The Big Race - Lightning McQueen x Reader

Chapter 5

To no one's shock, Lightning McQueen won the race.

You could see his cockiness in the way that he rode up to the starting gate, like he knew he had this in the bag. Of course he was an extremely talented racer, I didn't like the car but I had to give him that, but no one should have that big of an engine.

During the race itself he didn't even look tired, like he wasn't even trying as he weaved in between racers to the front of the line.

When he was close to the finish line, the entire crowd leaned forward to watch as he spun around and began driving backwards, gloating before he even finished. And yet, he still came out on top, so I suppose his engine didn't grow from nothing.

The racetrack was being littered with hundreds, if not thousands of flowers and gifts, stuffed teddy bears and paper wheels with the phone numbers of many adoring fans. He stood on the first place podium eating it up as the announcers gave out the trophies.

The crowd was chanting McQueen's name in unison and the sound of revving engines echoed across the arena as he cruised around the track catching a bundle of flowers. His teeth shined pearly white, and even I had to admit, he looked good.

The crowd had no chance to die down because not a second later he slowly approached near the roaring crowd, causing them to go even crazier. The cars in the front row leaned their hoods over the railing separating them from Lightning, and I felt myself being pushed forward by the sheer force of it all. I felt a hard thump against me, and before I could worry if my exterior had been dented or scratched, I dropped my book on the ground. Lightning was making his way over to my section and the screams from all around me grew exponentially.

As he approached I could see his scanning eyes look all over the crowd, a smirk growing over his obnoxiously gorgeous face, and with everything going on my full attention was to him, although I wasn't screaming and jumping like everyone else.

His eyes suddenly stopped short, his grin slowly falling but quickly came back at full force as his eyes fell onto my yellow form, my metal curves accentuated with the outfit given to me by Stella.

When I saw his eyes stare into my own, I could feel my engine stop for a second. He continued his approach over to me like a predator stalking its prey. I began to feel more and more eyes turning towards me, and it felt like the temperature in the air was heating up, either from anxiety or something else, I couldn't tell.

Why was he coming this way? There was no way he was driving to me. He couldn't possibly remember me from the accident.

He slowed to a stop right in front of my seat, with that dumb smirk now parked a mere three feet away from me. There were more eyes than ever pointed my way, and I could see the car parked next to me staring dumbfoundedly my way.

My attention was brought back to the carlebrity in front of me as he said, "hey."

HEY? I was more confused than ever, What game are you playing at Lightning McQueen?

I guess I was lost in thought for a moment too long because the red car in front of me was waiting expectantly, like he had just asked a question.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?" he said, giving me a knowing look. I watched as his eyes dashed down and quickly back up, no doubt raking his eyes over my form.

"Maybe I have my own reasons for not wanting to speak with you, Lightning McQueen." I said, attempting to lace my voice with some venom. It didn't seem to turn him away though.

I didn't think he could come any closer with the metal barrier separating the two of us until he rolled forward and jumped upwards, placing his two front wheels on the railing all the while never breaking eye contact. I heard a few screams around me, but he couldn't faze me in the way he did everyone else.

We were now mere inches apart from each other, and the look he held on his face deepened with our close proximity.

"Well don't you have quite the tongue on you? I guess I was mistaken." His voice was lowered as he spoke to me now, accentuating the deep underlying tenor.

His smirk turned into a cheshire grin as I felt myself glaring at him.

For the first time since he caught sight of me, he drew his eyes away from mine, reaching for something around him.

He pulled the bundle of flowers from his interior; the yellow tulips bending slightly with the wind. He looked down at them for a moment before looking up at me with just his eyes. Another beat skip.

"Reminds me of you." He said pointing the bundle out in front of me to take. "My little ball of sunshine," He added sarcastically.

Unconsciously I grabbed the flowers as he pushed himself off of the railing. "We'll be seeing each other again, I bet," he added before spinning around and drifting off towards the exit but not before turning around and giving me one last look.

I sat dumbfounded for a good two minutes as the crowd continued going crazy around me, back to reaching out towards lightning and yelling his name.

As I was leaving the stadium after the race I could still feel the lingering stares of people who watched mine and Lightning's interaction. With the high of the moment withering away, I felt annoyance and anger take over. Jesus Chrysler, he was so egotistical, just coming up to me like that. He didn't even know me and I wanted to keep it that way. I didn't need any more drama in my life.

I let my thoughts take over as I took the drive back to the apartment. I didn't realize just how long I had been at the track until I saw the sun was setting on my way home.

By the time I got back, I had assumed Stella would have gone to bed, but she was parked at the counter with a cup of motor oil, no doubt staying up to hear everything that's happened.

I rolled through the garage door and shut it behind me.

"How are you feel-" I began but was promptly cut off by the scraping of Stella's chair.

"Yeah yeah yeah I'm feeling much better but that's not important. I wanna hear all about the race. Did you see Lightning? Did you meet Lightning? Tell me everything."

I rolled my eyes, but the look in her eyes told me she wouldn't let me go until I gave her the exact dimensions of each of Lightning McQueen's decals. Although I wouldn't be shocked if she already knew.

"Yes I saw Lightning McQueen, he was as egotistical as ever." I said. "He won the race by the way, but I lost my book from the rough crowd." I added with yearning, mourning my lost copy of Jane Carsten's timeless classic.

"Yes of course he won, that was obvious, but what was he like? Did you meet him? Was he as pretty in person? How blue were his eyes?"

She looked at me expectantly, and I knew that if she knew that I had spoken directly to him and that he remembered me, she would never let it go. I would never live it down. So I decided with a heavy engine to lie.

"He looked fine, but I couldn't see much from where I was parked." I stopped there, a second of silence passing between us. I knew Stella was disappointed with my gossip, but it needed to be done.

"Oh yeah of course. Did you have fun?" I could immediately sense the deflation in her mood.

"Yeah it was great. I wish you had been able to go too though."

She gave me one last smile before putting the mug in the sink and waving me goodnight. I could feel my engine sinking deeper and deeper.

It was just a little lie, how bad could it be?

A/N: Hey guys, I'm so so sorry I haven't been updating and I know this chapter is short, but I wanted to get it to you guys as soon as possible. I've been drowning in school work lately. A couple of you guys have been wondering who I am, so I'm thinking about doing a name/face reveal. Let me know what you guys think in the comments, I love seeing your feedback!