Myra dropped the last of her empty boxes into the trash outside, whipping her hands off on her jean shorts habitually. She eyed the house across the street like she did every day, watching the curtains blow in the wind.
She had been in this god-forsaken house, in this god-forsaken neighborhood for two weeks now. She didn't feel comfortable, didn't feel in place. Her mother refused to listen to her whining, refused to let her go back to her fathers. She kept mumbling that it would get better, that time would pass quickly and once she got her foot in the door with a job she'd get herself into a routine.
She didn't want a fucking job.
Furrowing her brows, Myra kicked the trashcan out of stupid anger. She headed down the driveway, stopping just at the edge of the road, starring up at his house. It had only been two weeks of observation but she knew what Dominic Toretto did in that house and what he did after hours on his own were two different worlds. He was kind, respectful, caring, a family man. He looked up to his dad with all the admiration in the world, and his little sister was his angel and rock. When he left though, when his parents weren't home, when he didn't know others were watching he was a leader of his own kind.
She had watched him absentmindedly for days now. It had started out as a peek out the window, a view of sorts when she was bored, but then it became more than that. She liked his friends, she liked his surroundings, and she liked his lifestyle. Plus, he was making money, the car parts in his new little sports car on the side of the road proof of that.
She wanted to know how.
"You my stalker now?" His thick aggressive drawl startled her out of her daze. She glanced to her right where Dominic Toretto stood, his hands dug deep in his front pockets. He hadn't gone to work today with his father, so everything he had on was respectfully clean and he himself seemed freshly showered.
She only smiled.
"You're strange." The cheerful boy she had seen weeks ago seemed to be gone, but she was snooping and she didn't blame him.
"I've been called worse."
"I'm sure you have, rich kid. What can I do for you?" He was off-putting, defensive.
"I want to learn."
"Learn what?"
"About whatever it is you do."
He laughed, his boisterous chuckles carrying over the buzz of the neighborhood with no issue. She could feel small vibrations in her bones, and she wasn't sure if her mind was putting them there or if Dominic's reaction to her statement was that powerful. Either way, she found herself crossing her arms in frustration, watching him get every last laugh out.
"Am I that funny?"
His laughter subsided as he registered her serious face. He only shook his heads, mimicking her stance and crossing his arms over his chest.
"What is it that you think I do?"
"I think you do what you have to to get what you want. I'm curious."
"Curiosity killed the cat you know." He took a few steps closer to her. He towered over her now, and she could tell he would be even bigger. His stature overpowered her in two seconds flat but she wasn't going to step back. He didn't need to know he scared her. "I don't think you know what you're asking. I'd just go apply at the Dairy Queen around the block, figure out your life the old fashioned way."
"I'm accustomed to a certain lifestyle, Dominic. Dairy Queen can't get me there." She liked to watch him think, liked to watch the gears in his head turn. He had a boyish light to him, yes, but he had a power there that drove his every thought and process. She admired it greatly. "I'll learn what I have to. I'll do what I have to."
"What a strange way to start a conversation." He chuckled, glancing over at his empty home. His eyes shot to his car just out front then back to her, a small grin in place. "I'm meeting the boy's downtown. Care to drive?"
She caught the keys when he threw them at her and watched him cross the street and open up the passenger door. She wasn't too sure about this, a flurry of anxiety hitting her deep in the stomach quickly. She had never driven a car like that. With just a few more seconds of hesitation, she moved forward and slid into the driver's seat.
"You know how to drive stick?"
"Yes."
"Surprising."
"Rude."
He laughed, hooking his seat belt as she did the same. She admired the interior of the vehicle, looking over the stereo system and electronics. It wasn't the best of the best but he kept it admirably clean. With confidence, she put the key in the ignition and started up the engine.
Dom watched her closely as she pulled out onto the road and headed down the block. He kept quiet save for the simple directions, studying the way she turned, the way she looked both ways, the way she accelerated. She felt as if she was in the middle of an exam, her mental strength divided between not dying and also proving herself to him. When they arrived at a small café, ten minutes outside of their neighborhood, she parked and finally calmed down.
He didn't say anything, just took the keys from the ignition and climbed out of the car. She wondered if she should follow him, his tall figure heading into the restaurant. When he glanced back, a small grin on his face, she climbed out of the vehicle, hearing the faint chirp of the locking mechanism as she approached him.
The café was busy, twenty odd people all over, laughing and talking. She followed Dom as he maneuvered his way through the seats, heading towards the far right side where a booth sat. Vince waved them over, scrunching up his face confused as Myra slid into the booth seat beside him. He had his arm draped over the back, his figure turned towards her, a scowl on his face.
"Really, you going to stare at me this entire meal?"
"Why are you here?"
"I drove here." Myra crossed her arms over her chest, returning Vince's stare. They sat like that for a few minutes, the other people at the booth awkwardly talking and awkwardly watching as the pair continued the contest. When Vince finally blinked Myra threw her hands up in victory.
"Not fair, you cheated."
"How exactly does one cheat at a staring contest?"
Vince huffed, turning his body away from her. His arm was still draped over the back of the seat however, so his skin brushed her shoulders lightly as he turned his attention to Dom, who was across from them.
"This is Myra. The new neighbor." Dom wrapped his arm around a small Latin girl on his right, bringing her closer to him. The girl chuckled, glancing over at Myra with a large smile on her face. The boy on her right was wiry, a skinny little thing with a hat that covered all of his hair. He waved quickly, returning his hands to the creation in front of him.
Another boy leaned forward as to see around Vince, a hand extended for her to shake. She did as such, catching his name as Leon.
"Sketch in the corner is Jesse." Vince leaned into her, whispering discretely into her ear as he watched her return her eyes to the boy who was making artwork on a plate with ketchup. "That's Letty, Dom's girl."
Myra thanked him, leaning her elbows on the table as she watched Jesse continue making what appeared to be future car decals out of ketchup. Vince was talking to Dom about something, Leon joining in. Letty turned her attention to Jesse and handed him a knife, watching as he shaped out a curve with better precision. The café bustled around them and Myra smiled, watching as the warm summer weather brought a nice glow to the entire place.
She didn't feel this good at home.
Leaning back into the booth she didn't miss Vince's arm dropping to wrap around her waist. He didn't hiccup in his conversation with Dom as his hand landed softly on her hip.
"So Myra." Letty leaned forward, ignoring the debate her boyfriend and Vince were having. "Where'd you move from?"
"Just a different part of California. My dad is still there."
"Yeah? Your folks split?"
"Yeah. My mom moved us out here."
"I feel ya. My dad got locked up so my mom filed against his ass. Good riddance, am I right?"
Myra nodded, not quite sure if this was bonding or not. She didn't hate her father. She didn't like his choices, she sure as hell didn't appreciate what he had done to her mother, but he had always been there for her. So was her mother, so it made it all complicated. Letty's grin seemed good enough though, that sparkle in her eye evident as she looked away from Myra and up at Dom.
"So..." Vince's hand on her hip tightened, fingers sliding up under the fabric of her shirt. "You enjoying yourself so far?"
"Is this all you guys do?"
"Not exactly. The fun happens after dark." He chuckled, rubbing his thumb over her flesh in circles. She felt the blush on her cheeks, felt the flush on her neck as her insides warmed up. She wouldn't deny the swirl deep in her stomach, the smile only half assed as she looked him in the eyes.
"Can't wait."