//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Choosing Friends // Story: Street Dreams // by DJDJ //------------------------------// 10:40 in the evening, I was hanging out in a fast food joint, abusing the free soda refills. A shadow was cast over and I look up to find three girls standing over me. The orange one, who gave off the impression of being their “ringleader” had her hand on my table. I looked around the restaurant briefly, then to the leader. “Can I help you?” “Just admiring the view.” The leader purred enticingly. I’m pretty sure this is some kind of trick. “Would you mind?” She gestured to the table. I shrugged “Do what you want.” She sat straight across from me and her friends pulled up some chairs to sit at a table which was really only meant for two. I looked around myself and gestured to all of the girls around me. “Y’all three got names or what?” They each took turns in saying. “Adagio.” The gold one mused resting her chin on her hands. “Aria” The purple one spoke indifferently sitting back in her chair looking as though she’d rather be elsewhere. “Sonata.” The blue one chirped with a cheesy grin plastered on her face. “What about YOU?” Aria demanded, still avoiding eye contact. I cautiously took a sip of my soda and carefully shook my head. This is definitely not right, especially the girl’s presence, something about it is vaguely…bewitching. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment to snap myself out of this funk. The clock read 10:53. I stood up. “If you don’t mind ladies…” Adagio interrupted me. “So soon? I felt like we were just starting to make friends.” She pined, elongating the word “friends” for some reason. “You wouldn’t happen to be passing by…Luna Drive, would you?” Sonata cooed at me seductively. “What makes you think that?” I accuse more than ask. “Well, we just saw you talking to the Wonderbrooms at lunch today. I hear they might be looking for fresh blood.” Aria spoke up, still avoiding eye contact. Adagio added “And we were just on our way to meet a friend who happens to hang out around there.” These girls were undeniably attractive, but there was still something so strange about them, I still can’t figure what exactly caused me to ask what I asked next. “Y’all ladies want a lift?” We were definitely in the right place. With all these flashy modified cars lining the streets I could hardly miss it. I cruised along the streets even spotting the Wonderbolts all huddled up. Before I could even make a move Adagio’s hand was on the steering wheel. “Keep going, we want to find our friend.” She commanded, I obediently tapped the gas pedal and we were away. After a few minutes with the sound of my exhaust…and everyone else’s to break the silence Adagio pointed to an old red pickup truck. “That’s her.” I backed into the space next to it, engine to the street, I didn’t plan on showing off the engine, it just made for a quicker get away. Everyone piled out of the car and the three girls wasted no time approaching a blonde girl talking to someone that looked related to her. “Honest Applejack…” Adagio chimed mockingly. “…So lovely to see you again. It’s been too long.” Applejack turned and glared at the trio. “Not long enough for my taste.” She quipped with a delightful southern accent. “What in tarnation y’all want anyhow? “ She demanded placing her hands on her hips. The trio giggled to each other, they successfully confused both Applejack and me, her…cousin? Brother? He seemed to have no investment in the conversation. Adagio walked closer to Applejack swaying her hips provocatively. She leaned into her until they were inches apart. “Not much…” She purred. Sonata then added “Just what we’re owed.” And I swear she winked at me, like…was she eaves dropping on me at lunch? The indifferent red giant stirred. “Whatever y’all want, wherever it is you headed, y’all best get to goin.” The trio of girls burst into giggle fits. The big red guy Applejack was talking to had stepped up between AJ and Adagio. Once they got control of themselves again, Adagio leaned into the man “Don’t you fret, we were just on our way…bumpkin.” She flicked his chin with her finger. Again they all burst out laughing. Adagio came back to me putting both her hands on my shoulder and pressing her lips against my cheek. “Thanks for the ride, handsome.” She chimed, as they walked away, Adagio ran her hand seductively across my cheek and Sonata bumped…pushed Applejack with her hips. “What’s up with them?” I asked meandering up to Applejack watching the trio walk away, there was something enticing about the way each of them walked. Applejack turned to and scolded me. “I should be asking what’s up with YOU. Who even are you? What in tarnation would you be driving the likes of the Dazzlings around for?” I shook my head to snap out of their hypnotizing movements. “Sorry I’m…wait, the Dazzlings? Is that what they call themselves?” “You should know, driving them around like their fancy pants limo zeen show fer.” Applejack waved her hands to underscore her sarcasm in calling me their chauffer. “Unless you just started going to CHS in the last two weeks…” I shrugged and smiled innocently, unable to articulate a response. She put a hand to her face. “Oh for Pete’s sake, you must be that new feller the Wonderbolts was interested in. I’m sorry sugar cube, the Dazzlings just been nothing but a thorn in everyone’s side since they got to CHS. The Wonderbolts is just down the other way if you’re interested.” She pointed behind me. I turned to look, then back to AJ and shrugged. “I’m not.” I reached out a hand to her. “Applejack right?” Applejack took my hand in an impressive grip, but I was careful not to flinch. “That’s me, AJ if you like; this here’s my big brother Big Macintosh.” The big red guy nodded to me indifferently and I nodded back. “Whats you’re-“ Her big brother nudged her shoulder cutting her off. AJ looked back at Mac and he motioned for her to get in the truck. When she turned back to me she asked. “Guess it’s time we head home. How ‘bout you? Ready to get some shut eye?” As she finished her question a nearby car spun it’s tires billowing smoke from the wheels which drifted over to us. AJ tried to wave the smoke out of her face and I replied “Nah, I think I’ll stay here and get some fresh air. It was nice to meet you AJ.” Race time, I was lining up next to an orange car with a similar lightning pattern to the one on Soarin’s car. I could only assume I would be racing Spitfire in the quarter mile. Her passenger window was already down and she was sizing me up. I rolled down my tinted windows and She started cracking up. “I hope that’s not what you beat Soarin in, he’s never gonna hear the end of this, especially when he watches me walk all over you.” She cackled, all I did was smirk and roll my window up. The girl starting the race, a dark blue girl with silvery hair wearing a cape, pointed to me, then Spitfire. We revved up our engines. When I let off the gas, the turbo whooshed releasing the unused pressure and my exhaust spat fire. Even through my tinted windows, I could see Spitfire just realized what she got herself into. The starting girl dropped her hands and with lightning reflexes Spitfire and I were on our way. She grabbed an early lead but it didn’t take long for my turbo to spool up. All I could think about was keeping my foot down waiting for my dashboard to turn red indicating my engine was revving at the red line, my ears were filled with the sound of my exhaust roaring. It was right now, that I forgot about everything else, no school, no girls, no tickets, just me and the blacktop. I really did lose track of everything because after the quarter mile was up and Spitfire hit the brakes, I just kept going and going. It must’ve taken a minute for me to snap out of it but when I did, I was grinning wide as a mile and savoring every second of my adrenaline high. When I looked at my speedo, it was measuring a buck twenty five. By the time I calmed down, I decided I had enough and went home.