~ Outside The Speedway ~ (Lightning McQueen x OC)

Chapter 28

Rain.

Waking up to rain is one of my favorite things in the world. Especially since it was rare in Arizona.

I hear it before I open my eyes. The sound soothes me.

When I do eventually look at my window, my room is much darker than most days. There's no sun; it's very obviously covered by the clouds.

I gaze at my curtains when I suddenly remember last night. I turn myself to look at the other side of my bed, but there's no one there. I also realize I'm clutching a pillow to my chest.

...Was it all a dream?

Damnit...

I hung my head in disappointment. I wasn't sure if it was or wasn't all in my head, but there was only one way to find out.

I stood from my bed, reminding myself to not open the curtains or else everyone will know I'm home, and not somewhere else in Arizona.

Slowly walking to my closet, and yawning along the way, I picked out an outfit without much thought. It consisted of my favorite hoodie. A little oversized, light blue with a white 75 on the back - my famous number - and black and gray triangle designs behind it, similar to the designs of my car. It was one of the many clothes I had that represented my 'merch'. Black biker shorts and a loose high ponytail finished everything off.

I tiptoed downstairs in case Lightning was asleep.

He wasn't.

He was in the kitchen, cooking.

The famous Lightning McQueen knew how to cook food?

I shrugged to myself. I mean, hey, less work for me, right?

When I stepped into the kitchen, which smelled heavenly, by the way, I saw an assortment of fruit and berries in bowls on the island, as well as whipped cream, powdered sugar, and a stack of waffles.

This looked like the same morning meal we ate with Sally before going to the beach on Friday; the day of the race.

McQueen's back was turned my way. He was pouring some batter into the waffle iron. When he was done, he turned around with another plate of waffles and started stacking them on the other ones.

As if sensing my presence, he looked up.

Lightning jumped, almost dropping the waffles he was holding. I laughed hysterically and he only glared at me.

"Was that payback for last night?" He asked, not meeting my eyes. He was annoyed I scared him. My pride did not let me tell him it was unintentional. 

But... that meant what happened late last night wasn't a dream.

I went along with it. "Yes. You scared me half to death by standing there like some serial killer." I sat on a barstool, popping a blueberry in my mouth. "You should be thankful I let you sleep in my bed after that."

"Well, that's why I'm making breakfast. To thank you for everything you've done so far." He handed me a plate. "For letting me stay here for a little bit, agreeing to practice with me, everything else..."

I blushed.

Of course, I blushed.

I stared down at the food. "Think of it as a way of paying you back for being by my side in California." I smiled at him, and Lightning smiled back. His hair fell into his eyes, and he swept it sideways with his wrist. Though it didn't help much, he still looked adorable.

A little while later, Lightning was finished and after washing up, we sat and started eating.

The second I tasted the waffles my eyes widened.