Okay, heres your latest installment. Don't forget to review!
Chapter VIII: Just like Then
So there they were. Two old friends, seated across from each other in a roadside diner, as if they'd barely been apart. Rome was filling Brian in on his life, while Brian listened interestedly - he'd missed so much, and felt guilty about that, but also secretly a little jealous about all the things he had missed out on. "So you and Tej are good friends then huh?" Brian finally ventured, looking at Rome casually then glancing away.
A smile cracked over Romes face, "Yeah...." he trailed off with a frown, catching Brians eye "But not like us." he added. Brian smiled slightly, swallowing his secret jealousy.
Rome sighed sitting back, surveying the empty plates - he'd had his fill, "C'mon... I want you to meet the gang." he rose to his feet.
Brian looked downwards as he felt his memory triggered - remembing Mia telling him that they didn't call themselves a gang - but they were a team. He shook his head, shaking off the memory and rose to his feet also. "Right.. so long as Tej has got over the desire to beat my head in." Brian laughed.
Rome sighed, "Yeah.. but, hey, don't bring up anythign 'bout you being a pig aite?"
Brian refrained from taking offence at Rome calling him a pig, so simply nodded, following him to his Spyder, still checking out the rims with a lusty gaze.
Rome parked the car just outside the the shop front of Tej's Garage and instantly a young asian guy sauntered out in grease covered coveralls, an equally greasy spanner in his hands. "Hey Rome." he upnodded, taking an obvious side glance in Brians direction. "Yo Jimmy... whats up tonight?" Rome got out of the convertible by jumping over the door, followed by Brian, actually using the door.
Jimmy raised his eyebrows, "Well you'll never guess who's here.." he replied sarcastically.
Rome laughed and shook his head, "Man.. I don't know WHAT her deal is..." he trailed off, "Oh, yah, Jimmy this is-" he began, gesturing towards Brian.
"Brian Spilner." Brian interrupted, stepping up towards Jimmy with one hand extended.
Jimmy reached into one deep pocket of his coveralls pulling out a grease-ridden cloth and quickly wiped his hands 'clean'. "Hey." he replied, and gave Brians hand a quick homie-shake.
"We grew up together in Barstow... he's my boy." Rome elaborated, looking from Jimmy to Brian. He noticed Brians eyes surveying the garage, stopping to rest on a bright pink Honda S2000, with fully-customised art work featuring an anime girl on the side. Brian raised his eyebrows, looking over at Rome.
"Thats Sukis car... she designed the bodywork - she's a pretty good racer..." he looked side to side, then lowered his voice "But I can beat her." he gave a big grin. "She works here, does some paint for us, and designs for the occasional customer - if she likes them. She's also Tej's girl.. so you gots to be nice to her." he laughed.
Brian nodded, taking in all the information and storing it away.
Jimmy headed back into the garage, with Rome and Brian in tow. In the first working bay sat an off-white 1966 Ford Mustang, with the hood up, and the rear passenger door resting against the car - having been removed. A latino guy walked by and picked up the door from the side of the car and took it towards the back area. Brian frowned seeing the Mustang - it looked a little out of place; in the next bay over sat a cherry red Nissan 200SX, and then next to that a 2-door Honda Civic, obviously awaiting a paint job. Those two cars, and all the others in the near area were imports, and off recent creation. The Mustang was nearly forty years old. Brian turned to look at Rome quizzically. Rome sighed, "This chick owns this car.. she ALWAYS comes here. She'll ONLY come to Tej's Garage to have anything done on her car. Tuneups, paintwork, engine repairs... whatever. She's a bit weird. She hangs around a lot, just watching." Rome walked towards the car, and Brian followed - hearing voices grow louder.
As they rounded the front of the vehicle they were met by another young asian guy in blue coveralls bent over the hood of the Mustang, looking down at the engine bay, and a blonde girl dressed in normal clothes (perhaps a bit 'posh' for the garage) leaning against the car, casting her eye across the engine bay also.
Brians eyes quickly swept down her body and back up again, spending a few lingering seconds on her face. As she leaned further over the car, her long hair fell across her face, so she reached up with one small hand and tucked the stray locks behind her ear, exposing glittering earrings in her ear.
Suddenly she looked up, spotting Rome and Brian.
"Oh... uh, hi Rome." she said, a little hesitantly, she had the feeling that Rome didn't like her so much. Her eyes drifted to rest on Brian. 'Where has HE been since I've been here?' she wondered, desperate to check him out - but she kept her eyes on a leash, maintaining a polite gaze on his eyes; beautifully blue.
"Hi." Rome replied a little flatly.
"Hi..." the girl looked pointedly at Brian, "I'm Saira." she gave a little smile at him.
"Hey, Brian Spilner." he held out his hand, Saira hesitated for a second, then took his hand in hers and shook it firmly.
Brian smiled at her, 'Wow' she thought, looking at his smile, simultaneously enjoying the smooth feeling of his hand in hers.
"So.. whats 'wrong' with the 'Stang today?" Rome piped up, the sarcasm quietly notable in his voice.
"I think a couple of the Spark plugs have given out, and someone scratched the rear door - so I'm getting that covered up.. and hopefully some new sparks put in. Thats all." she answered, chosing to ignore his sarcasm, she shifted her weight against the car, lifting one perfectly white shoe off the floor and rubbing her ankle.
Brian watched her.. he had a 'twinge'... that little inkling he got when something was off. He had no idea why he was getting it... but he was sure he felt it.
He let his eyes wander up from her ankle, along her leg to the hem of her faded denim mini skirt, liking what he was half-looking at, but not fully registering it as he was trying to work out what was making him edgy.
"C'mon.. I'll introduce you to Tej and Suki - they'll be out the back." Rome interrupted Brians thoughts, and started heading towards a door to their right. Brian followed along behind, still surveying his surroundings - they walked through into a large lounge-like area at the back of the working area, a few dilapidated couches, chairs, and a tv adorned the room, along with many car posters, stickers and paraphenalia decorating the walls. On one worn couch sat Tej and Suki cuddled up together, talking in low voices to each other, with the TV playing to noone in the background.
Tej glanced up at them as they entered, then looked back to Suki - then snapped his attention back to Brian - he narrowed his eyes, then shifted a questioning gaze to Rome.
"It's okay - we sorted some shit." he shook his head.
"Brian.. this is Tej.. and Suki" he pointed to each in turn, "Tej is the man to know in Miami.. he knows it all.. and organises it all." he said with a grin, earning himself a laugh from Tej and Suki.
"And this is Brian.." Brian walked forward to the couch.
"Hey.." he upnodded them.
Tej eyed him a moment almost suspiciously.
Rome walked forward also, "Brian and I grew up, and rolled together in Barstow back in the day. He's cool. He's my dawg." He put an open hand on Brians shoulder.
Tej nodded, "Hey." he looked at Brian, "Any friend of Romes is a friend of mine.. make yourself at home."
"Hi Brian." Suki added, giving him a quick glance, then resting her head back against Tejs chest, closing her eyes.
Rome cleared his throat, "Yo, my man's stayin' in a shitty motel downtown - you think he can crash in that free boat up by mine?"
Brian looked over at Rome surprised, he hadn't expected that.
Tej looked over at Brian again, studying him a moment, he seemed sceptical again, with hard eyes a moment - then they softened, "Aite... show him around den." he gave in.
Brian grinned, "Thanks man.."
Rome lead him past Suki and Tej and out another door towards the dock.
----
Okay, I did my writing - now you do yours. :D
Chapter VIII: Just like Then
So there they were. Two old friends, seated across from each other in a roadside diner, as if they'd barely been apart. Rome was filling Brian in on his life, while Brian listened interestedly - he'd missed so much, and felt guilty about that, but also secretly a little jealous about all the things he had missed out on. "So you and Tej are good friends then huh?" Brian finally ventured, looking at Rome casually then glancing away.
A smile cracked over Romes face, "Yeah...." he trailed off with a frown, catching Brians eye "But not like us." he added. Brian smiled slightly, swallowing his secret jealousy.
Rome sighed sitting back, surveying the empty plates - he'd had his fill, "C'mon... I want you to meet the gang." he rose to his feet.
Brian looked downwards as he felt his memory triggered - remembing Mia telling him that they didn't call themselves a gang - but they were a team. He shook his head, shaking off the memory and rose to his feet also. "Right.. so long as Tej has got over the desire to beat my head in." Brian laughed.
Rome sighed, "Yeah.. but, hey, don't bring up anythign 'bout you being a pig aite?"
Brian refrained from taking offence at Rome calling him a pig, so simply nodded, following him to his Spyder, still checking out the rims with a lusty gaze.
Rome parked the car just outside the the shop front of Tej's Garage and instantly a young asian guy sauntered out in grease covered coveralls, an equally greasy spanner in his hands. "Hey Rome." he upnodded, taking an obvious side glance in Brians direction. "Yo Jimmy... whats up tonight?" Rome got out of the convertible by jumping over the door, followed by Brian, actually using the door.
Jimmy raised his eyebrows, "Well you'll never guess who's here.." he replied sarcastically.
Rome laughed and shook his head, "Man.. I don't know WHAT her deal is..." he trailed off, "Oh, yah, Jimmy this is-" he began, gesturing towards Brian.
"Brian Spilner." Brian interrupted, stepping up towards Jimmy with one hand extended.
Jimmy reached into one deep pocket of his coveralls pulling out a grease-ridden cloth and quickly wiped his hands 'clean'. "Hey." he replied, and gave Brians hand a quick homie-shake.
"We grew up together in Barstow... he's my boy." Rome elaborated, looking from Jimmy to Brian. He noticed Brians eyes surveying the garage, stopping to rest on a bright pink Honda S2000, with fully-customised art work featuring an anime girl on the side. Brian raised his eyebrows, looking over at Rome.
"Thats Sukis car... she designed the bodywork - she's a pretty good racer..." he looked side to side, then lowered his voice "But I can beat her." he gave a big grin. "She works here, does some paint for us, and designs for the occasional customer - if she likes them. She's also Tej's girl.. so you gots to be nice to her." he laughed.
Brian nodded, taking in all the information and storing it away.
Jimmy headed back into the garage, with Rome and Brian in tow. In the first working bay sat an off-white 1966 Ford Mustang, with the hood up, and the rear passenger door resting against the car - having been removed. A latino guy walked by and picked up the door from the side of the car and took it towards the back area. Brian frowned seeing the Mustang - it looked a little out of place; in the next bay over sat a cherry red Nissan 200SX, and then next to that a 2-door Honda Civic, obviously awaiting a paint job. Those two cars, and all the others in the near area were imports, and off recent creation. The Mustang was nearly forty years old. Brian turned to look at Rome quizzically. Rome sighed, "This chick owns this car.. she ALWAYS comes here. She'll ONLY come to Tej's Garage to have anything done on her car. Tuneups, paintwork, engine repairs... whatever. She's a bit weird. She hangs around a lot, just watching." Rome walked towards the car, and Brian followed - hearing voices grow louder.
As they rounded the front of the vehicle they were met by another young asian guy in blue coveralls bent over the hood of the Mustang, looking down at the engine bay, and a blonde girl dressed in normal clothes (perhaps a bit 'posh' for the garage) leaning against the car, casting her eye across the engine bay also.
Brians eyes quickly swept down her body and back up again, spending a few lingering seconds on her face. As she leaned further over the car, her long hair fell across her face, so she reached up with one small hand and tucked the stray locks behind her ear, exposing glittering earrings in her ear.
Suddenly she looked up, spotting Rome and Brian.
"Oh... uh, hi Rome." she said, a little hesitantly, she had the feeling that Rome didn't like her so much. Her eyes drifted to rest on Brian. 'Where has HE been since I've been here?' she wondered, desperate to check him out - but she kept her eyes on a leash, maintaining a polite gaze on his eyes; beautifully blue.
"Hi." Rome replied a little flatly.
"Hi..." the girl looked pointedly at Brian, "I'm Saira." she gave a little smile at him.
"Hey, Brian Spilner." he held out his hand, Saira hesitated for a second, then took his hand in hers and shook it firmly.
Brian smiled at her, 'Wow' she thought, looking at his smile, simultaneously enjoying the smooth feeling of his hand in hers.
"So.. whats 'wrong' with the 'Stang today?" Rome piped up, the sarcasm quietly notable in his voice.
"I think a couple of the Spark plugs have given out, and someone scratched the rear door - so I'm getting that covered up.. and hopefully some new sparks put in. Thats all." she answered, chosing to ignore his sarcasm, she shifted her weight against the car, lifting one perfectly white shoe off the floor and rubbing her ankle.
Brian watched her.. he had a 'twinge'... that little inkling he got when something was off. He had no idea why he was getting it... but he was sure he felt it.
He let his eyes wander up from her ankle, along her leg to the hem of her faded denim mini skirt, liking what he was half-looking at, but not fully registering it as he was trying to work out what was making him edgy.
"C'mon.. I'll introduce you to Tej and Suki - they'll be out the back." Rome interrupted Brians thoughts, and started heading towards a door to their right. Brian followed along behind, still surveying his surroundings - they walked through into a large lounge-like area at the back of the working area, a few dilapidated couches, chairs, and a tv adorned the room, along with many car posters, stickers and paraphenalia decorating the walls. On one worn couch sat Tej and Suki cuddled up together, talking in low voices to each other, with the TV playing to noone in the background.
Tej glanced up at them as they entered, then looked back to Suki - then snapped his attention back to Brian - he narrowed his eyes, then shifted a questioning gaze to Rome.
"It's okay - we sorted some shit." he shook his head.
"Brian.. this is Tej.. and Suki" he pointed to each in turn, "Tej is the man to know in Miami.. he knows it all.. and organises it all." he said with a grin, earning himself a laugh from Tej and Suki.
"And this is Brian.." Brian walked forward to the couch.
"Hey.." he upnodded them.
Tej eyed him a moment almost suspiciously.
Rome walked forward also, "Brian and I grew up, and rolled together in Barstow back in the day. He's cool. He's my dawg." He put an open hand on Brians shoulder.
Tej nodded, "Hey." he looked at Brian, "Any friend of Romes is a friend of mine.. make yourself at home."
"Hi Brian." Suki added, giving him a quick glance, then resting her head back against Tejs chest, closing her eyes.
Rome cleared his throat, "Yo, my man's stayin' in a shitty motel downtown - you think he can crash in that free boat up by mine?"
Brian looked over at Rome surprised, he hadn't expected that.
Tej looked over at Brian again, studying him a moment, he seemed sceptical again, with hard eyes a moment - then they softened, "Aite... show him around den." he gave in.
Brian grinned, "Thanks man.."
Rome lead him past Suki and Tej and out another door towards the dock.
----
Okay, I did my writing - now you do yours. :D