"Finally, we've arrived!"
As the boys pulled into the cross street where Nevin Rivers, one of their classmates from AP English Literature with the monotonous MacMillan, residence was located, they could already see that the party was underway and they'd arrived right on time. While Eddie steered Christine down Guilder Street past 27th in his search for a parking spot, Rollie watched the cars parked in the parking and driveways to see if he could recognize some of the cars belonging to fellow seniors at Carpenter High. His lily-colored eyes scanned the vehicles, which included a bumblebee-striped Camaro and a crimson Corvette Stinger before locking on to a white Ford Mustang with a royal blue stripe running through its hood.
"Yo! Check it out! That's Johnny Karrington's ride!"
Eddie Knight glanced out of the window of the Plymouth, the eerie green light of the dashboard splashing across his glowering face. To the teen in the passenger seat, it looked like his friend was operating an alien spaceship.
"For real? Dayum, I wasn't expecting that crudbucket to show up."
Rollie shrugged. "We should have foreseen it. Nevin likes to chill with the cool kids after all."
"I wouldn't consider someone like Johnny cool," Christine's owner muttered. "Oh! Behold a parking spot."
As the Fury finally pulled into the empty driveway of an adjacent house, the medium brown-haired senior and his best friend slipped out and turned to head to the ranch style house with dark mud-colored tiles on 1482 Guilder Street. The sound of a hard bass and reveling party goers greeted them as they strode across the street. The duo froze when they spied none other than Johnny boy himself standing in front of the entrance, smoking and chatting with his small posse. Rollie and Eddie never liked the bad boy, especially the latter due to a not so pleasant experience in middle school that included getting his book bag tossed in the dumpster. Unlike wine, Johnny hadn't gotten better with age. As the two friends approached the house, one of Johnny Boy's yes men spotted them and pointed them out, drawing the rascal's attention toward them.
Great, just what we need. A confrontation between John and Eddie. As if Eddie needs another reason for a spike in blood pressure. Well, let's play it cool and hope it doesn't escalate.
Taking a breath, the able-bodied basketball player braced himself for a confrontation with the school's least pleasant attendee.
---
No, not this fu&^ker! Why him of all greasebags?
The greasy punk with the long sienna hair approached the two right at the entrance to Nevin's front yard, his flunkeys lining behind him like sheep. "Well, what do we have here? Ritter and Knight, two noble names, but it sucks that they belong to two of the biggest dorks in Carpenter high."
The lackey's,which included Karl Scarpati, Carpenter High's striker on the soccer team , and Carlos Suarez, Nevin's cousin, laughter sounded like the braying of sheep. Ed noticed that the guests in the yard, some going in and out of the house as the speaker's blared Hollywood Undead's 'Natives' with red and purple lights flashing across the house. Among them were Alex and Cassidy as well as several people Eddie never recognized, possibly since most never been in an advanced class in their lifetime. It was like they were at a nightclub, only outdoors.
"Real mature, John." Rollie crossed his arms and shook his head incredulously. "Are we back in grade school where we name call each other? You like to label people as nerds, losers, retards, or fa*&ots, when you yourself have recently joined the game club with us. What does that make you? A basement dweller? By your logic, if all gamers are NEETs who reside in their mom's basements, then you should count yourself among them. "
Everyone in the yard, including Johnny boy's goons, ooohed as the punk in the black bomber jacket and matching jeans and boots clenched his fist. For a second, Edward was sure Johnny boy was going to belt his best friend right there, but the junkie relaxed his grip and smirked, shaking his head.
"Rollie, you have a mouth on you. Granted, it will get you in trouble one day. "
The brown-haired Honors student never wavered as he stood his ground. "You forget who assisted you in getting accepted into the autoclub. If you had the aptitude for writing initiation prompts, you wouldn't need to rely on others. Is that why you bully those you deem less than yourself to do your homework for you?"
Before the delinquent could respond, the door to the garage slid open and the host of the party, Nevin Rivers arrived, crossing his arms. The boy's orange mushroom hair glowed like a Halloween pumpkin in the flashing lights as his narrowed eyes scanned the partiers before landing on Johnny, Eddie, and Rollie.
"Dudes!" he scolded them. "Calm your tits! Chillax, will you? This is a party, for crying out loud, you are supposed to have fun!" The tacky host then turned his attention to the guests. "Now who wants to take some tequila shots?"
Cursing under his breath, John Karrington and his buddies brushed past the two as they headed to take some shots, bumping shoulders with the two good boys on their way.
"That damned jerk!" Rollie muttered. "Always has to make a show. Is his masculine ego threatened or something?"
Eddie's attention, however, was on the new figure that exited the sand-colored door of the house under the black 1482 numbering and joined Nevin in front of the garage. The proud owner of the classic Plymouth Fury felt his breathing hitch as his eyes landed on the frizzy-haired beauty from Cuba. Ever since she had helped him in Physics, he had developed feelings for Dali Rodriguez, who was dating Nevin at that time, though he was never able to convey how he felt to her. Who could blame him since no one in their right mind would profess their feelings to someone who was already spoken for? Upon seeing him, the freckled girl smiled and waved at him.
"Hey there, Eddie! It's been awhile. How have you been?"
Blushing, the JROTC cadet glanced downward, stunned that she'd address him of all people in the middle of the throng of high schoolers. Taking a steady gulp, he glanced back up to address his love interest. "Been pretty busy with AP tests and college apps and all that stuff. Yourself?"
"Pretty much, along with swim. I now have more time to join water polo and swim ever since this stud and I broke it off." Dali playfully punched Nevin in the shoulder.
Eddie's eyebrows rose. "Wait, you mean you two aren't together no more?"
The dark-skinned senior noticed Rollie stare at him with a playful look from the corner of his eye, but he didn't mind at the moment. It appeared after a long year of anticipation, he had a chance with the girl of his dreams after almost a year of agonizing over love.
"Nope," Dali replied. "We've split for about a month in a half now."
Rollie decided to speak up for the first time. "Why the sudden split? You both were thick as thieves a year ago."
Nevin spoke up through the a Fifty Cent song that blared from the loudspeakers. "Well, that's an issue. We had differences in personalities and long-term goals. Plus, her parents never approved someone who got busted jacking Mr. Hinkle's watch during sixth period."
"For real?" Rollie tried to stifle a laugh. "I bet he deserved it. I never liked the dude. For a teacher, he was too thickheaded. "
As the host of the party and his closest pal chatted, Eddie's eyes went onto Dali.
Now's my chance. It's now or never. I can't flake out now.
Clearing his throat, the iron-willed Fury driver stepped forward. Before he could utter a single word from his lips, Karl, his dirty blonde hair bright against the patio lights, stepped behind his intended recipient and wrapped his arms around her waist. To his utter horror, he leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead.
"Hey baby, I haven't forgotten you. Johnny boy needed my presence for a bit, but now I'm free."
Seeing Eddie's incredulous expression, Dali smiled at him. "As you can see, Karl and I have been together for two weeks."
As the dark-haired youth froze with disbelief, trying to register the shock, Rollie grabbed his by the elbow and dragged him off.
"Hey look! Cassie and Alex are waving us over. Let's see what they want!"
Eddie could only stare helplessly while his buddy pulled him away from the sight of his disappointment.
---
Attracted by the laughter, hoots, and howling coming from a nearby neighborhood, possibly hosting a frat party for local chapters from CSU Bakersfield, the carjacker, dressed in a black beanie and a matching coat, slunk in the shadows toward Guilder street. With the party serving as a distraction, he could use to break into the cars to find some valuables worth selling for drug money. No one will know what hit them until the party was over. By then, he'd be long gone with the partygoers being none the wiser. Feeling the light wind caress his acne ridden face, the young thief decided to make his move.
Which one of these suckers should I start with? His wide red-rimmed eyes flitted from one vehicle to another. They all seem inviting though some may have burglar alarms.
As the street punk passed by a blue and silver Chevy SS and a black BMW G6 , he pondered which one to hit when his sights came upon a remarkable sight. A scarlet and white relic of a bygone era was parked across the street, its backlights staring at him on stalks like those of an insect. For reasons unknown, this oddity drew him in like a moth to a light source.
This one stands out to me. It may be obsolete, but some people pay good money to restore these antiques. Not only may it have essential valuables inside, but I can get my hand so some of its gear like those headlights, tires, or battery and sell it on the black market. I can amass a fortune and buy all the crack I want! Even better, I can even jack this baby and sell it to the highest better. Now I need to brush up on my hotwiring skills.
His footsteps drowned out by Pitbull's "Don't stop the party", the addict made sure to stay in the shadows of the nearby houses as he sidled up to the bright car. Fortunately for him, the windows were down so no issue in getting the doors to open.
The driver must be a complete meathead to leave the windows down at a place like this during this hour. Oh, what the hell! One man's poison is another's treasure.
He leaned over and opened the door, revealing the matching interior of the vehicle. The lowlife climbed into passenger seat of the Fury, foraging for goods, a foul stench hit his nostrils, causing him to pull out.
Dayum! What is that smell? Is he hoarding a skunk inside his car?
Going for a second attempt at foraging, the addict barely had time to stuck his hand out when the door slammed shut. He had just saved his hand from being amputated in a nick of time. However, he didn't remember shutting the door.
How did that happen? I didn't touch the door. Was it the wind? I swear I didn't feel a breeze.
He tried to unlock the door, but was forced to pull his hand back as the window slid up. He moved onto the other windows, but the moment he tried to stick his hand inside, they closed onto him. Something weird was happening, something that went beyond his ability to reason.
"Hello? Anyone inside?"
He took a glance through the windows, but saw no one inside the vehicle. Surely, this hunk of junk wasn't operated from buttons on a key like modern cars. He doubted it was even automatic.
Maybe it's my mind playing tricks. I don't remember shooting some antifreeze. Or maybe I had and the effects are muddling my memory. Screw it! I'm going to get inside this steel deathtrap if it's the last thing I do!
He set his Adidas duffel bag down and pulled out a crowbar. The street rat would force his way if he had to. Bellowing, he tried to pry open the door with the crowbar, or even break the glass, but he only succeeded in causing small cracks in the passenger window. Cursing, the frustrated stoner struck the side of the door. To his horror, the crowbar broke in half, one half cutting his cheek as it seperated, drawing a bit of blood in addition to eliciting a searing pain.
"Augh!" He shouted as he felt his cheek. He pulled away, gritting his teeth pain. Checking out his hand, he saw vermillion liquid cover the bulk of his palm.
The cut must be that deep, huh? I'll make sure this vehicle pays the ultimate price.
Suddenly, the lights of the Plymouth Fury turned on as if activated by the thug's thoughts. If that wasn't any weirder, a crackling sound like popping Rice Krispies was heard. Blinking rapidly, he tried to tell him that his eyes were playing tricks on him, but the spiderweb cracks that appeared on the windshield had dissipated. It was like they weren't even there.
Okay, this is just weird. I'm tripping again.
To make matters worse, "Bad to the Bone" blared on in the radio, taking him by surprise.
"Who's there? This ain't funny! Show yourself! This is a sick prank!"
The addict then tripped on the ledge of a brick divider that divided houses from driveways and fell onto the cement behind the scarlet Fury. Music still blaring, the car started its engines with a rumbling roar of a jungle beast. The would-be carjacker lay there, his eyes wide in disbelief as the car revved its engines repeatedly as if preparing to race.
What the hell is going on? I swear I saw no one inside the car. How is this thing on?
He then tried to rise, but a woozy feeling took over his mind. He tried once more.
What's happening to me? It feels like I took a whole whiff of ganja. I don't remember doing so.
As he felt his consciousness gradually ebbing away, the addict glanced up at the taillights of the classic car, which reminded him of the leering eyes of a gloating woman. The expiring punk knew something was fishy, but he couldn't figure out what as his mind became addled from the excess carbon monoxide he inhaled.
Stop laughing at me, you crazy skank!
---
"That's quite a ride you got there, Johnny."
From the table he , Rollie, Cassidy, and Alex were seated, Eddie, sipping from his Corona beer bottle, glanced over at Nevin as he pored over the white and blue Mustang. The others, including Dali and Karl, the latter who had his arm draped around the former's waist, were checking out the tough guy's car, even running their hands over it, while the four AP World History classmates gathered around the table, drinking or playing cards. It seemed that they were the only people attending the party who weren't fawning over the greaser's car.
"I don't get it," Rollie stated. "Why did your cousin have to invite a dirtbag like John over?"
Cassie giggled as she tossed a strand of her light blonde hair off the tip of her black glasses. "Perhaps Carlos is in the group and he wants to stay in Johnny's good graces by inviting him. Or he is being a gracious guy and not leaving out anyone. "
Alex nodded as he sipped from a hole made in his Budlight can by a switch knife. "That would have been a dick move."
"How is barring a dick from a party a dick move?" Eddie grumbled. "This little rave would be a better place without him and his sheep."
Alex chuckled, wiping some beer from his stubbled chin. " Nah, you just mad that he's getting all the flame right now. I never knew you the one to be jealous of a punk like Karrington."
"It's not even that!" Eddie groaned, burying his face into his palms. "The fool made my life miserable since our days in Akkad Middle School. I don't miss those atomic wedgies or getting my Algebra book flushed down the toilet, or attempting to be flushed."
Cassie giggled loudly. "I remember that day! The janitor told everyone the toilet was clogged that time. I wondered why until Alex here told me."
"Yeah," their companion, wearing the Giants cap, admitted, suppressing a laugh. "I did too until I saw Eddie standing over the toilet, clutching a soggy math book. The expression on his face was priceless, you should have seen it."
As Cassie and Alex burst out laughing, Eddie noticed from the side that Rollie couldn't resist joining. The Fury driver rolled his eyes as he sipped his drink, listening to Jason Derulo and trying to tune out the three nerds' jabs.
"Very funny, guys. Can you give it a rest, please?"
"Yo, Knight! Is that your car over there?"
Taken back by Johnny's outburst, the dark-haired JROTC cadet whirled around to see John Karrington and his crew glance at him. The other three people that were with Eddie did likewise. He noticed the hooligan point at Christine with a bling-clad finger. Ed chuckled as he rose from his seat.
"Yeah? How did you guess?"
Johnny Boy shook his head, a devious smirk playing on his lips. "It looks like something you'd get from an antique sale, a junkyard, or a garage or yard sale. That's typical of you. Tell me, did Dennis Garaglino sell you this? "
All eyes in the yard went on the dark-eyed youth as he felt his teeth clench together.
"Why do you wanna know? You want something like Christine from him, too? Well, I hate to break it to you, buddy, but the Fury was the last in his stock."87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbjSDZG6y5
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As laughter rang through the air, Johnny looked as if he was about to make a snappy comeback, but held back. Instead, he revealed something that seemed like words of advice, but in a mocking tone.
"You should know better than to accept anything Garaglino claims to sell at a bargain price. That slimebag usually has some ulterior motive and uses his silver tongue to gain profits. Everyone knows this. "
Eddie didn't fall for the bait. "I appreciate your insight, but I am more than pleased with my purchase. Who wouldn't want a babe that can zoom up to 120 miles per hour? That's right, I said miles, not kilometers."
"Really now?" Johnny crossed his arms. "Care to demonstrate."
Eddie nodded, an eager smile forming on his mouth. "I'd be much obliged. Follow me, ladies and gentlemen."
As Eddie brushed past John and his gang, Alex came up to him. "You seriously have an oldie that can break speeds that will tear apart any modern car?"
"Wait and see, my friend. Here we are. Behold, my dear Christine!"
Cassie suddenly shrieked and pointed to the ground. "OMG! What's that under the car?"
Eva, their classmate with her dark her in bangs and her midriff bared, raised a brow as she crouched down to check on what the blonde girl had seen.
"It looks like a corpse."
All eyes fixed upon the owner of the car in question.
"Did you run over that man as you came here?" Carlos narrowed his brown eyes.
Rollie had noticed something the others didn't. "Guys, there is no blood or guts underneath this man. Besides, there are no skid marks on the dude. He looks like a stoner who ODed on meth or whatever he was on. Judging by how warm his body is, he might have expired recently. The stuff he was on might have been strong."
"Or he could have died of carbon monoxide poisoning," Alex added, pointing at the exhaust pipe above the man.
"Should we call the cops or something?" Dali asked, standing close to Karl."I mean, wouldn't be suspicious to have a body lying under the car unreported?"
"Nah, no one has to know." Karl wrapped his arms around her waist. "It's not like anyone will miss a druggie like him. Just put him to the side and claim deniability if asked. Junkies overdosing are common in these parts at this time."
"Yeah, anyhow, who wants to see the proof my ride can gun up to 120?" Eddie asked, unperturbed by the corpse under his car.
"You talk too much," Nevin said with a groan. "Just show us."
"With pleasure."
Eddie opened Christine's door and showed everyone the eerie green dashboard. Stunned and amazed gasps were emitted by the partyers as their fellow's claims were confirmed. Johnny chewed his lip in either pensiveness or jealousy, but he displayed a mischievous smile.
"It appears you weren't pulling our legs with your claims. However, you man enough to put your ride's ability to exhibition for everyone?"
"How do you propose we do that?" Eddie put his hands on his hips.
"Glad you asked." Johnny put a hand on his shoulder. "How about you race your ride against me and my boys to prove that you are worthy of your car's abilities?"
Rollie narrowed his eyes. "Now wait a minute, that's not a good idea! Not only is it dangerous-"
Eddie raised a hand to cut him off. "I accept!"
A look of shock and disbelief crossed Rollie as everyone else hooted in anticipation. Johnny boy reached out his hand and Eddie took it to shake on it.
"Let's see what you are made of!"
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