Tommy's POV
Miami, Florida
The heat of this city fueled my energy as I pushed through the other competitors and sped past the finish line. I won once more on the circuit.
My uncle and team surrounded me with our fans as I shimmied out of the car and accepted my trophy.
It's been a good year now since I started circuit racing and I'm on cloud nine.
I do have to hold back since I was used to my turbo powers before handing them off to TJ.
Either way, I loved it and I was getting better at it too. I headed over to my garage to see her there.
Dressed in a cute racer outfit and her Afro in a bun stood Ren.
One of the best racers on the circuit and one of the few ladies who can race any of us guys out of our money and car.
"Great job falcon I see you took my advice to not gun it too quickly feel it out before having everyone eat your dust." She nodded with a look of approval.
"Well I got advice from one of the best, why wouldn't I heed her," I said approaching my where she leaned against it.
She shrugged with a smile and said.
"Not many appreciate it but my offer still stands. If you wanna get better and see some real racing you know where to find me."
With that she left, leaving me to think it over.
I've heard of the type of racing she did before coming on the circuit. Not only was it dangerous but illegal at that.
But a part of me wanted to go and see the thrill of racing with no rules coursed through my body and I decided I would watch and see if it's all she made it seem.
Plus that racing made her even better than those on the circuit; she's dealt with far more difficult roads than the ones here.
After going home for a quick shower and change of clothes I went to the one place many racers went around here for a tune-up.
Tej's garage.
I pulled up and parked on the side getting out as two guys in coveralls came over to me.
"What can we do for you?" The tallest guy with an Afro asked.
"Hi, I'm looking for Ren. She said I could find her here ." I replied
They glanced at each other and the man asked again.
"What you want with our lil sis?"
"I'm a friend of hers from the circuit she said if I wanted to see real racing to come find her here. She can vouch for me just tell her falcon's looking for her."
I said hoping it calmed her overprotective brothers down.
They looked at each other with a smirk and the shorter Asian guy replied.
"So your falcon huh Cece's told us all about you. Said you could give her a run for her money if you were less inexperienced."
"Aww, I don't know about that Misters..." I trailed off.
"I'm Tej, owner of this fine establishment, and this is Jimmy the best mechanic 'round these parts we're Serenity's eldest brothers. And word of advice, take what she said as a compliment because it is one and it's from Cece herself. Ask anyone here when it comes to racing that's hard to come by from her unless you're bullit but he is her brother too so she's a bit biased. Don't tell her I said that'' Tej replied and they both led me in.
A lot of the racers were right about one thing: Tej's place is racers heaven and Jimmy, a name that's legend in the circuit as one of the best mechanics, played a key role as to why the garage's so beloved.
We approached a table where Serenity was sitting with three other people looking over a notebook.
"Hey Cece you got a visitor," Jimmy said heading over to sit with them.
Serenity looked up and gave me a smile that made my heart jolt at how pretty it was. I gave a wave and she got up and dapped me up.
"Great you came" she greeted.
"You talked the races up so much that I decided I had to see for myself." I shrugged.
"Oh valley boy has come to the dark side huh well welcome to my world we're all about fast cars, fast girls, and respect you can get one the others follow and you're set around here." She motioned to her family who nodded in agreement.
They immersed me in their group and I was introduced to the other members at the table.
Her sister, a pretty Asian girl by the name of Suki made killer designs for cars and was an even excellent racer.
Her third brother Roman, who was a dark-skinned tall man with a big build gave me a head nod in acknowledgment which I did the same in respect. he poked and teased Ren I saw he was a bit of a joker.
Then I met Brian who they all refer to as Bullit. He was an easygoing blonde guy who was as cool as ice with me until his assessment was done.
They took well to me so far and gave me tips on my racing as they showed me their cars and I couldn't help but envy them.
The mods were crazy and once we stepped onto the strip I saw why they were a well-respected group in both worlds.
They made every one of their opponents eat their dust and Bullit was the only one that surpassed all of them. He did crazy stunts and seemed to have no fear while driving.
The whipping of the cars and revving was exhilarating to see, it was even more when I experienced it firsthand.
Ren pulled up in her car a black Nissan Silvia s13 with a design of a jaguar on the driver's side of the car, an anime version of herself on the passenger's side, and The word Panthera on top of the hood with all the designs were in purple.
https/AzizaB123/tommy-x-serenity/rens-car-and-its-designs/
"Get in," she said, nodding me over. I was surprised but wisely got in.
"How are you liking everything so far?" She asked, pulling into the starting line.
"I love it. I see why you're so good, your team is amazing."
"Thank you but to know the real reason I'm so good you'll have to go with me for this ride are you okay with that?"
I thought about it. She's a speed demon in the track but she doesn't get in many crashes.
Do I trust her?
"Yes let's do it"
She smiled as I put on my seatbelt and sat back as she put her shades on and revved up her engine.
A woman came up between the cars her hips swinging as she walked holding a flag.
She pointed to the left of us to the other opponents asking if they were ready they answered revving their engines.
She pointed in our direction asking the question again and Ren revved her engine.
The lady held her arms up, the tension was high and I felt like a bullet ready to be shot.
Ready,
set,
go.
And off the drivers flew past her like we went through a barrel and were off into the streets of Miami.
The ride was a whirlwind; it was like we were in slow motion while whipping past everything at the same time.
I turned to her and couldn't help but watch in awe how at ease and powerful she was on the wheel.
"The key to success is not being in your head, the thrill is what will keep you going and your practice is what keeps you alive."
She said and made a sharp turn.
A few cars passed us honking thinking they had one over us.
"The second you time your shot right if you don't that's time and NOS wasted."
"Wanna do the honors?" She tilted her head to the nos button.
"It will be my pleasure," I said and at her mark pressed it and moved the stick.
We gunned past the competition and some screams were heard as we made the jump and landed safely.
My heart was in my throat as she drove in and stopped by her family's cars winning the prize.
I was breathing heavily along with her. We looked at each other and smiled.
"And lastly, have fun. That is the point: as long as you know your car and your limits, nothing is impossible."
She planted a kiss on my cheek and got out being swarmed by the crowd.
Ren smiled and thanked them going to her family who congratulated her. I got out and followed her.
"So what do you think, valley boy?" She asked, crossing her arms. Looking at me expectantly.
It's illegal, it's dangerous but hell haven't I been through worse piloting a whole mega zord?
Smiling I replied and answered.
"I think I can get used to nights like this as long as it's with you."
That made her pause and smile wider as her family teased us.
"Welcome to the team falcon"