"Everyone has challenges and lessons to learn - we wouldn't be who we are without them."

"Nine. Fucking nine. Are you kidding me?"

Shelby is angry as she stalks through the garage after the first day of Indianapolis 500 qualifying. She had made it into the Fast Nine that would compete for the pole position on Sunday, but as the last car in. There were eight drivers ahead of her on the scoring pylon and as the defending race winner riding a three-race win streak, she feels that was simply unacceptable. She wants to throw something, but there isn't anything to throw except her Oakley sunglasses and she needs those.

"Come on, Shelby." Shane is following behind her, both to try and calm her down and because he wanted to get to her before any TV cameras did and splashed her temper tantrum over the air. "Get a grip."

She laughs caustically at that, turning on her heel to face him complete with an accusatory finger. "We're better than ninth and you know it."

( I do know that. But I know this morning you fainted. )

--
Shelby Manning
Need for Speed OC
915 words