A/N: Well, I found the time to update sooner than I did before and I hope y'all won't kill me for the delay. Anyways, leave a tip at the end and I'll be happy. Now, on with the story!

Chapter 7: Elevators, Phone Calls and Stalkers, Oh My!

Rinoa's POV

Well, the go ahead was given and the hand-eye-and-foot coordination was set on 'knock his socks off' but something didn't seem right. Something was seriously wrong. Why would he oppose something for all nineteen years of my life and suddenly say, "Sure. Go for it, sweetie." It doesn't make sense.

Ok, fine. This elevator ride is driving me crazy and I'm thinking too much. But in all honesty, my gut reactions are never wrong and I can feel this feeling so deeply. Was something bad going to happen to me down there? Or was my father plotting something that I should know about? This isn't good… At all.

Jeeze! I never knew the elevator ride from my father's office to the ground was this long! How long does it take to get from the forty-second floor to the ground? And why do so many people need to get on the elevator at 12:00 PM? Oh! Right. They need to eat lunch too. Forgot about that. Wow! Who put too much perfume on? Ten bucks says it's the lady in front of me.

After what seemed an eternity in the smelliest elevator ever, the lift dinged at the ground floor and I ran across the hall past the guards who smiled at me as if I owed them a favor… Or maybe they were just happy to see me. The doors opened and the walking carpet brought me to my destination: the driver's suits.

I took the red one off the hook and got dressed. The gloves and helmet lay beside the hanger and as soon as I was finished, I picked them up and went to the next room: the garage.

I picked up the keys to the Citroën and Geoffrey, the garage guard, opened the door and gave me two thumbs up. I smiled and waved.

The car sparked to life and ran gracefully over to the starting line. I drove up to the starting line and waited for the lights to turn green. In my mind's eye, I could see my father staring down, waiting expectantly to be blown away. Still, I must wonder about what drove him to give me a trial/audition like that.

The light turned green and I burned rubber as I drove down the racetrack. Slowly, I worked my way up the gears and slowed down to round the corners without crashing. This was a shot I had been waiting for and practiced for my entire life- after I got my license, of course- so why was I nervous? 

It was the first and only thought I would get. I pulled all the stops and finished my race and saw the timer flash my run: 2:48.8. An all-time best, if I do say so myself. I wonder what Mr. High-Expectations would say.

I parked the car in the garage and Geoffrey came to congratulate me.

"Congrats, kiddo. Your mother would've been proud. I don't think any of those self-absorbed drivers could be that and if they can, it was only out of pure luck." He said as he patted my back.

"Hey, thanks, Geoff. That means a lot to me, you know that?" I replied smiling. It was the first time ever that someone ever gave me a compliment like that.

"I know, and I knew it'd make you happy." He said as he let go of me. "You should go see the big guy up stairs now and see what he has to say about 2:48.8."

I waved goodbye and went through the doors without taking off the suit. I walked across the lobby and into the elevator. A few people who were visiting the place stared at me funny but I ignored them; I was in a very good mood right now.

Thank god. This time, the elevator went up without stopping. I guess people liked the stairs better. The lift dinged at the top floor and I got out, walking past dad's… Um, I really should stop calling him that. Past Caraway's secretary who smiled and stared at the suit. I still didn't care.

I opened the doors to see him still staring out the window, overlooking the empty track. Glass of whisky in hand, he continued to stare as if he had seen a ghost.

"You drive… Like your mother. All seeing, all knowing and nothing can faze you. You see the track from above and know what's coming next. Perhaps you've got a gift, perhaps you just know every bend and corner from late night drives. Or maybe you've got a knack for controlling the car. Who knows."  He continued to stare out the window, occasionally taking a sip from his glass.

"Hey, I'm over here; not out the window." I said as I waved at him. Some people. Eye contact is vital for communication.

"Yeah, you are." He said as he turned to face me. "My decision about you driving professionally will be given after the race is over. I will give you my answer on Monday."

Great. Just great. Four whole days. Or more if he feels like killing me.

Selphie's POV

Woohoo! Some show out there. Heh! It seems that fate is without a sense of irony. Right. Maybe I should stop watching The Matrix so much. But it was true. Or maybe I'm thinking of something else.

Still, you couldn't ignore my 'partner's little 'Piss-Everyone-Off' attitude today. Maybe he should think before he speaks. That guy that looked like he was ready to flatten him and driving with a nose-cast isn't very comfortable. What happens when your nose gets itchy?

Tee hee. My phone was tickling my hip through the material as it vibrated. Okay, yeah, I do know that that doesn't sound right but bare with me here! And get those thoughts out of your heads!

Anyways, I took the phone out of my pocket spoke into the mouthpiece, "Hello?"

The conversation to follow was one of the weirdest ones I have ever heard in my life. I can't really say exactly what it is but let me tell you; it ranks waaaaaaayyy up there with the clown conversations. It wasn't the type that you get everyday from your mother telling you to go to the grocery store and pick up some milk of something like that. No siree bub!

I hung up the phone, got in my car, and followed after my 'partner'. Something wasn't right down in Centra and Squall needed to know.  The reason wasn't specified either. I don't even know who called me… Wait. Yes, I do know. Hee hee!

I sped up as I saw him turn into the track in hopes of not loosing him. He turned into the racetrack and all I could do was follow him. I waved my arms frantically, trying to get his attention but nothing worked. Well, I guess I could always until he got out of the car and pounce on him. In my mind, of course it sounded right.

Squall's POV

Wow! I was still a newbie and already I had a stalker! Jeeze! The Civic SI had been following me for the past three blocks now and as I turned into the racetrack, it followed me. Are you serious? The race hasn't even begun yet and already I'm on a most wanted list. Did they even post the list of competitors yet? 'Course they did! PUBLICITY!

As I drove into the parking lot, I saw the driver wave at me. It only dawned on me then that this person was trying to get my attention… Urgently. I wondered what could have happened that was so horrible that my immediate attention was necessary.  My parents were still alive and well the last time I checked; I did remember to turn off all appliances in the house… Except for the stove! Oh crap! My house is probably burnt to a crisp! Where'll I live?!

Wait a minute! I never used the stove. The only night that I spent there so far was the day I first got it and I had pizza that night. Thank Hyne. So what could this pressing matter be?

I parked the car and got out only to be tackled by a five-feet tall brunette who looked vaguely familiar… There was something about her. Maybe I could place her once she stopped moving up and down and flailing her arms like she was trying to fly.

Oh. Right. Won't stop moving… Trying to fly… It could only be one person: Selphie. Ooops. My mistake. Keep this between the both of us and everything'll be just fine.

"Squall, we need to go back to the hotel immediately. No time to explain. We just have to get to the hotel within the hour!" She said as she bobbed up and down.

"Alright." Was all I managed to say and the petite girl climbed back in her car and sped off.

I walked to my car, trying to figure out what was so important. The thoughts clouded my head and I didn't hear the yell of the gorgeous girl from before trying to get my attention.

Was there something in the water or have I suddenly become "Mr. Important" all of a sudden? First Selphie; and now Rinoa? What is up with Deling City?

A/N: So there you have it. A nice big cliffhanger. Don't y'all just love me? Anyways, leave a tip and I just might update within the next three weeks. What can I say? I have exams too! Anyway, wish me luck; thanks to all who reviewed in the last chapter (you know who you are) and WRITE A REVIEW… NOW! Love y'all!