Once In A Lifetime

Chapter 1 - Meetup

It was a cool, spring evening. My hair was lightly waved and my makeup was soft. Light gray shadow with mascara and a rose lip. My outfit was presentable, for most people. I had on a black leather jacket with a blue shirt and gray jeans, and black boots to compliment the look.

I was so ready, tonight would be my first street race, planned any way. Any other time it would be with people who had road rage and with no clue in their mind what my car could actually do. I have a 2005 Chevrolet Impala SS, full of power and a supercharged engine. I had just gotten him repainted a nice dark blue, with metallic of course. And yes, my car is a boy. His name is Victor. I know, I know, naming a car is weird, or whatever. But I'm attached to mine, I've only had him for a year but I've gotten to know him so well. He had so many issues when I got him at the used car dealership, but within time I fixed him right up.

Heading out the front door, mom began calling out to me, "Darcy! Where are you heading?" I looked over my shoulder after rolling my eyes. My heart began to beat so fast and my mind was thinking of multiple different excuses.

"I'm going out for a drive!" I responded. It's not a complete lie, right? I mean, technically it was true, just left out a little bit of detail. "Alright, drive safe! I'll leave you some dinner in the oven! Call if you need anything."

I love my mother. She's so sweet, understanding, kind, and she loves my friends. She knows someday I want to be a professional Nascar driver. It scares the hell out of her, but she supports me all the way. She always used to tell me when I was little "Follow your dreams, baby girl. Don't be like me and give up on them." In all honesty, I still believe mom can do whatever she'd been wanting to do since she began loving it. She never told me what it was, but I'm sure it's fantastic.

Then of course, I couldn't resist, I went back inside and gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. She squeezed me tight right before I went back out the door. I walked over to my car and unlocked it, making sure my tires were ready. I hopped in and started him up, Victor was purring like a kitten. I backed out of my driveway and made my way down the street.

The night was pitch black, the only thing lighting up the streets were my headlights, it was quiet and a gentle wind was blowing. I had my windows rolled down and my sunroof up, I loved being able to smell the trees and the freshly cut grass in my car. It was so refreshing. I made it to the Ruins after about a 15 minute drive.

"The Ruins" is pretty much just a little hideout me and my friends go to, we hang out and sometimes bring tents to spend the night. Basically, it's an old abandoned mechanic shop. We use the tools sometimes and the soda machine still works. We fill it up about every two months and when we take the money out by the time it's ready, we donate it to our local church that's trying to do a few upgrades.

When I arrived, my friends Jules and Letty were there waiting. Jules is this cute, peppy girl with a red 2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi. She loves wearing purple and her hair is brown, cut directly at her shoulders. Golden highlights show throughout, mainly from being in the sun so much. She would hate to color it. Her makeup is normally just mascara, but on nights like this she likes to rock it out. Letty loves flannels and gray skinny jeans, her glasses sit on her nose and her hair is dyed black, about collarbone length with a few layers. She wears practically no makeup, only a little eyeliner and mascara. She owns a black 2004 Dodge Stratus R/T. We've all been friends since we were in kindergarten. Letty and I are the closest, Jules drifts from us every now and then to hang out with her other friends. But that doesn't bother us much, as long as we're all happy that's what matters.

Letty and Jules were leaning against their cars when I pulled up, with crossed arms and fighting looks on their faces. I got out wondering what was wrong, I locked my doors and walked over to them. "Hey, what's up?" I asked.

"Well, we're just waiting for the boys to show up so you can show them who really runs with streets," Letty said as I smiled. I laughed and looked at the both of them, "You know, all three of us do. Jules, you love killing your car by taking a ride through the fields where there's multiple ditches and holes. And Letty, you break the law whenever you get the chance. For example, you whip your car on corners like it's nothing and go 20 miles over the speed limit."

"Hey! Excuse me for wanting to get to my destinations in a good amount of time," she said as she laughed hysterically. I shook my head and grinned.

Then trouble rolled in, I looked behind me and saw two 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX's pull up. That was Jules and Letty's boyfriends, Kyle and Sid.

Kyle always wore black, there was no question. You couldn't get him to wear one thing a different color, even if you paid him. Letty and him had problems a few months ago, but thankfully everything is okay now. They looked so happy, and that's all I wanted for them. Sid, is unfortunately my brother. It's not worth explaining what he's wearing, let's just say he loves the American Eagle look.

"Alright, I know one of y'all brought the goods," Kyle said as he threw his arms up in the air. Letty rolled her eyes and held up a bottle of Sprite, "No drinking and driving, remember? I brought soda instead." He smiled at her, "Thanks buttercup, you always know what I like." He gave her a quick kiss and put his arm around her. Sid stood in front of me, "Darcy. You know you don't have to prove him wrong, you've won against him before. What's the point of this?" I looked up at my older brother and sighed, wondering why he always asked so many questions he knew the answer to. "Last time wasn't exactly fair. I may or may not have side swiped him on purpose when he tried to pass me on the freeway," I smirked. Sid just rolled his eyes and walked over to Jules, kissing her cheek softly.

I muttered under my breath, "Always running late."

After 10 minutes of talking and laughing, sipping our sodas, and taking pictures together, Ethan pulled up in his yellow 2017 Ford Mustang GT. This is the embarrassing part, I dated a guy that drives a Ford. I'll never forgive myself for that. If anyone knows the slightest bit about me, I absolutely hate Fords. Every time I'm driving and something happens with another vehicle, whether it be a traffic situation or them doing an illegal move, it's always a Ford. Yes, I know, it's ridiculous to hate a particular car brand. But it's kind of like clothing, if you don't like a particular brand, then you don't wear it and get a disgusted look on your face every time you see someone wearing it. That's how it is with me and Fords, simple as that. I'm just loyal to Chevrolet, what can I say?

Ethan stepped out of his car, he was wearing black jeans with a white tank top and a gray flannel over it. His hair was dyed light brown, due to him not liking his natural blonde hair. He walked over to me, and smiled, "Hey Darcy."

"You ready to race or do you wanna stall?" I questioned. I heard Letty snicker behind me and I smiled.

"Oh, you won't be racing me tonight, sweetie. You'll be racing the new guy in town," Ethan said as he crossed his arms over his chest. I looked at him with a little anger, "That wasn't the plan." He took one more step towards me, and whispered in my ear, "Scared someone will actually beat you this time? Oh wait, this is your first actual street race. Maybe he will."

Sid came over and put his hand on Ethan's shoulder, "Get away from my sister, she needs to prepare for this."

He shrugged his shoulders and walked over to his Mustang, sitting in the driver's seat and leaving the door open.

Within just a few minutes, a 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 pulled next to my car. It was pitch black with chrome racing stripes. I raised my eyebrows as it turned off. A guy came out, I couldn't see him well until he came closer. I was starstruck, frozen in the spot I was standing in.

He was beyond gorgeous. Dark brown hair, slim blue jeans, black t-shirt and Vans. "Hi, you must be Darcy. I'm Declan," he said as he held his hand out to me. I smiled, grabbed it and lightly shook out, "You are correct." He smiled back at me with his straight, white teeth. My heart melted.

I had a crush. Big time.