Kim raised her head from her pillow as she turned her body. She looked out her door and saw her brother standing in her doorway. She winced slightly before speaking, "What?"
"It's Christmas."
She smiled, "Oh."
Her brother returned her smile and left as she stood up. She slid on a blue hoodie and walked down the stairs to see the shiny evergreen that stood in her living room. She smiled at it and then took a seat next to her mother.
She sat and opened the gifts as the warmth of the fireplace covered her body. She smiled across the room. On the outside she was happy, but her inner self was distraught. She was still thinking about him…
Nik woke up at the sound of his brother falling on the floor. He rolled over and smiled at him as he lay, spread out, on the floor. Al stood up and looked back at Nik, "Shhh. I'm going to steal my gifts."
Nik pointed behind Al and Al turned around to see his parents staring at him. Nik walked out of his room and patted Al's head, "You should really not try to fall over when being sneaky."
Al sent him an evil glare as Nik walked down the stairs next to his sister. His eyes fell upon the gift less Christmas tree. He sighed and turned to go into the kitchen. His mom took his turn as an excuse to tell him to make breakfast.
Nik mixed up eggs and milk in a cereal bowl and then cooked scrambled eggs for his sister. He wiped out the pan and then cooked two omelets for his brother and father. He then made eggs sunny-side up for his mother. Toast came next and then the bacon. It took up a half hour of his morning.
Nik brought everything in along with his own omelet and took a seat at the far end of the table. He sat quietly and avoided most conversation that morning. He got up when he was done and went up stairs. He pulled out a pair of jeans and a long sleeve white shirt. On top of it he placed his Blue Mazda sweater.
He walked back downstairs and explained how he was going to do some last minute shopping. He walked out the door and was surprised when he was followed by his brother. Nik looked at him when they sat down in his car.
Nik's gaze was an inquisitive one that morning, "What are you doing?"
Al smiled as he took another bite out of his toast, "Coming with you, I need to get dad a gift."
"Oh…fine."
"What's your problem?"
"Nothing, I just wanted some alone time."
"Oh, I'll take dad's…"
"No, no, it's fine. Let's go."
"If you're sure…"
Nik started up the engine and revved it up twice. He put it in gear and slowly pulled out of his parking lot. He smiled as he accelerated harder to get around the turn. He drove around another corner on got onto the main street drag.
Nik powered down it quickly and then hit the highway. He pushed the car into fifth gear and kept low rpm's as to conserve gas. He pulled off the highway in the next town over and drove down a long road until he came to a stop light.
Nik took a left on green. He went up a small hill and then had to stop at another light. He drove past it and took a light left into a shopping plaza. He pulled up to a large department store and parked as close as he could to the entrance.
Al stepped out of the passenger side seat and walked up. Nik followed him silently. They walked in and saw the entire place covered in decorations. Nik sighed and walked past it and into the women's section.
He looked around for fifteen minutes until he found a pink top for his sister. It wasn't revealing at all but it wasn't ugly. He walked over to the register and saw Alex walk over with a pair of boots.
Nik looked at the boots questioningly before he heard Alex explain, "Dad kept complaining about his boots. They were being worn down a lot. I figured I'd get him a new pair."
Nik shrugged, "Whatever floats your boat."
Nik handed Al his sister's shirt and told him to pay for it. He then walked outside and walked into a performance shop next door to the department store. He had to buy a new interior part for his car.
Nik walked in and walked over to interior section and found a booklet with pictures of shifter knobs. He went through it for a while and then found one he liked, a blue Sparco knob.
He was walking over towards the register to see if they had his part in stock put stopped when something caught his eye. He walked over to look at a poster for a drift competition. He looked it down and saw that it came up on a day when he was still in the states.
"I wouldn't bother, it's basically all noobs."
Nik turned his head and met her blue eyes. His jaw opened slightly and he quickly found himself short of breath. He felt her hand as it reached to his chin and closed his mouth for him.
Kim smiled, "It's impolite to stare with your mouth open."
She watched as he returned her smile, "I'm sorry, I was just surprised."
"Oh, sure…"
She saw him shake his head, "Let's try this again. Hi."
She turned back towards him, "Hi."
"Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you too."
"So what are you doing out on Christmas day?"
"I'm buying new spark plugs. It's about time that I change them. What about you?"
"Oh, I'm just getting a new shifter knob. It's the one thing I never seemed to replace before I left."
"What kind?"
"Sparco."
"I've got a Sparco knob in my car."
"That's cool."
"Yeah…"
She smiled and walked away. She heard heavy footsteps come from behind her. She also felt his hand on her shoulder as he stopped her. She turned and brought a look of confusion to her face, "Yes?"
"A few quick questions and you decide to run away from me?"
"Yup."
"Well can I at least have your phone number?"
She smirked, "I'm sorry, I don't give my phone number out to strangers."
Nik smiled, "Strangers? I'm just a stranger."
"No, you're a cute stranger, bye-bye."
She tried to turn but by the time she did he was standing in front of her. He looked down on her, "So you're just leaving me now?"
"If I'm supposed to see you again, I will. It's worked for the last three days. Have some faith."
She walked over to the register and quickly paid for her plugs. She walked outside and over to her car. She watched as he made his way over to his own car. She also saw someone who looked younger then him leaning against it.
She was surprised when he saw them pointing at her. She smiled at them and stepped into her car. She started the engine and pulled away from the parking lot. She headed back home so that she could follow her mother to Ms. Strom's house.
Nik stepped into his car with his brother and then started the engine. Al looked over at him when he got in the car. He was ever so obviously moving his eyebrows around in an attempt to hint something perverted.
Nik also indicated something by lifting his middle right finger up into the air and clenching the rest of his fingers into a fist. He smiled and then put his hand on the gear shift. He pushed the clutch in and put the car in reverse as he backed out of his spot.
He got onto the road again and took the back roads to Aunt Katie's house. He pulled up in front of her house and let Al out of the car. Nik then pulled up to the very large barn that was at the top of a small hill. He drove inside and parked next to another car which held the 'Blak Nites' insignia on it.
He stepped out and looked down at the legs that hung out from underneath the car. He bent down and looked at the greasy face that belonged to his cousin Mei.
He smiled and asked, "What are you doing?"
He didn't bother looking back, "I'm replacing the alternator. I came in the other night and the bastard wouldn't start. I'm hoping this is what was wrong because I spent a lot of saved money on this thing."
Nik's look became serious, "Don't waste all your money on this car. We'll need it to keep a roof over our heads when we get back."
"Don't worry; I'm getting this thing running for my mom. The Bonneville is basically dead. She's had it since '94 and she's really worn it in."
"Well I don't care. When I get back to Japan, I want to be able to eat."
"Don't worry, I'm loaded."
"To me, you only seem to be loaded with shit."
"Fuck you."
"Fuck you."
"Whatever. Can I borrow a screwdriver? I need to put my new shifter knob on."
"Sure, but can you close the door first?"
Nik walked over and pressed a button next to the garage to make it shut. He saw a large beige car coming up with something behind it as the door shut. He didn't pay attention and walked over to get a flat-head screwdriver.
Kim pulled up behind her mom's Intrepid and parked in the large driveway. She got out and looked up at an old barn on a hill. It was very beaten down but it was still standing. She shrugged and walked inside to meet all of these unknown people.
Kim stood by her mother as she entered. She saw a lot of different people who stood around and talked, older ladies sitting on a couch, and them some teenagers who sat in the kitchen talking.
She then noticed a lady who walked over and hugged her mother. She then was introduced. Her mother smiled at Katie, "Katie, this is my daughter, Kim, and my son, Dylan."
Kim watched as Dylan shook her hand politely and then Kim did the same, "It's a pleasure to meet you.
Katie smiled at her, "So polite, where do they get it from?"
Her mother looked at Katie, "Hey!"
Katie smiled and took Kim's mom into the kitchen with her. Katie looked back at Kim when she stood at the doorway to the kitchen, "If you'd like some company, my son, Mike, and his cousin are up in the barn."
Kim nodded and turned around back towards the door. When she grabbed her coat, she heard her brother behind her, "What am I gonna do while your hitting on some guy?"
Kim looked at him with an evil glare, "Go hang out with those guys up there." She pointed to a group of teenagers who were in the kitchen. One of them caught her eye. He had a bowl cut with blonde hair. Something about him was familiar.
She turned and put on her coat. She walked out the door and up towards the barn as she pondered who that guy was. Something about him was difficult to forget. Something special…
Nik stepped out of his passenger side seat as he finished putting on the shifter. He enjoyed the tight grip it gave and it was easier to grasp then his old one. His hand had slipped on his old shifter and with this one, his grip stayed strong.
He walked over to Mei who was now underneath the hood instead of the engine. Nik put his head down underneath and looked over the different parts that could keep it from starting.
Nik looked at Mei, "Wasn't the alternator?"
"The alternator was shot but it still won't start."
"Battery?"
Mei pointed up at the light that sat above their heads. It shone brightly. Nik sighed and thought for a moment about what could be wrong with the car. Nik knew that it had gas so what else…
"Did you check your sparkplugs?"
Mei's head turned to meet those of the girl who stood behind him, "No, I think she's right."
Nik's head turned and then his jaw dropped. His eyes met with the blue ones that Kim had. A smile came to her face as she spoke softly, "Hi."
Mei looked at both of them as they gazed at each other. He shrugged and walked over to his work bench where he found sparkplugs for his Monte Carlo. He came back and they were still staring at each other.
His eyes fell upon Nik, "Do you two know each other?"
He noticed the smile on her face, "Yeah, we've met."
Mei smiled at Nik as he put his head under the hood, "Bump into each other repeatedly Nik?"
Nik's glare turned evil as he looked over at his cousin. Mei ignored it and looked at the girl as he put his left hand out, "Motouji Meikeru, Mike in America, but I'm used to Mei."
She smiled and took his hand, "Kim, it's a pleasure."
Mei brought his hand back down into the car with a socket wrench, "If this works, I'll make Nik kiss you."
Kim nearly blushed at that comment but managed to contain herself. She looked over at Mei, "So, how long have you been working on getting it started?"
Mei shook his head, "Not very long, seriously for a day."
She saw Nik looking at her from the corner of her eye. She turned her body towards him and waited for him to ask her a question. He asked, "So, are you following me now?"
She shook her head, "I had no idea you were the cousin of Katie Strom's son."
Mei looked up as he grabbed the second sparkplug, "You're Tanya Daily's daughter, aren't you?"
She nodded, "How'd you know?"
"She was the only person who had kids that were coming that were as old as me."
"How'd you know I was as old as you?"
"I saw your Porsche as you were pulling up. I've got better eyes then Nik when there not focused."
"Oh, quite observant, aren't we?"
"Of some things…"
She smiled as he put his head back under the hood. She smiled and looked over to Nik who was now casually leaning against the hood of his car. She walked over and leaned against it next to him.
She smiled at him, "I could swear that I saw that guy inside with you at the performance shop."
He returned her smile, "Yeah that was my brother Al."
"Does he have a car?"
"Not here, but back in Japan he has a Toyota Corolla."
"An AE86?"
"Yeah."
"The 86 is a good drifting car. The only problem is how slow it goes."
"Speed is in the eye of the driver, don't you think?"
"No. Speed is in the car. How fast you can make it go is all that matters."
"That's only true in oval track racing."
"What do you mean?"
"The only other place speed really matters is in a drag race and there it's more acceleration. Touge is more about control then speed or power."
"Yeah, but speed plays in important role in all of those."
"Agreed, but it's more about a balance."
Mei's head made its way out of the engine and then he walked over to his driver's seat. He sat down and took his keys out of the glove box. He turned them quickly and heard the V-6 engine roar to life.
Nik got up and smiled at his cousin. Mei got out and looked down at his Monte Carlo with a smile. He then heard a knock on the door. Nik, Kim, and Mei turned towards Nik's bro Al.
Al looked at all three of them, "Aunt Katie said come in to get cleaned up. We're eating soon."
Nik watched as Mei walked out and then he looked at Kim as he walked backwards towards the door, "Coming?"
She smiled at him and then Nik felt something under his foot. It rolled and he felt his foot go forward as the grip he had held with his other was lost in the motion. His eyes widened.
His entire body was lifted off the ground. His body was straightened out about three feet up. His back hit the ground first, followed by his head and then his legs. His whole body was sprawled out and he hurt.
Nik looked up at Kim laughing at him. He smiled and sat up as the pain sent a shiver down his spine. He watched as she stood up and walked over to him. She spoke as she continued walking right past him.
She said, "You should watch where you're going."
Nik sighed and stood up. He followed her inside and then up the stairs to the kitchen. They walked in and took separate seats at the table. Nik sat between his cousin and brother as Kim sat at the end next to her mother.
Kim didn't bother with most of the events that happened during the rest of her visit. It was a lot of family tradition and it wasn't her place. She continued with the evening, said good bye to everyone, and then walked out to her 911.
She followed her mother to her car and then looked at her, "I'm gonna go for a drive, I'll be home later."
Her mom nodded, "No later then 12 if you can help it."
Kim nodded and then looked up towards the broken down barn as Nik and Mei pulled out of it and drove down to the driveway. She looked up at them as they pulled in and stepped out of there separate cars.
She walked over to them and looked at Mei, "Thank you for having my family over."
Mei shook his hood, "Don't thank me. Thank my ma."
She smiled, "So you guys going out?"
Nik nodded, "It's been a while since we've had a hardkore run together. No time like the present."
Mei came out bluntly, "Would you like to join us?"
Kim smiled and opened her mouth to speak but then she saw Nik looking over at Mei. He had a look like he was gonna kill him. Kim looked down and away, "I don't want to impose on you guys…"
Mei shook his head, "No, it's not a problem. Get in your car and follow us."
Kim looked back, "Ok…"
She turned around and stepped into her 911. She slid the key into the ignition and turned it as the engine came to life. She revved it twice before looking over at Mei and Nik to see if they were leaving.
Nik stopped at his car and looked at Mei, "Did you have to invite her?"
Mei looked back confusedly, "Why?"
"I just don't want to embarrass her."
"She took over the entire northeast corner, she can't be that bad."
"But we're the Blak Nites."
"Yeah, but ever since I lost an Akina, I realized we're not the greatest."
"No, not on Akina, but this is the lake."
"…You have a good point, but I think you just like her."
"I don't like her."
"Then why have you been so protective."
"I don't like her."
"You keep thinking that." Mei stepped into his MC and started the engine. Nik turned and slid into the racing bucket seat of his 240. He clipped the belt around him and started the engine. He pulled out behind Mei and saw the red Porsche follow them out of the driveway.
Kim pulled into the parking lot after Mei and Nik. She stepped out of her car and looked over at the two cousins as they stepped out as well. She smiled and walked over to them, "So, what are we gonna do?"
Mei looked over at Nik, "You wanna play catch-up?"
Nik nodded and Kim looked at both of them, "What's catch-up?"
Nik looked over at her with a more serious look then the one he had earlier, "Catch-up is a method of racing or practicing. On a tight track like the lake, it's really effective. You give each racer a lead and then you have the one behind them trying to catch them. You can do it with as many drivers as you want."
Kim nodded, "Sounds like a kool way of practicing."
Mei nodded, "Since you're the noob, you can go first."
Kim smiled, "I'll show you how much of a 'noob' I am."
Kim walked over to her 911 and started the engine. She pulled up to the starting line and looked at Mei, "How much of a lead do you want to give me?"
Mei bent down slightly to her window, "We'll all go in ten second intervals."
Kim nodded and looked ahead on the road. She revved the engine twice and then let it idle as Mei pulled behind her. Nik followed him and then Mei but his hand out and counted down from 5 with his fingers.
She watched as his last finger disappeared into his fist and she floored it as she went off the line. Her eyes focused in the on the road ahead of her as she shifted into third gear and pushed ahead of them. She smiled. She knew she was gonna leave both of them in the dust.
Nik looked ahead and yelled up to Mei, "How much of a lead should we give her?"
"30 seconds will do!"
Nik nodded and revved his engine as he slowly counted to thirty. When it was reached, he heard the squeal of Mei's tires as he pulled off the line. Nik kept counting to forty before he started his run. He saw Mei's taillights go around the first corner and then Nik attacked it.
Nik downshifted from fourth to second and kicked out his back end. His front grip remained strong as his back tires slid almost off the road. He straightened up and continued his run. He saw Mei at the start of the left-right combo.
Nik took the same corner as he powered into the first turn and then drifted around the second. He accelerated and he began to get a clearer view of Mei's taillights. He was catching up.
Nik followed him around the next hairpin turn to catch up with him. He was still behind, now he just had to keep up. Ahead of Mei, Nik saw another pair of taillights. These ones belonged to a Porsche…