Are you scared?

3. Very well, Cara mia!

I didn't understand why I was so damn excited. It must've been because I knew I would win. Or maybe the promise of seeing Francesco finally out of his racing outfit.
"You're almost shinin'. You good?" Mater put his hand on my shoulder and smiled.
Shining?
No, surely not.
"Yes. Today I have an important race with the famous Francesco Bernoulli." I said maybe too hyped. Okay, I should calm down; it was just a stupid race. "Woooow! That's so cool! Tell me later how it went!" He was as excited as I was. It was a shame he was still working.

I felt like a little child waiting for his parent. I shoved my hand into my blonde hair and tried to calm myself down. It wasn't my first race, but it felt... Special, somehow. Fuck, I must've been going crazy again. The sound of the engine getting near pulled me out of my train of thought. I looked in that direction and smiled.

"So~ Did you sleep well, princess?" He looked at me as he took off his helmet. His F1 was still purring, the engine cooling off after being pushed the whole trip. "If Francesco's a princess, he's the prettiest princess in the entire World." He smiled before covering his yawn with the back of his hand. "You know, in Formula, the race won't even be possible for you," I said and leaned on the capot of my car, which I cleaned that morning.
"What?" His black eyes landed on his car with a hint of displeasure. It didn't take long for that same look to be pointed at me. "The track I choose. It's going through some hard terrains." I said and crossed my arms on my chest. The displeasure transformed into something more hungry for blood. Fuck.
"Francesco doesn't have any other car." He copied my crossed arms, but his height made it almost intimidating. However, I have the audacity of somebody who is his height. I wasn't about to back out. "Yeah, I know," escaped a mumble from my lips. My head turned in the direction where Sally's motel was situated. The motel comically hovered over the small city of Radiator Springs.
"You can rest there. Sally will be glad to see you. She likes you for some reason."
"Women love Francesco because Francesco is not covering anything." he winked, and I signed. I remembered all the compilations of this man without his shirt, pants dangerously low on his hips as he waved his prize. "Yeah, so you Italian nudist, want some rest? I know that trip from Italy to America must be hard." It was a genuine concern since I knew how time zones fucked one up. "Francesco does not need rest!" I nodded and looked at the circles under his eyes, messy hair and something one could only call a "dying man" posture.
"I think Francesco can't cover anything because Francesco isn't able to lie," I said and put my hand on his shoulder to turn him in the direction of Sally's motel. "I want a great race, and with you half asleep... It would be, first: dangerous, and second, it won't be that great to win," I said and winked. He laughed before pulling me closer to hug me around my shoulders. "If Lightning is so worried about me, then Francesco will submit to you." He said with a little smile. "Great. Will Francesco follow me to the place of rest?" Did I do it again? Oh my god, his presence has had a bad influence on me.

I knocked on Sally's door and waited with Francesco by my side.
"Is she pretty?" I looked at him and frowned. "Prettiest person in Radiator Springs, to say so myself." He smiled and made up his hair. Should I take that as a warning? Is he after her? "Yes, Lightning, I have stuff to~" She looked at my company and stopped. Her cheeks grew red as she nearly salivated. "Oh my god! You are Francesco Bernoulli!" She was smiling like crazy. Why I never got this reaction?! I won many more times! I am cooler! And she saw me without a shirt!

"Very well, Cara mia!" He bowed and kissed her hand. With every charming smile he gave, Sally got even more flustered. It got as far as him getting uncomfortably close to her.
Why is she getting this much attention? Wait, what? Oh, never mind!
"He needs a place to rest. Sally!" Even snapping my fingers couldn't get her out of that trans. She was all over Francesco, who happily reciprocated her affections. "Sally." He showed his white teeth in a big smile. Okay, now I'm getting offended! Wasn't I the reason he was here?
"I told you, Lightning, women love men who have nothing to hide." He whispered into my ear, his grin very audible in every syllable leaving his lips. "Yeah, yeah. Just get a room, and I'll be at Flo's." I stuck my hands into my pockets and walked away. I needed to clean my head.

While walking, I kicked a rock, trying not to imagine Francesco's face, but it was hard. Maybe he was right, and I was wrong. That would really suck because I would never admit to that. I looked at the neon signboard 'V8 cafe' with a puzzled look. "Is she that much better than me?" I shook my head, I needed a drink.