Gabriella's Challange

"I can't believe it," Adrian said with exuberance in his voice. "You're going to dinner at the TORETTO'S? You're so lucky!" He smiled at his sister as she hurried around her room for the proper outfit to wear.
"Why is it so hard to believe that your 'oh-so-beautiful' baby sister got invited to go to dinner at the Toretto's house?" Gabriella said as she held up a light blue sun dress with a white flowery design up to herself and, with disapproval, threw it on the chair next to her.
"It's not that I don't believe it. It's just..." Adrian paused and fell back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, he finished his sentence. "I would do anything to go."
"Well," she smiled and turned to her beloved older brother "I might be able to talk to Mia and see what she has to say. I don't see a problem. It's not like we're going to a celebrity's house."
"Really?!" Adrian shot up off the bed and smiled at his sister. "That would be the best thing ever. I'd never ask you for anything ever again!"
"Hold your horses. I'm not sure if it's okay. Let me call her and see if it's alright. You get out now," she motioned to the door "I need to get dressed and do my hair and make-up. Shoo."
"Okay, I'll go get dressed now." He paused and gave his sister an innocent smile "Just incase." As he left the room, she shook her head and laughed.


An hour later, she hurried down the stairs and stopped at the mirror by the door to fix her make up.

"ADRIAN?!" She called up stairs.
"Yes?" He said as he practically ran down the stairs.
"I called Mia..." Gabriella searched through her purse for her black eyeliner.
"And?" He waited eagerly for the answer.
"She said you could go." She put her eyeliner on and put it back in her purse. "You BETTER not embarrass me or dad or I'll beat the hell out of you. I'm not even joking." She turned to her brother and stared him in the face.
"Oh, please Gab. You should know: I'm well aware of the fact that you care more about your precious social status than you do your own family. I'm not going to make a fool out of myself let alone you or dad. I promise." He smiled, knowing that the statement wasn't totally true. She loved her family, however she loved her social status as well.
"Okay, just so we're clear. Now, let's go." Gab and Adrian got in the truck and left.


As they parked the car, they noticed all of the fancy cars that were obviously racing cars. Gabriella was in awe. She couldn't believe some of the cars. They were beautiful. It was starting to get dark out, but it was still sunny enough to know which car was Dom's. It was a candy apple red. The only red car there. She moved the rear-view mirror so she could check her hair and make up before they went in.

"Gab, you look fine. Let's go." Adrian said impatiently.
"Alright, I'm ready." She opened the truck door and got out.

As they reached the house, they knocked on the door and Mia smiled and motioned for them to come in. Gabriella could feel the butterflies working their magic in her stomach. They walked in and they could feel all of the eyes of their friends on them. Gabriella heard someone mumble to someone sitting next to them "who the fuck is this bitch?". She felt like she wanted to leave. Mia hurried in a greeted them.

"Hey, you." She hugged Gab like they had been friends for years. "Don't mind these bums. They're just jealous. Come with me." They walked into the kitchen and Mia offered them both a beer. Adrian took one but Gab didn't.
"No thanks, I don't drink. I'm also the driver."
"Good for you." She smiled as if she welcomed Gab and Adrian into the family.
"Oh, sorry. This is my older brother, Adrian. Adrian this is Dom's sister, Mia." She stepped out of the way so Adrian could shake Mia's had.
"You're beautiful." Adrian said as he kissed her hand.
"Well, aren't you the charmer." She blushed and took them outside.
"The people out here are the 'Norms'. They just got back from a race. It's like sex, really. After they race, they HAVE to come back here and eat." Mia laughed and walked over to Dom and a rather tall, muscular, tattooed man. "Dom, look who's here."
"Oh, hey." Dom took a sip of his beer and continued his conversation with the shorter brunette next to him.
"He's being rude." She punched him in the arm. "Aren't you going to introduce them?"
He rolled his eyes, "Guys, these are the kids of the man I bought the new car from. Gabriella and...Sorry, I forgot your name." Talking to Adrian.
"Adrian." Mia said quickly. "Jesus, Dom. You win a few races and you think your shit don't stink. I'll finish." She pointed to the 'gang'. "This is Vince." The tall, muscular, tattooed man stood up and took Gabriella's hand. "Nice to meet you, baby." He winked and Gab could feel her skin crawl. "Don't worry, he won't act upon his feelings. He's to crazy about me." She frowned and turned to the short brunette next to Dom. "That's Letty. Dom's girlfriend."
"Hi." Letty smiled and excused herself.

After they ate, Gab didn't feel like she belonged and wanted to go home. She told Mia and Mia tried talking her into staying. However, Gab couldn't find a reason as to why she'd want to stay. She searched around trying to find her brother. After about a half hour trying to find him, she gave up and went back to join Mia.

"So, Gab. What's your story?" Mia sat back in the lawn chair and took a sip of her drink. "All of us have one. What's yours?"
"Well, I don't really have one." She smiled trying to think of "her story".
"C'mon. You have to. What's happened to you throughout your life to make you who you are today?" Mia asked.
"Uh, My mom passed away when I was 10. That was tough for my dad. I don't really remember to much about her, but my brother does. He says she was a real angel. She was always trying to help people out. She put everyone before herself. Including my brother's girlfriends. Which, is weird. He's two years older than me and he's always been a ladies man. Since he was born, really. My dad used to tell stories about how the nurses in the hospital fell in love with him," she smiled and continued with her story. "After my mom died, Adrian became very protective over me but once I turned 17, I started dating. He met my first boyfriend, Jake, and he didn't like him." she paused and began to froze up.
"Gab, are you okay?" Mia sat up and looked at her new friend.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just don't usually talk about this stuff." She could feel herself go pale.
"What happened?" She became very interested in Gab's story and wanted to know more.
"Jake and I dated for about six months before he wanted to move on in our relationship and become more physical. I wasn't ready for it but that didn't matter to him. He wanted to have sex. I didn't. Simple as that. Not a good answer for him." she paused. "One night we went to a party at my friend Svet's house and there was alcohol. I never drank alcohol before and I was curious. So, needless to say, I got drunk. Well, this was Jake's chance. He took advantage of me. I told him to stop but he wouldn't. He ended up forcing himself on me," she felt herself choke as she tried to fight back the tears. "I pushed him off once and ran to the door but he locked it. I couldn't figure out how to unlock it at the time, I was to scared and drunk. He grabbed my by the hair and pulled me on the bed. I fought but there wasn't any winning. He was a very muscular man. A lot stronger than me. I ended up blacking out. I woke up without my clothes on and Jake wasn't there. I started crying and I was sore. My whole body. I knew he ended up raping me because up until the following night, I was a virgin. I gathered my clothes and called my brother. He knew I was upset and got there as soon as he could. I told him the whole story and he was pissed." She felt herself start to cry but soon enough she stopped and wipped away her tears. "Ever since then, my brother has become my best friend. My dad, too." She looked at Mia "That's my story."
Mia didn't know what to say. She had never had to deal with such a horrific event. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I knew you then, I would have killed the guy. Are you alright now?"
"Yeah, I'm okay. I've learned to deal with it and I don't take shit from anyone anymore. In fact, I don't even remember the last time I had a boyfriend." She laughed and took a drink of her water.
"Well, what's your type?" She smiled, Gab could see she wanted to hook her up with someone.
"Haha, I'm not doing this." She laughed and looked away.While eagarly searching the backyard for her older brother, she decided to give up and give in to Mia's question. With a sigh, she began to answer her. "I can't believe I'm answering you. Well, let's see. I like blondes. Why? I don't know. But, I do find dark haired men attractive as well. I can't stand guys who are pig headed and disrespectful," she paused trying to think of what else she liked in a guy.
"Well mannered, check." Mia smiled.
"What?" Gab asked confused.
"Nothing, go on." Mia places her head on the palm of her hands waiting for more.
"Uh, they have to have a job and/or go to school and he can't be over protective and jealous." She smiled waiting for Mia's responce.
"Level headed, and loving. Check." She slowly stood up and excused herself.

While waiting for Mia to return, Adrian returned to the table.
"Hey, sis. What're you doing?" Adrian asked.
"Mia got up and I don't know if she's coming back. Where were you?" She frowned.
"I met this hot chick, dude. She was gorgeous! We hit it off. I think she's the one." He leaned back into his chair and sighed.
"Oh, this sounds serious. What's her name?" Gab asked sarcastically.
"That's a good question. We didn't get that far." He laughed. He was interupted by Mia's return to the table with a man. Gab turned with surprise.
"Gabriella, I'd like you to meet Brian. Brian this is Gabriella." She introduced the two of them and slowly moved out of the way, standing next to Gab rather than in the middle. Brian put out his hand waiting to meet her the polite way.
"Hi, It's a pleasure to meet you, Brian." Gab said. "Mia what are you doing?" She smiled as she shook Brian's hand.
"Adrian, uh, why don't you come with me and help me clean up the living room?" Mia asked.
"I don't want to though." Adrian was a little slow and never did catch on very quick.
"Fine, get your ass up and walk with me then." Mia grabbed him by the arm and led him away from the table leaving the two alone.
"Brother?" Brian asked.
"How could you tell?" Gab replied with a dry smile on her face.
"If he was your boyfriend, I'd think there'd be some drama going on right now." Brian grinned and folded his arms along his chest. "So, how do you know Mia and Dom?"
"Dom's one of my father's customers. I just met him today. You?" Gab asked as she found herself getting nervous and giddy. She then calmed herself down but the butterflies in her stomach wouldn't leave her.
"Last year, I was welcomed into their family and basically fucked them over. After about a year or so, they forgave me because I saved Dom from going back to prision. I lost my job because of it." Brian shrugged his shoulders. "But, that's what happenes when you make friends. You learn what's important. They have all forgiven me. So, that's a good thing."
"What did you do?" Gab frowned waiting for a reply.
"I'd rather not say." Brian replied.
"That's fine, I respect your privacy." Gab said knowing deep down she wanted to know the whole truth but she wasn't about the force this blonde cutie to tell her something he wasn't willing to share.
"So, do you have the time?" Brian asked.
"Yeah, hang on." She reached in her purse and pulled out her cell phone. "It's 1 am." She replied. "Wow, I had no idea it was this late. I should probably get going."
"Yeah, I have to work at 7." He laughed. "Need a ride?"
"Uh," She was shocked. "Let me go ask my brother what he's doing. Can you hang on?"
"Sure."

Gabriella casually walked away, leaving Brian alone at the table. Inside she was jumping up and down with excitement and hoping her brother wouldn't mind. After a few moments of searching for Adrian, she found him. Sucking face with Mia. Gab was shocked but not surprised. She walked up to the two 'love birds' and tabbed Adrian on the shoulder.

"Hey," She interupted.
"Hm. What?" Adrian was surprised to see his sister. "This isn't what you think it is." He pushed away from Mia quick as he remembered a rule they made for eachother: They would NEVER make a move on the other one's friends. Ever. Gab was to excited with the fact that Brian showed a little bit of interest in her that she didn't care.
"I don't care what it is. Do you mind driving my car home?" Gab asked.
"Uh, sure. Why?"
"Brian's going to drive me home. Don't you dare drive it home tonight. If you do, I'll be sure to kill you when you wake up in the morning."
"No, I won't. I'll stay." He looked at Mia and smiled. Mia smiled back and latched herself on his face.
"K, bye." Adrian was to involved in the kiss, he just waved.

Gab hurried to Brian, making sure she didn't look to excited.
"Alright. Let's go." Gab smiled at the 6 feet of gorgeous man and followed him to his car.