Fallen Roses

Chapter 10

The cars and bus pull off into a campsite of some sort. I jump out of the window and join the gang. Kat waves me over to a group of guys and girls I didn't know. "Amie. This is Jake, Addie, Blade, and Jaz. I'm sure you remember them from back in the day," Kat says pointing to a few people. There were twin girls and a couple guys. Some had piercings others had tattoos. 

We chatted for a bit before someone walks up to me. A blonde haired man walks up to me. He had a nose piercing and spider bites. "Hey Amie...It's been a while hasn't it?" he says. I nod and say, "Ya it has Joel. You look great."

"Hahaha thanks. You do too. Still single?" Joel asks. Fuck wasn't ready for that one. Don't get me wrong. He is attractive, but not my type. I don't date drug dealers, or smugglers.

"Yes. I am still single Joel, but you know that it's not gonna happen," I say. 

"Ya. I know but- it's just-...I miss you. Okay? And now that your back I don't want to leave things they were," He says.

"Nice one. How long did it take you to practice that?" I laugh. Joel chuckles as well an says, "Eh 2 minutes. Hahaha. But hey it is good to see you."

Joel waves good bye and returns to his car. I follow Kat as she goes to the back of the car. She pops the trunk and grabs a remote. There were about 4 speakers and 2 subwoufers mounted with a stereo in there for music. I always did admire Kat's choice in stereo.

The beat drops as the speakers pound with some nightcore and heavy metal. Kat goes to the crowd as everyone sets up our mini camp as we call it. In past years, whenever we pulled off the road for the night it meant a badass party. 

Some of the larger vehicles carried the food and drinks, or other materials, like chairs and such. The smaller vehicles were for people and the sound systems wired into the back. Any other car was for sleeping and sitting. We are our own caravan. No help needed.

"Oh. How I missed you all," I say to myself and start wandering around our camp. In total, we had about 22 people that traveled with us including the people on the bus. Though there were always friends that would join us here or there. 

I wade through a group of dancers by the sound system. Addie and Jake wave as me and return to dancing on each other. I meet a few more people and make my way to the cooks in our group. "Hey Tessa and Teya. How is everything going? Did you remember the newbies?" I ask as I help Teya lift a pot of water.

"Ya we put in an extra serving for them. How are you? We haven't seen you in years," Tessa says smiling. Teya thanks me and kneels to peel some vegetables. "I'm pretty good. I finally got Selene out of that hell hole. How has the group been holding up?" I say. 

Tessa tosses me an apple and says, "We've been pretty good. Last year we had to fly under the radar, because of some idiots in New York trying to out race the coppers. Totally fucked up our plans. Otherwise we would have came a year sooner for you."

"Hey. Hey. That's okay. It all worked out huh? Haha. I bet you missed me," I say laughing. They scoff and start throwing potato peels at me. I chuckle and turn back to the group. Kat was over by one of the SUVs grabbing a beer and talking with Joel. 

I glance at the bus and scoff watching the bandmates staring at our camp. I grab one of my fatherly friends, Vincent, or Vince as we call him. "Hey Amie. How are you? I haven't seen you since you just barely saw over the steering wheel," Vince says with a broad smile. I smile back and say, "I'm better now. Hey. I've got a group who will be following me around. Do you think we could give them the traditional welcome?" 

Vince smirks and chuckles deeply. I looks around and spots a couple of guys. He waves a hand and walks over leaving the girls. As they get closer, Vince taps his right wrist and they nod to him. They eye the band and walk up closer. 

"Yo. Look at the preppy boys. What has we got here?" one of them shouts out. "Just your average white boys. They don't deserve to follow our tread marks," Vince shouts. He slings his arm around my shoulders and leans closer to get the fuel pumping.

I giggle in Vince's ear as James starts stepping forward. Vince looks up and chuckles as James is held back by some of the others. Vince rests his hand on my hip and walks up to James with me. He looks James in the eyes as the others start to take a step forward.

"So you think it's okay to hang out with the Queen?" Vince says. 

"Who?" James asks. I chuckle and say, "Me silly. That's my nickname on these streets." The others look at each other and Vince walks around each of them. I tug lightly on Vince's shirt. He leans down listening. I speaks lowly and say, "Ace and Selene are with me. The others could use some trouble. Give James hell." An evil smirk puts on my lips as I look at James.

Vince turns to the newbies and nods for me to go with the girls. I shrugs and sit on a block near by. Vinces addresses the group and says, "In this crew, we have rules. First, if you're an ass get out now. Second, teamwork is everything. You trust your friends with your very soul. Third, the Queen is off limits unless she comes to you. Fourth, you have to be able to drive. And the fifth and final rule. No betraying or leaving a friend behind."

The band listens while Zero, a short shy boy with auburn hair, pulls Selene by the hand over to me. Selene sits down next to me and leans her head against my shoulder. 

"Few things that need to be taken care of. You will all be racing against each other. It's tradition to determine your rank in our little group. Anyone want to go first?" Vince says. His eyes scan the group and Ace was the first to raise his hand.

"Alright. come here," Vince says as he throws a hand on Ace's shoulder. Vince points to the cars and says, "Take your pick except the Challenger. That is Queen's personal car." Ace points to the Ferrari, and walks to it. James walks up to Vince next and points to the Lamborghini. 

Vince calls a gathering and the camp runs to the open highway. Kat drives a mile away to spray paint the road. I get into the Challenger and start her up. She ignites to life and purs on her own. I graze my fingers over the dent in the door that I never fixed. 

James and Ace pull up the the start line as I rev in the lot. I back her up and cruise to the line myself. I ease to a stop and sigh. I missed my car. Tessa and Teya walk to the line and point to each of us. Tessa points to me and smirks as I rev in place.

Teya raises her arms and waits. James and Ace start to grip the wheel out of nerves. Bad move. Teya drops her arms and in an instant I let up the throttle and push the pedal to the floor half a second before the others. 

My car comes to light and launches off the line. Her front end threatens to lift as her horsepower fuels her speed. The front wheels hit the ground and she takes off. The others were half a car behind me already. I could tell they were thinking they could catch up. I shift and launch a whole car's length ahead of them. 

I shift again and cruise away from them. They had no idea what they were doing. I speed across the line and spin out. I drive back and park once I get back. I hop out and the whole camp cheers. I high five several people as Kat pulls up. She hugs me as we laugh. Ace pulls up next and smirks.

"How come you never told me you were a racing goddess?" Ace jokes. I shrug and give him a hug. James pulls up last and gets out angry. "What the hell?? You set me up!" James yells. I shrug and say, "You picked what car you wanted to drive. Elen is my baby. The likes of you will never touch her."

Everyone hoots and hollers as I burn James. I chuckle and rest an arm on Vince's waist. I missed my crew. This was going to be a fun trip.