Chapter 4

Leon drove and held my hand as I silently wept. I didn't' want to talk or even think. Sleep was the only bedfellow I wanted. That and a cigarette.

Mia and Letty followed behind us in a 1995 Toyota Supra. My mind began to wonder on the event that had begun only four days ago on Monday.

*You do realize that had your house not have burned down, you would not be in this car right now with this hottie holding your hand and driving you to the hospital to aid your best friend during the hardest part of his life. You would not even know a senior, let alone two. And you would not have been seduced by a twenty year old in a garage.

*Do you not also realize that you came pretty close to losing your virginity in an auto shop? Considering your luck, you would have ended up knocked out by Letty and knocked up with a kid, proving your mother right. You cannot allow your emotions to rule you like that. No matter how sexy Dominic Torretto is or how attracted you are to him, you cannot allow him to get to you. You have your values, and as your Health teacher said last year, your values hold the highest importance to you.

*Oh crap, come on. I don't like him. I know this for a fact. Now Leon. I don't know about Leon. I mean something has to be there. Every time I see him I get so, so, I just get so damn lost in myself. Hell, it took me five months to gain enough trust in Jesse to let him drive Shelby and I let Leon drive without even knowing his last name.

*Dammit Street. Stick with your nick. You got it for a reason. You can't be called Street and start acting like a wimp now. Stay focused.

I turned and looked at Leon. He seemed to be thinking something but I couldn't figure it out. He too was just as lost in his mind as I was. I moved closer and laid my head on his shoulder. I could sense him grow tense for a brief moment before relaxing.

I turned my radio to the classical station and just listened to the sweet melody of the fluttering wind and string sections. *******************************

"Everyone, this is Jesse. Jesse, this is Mia, Letty, Dominic, Vince and Leon."

"Hey." They said in atypical rhythm.

"Come check this out." Jesse said. He already set up the new Torretto computer system including a network through the building.

"Look, I got the website up, Street did the car program-"

"Street?" Letty asked, a hint of curiosity and sarcasm in her voice.

"Yeah. See, I was the big car buff in elementary, middle school and freshman year. I was thinking about staring a car club but then I got more focused on college and my education so I kind of eel away from it."

"So what's that got to do with Street?" Dominic asked.

"Well, when I first learned how to drive, I went down a private street going 120 and hit a 360 into a parallel parking space. Everyone said I tore the street and that's how I got the nick. That plus, I have been in the streets. Use to be kinda like Letty at one point been I got soft. Hell, I couldn't do that trick now even if I wanted to."

"Oh. So you came up with body program?"

"Yeah. Just take a picture of the car before you rebuild it, and before you paint it. It will show how to do it, how to make it basic, better or pro."

"And let's not forget my engine program." Jesse said.

"Yeah. My brother here is the best at engines. No matter what car, young and old, he knows how to set it up to make it purr or roar."

"I think we got ourselves some more team members." Vince said.

"What?" I asked.

"Yeah. Emerald, you know you want to race. The wind in your hair, something powerful you're in control of."

"Nah man. But Jesse here love racing. And he needs something to keep his attention other than Calculus and Trigonometry."

"Alright then. Jesse, welcome aboard." Dominic shook his hand and then turned to me. "Hopefully with you on the team, we could get you to convince Street over here to live up to her name."

"Trust me man, she ain't going for it. She's got this ting about sticking to what she says."

"Value, J, values."

"Yeah, whatever."

I looked at Jesse. He was holding something from me.

"Jesse?" I asked, standing at his side.

"What?"

I knew what had happened and I went off.

"Jesse how could you? I finally got you up to junior level English. You are ready for the SAT's. What happened to MIT?"

"My mom died. That's what happened."

"Jesus, don't you even care that you going off to college is what helped her fight as hard she did to live? You know what, don't answer that. I see you all later."

I turned my heels and left. I headed towards the horizon, the beach to be more precise. I sat in my car, the brilliant orange, and scarlet coloring the sky. As the sun hit the ocean, the flash of light that only come at sun set amazed me.

I lay on the hood of my car and stared at the night sky. I could see the tail end of my zodiac as Gemini slowly took its place.

"I knew you would be here." Jesse said, standing by the driver side door.

"How could you Jay. What happened to our plan to be walking partners during graduation? You going off to MIT as I go off to Harvard?"

"I did it because I frustrated. Do you know what it's like to not understand something?"

"You're talking to a person who is taking Pre Cal for the second time."

"Oh right. But at least you can get through history and shit. I have to suffer through the classes."

"But Jesse, you now I'm here to help you. There was no need for you to drop out."

"Okay. So when I went off to MIT, how was I going to get help then?"

"Email me, call me. Hell, we both have a digital camera and a mic, we could have used Netmeeting."

"Em, just give it up. I'm not going back."

I taught to myself how next to me, Jesse could be the most stubborn person in the world. I tapped the hood next to me and he walked around to lay down.

"Pretty cool sunset, isn't it?" I asked.

"Yeah. It is."