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Mina woke up in the dark, she jumped up grabbing her night stand clock and read 7:45 pm. "SHIT!" She jumped out of bed and ran out of her room. For the first time in a long time she was the only one home. She stormed out of the house and jumped into her silver Mitsubishi Eclipse.

"Damn you Kevin." She said out loud as she flew down the lighted streets swerving pass cars that were getting in her way. Mina got to the secret spot somehow she knew they'd be at tonight. She came to a sudden stop and jumped out of her car in search for her brother.

"Hey Mina, What's up girl!" one of the regular spectators hollered.

"Hey, Have you seen my brother?" she asked.

"Yeah, he's getting ready for the race. He's down there." The guy pointed down the street.

Mina saw Kevin "Thanks." she replied as she walked away. Mina made her way down the street to her brother "Kevin, we need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about Mina." Kevin continued to check out one of his rivals cars. They all did this to make sure their component's car is worth racing. Mina has never seen Marcus' cars be anything but worthy, she didn't understand why Kevin still always checked out his cars.

"There is something to talk about Kevin and you know it." She spoke through clinched teeth.

"Hey Mina, why don't you come stand with me?" Alex took her hand gently, pulling her away from Kevin.

"Alex, he can't race." Mina said with nothing but fear written all over her face.

"I know your scared Baby, but, this is Kevin we're talkin' about. He's gonna do whatever he wants and no one can change his mind you know this." Alex telling Mina what she didn't want to hear.

"I know this." she sighed and leaned up against Alex's car. Mina looked across the street and saw someone she didn't know "Who's the new guy?"

"I don't know. But, we'll find out if he can race or not in a few minutes." Brian responded.

"He's got the car for it." Howie stated, then added "Let's just see if he can drive it."

Mina couldn't help but stare down the new guy. He was appealing, mysterious, and she wanted to know his story. She watched how he moved in his black leather pants that seemed to be made just for him. His dirty Blond out of control hair had bleached blond highlights to highten his complection. He had a great smile, she loved his smile. Mina watched Kevin go over to this young man and talk to him with his usual tense face, before they each got into their own cars.

Four cars lined up side by side. Mina was surprised that Kevin would allow a new guy in on one of his races. But, she was even more surprised Marcus and Dondre allowed it. They roared their engines and waited for the flagger to drop their hand to start the race. Mina held her breath scared of another race going wrong. She couldn't bare to lose her brother, she couldn't bare to lose anyone else she loved.

Alex wrapped an arm around her she didn't even acknowledge his presence. The four cars took off and the race began. The roar of the crowd wasn't heard by Mina, the three other cars weren't seen by Mina. She never took her eyes off Kevin's car. The race was over in a flash like they always were. Her brother won and lived. Mina could breathe again.

Kevin got out of his car and took his money from the keeper. "Kev, you didn't back down at all tonight. I thought for sure you would." Dondre, their biggest rival expressed.

"I never back down Dre, Haven't you learned that yet?" Kevin smirked before walking away. Joining his family in celebration for another win.

"You we're flyin’ tonight." Brian congratulated his best friend.

Kevin looked into Mina's eyes who we're staring back. They didn't say anything to each other, they really had nothing to say. Mina walked off "MINA!" Alex called for her.

"Let her go AJ." Kevin held a hand up motioning for him to stop.

****

When Mina got home that night there was a party at her house. There was a party after every win. She sat outside her home on the back porch not wanting to enter the mayhem that she knew was pass that door. She looked up at the stars in the night sky.

~Flashback~

"I've never looked at the stars before tonight."

Mina looked over at Alex, "Really?"

He just shrugged still looking up, Mina looked back up at the sky "I love getting lost in the stars. Especially on nights I need peace."

Alex now looked over at Mina and smiled at the beautiful young woman. Her long dark brown curly hair flowed in the soft wind, her big Emerald green eyes never leaving the sky. He always thought she was beautiful, But he never saw her as a woman until that night.

"Mina, why don't you have a boyfriend?" Alex asked now leaning up against the rail on the porch.

"I don't know. I guess, because all the guys I know are like my brothers. And the ones I don't know seem to always be thugs. Besides, my father would probably have a heart attack if I had a boyfriend. He thinks I'm too young."

"You’re very mature for your age, not like most fifteen year olds. Your a young woman, not a young fifteen year old. At least to me anyway." Alex shrugged

"Really, you think so?"

He nodded yes and she smiled "Well, my father would probably disagree with you." she laughed before continuing "He says no dating until you're 16." she deepened her voice, shaking her finger like her father. "So, I have a year. It's not like I have anyone interested in me anyways."

Alex's eyes locked with hers, he moved closer to Mina . He brushed a curl out of her face, he placed it behind her ear before leaning in, placing his lips to hers. Mina tensed up but quickly relaxed to his gentle lips. She kissed him back. When the kiss broke Alex slowly moved away "I'm interested Mina." he spoke softly.

~End of Flashback~

Mina sighed "Why did things have to change?" she asked herself.

"Things change as people grow." Howie startled Mina.

"I didn't know you were out here." Mina smiled.

"If you want to be alone, I can go back inside." He stood above her.

"Have a seat Howie." She patted the cement step next to her. He took a seat "What you doin' out here?" he asked with a kind smile.

"Just thinking. I didn't want to go inside and deal with all the people tonight. Though it sounds like Kevin is having a good time in there."

"There's a lot of people having a good time in there. You should be one of them."

"What are you doing out here instead of being in there?" Mina looked over at Howie.

"I've had enough noise." Howie looked down at his hands.

Mina let Howie have his silence as she looked back up at the stars.

~Flashback~

"YOU WILL NOT DISRESPECT ME IN MY HOUSE!!" Mr. Dorough yelled.

"I wasn't dis..." Howie's words stopped when his fathers fist met with his face.

Mina flinched at the blow Howie just received. She just stood there not knowing what to do. Howie's father continued to yell and abusing Howie with not just his fists but with his words.

"STOP!" young Mina cried.

"It's okay Mina." Howie tried to reassure her.

"Get out of my house." Mr. Dorough's voice sent a shiver down Mina's spine.

Howie and Mina walked out of the house and headed for hers. "Howie are you okay?" Mina wiped her own tear.

"Don't worry about me Mina." Howie at 14 years has already lived a life two times harder than your average 14 yr old. Mina knew of Howie's family problems. Father was abusive and his mother a drug addict, she just never seen it with her own eyes until that summer afternoon. They didn't talk for the four blocks to her house. When they got there she ran into the house looking for her brother.

"Kevin!?" she hollered.

"What?!" he yelled back as he walked into the living room. He stopped when he saw Howie with a new bloody lip and puffy red eye.

Kevin had anger written all over his face and it scared Mina "Howie you're not going back there." Kevin's voice full of anger. Though he said these words every time Howie walked into their house after a battle at his own home, Howie never stayed forever, he always went back home.

Mina went to get a ice pack and towel out of the kitchen, as Howie and Kevin talked about what happened. Howie was two years younger than Kevin not that you could ever tell. Howie was a computer genius, he knew cars inside and out. But most important he was sweet, with a sensitive heart and soul. No one could ever hate Howie. Anyone who could get away with the nickname ‘Sweet D’ in this neighborhood had to be truly good hearted. That's what made it so hard for Mina and Kevin to understand how Howie's parents could tear him down like they did.

"Here." Mina handed Kevin the ice pack. 12yr old Mina knelt down in front of Howie and cleaned the blood off his face with the towel.

He wouldn't cringe from the pain, he never even moved until his hand went to brush a tear off Mina's cheek "Don't cry sweet Mina." He spoke soft and gentle.

~End of Flashback~

Mina looked over at Howie who was now also looking up at the stars, off in his own world. She smiled as she watched him. He still lived in that home with his parents, even though the Richardson's have asked him numerous times to move in with them. He always said no, but, he knew he was always welcome in that house. He didn't have to ask anymore to sleep on their sofa, It was his.

She adored Howie and respected him more than anyone she knew. He was strong, sweet and very smart. He would never hurt anyone, not on purpose anyway. He was her counselor, he was her best friend.

"Howie have I ever thanked you?"

He blinked before looking over at Mina "For what?"

"For always being there. You always seem to find me when I need someone to talk to.. usually about Alex." she chuckled before continuing "You helped me through some tough times during my relationship with Alex. And with my break up. You're always there to pick up the pieces when ever Kevin and I get in a fight. You're just always there for me." she smiled.

Howie smiled at her "Well, you've always been there for me. I think that's what were meant to do for each other."

"Maybe." Mina got up from the stoop and opened the screen door, "Good Night Howie."

"Goodnight Mina." Howie said as he looked back up at the sky. Mina walked into her house, she didn't stop to talk to anyone she just went to her room in the back corner of the house. She shut the bedroom door behind her cutting the loud music by half.

She changed out of her well worn day clothes into her comfy tank top and boxer shorts. As Mina walked to her bed she pulled her natural curly hair into a ponytail, she crawled into her comfortable full size bed with a sigh of comfort. As tired as she was she still couldn't sleep. She had so much on her mind. "Who was he? Will I see him again?" her thoughts of the mysterious stranger kept her from resting peacefully that evening.