Sitting in the cafeteria Sade and Rai began to catch each other up on the events from the weekend "I had a dream about you this weekend!" Sade said excitedly. Rai's facial expression changed from his usual grimace to a look of surprise. "About me? What kind of a dream was it that involved me" He asked puzzled "oh ya know I don't really remember" she replied blushing ever so slightly. "Anyways, Jay absolutely will not stop bugging me about taking him for a ride after school" Rai said wishing he had just kept his mouth shut about having a car. "It's just a junky old loud Lexus I'm embarrassed to drive it at all" Rai added wistfully. Sade looked at him like he was crazy "How is it possible for someone to complain that at 15 he has his own car and gets to drive it" she said really trying to emphasize the 15. "I turn 17 next month and I haven't even driven a car yet" she added. Rai knew she was right. Most kids don't have a car at all, what right do I have to complain about mine.
The time came for class to start and the halls started to fill with kids in uniform. Rai's first period was auto mechanics. He chose to take this class hoping that he would be able to help out his dad with the maintenance of his car, and the old farm tractor. So far he hadn't learned anything new and was beginning to feel like maybe it was just a big waste of time. "Rai! It's good to see you! How is your pops" Mr Yamamoto asked. He was a short Asian man with a chipper demeanor and lots of energy to go around. Rai's dad seemed to be old friends with everyone in the town. "He's good, just staying busy with work" Rai replied taking his seat. "Tell him I said hello for me" he said brightly. "Alright class today we're going to get hands on time with real cars! Now who has a car that they would like free maintenance on?" Yamamoto asked. 'If I can get anything done for free here it will save my dad money!' Rai thought. "I do sir. It's not the nicest vehicle but it's mine" he said sheepishly. 'Maybe I shouldn't have said anything' Rai thought nervously. "Great! Bring it around to the hanger door and we can put it up on a lift" Yamamoto said. 'That's strange I was sure that Barry would have at least given him something comfortable' he thought. Rai pulled into the shop nervously hoping that his classmates wouldn't make fun of him for the slightly louder exhaust, but everyone seemed to be shocked. "No way he has to be joking" one said "not the nicest? Does he know what that is" another whispered. 'Oh Jim you really did it this time' Yamamoto thought to himself grinning.
After they pulled his car onto the lift Rai reached down to pop the hood. Yamamoto reached under releasing the latch and swung the hood up exposing the engine bay. His face immediately turned into an expression of shock as he began to understand what was going on. "Alright class what we're going to do today is an oil change" Yamamoto announced. 'I wouldn't dare touch a single piece of this beautiful machine without Jim's permission'. Rai was in a state of panic from the overwhelming reactions to his car. 'I prepared myself for laughs but they all seem… scared?' Rai thought anxiously trying to figure out why.
Mr Yamamoto wasted no time pulling the drain plug and oil filter explaining every step of the way. The class watched intently making sure to remember each step. 'Yamamoto sure knows a lot about cars' Rai thought 'I wonder if he knows why everyone is acting so weird about my Lexus'. After everything was replaced and the new oil was in Yamamoto gave Rai the thumbs up to turn it on. Tentatively, Rai pushed in the clutch and turned the key. Roaring to life the engine smoothed out its idle and left those who understood it in awe. 'There's that damn look again. I'm definitely asking about this after class' Rai thought. Pulling the car out of the garage and returning to his normal parking spot .
The bell rang signaling the end of class. Students began filing out one by one headed for their next period. "Yamamoto can I ask you something" Rai said approaching the teachers desk. "Why is it that some of the students seemed scared of my car? Is it going to blow up or something?" He asked. Yamamoto's expression changed to one of awe"It's not the reliability of the car that scares them it's the capability of the car" He replied "I don't know what that old man of yours is up to but that is an incredible machine".
The thoughts going through Rai's head were jumbled and confused. 'A beautiful piece of machinery? That loud piece of junk?' It didn't make any sense to him. Deep in thought Rai was trying to put it all together. 'Did that old man do this on purpose? Would he even know what a fast car is? All he drives are trucks' he thought, each possible scenario confusing him even more. Not paying attention Rai accidentally bumped into someone in the hall. "Hey watch where you're going punk! I should teach you a lesson about respecting seniors" the boy said fuming over the sophomore's confidence. Rai looked at the person in front of him sizing up all the little details. Other students began gathering around to see what all the commotion was about. He was shorter than Rai with spiky blonde hair and a stocky frame from playing football. "I'm sorry for running into you it won't happen again" Rai said annoyed that he should have to apologize at all. "That's the kid who sent Thomas to the hospital last year! Show him who's boss Jack!" Someone yelled from the crowd. Rai reluctantly began to slow his breathing and focus on the big senior's movements. "My name is Jack Hartford and I'm gonna teach you not to mess with your elders punk" he said putting his hands up.
Rai dropped his bag to the side with the same annoyed attitude that he was known so well for. Jack looked at his opponents stance, faltering as he recognized Muay Thai. 'Too bad I'm bigger than you or this might be a tough fight' he thought. Quickly stepping forward He opened with a heavy right hook. Rai expecting a big opening move, pivoted his weight back and avoided the blow. Not wanting to give him time to recover Rai grabbed the off balance Jack slamming a knee into his sternum. Jack instantly doubled over feeling the air leave his lungs. Rai started forward with an eerie confidence. His eyes so full of hatred they could have been glowing. Looking down at Jack curled in a ball gasping for air and trying to figure out how he had been beaten in one blow, and by a sophomore. Not saying a single word Rai gathered his things and headed out to his next class.