Fallen (Fallen 1)

“What!” I exclaimed.

“Okay, okay. I guess it’s more for my driving benefit. I’m used to having the driver’s side and passenger side the American way. As you know I lived in America for quite awhile and while I was there cars were first released so I got used to driving them the American way,” He said with a shy smile.

“Sweet, all the better for me,” The way Jonathon said, American, was so cute with his accent.

I opened the door to the red Ferrari and got in. I was definitely not climbing in through the window. But Jonathon did.

I could hear Patrick and Joseph getting in the black Ferrari.

About the time I wondered who was going to call the game Diana appeared.

“Sorry I’m late guys. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

“No, not long at all,” said Jonathon in a calm voice beside me.

“Start the car.” He said.

Everything about Jonathon’s car was custom. This car was seriously tricked out. I pushed the ‘push to start’ button and the Ferrari F430 came to life with a very appealing growling sound. I bit my bottom lip to prevent myself from squealing.

“Everyone ready?” Diana asked. We all chorused simultaneous yeses. She held up the flag that signaled us to go. I pushed down on the gas and I think I left my stomach back at the start. I couldn’t believe the car had gone from zero to . . . 100? In less than thirty seconds. I glanced for the briefest second at Jonathon with questioning eyes.

“We all had our Ferrari’s modified,” He said as way of an explanation.

Still looking at the track I said, “How did you get this thing to go so fast so quickly?”

“That’s what vampire mechanics are for.” I was still lost. He could tell from my profile so he added, “They lace the gasoline with vampire venom to make it go faster.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I know it sounds weird but it’s the truth.”

Smoothly I cut off Danny and Mason. Jonathon began whooping with joy. “He so didn’t see that one coming.” Jonathon said looking behind us at Mason’s shocked face. I stole a glance and giggled. Mason was stunned and definitely impressed, Danny was laughing his head off and it looked like he was saying, ‘I told you.’

I cut back across making sure I took up most of the track so they couldn’t past me. “Wow,” said Jonathon, “You’re a better driver than me.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said as I cut to the right to block off Mason and Danny and then quickly moved back to the center of the track.

We came back around and I saw Diana jumping up and down. “Way to go Kylie!” She yelled so my not so sensitive ears would hear her over the roar of the other two cars.

I was having so much fun. This was definitely the most fun I’d ever had in my entire life. This beat just about everything I had ever done. It seemed the best days of my life were happening here in Rome with Jonathon.

The track was approximately three miles for one lap. So, it was fairly large. After thirty laps we called it a day. I never lost the lead. I was so proud of myself. I parked the car and began un-strapping the harness. Before I could finish Jonathon began undoing them through the window. After the last one was un-clasped he pulled me out through the window and into a hug. Suddenly he leaned down and gave me a long, mind numbing, tickles your toes, kiss in front of everyone. I blushed dramatically. I’m sure my face turned an unattractive tomato red.

“You won,” said Jonathon pressing his face into my raspberry scented hair. “We won.” I said.

Diana came running down to join the rest of us. She hugged me too. Which was kind of awkward since Jonathon was still holding me. “I’m so happy a girl finally beat these boys. It’s about time they see what we girls are made of.” Diana said. I laughed.

I heard Mason grunt.

“Oh, Mason it’s okay. Be a good sport,” I said.

“Whatever. Good game.” He said giving me a stiff hug. Danny came up to me then.

“That was amazing. I don’t care if my bro and I lost to a girl that was the most fun I’ve had racing in a long time. Plus, I enjoyed seeing his look of astonishment. I told him not to underestimate you.”

“Thanks, Danny.” I said.

“Come here.” He said giving me a hug. Mason began muttering quickly under his breath. “Come on brother get over it. You lost to a girl. Move on.” Danny said.