A surge of excitement went through me making my blood rush. There was a sudden outburst of butterflies in my stomach as my heart pounded in my chest. All the pain and sweat that came with the rigorous labour lead to this moment. The moment that would either make, or break me. If it didn't work, it would jeopardise my chances of getting into skunkworks. I needed that job. If I couldn't, then everything I worked for over the last two years would have been for nothing. Everything rode on that one project.
Making my way towards the drivers seat, I threw the keys up into the air and caught it repeatedly. The midnight blue bodywork along with the metal engine surfaces shimmered under the artificial light. It felt good to see the car complete. Dorado and Lucas both watched me as they stood leaning on the front of the car, with the carbon fibre hood propped up. They gazed at me in anticipation; we had all been waiting for this moment. Settling myself in and getting comfortable, I blew at the blonde locks that fell from behind my ear and then took a deep breathe. Then just as I placed the keys into the ignition I was disrupted by Lucas.
"Oh come on Alannah. I helped you with the assembly of this car. It will start, just start it already!"
"Oh shut up Lulu. All you did was help put car body into place, then paint it," Dorado responded.
"And a bloody fine job I di-"
I couldn't wait any longer, the adrenaline pulsed through my hands making me turn the key. My eyes shot up towards the two spectators as soon as the key was fully turned, but there was no spark.
My heart that was pounding from excitement was now pounding from disappointment and anger. The butterflies stopped, and blood rushed to my cheeks. I tried again but there was no change in output. As per usual at moments of predicament, it was time for a mental pep talk. No Al, you can fix this, don't let negative emotions control you. Come on, you haven't completely failed, not unless you give up without trying. If you trained for it and you fall at the first hurdle you have to carry on. If you don't, you lose because you didn't try to finish. Get up and finish it, don't let it finish you!
Dorado and Lucas quickly shot a glance at each other and then back at me as I sat in silence gathering my thoughts.
"Wow, I actually thought that it was going to work," I clicked my tongue then laughed.
"Well you are an engineer, you assemble the car, so what is wrong?"
"Well, the explosive mixture in the combustion engine didn't ignite, did it!" I snapped back until I realised that, that must have meant there was something wrong with the battery.
I swung my legs round and jumped out. I knew I had thoroughly checked the battery and everything that was under the bonnet. What could I have missed? I made sure I took my time with the assembly of the engine, cleaning the parts and checking twice. All to ensure I didn't have to end up taking double the time because I rushed it. I didn't rush it, yet it still didn't start? Maybe I grew so impatient I didn't check properly? Well it didn't matter, all that mattered was that I had to resolve it.
By the time I was done questioning myself, I found myself standing in between Dorado and Lucas. Mirroring their positions, I transferred some of my body weight onto my hands, which had a firm grip on the edges of the car, and inspected the engine. As soon as my eyes traveled to the sight which prevented the start of the engine, I heard laughter from either side of me.
"What's so flipping funny?"
They didn't respond. The last time Dorado had laughed at me so much was on the day I met him. As for Lucas I was always laughing at him for being such a cluts around the garage, but this was the first time he laughed so much at me.
"I made a mistake what's so fun- actually no, no. I know I checked all the cables,"I paused and suppressed a smile.
I transferred all my weight back onto my feet and then crossed my arms. In my head it all added up. I had checked all the engine components. The battery cable clamps were the last things I fixed into place, yet one was detached? As it all linked in my head to create the bigger picture, I shook my head.
"So, which one of you would like to shed some light on the situation we find ourselves in?"
"I so sorry, but you are too easy to fool. First time I met you it was so funny, so I thought last time I see you it should be funny too. Well Lulu came up with the plan this time," Dorado retorted while connecting the cable back onto the battery.
And with that discovery I slapped Lucas around his head with my left hand. He tried to slap me back but I had already maneuvered out of his reach.
"I can't believe you. That's evil mate."
"Ouch, that hurt. Have you been practicing your slaps, I swear I can still feel the palm of your hand on my scalp"
"Oh that hurt did it? Good! Wow you guys actually let me think I messed up and Lulu you thought of this. You got to be kidding me! I can't believe this."
"Oh no, when it comes to business I no kid. Remember?"
"Hah. Yeah I remember. Glad you find humor in other people's trauma."
It all came back to me, the first day I met Dorado. It felt like it was only yesterday. Arriving at the door and being greeted by the towering, muscular man with short dirty blonde hair, long eyelashes and fiery eyes. My first impression was that he was a serious man, he didn't seem to give anything away. However his actions proved otherwise. He was a really easy going person who you could have a laugh with. Dorado treated me like a sister and I guess it felt like I had my brother back for a bit. As for Lucas he's that person who was never ready to grow up, so simply didn't. The annoying little brother you wish you didn't have.
I hastily walked towards the keys, sat down and turned on the ignition, while brushing away the feelings of regret and loss. This time I was positive the engine would start. After what felt like seconds of silence there was a spark. Then the masterpiece which was developed from just a piece in two and half months rumbled. I tapped the dash board and grinned from ear to ear while exchanging looks with the 'worlds funniest people'.
"Don't you worry you sinister pair of pranksters, you haven't got rid of me yet. I still need a place to live while I test out this car and the modifications made on the original design. As long as I'm still allow-"
"You seriously asking? I have no choice, Adrian will kill me knowing I let you out of my sight without you having a place to stay."
"That's good to know, so our usual delicious breakfast tomorrow?" Lucas questioned.
"Yeah, you bet. You lazy piece of crap." I answered teasingly.
I let my body relax as I sunk into the chair. Some of the weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Adrian needed me to draw up a design for a car with the chassis given and then make it start within three months. Phase one complete. Despite leaving me with a near to impossible mission, he had the courtesy to leave me a chassis that could be developed with the body work of three different cars.
Lucky for me, I was given permission to get parts manufactured the way I wanted to, to help with the performance of the car. Also I had the basic parts available from three different companies.
Honestly, I was quite proud of the experimental super car; the Subaru Brz which was altered in ways no other had ever been before. Now I just had to hope that the performance would live up to its expectations.
"After you come back from test drive, we celebrate. All work may not be finished but you passed first stage and I'm pretty certain the test drive will go great. Go out there and drive the car of your 'dreams'"
A feeling of ecstasy overcame me, there was no time to waste. I nodded and then waited for Lucas to open the garage door so I could drive the car out of there for the first time. I buckled up and shut the door as Dorado let the hood drop into place. A gust of wind entered the garage and swept my hair into my face. I moved it away, put the car into gear and accelerated out. It was time to unleash the beast and see what it could do. It sure had been a long time coming considering that I could have had it finished two weeks earlier if I hadn't been sneaking off.
***
