I parked my BMW next to Maria. I couldn't see Robert anywhere in the field and hence I sat in the car, waiting for him to show up. As I was early, I pulled out my phone and earplugs, staring at a few you-tube videos of racers.

Ever since Robert introduced me to the videos, though I had complained about it, I had got used to them. Now, even without anyone telling me I was watching them like I was an addict. Today I was watching an interview of Enzo Ferrari, and I was transfixed about his story.

A loud tap on the window of my car, broke me from my concentration. I was startled and I looked at the window to see Dan waving at me. I nodded and switched off the phone as I got down.

"Hey, Scar!" He greeted with a lung crushing hug. "It's been such a long time since we talked! How have you been?"

I laughed at his enthusiasm. "Yeah, it's been a long time. I'm great."

"Happy birthday." He kissed my cheeks once he had let go of me. He pulled out a small box from his pocked and handed it to me. "Birthday present."

My eyes bulged and I looked alternatively from him to the present. The gift was wrapped in newspaper and I thought it was the most special gift I had ever got. I unwrapped it and pulled out a key chain.

"Oh, my God!" I said, pulling him in for another hug. "It's so cool. I love it! Thank you so much."

I pulled away to look at his gift again. It was a key chain made of screws and nuts that one found it lying in the garage, but who could have thought it would be so beautiful when they were placed together? It was a trendy design and it looked like a dog in one angle and a human in another.

"I thought it should be something related to here." He waved his hands around the tracks. "Since it was your home place and all." He rubbed his neck nervously. "I hope you like it. This side," He gestured to the key chain. "It's supposed to be a tiger and the other a girl. So I thought it would represent you in some way."

"Danny!" I almost cried about his thinking. He was so sweet and I could have never asked for anyone better than him. "I love you so much. This means a lot to me."

"Since you'll be driving all this year." He said. "It should act as your talisman - at least that's what I hope it is going to be."

I smiled at him, admiring the beautifully joined screws. His unspoken words were enough to tell me that I was now going into a world where things were different and scary. 

"It'll be with me all the time." I promised, clutching it close to my heart.

"That reminds me. You got into a race." Dan said with a proud smile. "A week from today. Practice hard, sweetheart, there's a lot of expectations from you."

"Oh, well..." I started. "Will you be there?"

"Of course," Dan waved his hand in the air, thinking how dumb was I to not get it in the first place. "I am not going to miss my favorite girl's race."

I smiled at him. "Thank you."

"I should get going though, but meet Calvin before you go." Dan said. "There are certain things to take care of before you land in the game."

I nodded my head and went ahead as Dan directed. I made my way up to Calvin's office and as expected, Calvin was sitting on his desk looking at a file when I knocked and entered.

"My sweet girl." He welcomed me with big arms and a bigger smile. He asked me to sit on one of the plush chairs as he took the leather one behind the desk.

I smiled at him, confidently, not wanting him to have any doubts on me.

"I think you have already heard the news." Calvin said and I nodded my head, my nerves still intact. "The race is going to be in Nevada, next week - Thursday to be precise."

"Oh," I said, not knowing what else to add to that. "Is it a legal one?"

"Yeah," Calvin smiled. "Edward had asked me to put you to only those."

"That's good." I said, not wanting to get into any illegal nonsense. I had had enough of those to last for my entire life.

"But you should know that Ashley's one is illegal." Calvin added silently. "I thought you should get used to it, so I wanted you to be in those. But, Ed isn't flexible."

Though legal races had insurances to cover for, illegal ones didn't have one and if found to be a participant, then it was sure that I could be behind bars for a very long time. If I chose the legal path, then I wouldn't have any experience in the illegal stuffs.

"Since you are eighteen now." He looked at a few papers for confirmation, "You can make a choice."

I gave him a nervous smile. "Can I think about it?"

"Sure." He placed the papers on the table and leaned forward, entwining his fingers in front of him. "Think about it. It's not that easy, I know. But make a wise decision."

I nodded my head. "If my answer is yes, then..."

Calvin smiled devilishly. "Then there would be a contract for the duration you tell, stating that you would work for us with a royalty of 30% for us and if you were caught in any case or unfortunately dead, then you are solely responsible for it."

I raised my eyebrows at him, silently asking him if he was serious.

Calvin laughed at my expression. "Don't worry Scar, it's just procedure. The training will be more intense but you'll be great."

"And if I don't?"

"The royalty still holds the same value and the contract duration depends on you." Calvin shrugged. "Most of your training is done here, you will be on races as long as you want to."

"Then doesn't this sound better option to any sane person?" I asked.

"You don't understand, sweetheart." Calvin smiled, taking my hand in his. "If you take up illegal, then there is no stopping you."

I looked at him, not yet convinced.

"You will become legend." He said. "That's what racing's all about."

---

I had seen illegal races and I was not sure if I was cut for it. But thinking about it, it made me realize that I was not prepared for the normal races either, yet here I was with my second project in hand with a huge expectation package on my back.

That made me hope that perhaps there was a chance for me too.

Ashley had made it clear that I would be racing an illegal one with her. Though I had met her only once, I knew she already was a legend. Now, I was given a chance to be like her.

Winning her with top training was something I wanted my CVs to hold. I was given an opportunity and I didn't want to waste it. It would make me invincible and powerful, instead of what I was today - weak and ambivalent.

My daily lifts and pushes were over very soon as I thought about my next step. Should I be safe or should I be wise? Should I be content or should I be adventurous?

I missed my counts on the push-ups and did an extra twenty. I got up and shook my nerves free. Today's sessions were over and I wanted to take my questions home and fry them over sleep.

"Done for the day?" Robert asked, walking towards me, holding a ragged cloth, wiping the grease on his hands. He was not looking at me, cleaning his hands perfectly. "Heard you had a little adventure in school today."

I was breathing heavily from the exercises. "I... How... did you know?"

"I have my ways, babe." He said, with a smile on his face. "I was expecting you to come running to me asking me to beat up the guy."

I rolled my eyes, placing my hands on my waist, trying to breath properly. "I took care of it."

"I'm proud of you." He said, looking into my eyes. His smile was sincere as if telling me that I had done a good job. "Brian was an asshole anyway."

"He is." I corrected. "Though I'm guessing, he would not sit still with a revenge planned on me."

Robert laughed. "Good luck to him."

I laughed along pushing him away. The contact made me remember the conversation with Nick and it soon made me guilty. My smile dropped immediately and I walked away towards my bag to get home.

"Let's watch some Gustov's racing skills today." He walked next to me. "What the hell happened to your hand? You hit him that hard?"

Robert's laugh made me want to join him, but the remorse was eating me alive. "You watched the video?" I asked not wanting to look at him.

"I still have it." He beamed, pulling his phone from his pocket to show me.

"What? Send it to me!" I said, shocked that he had the video. "Brian made it go down the net. It was gaining so much views."

Robert laughed again. "Let's get home. I'll do everything you tell me to do." I laughed at his innuendo, pushing him away. My laughs died again and I dropped my hands. "What's wrong, sweet pea?"

I stopped short. This was difficult. I had reached a comfortable spot with Robert yet I was here, making things awkward again. Robert turned towards me, taking my face in his hands, making me look at him.

"I'll watch those videos alone today." I said, breathing shakily. I had loved watching the races with him. He made them interesting even if some of them were boring. "From all days from now on."

"What?" He asked, taken aback. "Why? I'm sure you are not asking this because Edward caught you."

"How... how did you know that?" I stuttered, still wondering how he had caught on things that were very close to me.

"Edward had called me in the morning asking me to keep an eye on you." Robert shrugged. "He already knew that we were sneaking in and out, but he seemed cool."

I put my hand on my head. I wanted to use that excuse to cover things up but Dad had made sure to do it for me.

"Still, I want this to end." I said, looking away. I sounded lame and fake to my own ears. I didn't know what I wanted to end. My friendship? My tutoring? My snuggles?

"What the heck is wrong with you?" He asked, raising his voice. "I thought you liked it."

I did. I still do. But with Nick's feelings on board, I didn't think I was making things right by hanging around him.

"Fine," Robert sighed. "Just tell me why and I will walk away."

I didn't utter a word thinking that he would leave eventually assuming me to be rude. But no, he crossed his hands looking at me for answers.

"Nick likes you!" I shouted, tears pricking my eyes. I didn't know why I was crying. "He... I can't do this to him. If I am with you, then I would be hurting him."

"Why are you thinking about what he feels?" Robert put his hands in the air, making me understand. "He's a big boy, he can take care of himself!"

"I can't do that, Rob." I wiped my eyes. "Seeing you with me will crush him and I can't let that happen."

"Because you love him?" Robert asked and I nodded, not able to form words. "Even if I did agree to hang out with him, will he not hurt you because he's not with you?"

"It's different!" I said, my cries increased. He was pointing out the things I had pushed far away. "I can't hurt him."

"That gives him the right to hurt you?" Robert's words pierced the soundless sky. "For once Scarlet, just do things for yourself!

I looked away.

"You are hurting, baby." He put his hands on my shoulder, trying to convince me. "Be selfish for once! It is not okay for anyone to walk over you and still expect you to bounce back every time."

"I just can't," I said, my voice too low for him to hear.

"Fine!" Robert pushed me away. "Go ahead! Let me know when you get your head out of your ass. You need to learn to accept things and move on. Sacrificing your happiness for someone is not worth it this time."

He walked away, throwing the rag cloth on the way, leaving me behind with tears rolling down my cheeks.

---

A/N: On the scale of 1 to 10, how stupid do you think our Scarlet is? Let me know how's the story so far? Please don't miss to press that vote and give me your comments to me. And if you like the story, please share it!