Zero to Eighty

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

A surge of air whipped Kenzie's long, black tresses to one side, as her head followed the direction of the roaring engines that rapidly passed. Known for her bright, million-dollar-smile, Kenzie grinned from ear to ear as she stood with her chest pressed against the balcony railing watching the impressively enhanced cars battle in their own rink. Below her was a makeshift racetrack, made from the remains of the abandoned airport now dubbed "The Warehouse."

"Come on Regan! Kick his butt!" Kenzie jumped up and down, sticking the pink lollipop back into her mouth, and grasping the rails with both hands. The two cars, a dark blue and a yellow, were neck and neck as they made their way down the track, swerving around the airplane graveyard.

As a high-school junior, Kenzie Suarez could pass for a freshman. Her breasts were practically nonexistent, and the rest of her lanky body lacked curves that most of her peers were already receiving. She wore little to no makeup, and kept her style simple in jeans, a plain shirt, and a pair of Chuck Taylors. With every step, Kenzie exuded innocence, and the people she spent most of her time with at The Warehouse-- her second family, did what it took to protect her.

"Your brother's got this," a voice chuckled behind Kenzie. She turned around to see a boy with brown hair wearing a grey jumpsuit and a black beanie. With his greasy hands, he held onto a dirty car part, wiping it with an even dirtier rag.

"Of course, Louis. I know that, but I can't help but to get excited for it," Kenzie beamed, turning her attention back to the race. Louis turned to look at the table next to him where a closed math book and a stack of paper sat. He stood next to Kenzie,

"Antoinette, have you finished your homework?"

"Yea, yea! Almost," Kenzie hastily replied without looking at Louis, flapping her hand in his face. Her lack of interest to talk was relevant in her tone. "And don't call me that. It's Kenzie."

"You know your brother's rules Kenzie," Louis sighed, putting an emphasis to her name, "you can't spend all your time here unless you're getting your school--"

"YES! Wooo!" Kenzie cheered with joyful shrieks, cutting off Louis from his attempt to be responsible.

Louis slammed the palm of his hands to his ears, his eye twitching from Kenzie's sudden excitement. Kenzie continued to jump, clapping her hands, and shouting with glee. She leaned over the railing to see the two cars parking. The loud engines died down to silence, and the driver side doors opened. Kenzie turned on her heel and stopped at Louis. She forced the remains of her lollipop into Louis' hand, and he dropped it in disgust. She ran through the opening and into the old airplane hanger.

A huge catwalk wrapped around the perimeter of the hanger on the second floor, decorated with license plates, hub caps, neon lights, and framed photos. Kenzie held onto the railing as she ran around the catwalk to the stairs. Her short legs hurriedly climbed down, jumping four steps onto ground level. The abandoned airplane hanger acted as a huge warehouse, an auto shop, and the ultimate party spot right outside of their home in Marlow Point, California.

"Regan!" Kenzie yelled at the top of her lungs, running out of The Warehouse and into the warm, setting sun.

"Hey Kenz!" Regan stood by his dark blue car, and held out his arms. He gave his little sister a tight hug, lifting her petit body off of the ground with ease. He put her down, "what'd you think?"

Regan stood at 6-foot, towering over Kenzie who barely hit 5-foot. He was Marlow Point's underground drag racing king, and everyone knew it. He was muscular, and had a complete sleeve of tattoos on his right arm-- Kenzie's birthdate in Roman numerals among the gallery of ink. Gauged ears, a backwards snapback, a bright smile, and of course his dark blue Subaru Impreza, were part of Regan's everyday accessories.

"Ah-may-zing! You were incredible, as always!" Kenzie spoke with her hands, gesturing her passion through big movements. This caused a few snickers from a group of boys sitting off to the side on the bleachers.

"Here she goes again," a small boy with curly hair, and green eyes groaned to himself. Harry was short, thin, and drowned in his oversized shirt, as he faced his two friends-- Zayn, with black hair, clutching onto a black backpack graffitied with silver Sharpie drawn cartoons; and Liam, with messy, dirty blonde hair, who held a pen to his notebook, scribbling a trail of chevron patterns down the page. "God, she's such a prat. I can't believe Regan is actually related to her."

"So my racing was top-notch as usual?" Regan always turned to Kenzie for advice, because if there was anyone who was going to hit him with the truth, it was his sister.

"Speed will be something you will always have on your side, bro. But around those tight corners, you need to work on those drifting skills… I think it's more of your car, than your actual driving I think," Kenzie postulated, and pointed to the perfectly crafted car next to her.

"See, this is why you're my partner! You always got my back," Regan flashed a smile, and gave Kenzie a high-five. "And speaking of always having my back, I will always have yours. Which reminds me--"

"Louis didn't lecture me about homework, so I never got to finish," Kenzie quickly interrupted, an expression of shame on her face. Regan's eyebrows furrowed, and his head snapped to Louis who came into the scene at the wrong time. He held up his hands in defense,

"What?!"

"You can think about your homework later, because right now we have to celebrate!" Regan cheered, a suspicious emphasis to the word celebrate.

Just then, several of Regan's friends exited The Warehouse and surrounded Kenzie. At the top of their lungs, Regan and many others sang Happy Birthday, while a cake with sixteen burning candles was being pushed out on top of a movable tool box.

"Oh my gosh," Kenzie gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. She was so surprised with Regan and her second family's act of kindness, making her sixteenth birthday one to remember. As the birthday song ended, Kenzie stood in a circle surrounded by several people, including her cheeky schoolmates.

"Make a wish! Make a wish!" someone yelled.

Kenzie closed her eyes, and even though most birthday wishes don't come true, she relished in the hope that her's could. Kenzie opened her eyes, leaned in towards the cake, and blew out all the candles. A cheer erupted from the crowd, as a wave of 'happy birthdays' filled her ears.

"Thank you guys, so much! This is the nicest, most bestest thing ever!" Kenzie's reception to the surprise was genuine in her soft-spoken, yet high-pitched voice.

"Yea, yea, yea. Can we have cake now?" Harry rudely asked. Kenzie rolled her eyes.

"I'm with the kid," Louis agreed, pointing at him with his thumb.

"Yes," Regan groaned, then chuckled, "go for it. Now I can give one of Kenzie's birthday presents."

"Yes!" Louis ran towards the cake, grabbing a plate and cutting himself a large slice.

"Wait, you have a present for me?" Kenzie looked up at her brother.

"It's your birthday, isn't it?" Regan questioned with a mischievous grin. "Come on, follow me."

Kenzie nodded and followed Regan back into The Warehouse, leaving the crowd alone with the sugary delight. Regan took Kenzie to one of the back garages on the other side of the main hanger. He bent down, grasped the latch and unlocked the metal door. With all his strength, Regan pulled up the garage door, loud grinding gears echoing in their ears, as the metal barricade slid up and into the garage ceiling. Kenzie's eyes widened when seeing her present displayed before her.

"Is this mine?" Kenzie asked, walking towards the beautiful red Nissan Skyline before her.

"It's all yours," Regan affirmed. "I built this baby from the ground up, and it's as safe as any luxury car in town. But faster of course."

"I don't know what to say," Kenzie professed. Her fingers touched the smooth paint job, sticking her head into the open window to examine the clean interior. A train of small white silhouetted birds lined the bottom of the driver side of the door, till it faded into the glossy red beneath it.

"Don't say anything, just drive," Regan stated, holding up the keys. Kenzie grinned from ear to ear as Regan threw the keys towards his sister. She caught it, and immediately sat in the driver's seat.

"Ahh, oh my gosh!" Kenzie's high-pitched shrill startled Regan, though he joined in on the excitement too.

"What are you waiting for? Drive this shit already!" Regan demanded, hitting the steering wheel from the passenger seat.

Kenzie stuck the key into the ignition and turned it. A thunderous boom escaped the car, and the entire vehicle rumbled. She stopped breathing for a moment, feeling an indescribable sensation ignite within her. Kenzie lightly tapped the gas pedal, and a baby thunderclap resonated in their ears.

"This. Is. Awesome!" Kenzie hysterically laughed with such great thrill, her cheeks red from her hard smiles. She slipped her arms through the 'backpack strap' seatbelt, and buckled herself in. She took a deep breath inward, taking the car off of its break, and changing the gear. She smirked, and licked her lips with anticipation. She stepped on the gas, and drove the car out of the garage, passing the cake-filled crowd.

Their attention turned to the shiny red car that rapidly hit the racetrack into the sunset. The smile never escaped Kenzie's face as she drove her new car around the same track that she watched Regan race several times. She switched gears with ease, just how Regan taught her; swerving around, and underneath the airplanes. She didn't even have her license yet, but passing her driver's test was going to be no problem. Kenzie felt at ease, forgetting that the passenger seat next to her was occupied. All she felt was her, the wheel, and the track before her. Nothing else existed; it was as close to flying as she could get.

After looping around the track, breaking in the new set of tires, Kenzie drove back to The Warehouse, parking the car next to Regan's blue one. The small crowd approached the car, checking out the souped-up vehicle that graced their presence.

"Dude, come on. That car is sick!" Liam exclaimed, pulling onto Zayn's arm. Harry huffed in annoyance and slight jealously before joining the excited horde of car-lovers alike.

Kenzie jumped out of the driver's seat, and Louis was the first to give her a high-five, followed by Liam, Zayn, and the rest of the crowd. Harry scoffed. Regan grabbed Kenzie into a headlock,

"Do you love it? Isn't it awesome?"

"I love it! I love it! I love it! Thank you Regan! You're the best brother ever!" Kenzie declared proudly. Regan took his arm off Kenzie, and together they proceeded to do their 'secret' handshake-- something, besides cars, that connected the siblings.

"Antoinette Mackenzie!" a stern voice suddenly bellowed.

The animated conversation about Kenzie's new car faded into silence, as their heads turned in the direction of the authoritarian voice. Standing in all her opulent glory, was Nora Suarez in a muted rose colored tweed skirt, matching blazer, and expensive heels. Her arms were crossed on her chest, and she tapped her foot in frustration. Next to her in the same power and classy splendor was Ella Suarez. A thin, young woman with long black, loosely curled hair, and a light pink chiffon summer dress.

"Mom? Ella?" Kenzie walked towards her mother, and older sister.

"What are you doing here? Honey I told you I don't want you spending time here, surrounded by these--" Nora paused for a moment, silently scrutinizing the tattoo-piercing infested crew. She cringed and added with a whisper, "these criminals."

"Come on Antoinette, let's go home so we can celebrate your birthday," Ella grabbed her little sister's hand and tried to save her from the so-called criminals, but Kenzie pulled her hand away. Ella turned back around, eyebrows furrowed.

"What the hell is going on?" Regan chimed in. Nora stepped towards him,

"Regan what are you thinking bringing her here? It's dangerous enough that's she's riding around in your car, but to let her spend time with all your friends? I can't even fathom the type of things they may be teaching her. You're a bad influence on Antoinette."

"A bad influence, really mom? Because if teaching Kenzie, to be a strong-willed, independent, and non-materialistic girl is a fucking problem, then let's keep causing trouble!" Regan expressed. "You're just sour that she sees me more of a role model, than some dip shit prude like Ella!"

"Stop! She's a young girl. Not some import model whore, displaying herself on top of cars. She's not right for this scene," Ella disclosed. She grabbed Kenzie's arm again, "come on, we're leaving."

"I want to stay here with Regan," Kenzie softly spoke. Trying to defend herself in the midst of the strong personalities around her proved to be difficult.

"Honey, we've got a beautiful dinner waiting for you. Dad will be home soon. Remember that expensive and stunning Roberto Cavalli dress we bought you for this day? Let's get you cleaned up so you can finally wear it," Nora explained, trying to convince Kenzie to admit defeat and join her. Nora turned back to Regan, "I am taking her, and if you love your sister like I know you do, then I will expect you home at a decent time, ready to cut her cake. She's safer at home, and you know it."

Nora grabbed her daughter's arm, and roughly pulled her away from the scene. Kenzie turned her head to look at Regan with tears in her eyes, hoping for one last fight from her brother. Her expression pleaded for help, and Regan took one step forward, guilt on his face. But he just let her go. He exhaled deeply, and called out to her for the last time ever,

"Kenzie! I'll see you later, okay!?"

Notes

Yay! So this is my second fanfiction on the site, and so I really hope you all will enjoy this one! For those of you who have read my other story, TO FALL SO DEEP, this one is a bit darker, more mature, and came to me during my spring break when I went to Newport Beach with my family hahaha. Anyway, please give me feedback if you have any-- constructive criticism is always welcome. Vote up, and subscribe too! Thanks so much for reading!


-Erica Jaine <3