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One sunny afternoon on Carolina's largest race track, anticipation and tension infiltrating the air. The track's filled with racers revving their engines waiting eagerly for signs of the green flag.
For a racer in the 3rd to last position this'd be his first ever official race, after tirelessly participating in countless small races, that paved the way for him to race in the endless qualification rounds and tryouts. This is it, it's all or nothing.
Even in the enclosed windows of his sedan, he can hear his opponents' engines roaring, he smiled at the sensation it sent shivers down his spine and a smile on his face. All in all, giving him reassurance and a sense of tranquillity. He took a deep breath, in and out. Then locking his eyes on the track. Completely calm and relaxed, as if he has done this thousands of times.
When the green flag waved, he stepped on the gas and is already, effortlessly bringing gravity to his side, making him beyond unstoppable. "Attagirl" he muttered underneath a smile, instinctively reacting as he maintained his speed on a turn, he shifted the gears and stepped on the gas, accelerating the speed and leaving most of the pack further behind.
Talented, bright, genius. That's what he is, a shining promise to the future of the racing world.
Then there's the crowd. Oh, the crowd... their cheers, their claps and vibrant banners waving. Amongst the thousands of people that are present, eyes would've immediately darted on a foreign young lady dressed in simple, light colours.
She's sitting comfortably underneath the shade of her hat in the best and most expensive seat in the arena, second closest to the track. Not making a sound apart from occasional claps. Her blonde hair flowing with the wind, her expression can only be described as starstrucked.
Her eyes are set on the tracks, seemingly to be very attentive and focused. Yet behind those soulful eyes, she can't deny that her attention is only on the dark blue Ford. Not only that but she has been subconsciously analyzing every turn and every shift gear. From the start to the very last lap it's been just him, her attention doesn't waver no matter how loud it was there.
No matter the amount of people's cheers and various different engines roaring in her ears she still is fixated on the number 51, without a proper reason for it too. It's not like it's leading the race, nor can she see the physique of the person behind the wheel of this one American car.
For all she knows the person driving could be someone twice her age, but her subconscious sees more than her eyes. The consistent confident turns and decisive clean maneuvers indicate a clear mind focused on nothing else but what he can do and what he will do. It's drawing her in.
After sitting through the entire race without a provoked reaction she finally raised from her seat to clap at the checkered flag that has appeared after laps on laps. Meanwhile, the rookie is right behind the two leaders chasing them down, not giving it up just yet, it's going to be close.
The crowd's claps and cheers erupted, is this it? Is third place enough? Even till the final lap, his hands were still steady. Not even a change in position, he quickly shifted gears, his hand muscle reflexes reacting faster than his mind. Not subduing to his instincts and rationality.
As he shifts the gears he swore he felt the right side of the car levitating complying with the speed, taking the lead in a blink of an eye. Being the first to cross the finish line.
The adrenaline started to settle down. He took off his gloves laying his head back, every muscle in his body unclenched and relaxed. He rested his arms over his eyes, letting out a full teethed laugh. Never had he felt that he oh so belongs. At this very moment, he has decided that is his entire world now.
After the race finished all of the remaining racers stepped out of their respective cars. As did the driver of the dark blue sedan. He stepped out of his car with a wide grin still fully intact on his face. Greeted by what is the biggest crowd he has ever seen.
A young man, with black-blue neatly cut hair, a clean face, and piercing blue eyes. The 19-year-old Hudson Hornet waves his hands as he makes his way towards the edge of the track.
Hudson may be new to the game but he did his homework well enough that he made sure that his name is at the very least heard of, by the big timers. Many of them ended up knowing more than just his name. One of them just so happens to be the owner of one of the best racing teams in both Carolinas.
And coincidently he, followed by three other regular faces in the racing world was just watching the race from a far distance. He chuckled "Well I'd be damned, at least ain't lying about the entire 'fabulous' ordeal he's been bragging 'bout." He said in an easygoing tone. One of the three races sneered, annoyed at the sentence, the other two just simply ignored it and started to walk for the exit.
He wasn't the only one who was astounded by his performance, the young lady still had her eyes set on him, even after the race ended she just couldn't get to stop thinking about him. She, however, showed her interest in the racer in a different way. While she was walking to the exit. She was lucky enough to see the champions being celebrated.
But Instead of throwing colourful flowers or bouquets at him, she simply smiled when she saw a glimpse of his physique. 'My my, he's younger than expected, a rookie then? My age?' She thought, then shook her head at the thought. Knowing that it's pointless to think about it when she knows she'll never really meet him ever again.
She had made her way out of the crowd, but then thinking of the horrid state of the traffic made her recall a certain pub within walking distance. So instead of heading towards the crowded main street she was already slowly walking towards the pub.
It is after all the best way to wait out the traffic. And her face and body are warmer than usual after sitting out in the sun for hours. The best remedy for that is nothing more than a cold room with a refreshing beverage.
Meanwhile, Hudson managed to escape from the press, completely breathless. It was also at the expense of being almost blinded by the flashing cameras. He got to the empty parking lot, next to the crowded road. Still trying to catch his breath and is now shedding more sweat than he was in the actual race. He dusted himself off and started to sneak around to the back entrance of the tracks to go get his car.
Walking quickly and as quietly as possible. In hopes not to attract any attention. Later his gaze was greeted by an outline of a bar sign he can see in the distance. He slowed his pace, remembering that the bar is not too far from where he is now. "A little celebration won't hurt now, would' it?" He said to himself. So after he successfully sneaked to his car and he started driving to the bar. It was a short drive, he barely spent 5 minutes.
The young lady, however, was already inside for a while. Sitting by the bartender's counter with her usual drink already almost finished. Just when she was about to order another, her attention shifted to the car that had just pulled over by the half-curtained window behind the counter. She smiled to herself, thinking of what an impossibility it is.
The doors opened to reveal the young racer, he walked into the bar and was immediately greeted by the sounds of glass clinking and people chattering. He scanned the bar. Looking up and down, admiring its wooden interior and mentally approving its cosy ambience.
He started to wander around and noticed that it was really full. Still, there are a few seats here and there. He decided to walk towards a seat in the corner, to avoid any unwanted disturbance. But as he was walking he made eye contact with a blonde blue-eyed woman, maybe around his age.
He simply lowered his head into a bow and smiled. She smiled back, then broke eye contact seeming to have looked back to her drink. Her hand then moved from the drink to a lock of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. His eyes then landed on the seat empty next to her. He walked right on over, "Is this chair empty?" she nodded "May I then?" she smiled "Please."
He took a seat and offered a hand with a polite smile across his lips, "The name's Hudson Hornet." She took gently it and shook it once "Mine's Gabriel Lavigne, a pleasure." After telling the bartender his order he fixed his position into a more comfortable one.
He set his gaze back to the stranger, tempted to know more "So... Ms Lavigne was it? You been 'round town for long?" She jokingly rolled her eyes "I assume my accent gave it away?" he let out a small chuckle "It's a nice one 'though" he smirked.
She smiled softly, tilting her head to the side as the bartender gave him his drink "Thank you, ah and congratulations on the win earlier, that was some brilliant driving." He coughed, after breathing in his drink "You watched it?" she chuckled and shrugged. And with one sentence it made him lean closer, eyes fixated on her, and his entire attention now glazing her.
"Then you must know that I'm celebrating, care to' join me?" he said as he regained his composure. She raised an eyebrow and squinted her eyes "Celebrate how exactly?" he called the bartender again, and pointed to her now empty glass "Same again, please." When her glass was refilled he thanked the bartender and then raised his glass. "Like this" he smiled, she smiled and raised her glass to clink them together.
They kept talking about the race and after a long while it reached a point where Gabriel couldn't keep it to herself any longer "With a little more polishing I'm sure that'd you'd be a fantastic racer." He froze and squinted his eyes, putting down his glass "Yeah?" he asked in a curious tone. And yet his face says different, his eyebrows knit together, his eyes unconsciously staring her down.
She began to rant about all the things she has analyzed the entire race, his performance, his strong and weakest points. Hudson has never been one to be good with criticism, but for whatever reason this time it's different. Slowly he started to get genuinely curious as to what she thinks, of all of the aspects he thinks he's good at, regardless of being a complete stranger he just met a few minutes ago.
Hudson started to nod along and perhaps for the first time in his life, he started to actually listen to someone, mentally taking notes, and paying attention. As hard as it is to listen, all of her critics are on point. Some even, are answers to questions and problems he has been scrambling to find a solution to.
The more she talks the more he's paying attention, the more he's captivated. He won't lie to himself though, her set of pretty face and voice definitely helps. Suddenly she stopped mid-sentence and he moved his head away, realizing he has been staring at her.
"Um, I mean-" she cleared her throat "Sorry- what I should have said is congratulations you have earned it" she smiled meekly, fighting every bloodstream in her body not to blush. He let out a chuckle "Thank' you, but why'd you suddenly stop?" she tilted her head "I've been blunt? I think, but now I'm not so sure." He smiled and adjusted himself again "Well, do you have s'more?"
She lightly scoffed "I'm not sure how to answer that, you looked like you were about to annihilate me in the first half" she lowered her gaze and pointed at him. He snickered in response "Got better in the second half tho' right?" She smiled, taking a sip of her drink and keeping eye contact with him "Well- yes I do have more, the question is are you willing to listen to them" she chuckled.
"Yes.'' Hudson answered and immediately realized it came out too eager. "I-if you're willing to, I mean, I ain't tryna shake it outta ya' or anything so, yes. If you're willing to." She laughed softly "Alright, though I don't mind you chiming in anytime, so do feel free." He nodded and mouthed the word 'yeah' as his eyes are shining, eager to hear more.
After a while, what started as her lecture became more of a conversation. It started off with racing being solely the topic, then it started to derail and things got to more personal topics. What was just a set of a pretty face started to become something more, they talked to each other about work and home.
Gabriel talked on ends, about how horrible London really is, mostly about how the food is worse than what people criticize them to be. He also talked about how sometimes he misses his hometown. Back in Detroit, every day was just hustling and bustling, here in Carolina it's different, there's more room to breathe, for him at least. But it does get too quiet too quickly, sometimes.
Then she also went on about how being under the stage light and being famous feels. As she revealed that she actually has been working in the entertainment industry for quite some time now.
She also made sure to slip in some pieces of advice and warnings, for the sake of Hudson's future inevitable climb to fame. She knows how the press and paparazzi can get sometimes. Back then she had to find that out all by herself and suffer alone for the longest time, at least this time he doesn't have to.
At first, He was in disbelief when she said that she works as a singer. But the way she talks about her hardships with the press made him recall the press earlier today. He sees the parallel and comes to realize that apparently, it was just a taste of what she and people who work in similar tones as her have to go through.
The more they talk the more the topic of conversation sauntered into a more serious one, and yet the bubbly giggles and warm smiles are still very present. The atmosphere was so pleasant and light that the more they talk the more he admires her, and the more he doesn't want this unexpected encounter to end.
But minutes turned to hours, and suddenly the sunshine was replaced by the moonlight. It was getting really late, Gabriel let out a yawn mixed laugh. Hudson laughed at the reaction she just did and then he instinctively looked out the window looking at the dark sky "You' tired?" she lowered her head "Perhaps, maybe a little bit."
He let out a soft chuckle "Regardless, it's a-gettin' lil' late, d'you need a ride home?" She raised her eyebrows and her mouth was left hanging. He raised his eyebrows and moved his head forward "...is that a yes?" She blinked and snapped out of it, quickly scanning her surroundings, realizing that they were alone "Yes-" she cleared her throat "Yes, yes that'd be much appreciated, if it's not a bother to you of course."
He got up from his seat and asked the waiter for the check. Gabriel shot up her seat to stop him "Hold on, there's really no need, let me take care of the bill-" Hudson smiled, completely ignoring her scrambling around for her wallet, and paid.
"It's a' right, I got it Ms Lavigne" He chuckled she shook her head with a guilty look on her face as they walk out the door "No, wait- then it's really improper for me to take your offer-'' Hudson walked backwards, facing her "what d' you mean?"
She looked at the ground "What I mean is, yes I gave you a tip or two but none are really of value as both my bill and a ride back home-" he snickered in response cutting her mid-sentence "You're real compellin', Ms Lavigne. Alright then if you wanna make it all square jussa' think of it like this, I was celebratin', remember? And you were kind enough to join me, the bill was compensation' for that and the ride's for the drivin' tips, how's that sound?"
He opened the car door for her facing her with a proud smirk on his face, Gabriel softly scoffed "You really are something else, aren't you Mr. Hornet.'' She carefully seated herself in the front seat next to him. "Where to young lady?" he joked, she shook her head and laughed in response.
The entire trip was just filled with warm conversations and occasional laughter. Hudson's life really changed, ever since he had chased the big leagues it has been just a race after another, not that he doesn't enjoy going extremely fast, jumping guns, and doing showy drifts to stop the crowd dead in their tracks but it has been more than consistent.
He craves a slower day, and this was his first in a long time. A real person with likes and dislikes even being almost the complete opposite of him. Unlike him, Gabriel always preferred the slower lifestyle. But of course, all good things must come to an end, they are now just around a few minutes away from her hotel.
He started to slow down in front of a luxurious skyscraper as she pointed out the window "That's the building" she said blandly with disappointment being most of her undertone. He looked at her and smiled in return. Then he stopped at the front of the door of the lobby, got out of the car to get to her door, and held out his hand to her. "Thank you" she said as she takes his hand, getting out of his car.
"Really, Thank you for everything it's been really great talking to you." Hudson smiled slowly letting go of her hand as she slowly started to drift further away from him "Don't miss me too much now Gabriel." He said, leaning against his car.
She let out a soft scoff and started to make her way back to him. She looked at him and tilted her head closer. She moved her hand up to his shoulder and moved her head to his side, gently placing a soft kiss on his cheek, leaving a light lipstick stain, and then handed him a piece of paper.
"I won't need to." She chuckled "Good night, Hudson." She said as she walked into the building. Leaving Hudson not moving an inch, dazed. He leaned downwards hovering his hand at the cheek she kissed, with his face completely red, mind absolutely blank, and his heart beat faster than he raced.
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[extra]
As she finally got to her room, she tossed herself in the bed, unwinding and stretching around. She then grabbed a pillow and buried her face into it, thinking how she kissed his cheeks and how she gave him her number to the rotary phone in her room, in hopes she didn't take it the wrong way.
She is very giddy but exhausted from the long day, she yawned and soon fell asleep with a soft smile on her lips. This feeling was long since she last felt it, and for the first time in a very long time, she was looking forward to tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Hudson's still on the road. He's punching air in his car, the entire way back. He has been cheering and singing nonsense to his heart's content, laughing bubbly and giggling like a little boy. When he got home and got finished cleaning up, he lay on his bed.
He held up the ripped piece of paper Gabriel gave to him, gazing at the phone number written in her handwriting and then he shifted his gaze to the sentence below the phone number, that he hasn't stopped reading since he read it for the first time, 'whenever you need to celebrate with someone (or when you miss me).' It reads, signed with her first name and signature.
He held in his gaze, then he shifted to the telephone by the bedside and slowly reached for it, but then glanced at the clock right beside it, realizing how late it was. He retracted his hands and just looked up at the ceiling as the feeling of her lips still haunting his cheek, his heart racing, thinking about it.
It's rare for him to feel this kind of uncertainty and excitement outside of racing. Right now, the only certain thing, is that he won't be getting any sleep tonight.
-END-