Thank you for the reviews everyone :) Anticipating some trouble or drama, are we? Good ;D SweetP: I agree! I love seeing Flo in any fan fiction! Guest: That is a very nice idea :) I had something similar which I removed from the story and made into a one-shot (it is called Just a Drive if you want to read) but I may take that into consideration for future chapters! I also like the opinions you guys have on Sally taking away the car. Lightnesco's words: "Oh fcuk!" were the best XD Oh, and big huge thank you to my good friend Ciara for taking the time to check my story out :) You didn't really think you would get away without an in-story shout out, did you? ;) Alright, here's the next chappie! :3

Chapter Eleven – Yellow Heartbeats

(Levina's POV)

My stomach drops. I jolt up from my crouched position and feel my hands tremble. She couldn't have just said that. What kind of mother would plot to do such a thing? But Sally Carrera is my mother, and I heard her loud and clear when she said she's going to take my car away. No, not mine, my father's.

I rest my back momentarily on the wall of the lobby building. I'd strolled over with the intent to discuss the prospect of visiting Motor City. I had it all figured out. I could ask her to take me so we could have some 'mother-daughter' bonding, and once things were fixed between us, I could convince her to let me try racing at their speed like Damian had mentioned. And I was sure she wouldn't mind if he joined us for dinner one night… or two. But my plan was an entire waste, as I discovered when I overheard her chatting with Flo from her bedroom window.

I silently run across the tarmac and back to my cone. I fling the door open with enough power to make it slam shut behind me. I throw myself onto the bed and clench at the blankets beneath my fingers. I want to cry, I want to scream, but nothing comes out. I feel like I'm hopeless to everybody, even my own mother. I won't let her do this. I'm nearly eighteen; she has no right to dictate my future. Apparently she isn't going to help me, but I won't let her stop me.

I scuttle off the bed and run my hand recklessly over the surface of my dresser. I knock off several items and I don't stop to see what. I don't find what I'm looking for, so I move to nightstand. I tug the top drawer open so abruptly that the framed picture of my mother and I tips over and makes a cracking noise. I stand absolutely still, letting my eyes glare at the collapsed photograph. Then they slowly fall, landing on the thing I've been looking for. There, smack in the middle of the wooden drawer, is a single key on a key ring. The silver metal reflects the dull light back at me while the split pieces of glass send light bouncing in all directions. I grasp the key tightly, tuck it into my pocket and walk as casually as possible away from the Cozy Cone.

On my way to the garage, I pass by Doc's clinic. I stare into the bare windows, searching for his face. He was the one who helped me build the car back from nothing, he was proud of the work we completed on it. I wonder why he never stood up for me. Everyone in this town has backed to let my mother have her way with me. My fist tightens and I turn my head away. So, this is what it feels like to be alone, even when you are surrounded by a world full of people.

My pace quickens and soon I'm standing before the gorgeous racecar. I walk over to the driver's side and gaze down at the steering wheel for a long time. I pretend my father is there, coaxing me to wave the green flag for him at Willy's Butte. I'm only a little girl, watching eagerly as her father works laps around the dirt track. Then, once I've waited long enough, he offers me a seat beside him. He lets me feel the wheel and inspect all the various gears and gauges. He would have embraced me for who I am and what I want. Because in my dreams, my father is everything I could ever hope for him to be.

"Levina?"

My body immediately awakens from its static state and I twist around so swiftly that I have to use the wall to steady myself. Damian is standing in the threshold, the darkening evening sky making a perfect backdrop behind him. His eyes constantly shift between the car and me.

"I was just coming out here to fetch my car for Luigi." He starts awkwardly. "I didn't know you had a… car."

I can feel hot tears washing over my eyes from all the intense emotions. I can't think straight to make an excuse or explanation so I mumble, "Go away."

His lips quirk with displeasure, a frown pulling at the corners. "Are you all right?"

"Please," I say hoarsely, "Just go." I angle my face away from him as the tears begin to slide along my cheeks. I'm so embarrassed. Upset. Infuriated. None of which I want him to see from me, although it may be too late.

Damian takes my request though and shuffles out of the garage, throwing me one last glance over his shoulder. When our eyes meet, it hits me. No one in this town cares for me. But he's not from this town, and he does care for me.

I swipe my hand childishly under my running nose and feel the key secure in my pocket. I wait until I hear Damian's car leaving the garages, then I step out into the fresh air and pull the garage door shut. Once more, I let my hand feel the object beneath the thin denim of my light-wash shorts, and I set off to configure my plan.

It is 12:01 am, the beginning of a new day. I shove the last of my important belongs- a hairbrush – into my duffel bag and zip it up. I peek through the blinds and see that the town is black, except for the eternally blinking caution light. I've always thought of it as the heartbeat of Radiator Springs. I pick up the bag and sneak out into the chilly night air. I take five noiseless footsteps and knock lightly on the door of Damian's cone. He can't be asleep just yet. And if he is, I pray he's not a heavy sleeper.

Surprisingly, the door swings open after only two bangs. Damian looks at me with shock, his dark eyes still very much awake and piercing as always. He takes me by the wrist and drags me inside the cone.

"Couldn't sleep?" Damian asks. He gives me a sloppy grin, but I can tell he's serious.

I toss the bag onto the end of the bed and study my hands nervously. Tears are pricking at my eyes again, but I resist them at all costs. "I want to go to Motor City," I finally squeak. For a long time, he doesn't say anything, and I start to panic. I continue to talk to my hands. "I don't have a lot of money, but I thought-. If you could just take me for a few nights…"

He takes my hands warmly in his and weaves his fingers in the spaces of mine. I let him raise them up to my shoulders and he steps forward. He kisses me gently and whispers on my lips, "Say no more, baby."

Oooooh, the drama is building ;) Thank you for reading, reviews are a great way to show you would like to read more :)