Disclaimer: I do not own Cars 2 or its characters. They belong respectively to Disney Pixar.

A/N: I started rewriting Experimental Feelings a while back, but then I got writer's block. I'm kinda proud of myself for the major improvement on my writing skills, but I've still got a lot more to learn.

Anyway, I may or may not continue to write Experimental Feelings (Rewritten), but that really all depends on the stuff going on in my life. I still love Cars 2, just not as much before. But hey, that's life, gotta accept change.

So without further ado, I present to you the new and improved Experimental Feelings.

Really hope you enjoy it! ^^

Prologue

What does it mean to love?

Or rather, what does it feel like to be loved?

Kiara had always pondered the thought in her spare time. It was the only time she'd actually lay back and reflect on her life, and what she valued in it. Having to grow up with no parents, and no close friends wasn't as difficult as others would think. In fact, Kiara much preferred the company of a good book, and silent library.

At least, that's what she'd say…

It wasn't that she didn't try to make any friends, she just didn't fit it anywhere. Nobody seemed to like her anyway, which was fine. Kiara didn't trust anyone.

However, somedays she would daydream about what it would be like to have a group of friends that she could talk to and confide in. Heck, maybe even a family to love and support her no matter what! She'd never admit it though, not like she had anyone to anyway. From everyone else's perspective, she was just an emotionless robot.

"That weird girl who doesn't talk to anyone."

"The one that doesn't have any friends."

"The freak with the weird eyes and hair!"

Purple hair and red eyes. What was so weird about that? Kiara never understood why people had such a problem with her appearance. It had no definition to her true nature. It didn't reflect on her personality or how she acted towards others. She was still the same girl she was before her appearance had changed. After that fateful day, the day she turned 13-years-old, she began to hate herself.

It was a horrible memory that would enter her mind every time Kiara would look in the mirror. She'd only see her 13-year-old self crying, wondering why nobody liked her, and why the ones that did like her left. That was the day she realized how different she really was from all the other kids, not just appearance wise, but personality wise too. It was also the first time she ever cried herself to sleep.

You don't know how it feels until you've experienced it yourself. That's when you know what it truly feels like to feel broken and ashamed.

Over the 7 years that followed, Kiara had grown distant from everyone, not wanting to get attached. During those 7 years, she'd grown used to the neglect, the hatred and fear in her classmates eyes, and the whispered insults that her classmates would make when they thought she wasn't listening. She was so used to being alone that she slowly began to like it. But, what Kiara didn't realize was the growing hatred deep inside of her. The more time she spent alone, the more hostile she felt about her classmates, about society itself, and the people that created the illusion that perfection was "a must".

Kiara built a barrier around herself; around her heart. She didn't care for who was talking to her, or for what reason they had. She despised everyone. And yet, her longing for company and friendship never vanished within those 7 years. Whether Kiara was aware of it or not, a little part of her still wanted to be loved and cared for.

What does it feel like to sleep forever in the never-ending darkness that is death?

So, if anyone were to ask her what her life was like growing up. She'd lie, and tell them that she grew up like any other child would: with support, care, and love.

"Kiara, are you coming?"

And then, he came along and changed everything.