Herbie Fully Loaded

Chapter 9 - Everthing goes downhill

As I walk into my childhood home my thoughts cloud my mind as I enter the kitchen I see the fridge open.

"Ray, if you drank all the orange juice I'm going to kill you" suddenly the doors slams shut and my mouth hangs wide open.

"Meg-wheels!" My best friend from college beems at me excitedly.

"Charisma!" This is crazy, I haven't seen her since graduation!

"Why aren't you in France?" I ask voicing my thoughts and she rolls her eyes dramatically and going back to pouring her orange juice.

"Paris was a drag I couldn't understand anyone! And hello let's learn to pick up after our poodles!" She rants dramatically, she has always been like that.

"So...I thought I would come back and we could start out road trip early" she reveals excitedly and my face drops drastically and she seems to notice.

"Slight problem, I promised I would meet my friend in the desert" I blurt out nervously, that doesn't sound very convincing.

"Why, are you burying a body?" she asks horrified and I scoff at her.

"No he has a racing tournament" I reply because it isn't a complete lie.

"You think your clever, I can see right through you Mags" oh god, she figured it out, what do I do?!

"You can?" I question smally and Charisma stands up straight and whispers.

"It's obvious your dating him!" I let out the biggest breath that was caught in my throat and I give in.

"If you say so!" A smile appears on her face, one of triumph but if only she knew.

"Don't be shy, what's his name?!" She asks excitedly and I laugh at her antics.

"His name is Maxx and where so close, it's like we're the same person" I execute my lie perfectly, that was the closest call yet!

——

I run toward Kevin and Herbie as it is mere minutes before the start of the race and I am not even changed!

"What are you doing? Where have you been?!" Kevin asks frantically because I had not talked to him this morning.

"Well in a nightmare where my dad, brother and best friend from college decided to show up!" I rant to him and he sighs now understanding me.

"Well you've got a new problem, Herbie is freaking out" Kevin states anxiously and I look at the Volkswagen, he is constantly shaking. Is he....nervous? This doesn't suit his personality at all.

"I don't know what to do! STOP IT!" He yells at Herbie and he instantly stops but still seems nervous to me.

"Did you leave him alone with Trip by any chance?" Kevin asks me and guilt washes over me, "well-" I'm cut off instantly.

"Maggie!" Charisma yells walking over to us, could this day be any worse?! I turn to Kevin.

"Keep her away from my dad" I instruct Kevin and he nods reluctantly walking over to Charisma. "Oh and she thinks I'm dating Maxx" I state as he walks over to her.

The five minute warning sounds and Kevin instructs, "get suited up and have a heart-to-heart with your car, ok?" I nod

"Hey, you must be Charisma" I hear Kevin say as he redirects her. I instantly turn to Herbie.

"Herbie what's going on?" I question and he moves his tires into a shrug. I instantly roll my eyes not having enough time for this.

"Whatever I don't have time for this, we need to beat Trip" I start lecturing my car in a state of anger and anxiety. "Get a grip ok, your a car" I grab my suit from the car and get changed and ready for the race.