A Girl Who Races

Familiar Faces

It's been months since Amelias death, they decided to bury her at Willies Butte with a nice headstone and everything. Jakob, Jessie and Vex decided to go home soon after the unfortunate event since they have no racer. Sorrow still hangs over the small town, nothing will ever be the same. Lightning often sees Amelias quad and thinks back to how happy she was. His thoughts are broken when he hears another car pull up beside him at the grave. He sees the dark blue paint out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey Doc." Lightning says sadly.

"Hey." Doc replies

There's a pause between the two cars.

"Racing season is coming up." Doc says quietly. "Look, if you don't want to race, I get it. Take this season off."

"No, it's what Amelia would want. She wasn't a quitter and neither am I." Lightning says, a little more determination in his voice.

"Alright then. Training tomorrow at 6:30 am."

Lightning nods. The two cars go quiet again.

"I really miss her." Lightning says.

"I do too." Doc replies, his gaze casts down to the grave. He pulls away and Lightning soon follows with one last glance at Amelias resting spot. The two cars get back to town, Lightning can tell everyone is trying to be happy but simply can't be, it's not the same without Amelias light heartedness and huge smile that used to greet everyone in the mornings.

————————————————————————

The next morning Lightnings training goes as normal, a few fights here and there between the rookie and Doc, but nothing that doesn't get resolved quickly. The first race of the season quickly comes around.

Lightning pulls out of his trailer at the racetrack. The ride here was very quiet and lonely, something Lightning isn't used too. He looks to a picture of him and Amelia, it was taken at Amelias first race, the one that she won. She holds up her small trophy with a huge grin on her face.

"This is for you, Amelia." Lightning says quietly to himself before opening the trailer. Mack parked his trailer in a restricted area so Lightning wouldn't have to deal with paparazzi this time. The red car rolls up to his crew.

"Ok guys, we can do this." Lightning says determinedly.

Doc gives a firm nod. McQueen sees Cal and Bobby sitting not far off. He drives over to them.

"Hey buddy" Bobby says.

"Hey guys." Lightning tries to sound cheerful.

"How are you?"

"Well, I'm here." Lightning replies, looking to the ground.

"Are you, though?" Cal asks tentatively. "Ever since... you know. You haven't been, yourself."

Lightning doesn't say anything for awhile. "I don't think I'll ever be the same as I was." He says sadly.

Bobby tries brightening the mood, "hey, well, she would have wanted this. She'll always be here with us, on the racetrack. That's where she belonged."

Lightning sighs. He hears the announcer over the stadium. "Will all racers make their way to the racetrack."

The three racers go to the track together. All take their spots. "Can you hear me kid." Docs voice comes over the comms.

"Yep, loud and clear." Lightning responds.

"Ok, keep your head in the game."

"You got it Doc."