Spritle stood on the sidewalk of his junior high, waving at a short brown haired girl as she past. To his pleasant surprise the young girl turned around and started back towards him. She held her books close to her chest and gave a sweet smile before she spoke.

" Hi Spritle, what are you waiting for?" she blinked several times just as she had seen her older sister do around guys she liked.

" I'm waiting for my brother, he picks me up then takes me to my dad's place," Spritle sounded quite in control despite the weakening of his knees and the thumping of his heart.

She giggled," I don't ever think I met your brother."

" Well," Spritle smiled," here he comes now."

The young female turned around to see a beautiful car slowly roll up to the curb. The white cream sports car had a large spoiler that complemented the vehicle instead of looking gaudy. Fancy red lettering that read 'Mach Five' was painted across the top on the back windshield and in smaller letters on the bottom side of each door. The silver windshield wipers matched the glistening thin spoked rims on each wheel as well as the door handles.

The young girl smiled in envy and awe at the wonderful machine and was quickly joined by other seventh and eighth graders that began to form a tight half circle around Spritle.

Trixie opened the passengers side and gracefully stepped out," I hope we aren't too late, I-20 and Bonnie was backed up due to construction."

"Nah, " Spritle forced his smile away," I ain't in no hurry."

Speed leaned across the passenger's seat and glared at Spritle from over the rims of his sunglasses. He was aware that Spritle had a liking for the brown haired girl next to him (he had seen him talking to her before) so he didn't want to embarrass him, but he did want him to be aware that he had heard his grammatically incorrect sentence and disapproved.

Trixie pushed the seat down and sat beside Sparky in the back. Spritle pushed the seat back and sat next to his brother, then he smiled at the girl and closed the door. Speed then sped off toward the highway.

"She's cute," Sparky spoke, "too bad she's talking to you."

Spritle rolled his eyes , "Whatever man. You say'n I can't get no good looking girl?"

"Spritle!" Speed's voice was louder than he noticed, "for the love of God, speak good English!"

Sparky looked over at Trixie and raised an eye brow. She shrugged then mouthed 'he's stressed'. Sparky frowned then leaned closer to her, 'what?' he mouthed. Trixie shook her head.

"Never mind," she spoke to him flatly.

"No, no. Don't be like that," Sparky leaned even closer, daring to be just inches from her face, "Say it again, slowly," his eyes shifted, now looking at her full, sensual lips, "Pronunciate."

Trixie gasped, "Dirty monkey," then she turned her head to the window.

Sparky chuckled then turned his attentions to Spritle, "So dude, you got her number yet?"

"Nah," Spritle got a glimpse of Speed's expression, "I mean, no."

"You know that's the next step to becoming a man right," Sparky looked over at Trixie, "get'n the digits."

Trixie sighed, "What every happened to the nice, shy Sparky?"

Sparky grimaced then flopped back against the seat, "He grew up."

"Spritle," Speed spoke softly, "how's Pops?"

Spritle shrugged, "He threw himself into work, just like I knew he would. He's working on a new race car."

Speed nodded, "Really?"

"Yep, he's already got the blue print done."

Sparky frowned, "That's awful quick."

"Well, let me not completely lie," Spritle grinned, "He's had the blueprints done for years. He's just now getting around to pitching the concept to potential financiers."

"Why did he wait so long?" Speed asked

"I don't know, something to do with mom and money."

Trixie leaned forward, "What on earth does your mom have to with a car. She pretty much tried to stay out of the racing world right?"

Spritle nodded, "Right. Like I said before, I don't know much about the details. The only thing I know for sure is that she named the concept car."

"Oh really," Trixie smiled, "do you know what?"

"Yeah," Spritle nodded again, "The Cyclone."

Speed slammed on the brakes, the Mach Five's tires screamed their discomfort as they left behind streaks of black on the highway's pavement. The car's rear was thrown into a series of fish tails so violent that Trixie reached out to Sparky for stability. They sat like that in to middle of the highway, cars and SUV's around them honked and swerved into other lanes. However, no one within the cared. They were all stunned into silence and Spritle not knowing the meaning of what he just said had the good sense to ask. Not right now. Not when his brother was vomiting on the floor of his precious Mach Five.