. He swallowed hard.

"I'll be back, Mack!" said Jane.

Mack gave her the 'okay' with a wave of his wheel.

The Porsche moved closer to Murphy and they both made their way to the Ferris Wheel.

A carnival forklift stood watch at the entrance. He saw Jane and Murphy coming and faced them, "Hey, kids! That'll be two dollars."

"Aw, but it's my birthday!" Jane said.

"Oh! That's alright then! Come on in!" the forklift opened up one of the cages.

Murphy froze at the entrance.

The forklift tapped him on the fender, "You alright?"

"Yeah..uh," Murphy put his tire out, gesturing for Jane to drive inside, "Cowgirls first."

"Why, thank you," Jane brushed up against Murphy as she passed him, on purpose, and then she parked herself facing the view.

Murphy slowly, reluctantly, pulled onto the cage next.

"Y'all set?" asked the forklift.

"We're good!" Jane answered.

The forklift shut the door and locked them inside.

Murphy pressed his tires hard to clench the metal floor.

"Murphy you seem so-"

"I'm not nervous."

"...but you look like you're about to ask the floor to marry you."

"I'm not nervous," he repeated.

With a jerk of the cage, it started to lift. It moved slowly and gently. Despite the lack of any danger, Murphy jumped a little.

Jane leaned over and lowered the pitch of her voice to mock his, "I'm not nervous."

"I…," the cage jerked again and moved up some more, "I-UH-...ah...might be a little afraid of heights."

"There's nothing wrong with that," said Jane, "It's like when you told me not to be afraid of the dark in the dust storm."

"Little different...the dark won't kill you. Falling from high up w-WILL!"

The cage moved again, just before the highest point, and Murphy instinctively grabbed Jane's tire. His breathing became more rapid.

Jane's lips parted, feeling his tire grab hers. She applied a little pressure to comfort him.

Murphy felt the change and looked over. It was almost as if...she wanted to hold his tire.

"Sorry for-...-for squeezing your tire," he said, going to pull away.

Jane didn't let go, "No, it's okay," she looked at his eyes, "We still have one more cage length to go before we're at the-"

The cage jerked and the Ferris Wheel lifted them one more time. Murphy's tire pressed against Jane's again. He exhaled a breath through pursed lips, "Th-Thanks.."

"It should stay here now. They usually let you idle up here for a minute or so to look at the view."

Murphy didn't answer.

"...Murphy?" Jane saw that he had his eyes shut tightly. She brought her other wheel over her mouth and held back a soft giggle, "Open your eyes."

The other racer opened up one of his eyes and looked around. The carnival seemed to pull farther and farther away from him.

"It's okay. You're doing fine," Jane tried to encourage him, "Open up your other eye now."

"Mm-..," Murphy let his other eye open and he forced himself to look forward.

"There you go!" Jane exclaimed, "Now look how pretty it all is!"

"Yeah..," Murphy twisted his other wheel, scuffing it against the cage floor, "Sure.."

Jane shook her hood, "But this is nothing! You never came to see the view from the Wheel Well. I always bring my friends and ask them what they see when they look down at the road from up there. If you-," she paused, "...wait...you haven't seen the view because-"

"H-Heights."

Jane's mirrors slumped down, "Heights…"

Murphy continued to deal with his nerves. His eyes darted around, as if he were waiting for the moment they'd all fall off and roll away in chaos.

The teenagers were silent for a full two minutes.

The silence kept Murphy's reality in check, but for Jane, the silence - the absence of Murphy's voice - reminded her of abandonment.

So she broke that silence, "Your dad said that because of his new job and your Piston Cup offer, you were gonna move to California before we graduated senior semester."

Murphy blinked twice. Her words brought him out of his fear for the moment, "Well, yeah…"

"But, Murphy," Jane didn't move her tire off of his, "What about your friends..?"

"What about them?"

"Well, Caleb-"

"Jane."

She sighed. Murphy always knew when Jane wasn't saying what she wanted to, "I would really miss you a lot."

Murphy looked away from the terrifying view and focused all of his attention on the girl next to him.

She continued, "You know, I owe a lot of this to my parents and growing up with racing. And the entrance into the program, I owe that to Phoenix, but...really, I owe just as much of this to you."

Murphy shook his hood, "You owe no one but yourself. You did this."

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have even started training. I'd still be…only wishing I was a racer."

"Jane, you really did this."

"I've had drives with my dad. I envied his speed and his power. But...I guess a part of me never thought I could actually do it. I only started when you took me out for that first race."

"Aw, heh, it was just a little race."

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have put my name on that list."

"That was Alyssa and Austin. Don't give me credit for-"

"I am. I'm gonna give you credit for those things."

"Jane...I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything...but when you move away-," she looked away from him and down at her hood, "I just want you to know that anything I do...wherever I go from here…even though I'll be growing from the support of my family and town...it's also because there will always be a little voice in the back of my mind that sounds like you."

Murphy's eyelids fell softer and his engine sank. He leaned his body against hers and tugged at her tire, "Jane...wherever I go, just like the first time I tried to go to California, I promise you'll know where to find me."

Jane's eyes widened, feeling his body weight, "Okay, but-," she leaned her body against his as well, "-I'll visit."

Murphy gently pushed her. This brought her eyes to Murphy's again and when he made sure she was looking at him, he too promised, "I'll visit."

A loud clanking knock snapped the teenagers out of it.

"Time for another car's turn, guys," said the same forklift who let them on.

"Whoa...I didn't even realize we moved all the way back down," said Murphy.

"Me neither," Jane leaned away from him so that he could drive outside.

Murphy pulled off of the cage and Jane followed.

"Have a goodnight!" the forklift turned back to the Ferris Wheel and helped the next cars on.

"I'm sure they have that campfire goin' now," Jane went to turn away, "We should meet up with them."

"Jane, wait," Murphy pulled forward and grabbed her tire, "Can we...take a drive?"

Her tail lights flashed on, then she turned back around, "...yeah. I'd like that."

She drove right next to him and he started moving when he saw her driving. As they cruised, Murphy led her out of the carnival. Around the perimeter were some woodland trees. They weren't very thick, but enough to line the surrounding area, keep it isolated, and separate it from the water.

"Let's check out the lake this place is named after," Murphy suggested. He pulled out a cigarette from his wheel well and brought it to his lips. He slipped out his lighter and brought it to the end.

"But they're in those woods, Murphy. They have the campfire going in there."

"I'm not driving toward them. Just to the lake," he put his lighter away.

Jane nodded, "Alright," she flashed on her headlights and pulled onto the fallen tree twigs over the desert floor. Murphy guided himself with her light and they drove until the lake came into view. Her headlights reflected off the rippling surface.

The teenagers came to a stop just before the land dipped into Lake Mohave. The full moon mirrored in the lake's reflection and danced with Jane's light.

"Damn that's a big moon," said Jane.

Murphy chuckled under his breath. Some of the smoke slipped out of his mouth and grille, "Did I just hear you say 'damn'? You've been hanging around me too much."

"O-Oops," she pulled her lips in and looked down at his cigarette, then back up to his eyes.

"I mean, now that we're actually talking again, we might as well continue that conversation we were having before Gianna interrupted us," Murphy put himself into park.

"I don't understand."

"When I asked you to teach me how to Charleston," Murphy reminded her, "We were talking about school...and then Gianna came into town."

"Oh, now I remember!" Jane grinned, "But not what you said, just her yelling at me. I kind of froze that night."

"I don't blame you. I always froze when she yelled at me," he laughed, "And here I thought I was the one who always forgets everything. Let me refresh your memory. She's….never raced...never been to California," Murphy took another puff of his cigarette, "...and she's never kissed a guy."

"Don't you dare make fun of me," she gave him a playful glare, "Because it sounds like the next words coming out of your mouth are gonna be something sly and sarcastic."

"No, but they can be if you want. I'm full of 'em," Murphy scuffed his wheel on the dirt, chuckling as the soft country music played in the distance, "I-uh-actually wanted to...let you know that I had fun tonight. The ride and what you said to me….it was great."

"And getting over your fear of heights," Jane smirked.

"That Ferris Wheel was out to get me. You can't convince me otherwise."

Jane bursted out into laughter, patting the ground with her treads. As her amusement fell, so did her weight onto Murphy. She leaned against him and looked up at his windshield to make sure it was okay.

Murphy shook his hood and leaned back, "You're really asking for a sly and sarcastic comment."

"Maybe you wouldn't worry about it being haunted or out to get you if you took that tape off of your headlights. Take it from one who is afraid of the dark. Headlights help."

"Pffft, I'm not the one afraid of the dark."

"No, but…," she moved herself off of him, then turned to face him, "If you're going to move to California," she lifted a wheel and brought it to the edge of the tape on one of his headlights, "You're gonna need headlights."

Murphy's eyes became more serious. She didn't ask. Jane slowly pulled the tape off of his driver's side. She crumpled it up, then moved to his passenger side. She brought her wheel to the next edge, but this time she looked into his eyes when she pulled the tape off.

Murphy kept a straight face, watching her while the smoke from his cigarette rose between them. He didn't stop her. Jane only moved her eyes away to study this new part of Murphy she'd never seen before. His headlights were rectangular, but split into two squares on each side.

"...much better," she turned her wheels toward the lake.

Murphy's eyes followed Jane as she rolled forward and dipped her tires about halfway into the water. He dropped his cigarette, tilted his body, and stepped on it to put it out. Suddenly, he flashed on his headlights on for the first time since he was built.

Jane's shadow appeared in front of her onto the lake's surface and she smiled wide, knowing she was silhouetted against his light.

Murphy's eyes trailed down her rear window to her tail lights, then he pulled closer behind her. He commented on the moon again, "You drive to the water to howl at the moon the way that guy was howling into the microphone?"

"Very funny, but no," she stuck her tongue out at him, then looked back up, "Just trying to see the stars and cool off my treads. I can't see them too well."

"That's what happens when you start leaving the middle of nowhere," he ran his tire over the top of the lake, feeling the temperature, then pulled into it as far as Jane did, "Stars fade."

"Those darn carnival lights ain't helping either."

"You mean those damn carnival lights."

Jane finally looked at him again. The scattered light from their headlights moving against their paint and windshield was just enough to make the bottom half of his brown eyes glow a bit. Her expression dropped. She couldn't help but stare, "Yeah..damn.."

"You know," Murphy said, keeping his eyes on hers, "I can see the stars."

"Yeah, they're there, but they're just harder to see..."

Murphy's eyes followed down her hood, "You know there's a way to see them better right?" he caught himself and brought his eyes back to hers, "You don't like the dark, so obviously you wouldn't know, but eventually your eyes get used to the dark and you can see stuff better."

"Murphy, I may be afraid of the dark, but I took freshman biology," she snickered, "And either way, we can't make it any darker."

"Yes we can."

"Well...not too dark because I don't want to get scared."

"Scared of what? I'm here," he turned his headlights off, "Your turn."

Jane was hesitant, "Hm…," but she turned her headlights off too.

Already, the night sky seemed to be filled with more stars.

"There's one more trick. It'll probably work even better."

"Okay."

"You gotta get your pupils even wider. That's how you'll see in the dark better. So you gotta close your eyes really tight," Murphy instructed.

Jane nodded, "Sure…something like that," she shut her eyelids, "Okie dokie. Tell me when I should open 'em back up."

"Nope. Keep 'em closed."

"I aaaam."

"The longer you keep your eyes closed...the prettier the stars will be when you open them again," Murphy gazed at her. Now that their headlights were off, the reflection of the night sky in the water was the only thing moving against her curves and his own body.

No matter how calm she tried to pretend she was, her breathing was unevenly distributed through her grille and mouth just from the thought of darkness.

Murphy watched her idle there, breathing. Her body rose and fell. He watched her bottom lip move just a bit with every breath.

"Murphy," she whispered, "Don't scare me."

"You know you can always trust me," he promised. Murphy shut his eyes too, then lowered his voice to match hers, "Jane."

"Y-Yeah…?"

"I want you to know...," his front axles felt like liquid. His suspension trembled, "...that...you are the prettiest star I've ever seen."

Before she could answer, Murphy let off his brakes and pressed his lips against hers.

"M-Mm," Jane's eyes opened in a panic. She never thought she'd see the end of his hood so close to hers, but she didn't move. She kept her lips against his and then slowly let her eyelids fall again.

Murphy lifted one of his wheels out of the water. Small droplets fell back into the lake as he brought it to her cheek, then caressed his treads down to her chin. He held her in place.

Jane stood in the water with him, their engines idling together under the crystal clear sky, "Mm-mm…," she brought one of her own dripping tires to his cheek and didn't move her lips off of his.

Feeling her acceptance, Murphy guided her even closer by gently pulling her chin. The more she pressed against him, the more her lips separated naturally; all by themselves.

Murphy led her lips with his and let them perfectly lock between his.

She tilted her body to the side, opened her lips, and locked them with his again. Murphy shifted his body as well, making their lips lock together over and over again.

Jane's breathing raced and her engine fluttered. Murphy's RPMs heightened with Jane's the deeper he kissed her.

He couldn't help himself. He slipped his tongue out and softly slid it against her bottom lip.

She gasped and pulled away just a tiny bit, then both of them opened their eyes to slits.

"No...I'm sorry..," Murphy whispered. The heat from his grille mixed with the Summer air, "Don't go…"

"...you don't go," Jane shut her eyes again and pulled him close to her. Murphy continued right where he left off. Jane's axles stiffened, but she went along with it anyway. His tongue slipped between her lips and instead of reversing away this time, she let her tongue touch his.

Murphy didn't feel her hesitate at all, so he put himself into reverse, moved his tire back to her cheek, and guided her deeper into the lake with him while they kissed.

The dirt under the lake was much softer. It held their rear tires in place while their front wheels couldn't keep away from each other's faces.

Their lips formed a light suction as Jane let herself enjoy her very first kiss. Murphy kept himself still, letting her learn and explore, then he took over again.

The moment Jane moved her tongue away, he caught her bottom lip alone with his teeth and nipped it. Then he cupped his lips over the spot he nipped and gently pulled.

The rumble of another set of tires rolled over the twigs in the distance. Luke decided to take a break from Lutum at the campfire.

Jane and Murphy could barely feel their own tires, let alone hear their surroundings. The only sound they could hear was the soft, wet noises from their entwining lips; even over the sound of crickets.

The Impala saw the lake and turned toward it. He maneuvered over some more twigs, then suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

It couldn't be.

He shut off his headlights and his vision locked onto his rival racers...making out in the water. He watched for another moment, just to make sure he really saw what was in front of him, then he quietly put himself into reverse and backed away. His reverse lights lit the foliage behind him, but it didn't matter.

They were definitely not paying any attention.

Once he was in the clear, he high tailed it all the way back to the campfire. His breathing escalated.

Phoenix, Mack, Hammer, and Lutum were all relaxing with the fire glowing against their faces.

Phoenix saw the frantic student first, "What's wrong, Luke?"

"DID YOU SEE SLENDER CAR IN THE TREES BECAUSE OF THE SCARY STORY I TOLD?" asked Lutum.

Luke shook his hood, "N-No, I-uh...I just think maybe it's time for us to all go to bed."

"Uh..," Phoenix raised an eyelid.

Lutum raised a lid, "IT'S ONLY 9:00."

Suddenly Phoenix's expression dropped, and he didn't really care why Luke was acting weird, "9:00?"

He always had something to do at 9:03 PM.

"Yep! And we racers heh,heh...we GOTTA go to sleep early," Luke forced a yawn, "I'm beat."

"I'll wait back here for Jane and Murphy then," said Phoenix, "You can go to sleep if you want."

"Sure!" Luke looked over at Mack and Hammer, "I'm gonna go find my trailer, "Oh, and speaking of Murphy and Jane, last time I checked I think I heard Jane talking about...seeing the lake?"

Hammer eyed Luke. He didn't like his tone at all.

"Hey, Phoenix," said Mack, "It's probably best I go get Jane. It is getting late, so I want to keep an eye on her."

"If that's how you feel," Springwheel nodded, "But if you see Murphy, tell him to come on over too."

"Will do!" Mack reversed from the fire then flashed his headlights on.

"Night, everybody," Luke turned around and puttered off to his trailer. He spoke to himself, "And goodnight, June Bugs," he chuckled darkly.

Mack turned toward the woods to get to the lake.

"Dum, doo, dum," he hummed to himself, looking all around. His headlights moved with his cab anywhere he looked. They moved over some trees, a couple of rocks, a couple of teenage cars kissing, some more rocks, another tree. Mack shrugged and went to drive toward the carnival when his mind replayed what he just saw. He slammed on his brakes, his eyes widened, and he slowly moved his headlights toward the kissing cars.

"JANE."

Jane and Murphy ripped their lips off of each other and turned to the headlights shining on them.

Jane practically collapsed on her axles, "M-Mack!" her mouth fell under the water and she pushed herself back up, breathing heavily.

Murphy's gas tank turned and his eyes squinted in the bright light. He brought a tire up to try to block it.

And as the clock moved to 9:03 PM, Springwheel looked up at the stars and whispered, "Goodnight, Emily. It's time for bed."