I thought I was dreaming.

She was beautiful with her long toned legs, smooth golden skin and wavy black hair which glistened in the sunlight. This girl should be modelling for Vogue, not setting off a car race. She even walked like a model in those heels of hers.

I slyly took a glance at Nixon who seemed to be unfazed by her presence outside, it was like he didn't even notice her. I felt a hint of relief wash over me. Wait what? I don't care if he looked at her or not so why was I feeling relieved?

"Ready!" I could barely hear her over the roar of Nixon's engine. I could never get used to the goosebumps it gave me.

"Set!" Oh my fruit juice. I'm about to be in a car race. With Nixon Ford! I didn't realise that my leg was bouncing up and down. I was officially scared for my life. What did I get myself int-

"Go!"

My thoughts were interrupted as my whole body was flung roughly backwards against the leather seat. I audibly gasped and clutched the seat tightly with my hands on either side. Nixon shot off with so much aggression and speed, it was exhilarating. Like the feeling you get in your stomach whilst on a roller coaster. I couldn't help the meek smile which made its way onto my face.

Did I mention that I love roller coasters?

The roar of the engine was deafening. With Nixon's rapid gear changes, the noises I heard were like music to my ears. I couldn't help but look at the speed meter to see the dial was at one hundred and rising. I looked out the window to see that the green Nissan was an inch or two ahead of us. Oh hell no! Before I realised what I was doing I found myself shouting at Nixon whilst keeping my eyes focused on the other guy's car.

"Faster! Go faster!" Oh crud. Mentally slapping myself I reluctantly whirled my head around expecting to see an angry Nixon, but instead he had an amused expression on his face staring straight ahead. If it was even possible, Nixon went faster causing a big jolt that sent my ear to hit the side of the window. Ouch. Whilst I was attempting to rub the pain away from it, I heard loud cheering. The car stopped. We were swarmed by a massive group of people.

We won.

Well technically, Nixon won.

Pain forgotten, I turned to grin at Nixon who unsurprisingly had the biggest smirk on his face. Probably the largest one yet. He then turned to get out of the car, so I followed suit. God it felt good to stand up. My legs felt like jelly but in a thrilling way. I almost had the urge to do it again.

I awkwardly stood by the passenger door and noticed that some people from the crowd looked at me with either confused or surprised expressions.

So instead I focused on Nixon who was being greeted with the handshake and hug thing that guys do. It was with someone who looked around our age. He had a lit cigarette in his mouth and he seemed familiar. He was well built with clearly defined muscles but was just a little shorter than Nixon. His messy light brown hair covered most of his forehead and was accompanied with what looked like greeny blue eyes. His grin showed off a little dimple. This guy was very handsome.

But not as handsome as Nixon.

My subconscious really needed to shut the fudge up.

Both boys were talking amicably and laughing. I swear I even saw Nixon smile once. Whoever this guy was, they seemed close, clearly someone who knew Nixon well. The crowd of people were still loud, everybody talking excitedly and admiring the car. I mean who wouldn't?

The man from earlier, Joe I think, then approached Nixon. He handed him something in his hand, whispering something in his ear but I couldn't see what he gave. Nixon returned a nod and then Joe left. Well that was weird. I wonder what that was about...

"Hey nugget. Over here," I looked up to Nixon, arms resting on the roof, his smirk back on his face. I now noticed that the swarm of people had left, leaving only a few lingering behind. I simply gave a confused questioning look as a reply.

"Thinking about me?"

"You wish," I smiled sweetly back at him. I blame the adrenaline for all this confidence. As soon as I said this, I swore that his smirk faltered the tiniest bit before going to normal. Or maybe I was seeing things.

"Oh dude I like this girl already," That wasn't Nixon's voice.

"Hey there beautiful, I'm Ethan. Also known as this jerk's best friend," He dropped his cigarette on the floor and walked around the car to stand in front of me with a massive grin on his face, which I found myself returning.

Now this guy seemed approachable and friendly, the total opposite of Nixon. He then did something that Nixon would never do. He grabbed my hand and kissed it, never taking his eyes off mine. Definitely a greeny blue. I felt my cheeks getting warmer out of embarrassment.

"M-Mara. I'm Mara," Oh great, we're back to stuttering. Ethan smiled back with what looked like a genuine smile. I don't know why I expected him to smirk or make fun.

Because that's what Nixon would do.

"Beautiful name for a beautiful girl, why am I not surprised?" Ethan was literally beaming at me. He reminded me of a cute puppy.

I chuckled in response, not knowing what to say. I took a quick side glance at Nixon who had his back to us. He was on the phone to someone talking in a hushed voice, seeming annoyed and back tensed.

I immediately brought my attention to Ethan when he started talking again. "And because I already like you, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. You're the first girl Nixon's ever brought to one of these things,"

So it was true. But before I had time to digest how I really felt about this, I was interrupted by Nixon shouting and I jumped in fright. I barely even noticed that Ethan had a hold on my arm until he lightly squeezed it.

"Well you fucking better figure it out, you don't wanna test me," Nixon turned around after shoving his phone in his pocket and I saw that his eyes had gone considerably darker.

His jaw was tensed, hands clenched into fists and the vein in his neck was sticking out. I've never seen him this angry. I was honestly terrified. He didn't look up at me and I was honestly grateful. Nixon then opened his car door with so much force, threw my things out and shut it twice as hard. The engine revved. He was leaving.

I was gently pushed back out of the way, just in time as Nixon shot off faster than Usain Bolt leaving only a cloud of dust, my shopping bags on the floor and the fading sound of his beautiful engine behind.

He left me.

****

"Nice house,"

"Nice car," I turned to smile at Ethan.

"The excitement was written all over your face the whole journey," He grinned back at me.

I couldn't help but smile back wider. I realised why he looked so familiar. I found out that he went to the same school as us. He was the guy who people sometimes saw with Nixon. He mentioned that he's never seen me around either. How weird.

Not.

Ethan was such an easy guy to get along with. Not that I was surprised whatsoever.

He put me at ease straight away and it felt like I had known him for years. He was like a fun little brother and had this happy aura around him, even though he had some traits of your typical bad boy. I realised that he was a softie at heart. It was a bonus that he also had an oogle worthy ride. I mean a white Audi TT Sport? I felt like I had won a lottery riding in the boys' cars.

He offered to bring me home after Nixon's disappearing act, something which I didn't even want to think about. He was fine before the phone call and it was almost like he flipped a switch of emotions. I don't know what to think of it. All I knew is that I didn't like that side of him, it scared me. The journey home also proved how much Ethan was the opposite of his best friend.

Abandoning my thoughts I replied to Ethan. "Hey was not! It's not my fault it's so beautiful," I ran my hands over the dashboard, sighing.

"You literally just swooned," He laughed so hard, putting his head against the wheel. I crossed my arms out of embarrassment.

"It's not that funny," I made a 'hmph' sound and stared out the window. It was getting dark and only Dad's car was in the drive which meant Aiden and Jacob weren't home. Thank the heavens. If they saw me get dropped off by a boy, then they would flip.

"Alright alright. I'm sorry for laughing Mara, but your reactions are just too funny and cute," It was hard to stay angry with this guy. A small smile made its way on my face again.

"It's fine,"

"Listen, about earlier it's not worth thinking about. It's just how he is, it's nothing personal," I didn't have to ask to know that Ethan was talking about Nixon. I just nodded meekly as a reply.

"Thank you for the ride Ethan. It was a pleasure to meet you,"

"You're more than welcome. And this won't be the last time,"

"Last time?" I looked over with a questioning glance.

"Last time seeing me. It's only just the beginning," I couldn't help but feel a little giddy. I really enjoyed Ethan's company.

I smiled at him one more time before opening the door and closing it behind me. As soon as he drove off I turned to make my way to the door, opening it with my key. My nostrils were immediately filled with the smell of Dad's home cooking. Right on cue, my stomach rumbled.

"Don't worry kiddo dinner will be ready soon," My dad chuckled at me and made his way into the foyer where I was stood. It was like he sensed my presence and knew the exact moment I stepped into the house.

"Just give a few minutes and I'll be down soon," I went to give him a hug and then made my way to my room. Taking off my shoes and jacket, I dumped all my bags, plopping down on the bed, laying on my back and sinking into the gazillion pillows I had on there. Today had been a long and quite frankly weird day. Whilst staring up at my ceiling, my thoughts wondered to why Nixon even brought me to the race in the first place. Why was he even at the mall with me? Was he following me?

I got butterflies just thinking about it.

My thoughts were interrupted by my cell phone which started to buzz. I looked at my screen to see a number which I didn't recognise.

"Hello?"

"Be ready for six tomorrow. We're going to a party,"

"Erm... I think you have the wrong number dude," I sighed. Prank callers really were lame nowadays.

"I'm offended you didn't recognise my voice nugget. And wear something hot,"

I audibly gasped.

Nixon?