Bradin's heart dropped when he heard her say that she wanted to race again. "No," he said.

Kaitlin led Bradin to the couch and sat him down before sitting next to him. She sighed and placed her open hand over their hands.

"A few weeks ago, I was racing for the state championship. Everyone I knew was at the race to cheer me on. I walked up to the finish line with nervousness that made me feel like I was going to puke. I was scared because I knew I wasn't going to win and that something bad was going to happen."

She began to cry as she continued. Bradin stared into her eyes as he listened to what she was telling him. Tears began to form in his eyes.

"I got to the starting line and into my car to get the race on. My coach and father wished me luck and left so they could get out of the way. The light turned green and I sped off with the other racers. As I raced, my coach kept talking to me through the microphone that we had. I got back to my place so I could get my tires changed and more oil."

Bradin saw Kaitlin break down. "Don't go on," he said.

"I have to tell you what happened and why I'm choosing to do this," she told him.

Bradin nodded and wiped his eyes. Kaitlin continued her story.

"I got around to the last lap and was fighting to stay in first place with this other car. Everyone in the crowd that was there for me began to chant my name. I didn't notice until right before I crossed the finish line that two other cars were under it on fire. The other car stopped. I tried to but my breaks wouldn't work. I went full speed into the fire."

"Stop," he said not wanting to hear what she went through next. She ignored him.

"All I could see was this bright light and hear voices. They all were talking about how bad my condition was. I could hear a lady screaming my name as she cried. A guy was calming her down. I opened my eyes to see myself lying in the hospital bed looking as if I were dead. My arms were wrapped and you could see blood soaking through. My head was cut up. My one leg was broken."

Bradin looked at her parents and back at her.

"As I heard my parents talking earlier, yes I became upset. I had to be alone to think about everything. The reason I was unhappy these past few weeks is because of the accident. The only reason I was acting the way I was is because I was scared. the only way I can change is if I race again. I'm sorry if I hurt you by telling you that I want to race again. But, it'll make me who I was before the whole accident happened."

Bradin began to cry as he pictured all of what Kaitlin told him in his mind. He couldn't imagine the pain she went through. He lowered his head to let the tears fall from his eyes. He felt a hand touch the skin of his cheek. He looked up to find Kaitlin looking at him.

"I love you, Bradin," she told him, "But, I have to do this."

He couldn't believe what he just heard from her mouth. She loves him. He smiled and kissed her like crazy not caring who was around them. "I love you, too, baby," he whispered as he continued to kiss her. "Are you going to stay here the rest of the month?" he asked.

"Um," Kaitlin said looking at her parents not knowing the answer.

"We leave tomorrow morning," her father said.