Opposite Sides of the Track

Novocaine/ B-Team

Opposite Sides of the Track

Chapter One: Novocaine

Vanellope knew that she had bigger things to worry about. And so did Hiro. But something inside her still died a little when she saw Hiro and Penny (his new girlfriend) kissing. She knew she should have seen it coming; Vanellope had been feeling like the third wheel for some time now. But she always thought that Hiro would wait until he was older; Hiro didn't seem like the type of person to date at age 14 (or 10, even, if you wanted to begin when they first met). By then she would have worked up enough courage to ask him out (the Sugar Gods knew that he wasn't asking her).

But, Vanellope thought to herself, it's not gonna matter. I'll be gone by then.

The thought took her by surprise; she hadn't actually ever thought about actually doing... well... doing what she'd been offered.

Vanellope wasn't really a person that abided by the law. She pickpocketed, shoplifted, made illegal bets, hacked into systems, and, well, you get the point. One day she'd been caught hacking into a game system. Not much really. It wasn't a big company. Or so she thought. As it turned out, it wasn't a game system at all; rather, a recruiting center. Anyone with the mind that made it in was offered a job. The game was sent to anyone they thought could make it. Apparently, they began considering her when they caught her pickpocketing a man. They only issue? She'd have to leave.

And, oh yeah, it was basically a villain training camp.

Vanellope wasn't told anything else in case she said no. And she did. But the man gave her a number to call in case Vanellope changed her mind. But it was just an all around bad situation. It was illegal and she'd have to leave home.

Well, do you really want to be around to help Hiro pick out Penny's wedding ring? the same voice in her head as before sneered, Besides, you've been wanting to leave here all your life.

Vanellope was beginning to sweat. She was being absolutely ridiculous. Hiro and Penny were a one time thing. She highly doubted they would get married. They met at 14 for Mod's sake! But the voice in her head had said something right; she'd been wanting to leave for as long as she could remember. There was something she'd never told Hiro- or anyone that didn't know by default in that matter. She was an orphan. Vanellope wasn't told how, but, considering her earliest memories began in a foster home, she suspected it was an abandoned-at-birth situation. Vanellope hated her foster home. Her foster father verbally abused her and his daughter hated her with a burning passion. That life was a living hell. Vanellope had dreamed of leaving. Before Hiro came along.

Vanellope wasn't the love at first sight kind of gal, and she still stood by that. Hiro had been your classic boy-next-door. Inviting you over to play video games, arcade goings, that sort of thing. Hiro was new and didn't know a thing about Vanellope or her foster father or her foster father's daughter. He was a clean slate. So, yes, she did... what would be the right word... take to him immediately. Of course, this caused Vanellope to go to great measures to make sure Hiro never found out, but it was worth it. But remember the classic boy next door comment? Yeah, that's a huge factor. Penny, an ex-child actress, moved into the neighborhood. Oh, and let's straighten this out, by "neighborhood" Vanellope meant uptown San Fransokyo, where it was smaller, and restaurants (Hiro's home) next to homes weren't entirely uncommon. Well, anyway, Penny had moved in and Hiro, automatically, invited her over.

Penny didn't really get the whole robotics part like Vanellope did, but, she guessed, Hiro just liked her better. Plus, it wasn't like Penny wasn't willing to learn; she was definitely interested. Vanellope mentally groaned. Hiro had been her only friend. What was left here to do? Watch?