As I get driven home, I don't really listen to, or pay mind to Maggie. I'm happy for her and all, but…. I'm not happy. First I'm special to her, but then I'm… Something to just pawn off? I suppose I should be used to it, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it. Not one bit. Jealous? Yes, Yes I am. Overthinking? Yes, probably. I'm bad about that. Jim always got on my case about it. It's one of my bigger flaws. I'm not perfect. Is it so bad that I just want a home and an owner who loves me? I love racing. It's my favorite thing. I adore it beyond words… But I know the value of home- A place to rest my gears, and stay safe… Now, though, I don't feel safe.
I'm parked and I don't even know if Maggie said anything or not. I watch her go in the house, and realize… I should get some rest. The thing is, I just can't get comfortable. I'm restless.
Ugh. Come on, Herbie…!
It almost feels like there's a giant weight on my fenders. I'm too hot, but I'm too cold. Maybe I should lay down?
I lower myself to my frame, but still can't get comfortable…. Ugh. It's going to be a long night.
I wake up to noise all around me. Huh…? Am I…? When did they…? I'm looking around and realize… I'm at the racetrack… Kevin is wiping my windshield. But where is Maggie? As I look around, I become more frustrated… And I don't know if it's at her, or at myself! As I begin restlessly wiggling, Kevin seems a bit shocked, "Wha- Whoa, Herbie, Herbie…! Easy…!" He says as he takes the cool rag to my hood. I get that you're trying to comfort me, but… Stop! I grunt and wriggle away a bit. This continues for about an hour until Maggie finally comes. Kevin goes to my rear and lifts my hood… "Herbie, what is it? Hey!" I don't want it! I narrowly miss pinning his fingers.
Kevin tries to tell Maggie something when she says something about a 'living nightmare'…. Yeah. I know how that feels. But if you know so much about it, how come you put me through one? "Dad, brother, and best friend from college all decided to show up"… Maybe if I can prove to them I'm-
"...Up with Herbie… STOP IT!" Kevin snips at me. I didn't even realize I was getting so… Fidgety, I guess. "Did you by chance leave him alone with Trip last nigh-" "MAG-WHEELS!" a girl interrupted Kevin. My own mind felt like it was spinning again, as I didn't even pay attention to the humans' conversation. As soon as I snap back into reality, Maggie is kneeling in front of me, "Hey, Herbie, what's wrong?" she asks me… Well, honestly… I huff a little and turn a wheel. She watches… Am I getting through? My question is: It… Or me? It isn't really answered… But alternatively, I begin to get shouted at. "Get a grip!" she tells me, after saying she didn't have time for this…
As she goes away, I'm steaming, and I'm not positive if it's myself or her… I've been through too blasted much of this… I fight with myself… Well, if she gets that stock car… She keeps me. Maybe she just wants it to prove something to her dad… Then again, it appears to me, that Dad doesn't know it's her behind my wheel… Would she race me again after? As soon as it seems she left, she's back, putting on her helmet, and stuffing her hair in… I need to have a little faith… It didn't seem like getting rid of me was anything she said last night, if she won… I let her open the door, "Remember- I drive." she firmly tells me… Okay, I get it…
We come to the line, and I act as normal as I can… The sleek, black car makes me look and feel so very tiny. It shows no sign of life. It's inanimate as can be. The green flag waves and Maggie hits the gas, shifting up, up, and up… When in the middle, she mentions he's getting ahead, my own determination kicks in… "That's it, Herbie." she says with what sounds like a smile. I zip ahead of Trip, but he is definitely on-par with Maggie… Just with more experience. I'm about to finish first anyway, but Maggie triggers me… "Come on, I want that stock car!" she screams. I slam on the brakes. I don't fully know why. My headlights are as big as hubcaps when I fall into flashbacks… Bad owners… "I want..." And then I became trash. A few times, I nearly ended up… In situations that would have ended me. Or with terrible owners… I almost felt like Simon's helmet was flying at my trunk all over again. But it wasn't. I felt the kick of Thorndyke… Everything.
I stood still as Maggie screamed at me, "You stupid car!… On purpose!" Trip smoothly approached, "Your voice…. I expected… Who you really are!" Maggie turned to him, quickly ripping off the helmet, and gasps were heard from the crowd… Maggie occasionally glares at me… but each time, it softens… It doesn't matter, Maggie… You don't want me… Do you? Trip… I don't know. He seems to want me… Did I just do something stupid?… I suppose you both probably hate me. As Dad comes forward, I feel a hook grab my frame. Pain. That's all hooks are… I jolt, whimpering as I'm lifted. But I don't fight it… I'm done fighting. I'm done trying to convince anyone of myself. Maybe that's why other sentient… 'objects'… stay so hidden… I hear Kevin, asking about me… I see his feet, as I stare at the ground. "Maggie didn't tell you?…. Pinks… Deal… race my car..." Kevin sounded upset…
"… You didn't…" he begs of Maggie, who sounds equally upset.. "...Sorry!" Kevin freaks out, "Don't apologize to me! Apologize to Herbie!… He's the one you Stabbed in the back!" Maggie doesn't say anything for a while, except for when I jolt and suppress my cry. "Don't hurt him!" she cries. "It's a car!" a man mocks back. Maggie is stuck, it seems, as Trip whispers, patting my roof, "Payback time, Bug… Payback." I don't want this payback, whatever it is… There's a slight chance it's racing for him, but… I doubt it… Either way, I blame myself. I let past traumas get in the way… I take one last glance at Maggie, and give a grunt and one small struggle, but… After, I just watch as she fades into the distance. I'm sorry, Maggie. You deserve a big, strong car… Not one bogged down by his own personal thoughts and memories….