Chapter 10: Meeting My Enemy.
Meanwhile the Italian racer had caught up with Cruz, they were both going to the same place anyway, so she walked with him, but without paying much attention to the company of that man. She was a little blushing; she had no way to cover that blush.
And now... What did he want?
She felt uncomfortable, because she knew he was a professional flirt.
"Of course, he thinks that because I look weak, he can easily take me to his bed, but no... It's not going to work, as soon as he asks me, I'll make a brilliant rejection, you'll see."
She smiled between thoughts, not paying too much attention to the words of Francesco, who was talking walking next to her, she only heard "Blah, blah, blah." until she heard him say "McQueen."
-Huh? -
Her feet were like automatic brakes and she stopped walking, her face went from hot to pale in less than two seconds, her plans of rejection vanished, they turned into ashes that the breeze of her mind took away.
-What... what's going on with Mr. McQueen? - She asked, but she didn't turn to look at the man with perfect black hair who stood behind her. Only her pupils moved from side to side with nervous guilt. Horrible guilt that wanted it to go away.
He put his hands in his elegant pants pockets, he hadn't been wrong, he noticed that just by saying "McQueen" the girl was getting excited. He smiled again, he wanted to do something cheeky.
But at that precise moment, someone else interrupted him.
-Mr. Bernoulli. –
The voice of Jackson Storm, who was approaching from behind both of them.
True, Francesco promised him something.
For Cruz it was like... Ironically, her salvation. The girl breathed a sigh of relief.
Now she did turn around, but to look at the younger man and made a big smile, as if his action had been the feat of the week.
-Hello Jackson. – She greeted. - Did you have a good night? –
Jackson raised an eyebrow. What the hell was that question about? Why was she suddenly wishing something good to him? And why is she calling him "Jackson" with that confidence?
-Hello... - He answered, surprised by that strange smile, then he looked at the Italian man. -We're starting lessons today, right? -
-Yes... - Francesco ran a hand over his chin, as if thinking about something. – But, go ahead for a moment with the Signorina, I'm going to get my sportswear, Francesco doesn't want to ruin this expensive suit. – He walks in front of Jackson and whispers to him. – Treat her well. – Then he looks at Cruz and winks.
Jackson and Cruz watch as Francesco walks away, then they look at each other curiously.
The young guy didn't quite understand what the Italian man meant by that phrase: "Treat her well"?
-What a strange guy. – She comments.
-Who says that? You just asked me very strange questions and in a tone that was too kind. – He starts walking in the direction of the driving school. – You give me the creeps. –
-Hey! - Acting offended, she catches up to him and walks beside him. Then she says something sincere. - Really, thank you. -
-Why? - More confused than minutes ago.
-Well... - Her cheeks begin to take on a pinkish color and the tone of her voice softens a little. - It's just that... I didn't feel very good having Mr. Bernoulli here. -
-Ah! Wait, don't tell me. - He observes her, that shy expression catches her attention. - You wanted to be alone with me. Of course, I already knew that from the first time I saw you with your cosplay of me, you ended up falling in love, it was obvious. - He said half-jokingly and not so jokingly, fading a smile. -Although I don't know how you dared to win on that occasion, maybe if you wanted to be close enough to your servant. -
-You're wrong! - She shouted after she heard him say all that. – What a load of nonsense comes out of your mouth. How could I be interested in someone who keeps bothering me during the laps and trying to get me out of the way? Now, to top it all off, you're looking for help from a veteran so you can "crush" me. He'd have to be crazy. – Now the red in her face had intensified, on the one hand this was because of anger.
-Ramirez, have you never had a boyfriend? – He asked suddenly, as if purposely ignoring those bad comments against him.
Cruz was a little shocked.
-W-What? Why... Why are you asking me that? – Please, have mercy, her face could not hold back any more shades of red, she looked at the floor, because the conversation was beginning to be quite uncomfortable for her. It seemed to her that at that moment it was better to stay talking with Francesco.
Now that Jackson mentioned it, well no... Not even in her teens, and she never even looked at her rink mates as potential partners, not even her closest ones, Daniel and Tim, she just liked to have fun with them, and even her rivalry with Storm was very important.
Curiously, one of the most important...
After all, it had been a little over two years since that first time on the track in Florida.
-It seems not. Because, those displays of shyness and agitation... - He sighs. - That tells me that there are certain feelings for someone out there... – Jackson concludes after her silence.
-No! - She answers. - I haven't had... - Obviously she didn't want to talk about that strange blossoming that was being born for her boss, and that, honestly, she wanted it not to go any further.
Then she continued.
-Although I confess that I am not ashamed of that, I am more focused on my career, always concerned with doing my job well and that I was and am surrounded by good-looking boys every day - She smiles a little, remembering those days at the Rust-Eze Racing Center and her present as a racer. -Someday... Maybe that special person will come... -
And of course it won't be McQueen, because it simply can't be. Because more than this strange feeling being here, something or someone would have to help her cut it off.
-Understood. - It was the only thing Jackson said.
-And what about you? - She asked.
-Of what? -
-Any important girl in your life? - The young woman asked again.
How curious, Jackson seemed very interested in this. He had become very serious. Cruz noticed his face. Had he heard her, or was he just pretending to be attentive?
No, he must have been paying attention, because he was the one who started the topic. Did he like to talk about these things? Or maybe he was looking for her to ask him a list of all the girls he had had a relationship with.
-Nobody... Just like you, I only want to win. –
-Ah... What a cold answer... - Cruz raised an eyebrow. Thinking that something very interesting was coming.
-Ah, did you want to hear that you were that special woman? – He showed that typical mocking smile again.
Cruz stopped walking a few meters before they reached the driving school.
-You're an idiot. – She frowned, annoyed. Was he making fun of her? She thought this conversation was going to be interesting and serious, but he turned everything into mockery.
She was already tired.
-What's your problem? – Jackson also stopped walking and turned to look at her. Getting closer because she had stayed a little far away.
-And you still ask? My problem is you. I'm fed up! I know you are the way you are and at work I try to ignore you, but unfortunately, we share the same lane, and I've even tried to have fun when we compete, even if you throw a tantrum when you lose. – She crosses her arms. - Now I have to tolerate you even in my daily life. On my precious vacation time! Please! Will you stop? –
-Are you going to cry? –
That sounded like when a child makes fun of another who is being bullied and everything is about to explode... At least that's how Cruz felt.
-I don't understand why you're so worried... I think we're not friends... Just rivals. – Was the next sentence from the guy with black and disheveled hair. So, why are they even having their phone numbers each other?
And then, as if those words were a detonator... Her eyes clouded over, staring at Jackson.
-It's just that... - She said with her chin shaking. -When we finally... I think we're talking seriously and we could become... Maybe friends... You... - She couldn't speak anymore, a tear appeared, the muscles in her arms relaxed, no longer seeming like a protective barrier when they were crossed.
How insensitive... She didn't know another man more insensitive than him.
How strange, the tears fell one after another, as if her heart had been broken... How strange, how WEIRD. Now she sniffed and dragged each drop with the sleeves of her yellow sweatshirt.
Suddenly, something warm surrounded her shoulders, and her head was resting on Jackson's chest.
He was... hugging her...
Cruz opened her eyes in surprise, and her tears automatically stopped coming.
But... What was going on?
-I'm sorry... - His voice sounded sincere.
-Don't do this out of pity... - Cruz felt a little upset, although she didn't move from where she was.
-I'm serious this time, I didn't know you took it that way. - Did she really think they could become friends?
-Well... That's right. –
She realized that being like that, she could clearly feel the beat of his heart... Wow, yes, Jackson had a heart. And that gesture was more than proven.
How nice...
She felt comfortable... She could feel his essence, and it was... something that made her blush, it was very different from Mr. McQueen.
For some reason, she smiled.
-You're as comfortable as my pillow. – Cruz commented.
-Hey, don't take advantage of the moment. – Then he stopped hugging her, looked somewhere else, on his face a nascent reddish color could be seen on the pale complexion.
And Cruz laughed lightly.
Jackson heard her laugh, and turned his gaze to hers.
The young woman felt that the blue of Storm's eyes, were at that moment the most fantastic and hypnotic thing she had ever seen. And she made a small gasp, which he didn't notice.
-I see that you're better. – He said.
-Yes, thank you... - She wiped the last traces of her tears, and her nose, before looking at him again.
Thinking about it, Cruz only knew Jackson's competitive side, she knew him since she became a coach at the Rust-Eze Racing Center, because she needed to have his data as a racer, but it was only technical and cold parts...
Now, not really sure why, but she wanted to curious into this other side of Jackson, the human side of him.
To be continued...
Disclaimer:
-The characters belong to Cars © Disney. PIXAR.
-This story belongs to me © Shadoru.
-Sorry my bad English.
