A/N: Well, threats on my laptop, stuffed animals and movies have been made, so I figured that I'd write the second chapter soon. So, here it is. Also, I decided that being signed to a car company was a little too hard to write about because there are too many restrictions… So I said screw it and signed him to Coke! So, on with the story!
~ 2: The Invitation ~
I was signed and ready to compete in my first pro race. This wasn't going to be easy. I was only allowed to be in one at a time and there were five of them at the same time.
The first was being held in Esthar, just outside the city walls. The race would be quite easy because the list of competitors wasn't very long. If I accepted to be in that race, then I would look like the guy who was steadily trying to climb to the top. That wasn't my style. I'm the type of guy who wants a quick trip to the top… the type that magically appears at number one. That may be arrogant, but it's in my nature. It was in my brother's too.
The second was held near the Centra ruins. It would prove to be an average course. There wasn't an off-terrain course. That meant one hundred percent asphalt courses. Those weren't necessarily my strongest points. Believe it or not, I'm a better driver in the harder courses. This makes absolutely no sense; but why should it matter?
The next one took place outside of Trabia. Need I say more? I wasn't going to drive in an ice bow so soon.
The fourth one takes place outside of Dollet. It was kind of cold there. Not exactly my idea of fun. There were a couple of off-road courses, but that didn't make up for the other six that were on a track. Sure, these races weren't like Grand Tourismo, but there had to be some sort of diversity in the courses.
The fifth was probably the hardest one that I could find. Sharp turns, off road, all the best drivers there. All of them were trying to prove that they were the best. These were the type of people that had a certain arrogant air about them… My kind of people..
Just as I was about to sign my name on the invitation, my manager walked in. I never had a manager before now. I guess that I probably need one to manage my affaires. But it wasn't only my manager that walked in; there were three other people behind him.
Walking in behind Geoffrey was a blond boy with a really weird tattoo on the right side of his face, a brown- haired guy with a cowboy hat, and behind him was a short girl with short brown hair curled upwards. Her hairdo, the guy's tattoo and the cowboy hat were a little weird… Sort of like they were out of place. Who were these people? Why are they here?
Geoffrey seemed to be able to read my mind as he introduced us. "Squall, this is your team. The people at Coke don't like to send in one lone driver; we like to send in a crew… You know, a team. We do understand that racing is an 'All for one and one for all' type of sport, but we like to have more than one stab at the jackpot. Think of in terms of publicity. Anyways, this is your team. They are the other drivers that we have signed with us. This is Zell Dincht." He said pointing at the blond guy. Great, every tattoo artist's dram, I thought to myself. "He has been with us for about a year now."
I stuck my hand out for him to shake it, but I got a low five instead. This guy was off the wall. "Dude, no stiffs allowed!" He said as he slapped it with a lot of force. Ouch! I offered a smile and turned to the next guy.
"This is Irvine Kinneas. He's been with us for a month and he's a pretty good driver. You ought to be careful." He said. How dare he say that to me?! I was already beginning dislike this guy who was supposed to be our manager. He can go and burn in hell.
He turned to the girl and introduced us. The girl was kind of hyper. She was beginning to scare me. She looked as she was going to jump around the room very soon. "This is Selphie Tilmit. She signed wit us the same day as you did."
I looked at her again. For some strange reason, her name sounded familiar. Then it all clicked. "You're the girl that won second, aren't you?"
"Damn straight!" She said. Now she was really earning the title of odd.
"Anyways, let's do what we came here to do. These were the invites from all the races to take place this month. You are all to decide which one you would like to participate in. There must be at least two of you in the same race. That is the only requirement. Squall, have you picked which one you would like to participate in?" Geoffrey asked me. This guy had some nerve.
"Yeah, I did. The Tourista 300 sounds good. You know... The one hosted by Mr. Caraway." I said. The table fell quiet. Everyone stopped and stared at me. Even that Selphie girl wasn't bouncing in her seat. "What?" I asked innocently.
"You're going for something that's way out of your league." Geoffrey said after everyone had finally accepted that I had said what I said.
"Actually, this guy is really good at the off-road courses. I should know; I had the pleasure of racing against him. Seeing as the Tourista 300 has the most off-terrain courses, I think that this race suits him… I'll even go with him." Selphie spoke up. I was beginning to like this girl. She was all right: not so scary anymore.
"Well, now that there is the minimum requirement of two racers, I guess we can sign this now." I said as I picked up the pen once more. No one was going to stop me.
"Wait! If you're going to sign up for that race, then at least cast a sideways glance at the list of competitors. Trust me on that one." Zell said, "I'm signing up for the one in Centra… Ruins 400."
"I guess I have to go with Zell, then, huh?" Irvine said, "Hey, it sounds like an easy race. No off-road courses and it's all on asphalt. There aren't going to be any big shots there because they'll all be at the Tourista. Good luck guys!"
Selphie and I signed our names on the form while Zell and Irvine signed theirs. Tourista 300, here I come! I'm going to win this thing. I will have to place in an order somewhere for some NOS and some new car parts. I guess that while I'm at it, I can order a few cars. The 1995 Supra. I really like that. It's pretty.
Geoffrey took our papers and left. This was what it was all about, huh? I guess that I could get used to this. This was going to be a great year.
Geoffrey can back in suddenly and tossed me a set of keys. "To your new bachelor pad." He said and left again.
I caught the keys and looked at my team… Team? Whatever. I don't want to think about that now. I smiled triumphantly, "Wanna come?"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The place was huge. It was really nice and there was no way that I would be able to occupy such a large area. I figured that in the basement, I was going to put my private collection of cars there. Starting with the Supra…
The place was already furnished… To my taste. Weird. Well actually, not really. The décor was modern and the hard wood flood was polished to perfection. Everything was neat… Just the way I like it. There was a gigantic skylight in the ceiling of the living room and one above the hall on the third floor. Three floors? These guys really know how to treat their drivers.
The house was equipped with a stereo system, two computers- do I really need that many? -, a hot tub, Jacuzzi, indoor pool and a king-sized bed. I could get used to living here. There were clothes in the closets, sheets in the linen closets and food in the pantries. How did they do it? Who cares? I like it here.
There is total of twenty-one rooms and two hundred acres. They were too kind. Oh well.
Selphie squealed as she looked around, Zell kept yelling out 'Sweet!' as he inspected and Irvine looked like he was being forced to go shopping. Envy goes a long way. I like being the source of it.
An hour later, they left, saying that they had to go pack and do some stuff. Whatever, it was fine with me. I went down to the pool and did a few strokes, the stereo cranked up to the max before I received a phone call.
"Hello?" I said into the receiver.
"Like your new place, Squall?" Mr. Billings said on the other end of the line.
"Oh yes. This place is really nice and big. Thank you very much. You guys are really generous." I flattered him. Maybe I did sound like a kiss up, but I was being honest. If only you could see it.
"No need to thank us… It was in the contract. Anyways, I have a meeting to go to. I talk to you later. Bye." He said and I heard a click on the line. I hung up and did couple more strokes before getting out and ordering some parts for my car. This was going to be some race.
I then went upstairs to pack my things. The stereo was still on and various artists could be heard through out the house on a hill in Esthar. Believe it or not, I actually received a complaint from one of my neighbors that it was too loud. What was he talking about? He was so far away! What a dipshit!
As soon as I finished packing, I later discovered that were a whole bunch of secret passages in the house. I felt like a king in a castle, overturning paintings and pulling back books on the shelves. This was going to be fun.
After a while, I found a passage that led to a pool table… And a loaded bar. These people knew me so well. I played pool and sipped some brandy until I felt the pangs of my stomach calling for supper.
Not knowing what to make, I called for a pizza. Soon after I called, a pimply-faced pizza delivery boy showed up at my door, admiring the house.
"Dude, this is some sweet crib!" he said as he eyes nearly bulged out of his sockets.
"Yeah, it is. Can I have my pizza now?" I asked impatiently. You can't really blame me; I was starving.
"Oh! Right. Here you are. That'll be-" He started, but I cut him off and shoved a twenty in his hand and told him to keep the change.
The guy left and drove away.
Peace and solitude, a great way to spend the evening.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: I like the house… I want the house. Anyways, I advise you to NOT look at a Supra because I did and I'm currently in a state of longing. *Eyes glaze over and begins to talk all trance like* Must find a way to go to Houston… Must steal car… Must get a Supra… *sees the review button and snaps out of her trance* Right. Um… I'm all right, really. Anyways, this is the part where you fulfill your reader-ly duties and write and submit a review. Thank you all.
P. S: Sam, I cave. Reviews make the world go round! But I don't feed off of them… Yet.
P.P.S: A last final note, I uploaded the first chapter another two times for only one thing… To change the company that sponsors Squall. It a very important detail… I think. It all depends on if I write it out to be. Type a capital Y for yes or a capital N for no at the end of your review… I'm joking about that voting thing… BUT YOU DO HAVE TO REVIEW! It's absolutely CRITICAL that you DO review…. Ok, I'm finished now.