Before The End

Twelve

McKenzie glanced around the hall and frowned at the Halloween decorations already set up. She never understood why people loved the holiday. Sure it was fun when she was little but it wasn’t anymore. And she was the only one in her friend group that thought so.

“Please tell me you already have your outfit for Saturday.” Harry said walking next to her.

“I don’t actually because I’m not going.”

“You’re not going to your own boyfriend’s party?”

“The only reason Màrtin's even hosting it is because his house is bigger. It’s still another Winchester party.” She shrugged stopping infront of her locker.

“Come on Kenzie don’t be like that. You can go dressed as a little bunny and hopefully not be a virgin anymore.”

“Okay first of all I’m not doing that. And also I already talked to Màrtin we’re both not showing up Saturday.” She said hitting Harry.

“You guys have been together for what over a month? You spend every day together you’re kind of ditching your best friend.” Harry pouted.

“If we come to the party will you never make that face again?” Kenzie smiled earning her a glare. Just then she felt hands wrap around her waist from behind.

“Hi babe.” Màrtin whispered in her ear.

“I’m going to go now. Hey buddy.”

“Hey Harry. You didn’t show up for guy’s night last week.” Màrtin said placing his chin on the top of Kenzie’s head.

“I was doing stuff.” Harry said as he walked away. “Maybe next time.”

“He convinced you to go to the party didn’t he?” Màrtin chuckled once Harry was out of sight.

“He was going to drag me to it if I didn’t agree.” Kenzie sighed turning in his arms to face him.

“We can go for like the first hour then head to the warehouse. The only reason I agreed to host was to keep your pose on the other side of town.”

“Okay. But we’re not doing a couples outfit. No Barbie and Ken or Cleopatra and Anthony.” She said brushing non existent dust off his shirt.

“But you’d be a pretty Barbie.” He pouted.

“Shut up.” Kenzie laughed. “I will see you in class I need to stop by the office first.”

“Okay.” Màrtin whispered before placing his lips on hers. The bell rang making him pull away with a frown.

“I hate that bell.” Kenzie sighed. “I’ll see you later.”

Giving him a quick peck she walked away and headed for the office. It had been over a month since their first date. Since she overheard Zack and Jason talking. She kept what she heard to herself and never asked them or Màrtin tell the truth. Part of her already knew she wouldn’t like it. But she did tell Martin what she heard.

So for a month she spent her time learning how to race from Màrtin. Some nights they went to the tracks and earned some money, other nights it was just the two of them on abandoned streets. She also got involved in his family’s car dealership. She went with him to check out the cars and would even help with the upgrades at Joaquin’s house. Nobody knew that’s what she was doing. And no-one was going to know.

She was on her way to going the racing business. But that ment possibly meeting her brother and his crew. So she went on nights she was certain they weren’t around. Slowly earning a reputation. With no idea what she was getting into.

.........

Zack parked his car next to Jason’s and looked at the school in front of him. Another day of Hell. Another day of watching Macky and Màrtin be all cute and happy. Despite everything he was a tiny bit happy for her. He made her happy and that was all that mattered. And he had gotten to know the kid. He wasn’t a bad guy. He was the complete opposite of his father. No evil bone in his body from what he could see. Well it made sense him being adopted.

“God I love Halloween.” Jason said coming to stand next to him a huge smile on his face.

“Remember when we were kids and we would spend the entire day scaring Macky.” Zack chuckled.

“Yeah. It’s probably why she hates it so much.” Jason laughed. “Any word from Joaquin about Saturday’s pick up?”

“He said he has someone for that so we should just relax.”

“Have you noticed how most of our safer, none illegal jobs are being given away. Actually even the illegal dangerous ones.” Jason asked. “We don’t even deal with cars anymore. And rumor has it there’s a new racer at the track that’s sure to replace you.”

“Impposible. No one is better than me.”

“Well I can ask Luther to set up a race with you and this mystery driver.” Jason said. “We make it a battle of the best thing. See who’s better.”

“I’m up for it.” Zack nodded. “Have you seen Màrtin? I need to ask him about last week’s drop.”

“What happened at last week’s drop?” Màrtin asked popping out of nowhere.

“It was too easy. And where the hell did you come from?” Zack asked.

“It was easy because I assigned you a beginner level job. And I was heading towards you guys.”

“Why are you messing up our jobs? Keeping us away from the tracks and car deals and now you’re giving us beginner jobs?” Jason asked. “You’re not supposed to be involved in any of this stuff; you’re supposed to be dating my sister.”

“I am dating your sister. Which is why I’m keeping the two most important guys in her life out of harm’s way. I don’t want to see the look on her face I tell her you guys died on the job and I had the power to stop it.”

“Look Cortes. We appreciate you looking out for us but we can handle ourselves. We’ve been doing this since we were like fourteen.” Zack sighed.

“Fine. I’ll back off. Starting next week Joaquin's back in charge.” Màrtin shrugged.

“How long has Joaquin not been in charge?” Jason asked.

“About since I showed up. Turns out people will do anything you ask if you wave around the fact that you’re a Cortes.” Màrtin smiled. “I’m going to find Kenzie and see if Harry's done his job yet.”

“What job?” Jason asked.

“Convincing her to come to the party.” Màrtin said.

“Couldn’t you do it?” Zack asked.

“I have a hard time saying no to her. Still working on that though.”

“Well good luck.”