His Delicate Flame

chapter 2~ life as she knew it.

Julie was up early the next morning. It was her off day and she intended to make it up to Tony. She forced what happened yesterday with the DiAngelo brothers out of her mind. It was for her own good.

After a quick shower and her daily routine of cleaning her room she went to make breakfast. Eggs ,bacon and chocolate chip pancakes. Yes she was trying to bribe him.

She had a lot to do but the most important thing she had to make it up to Tony. Things were getting harder between them with her breaking promises and coming home late.

"Morning sweetie." She chirped to Tony who just glared at her and went to sit down at the kitchen island. He looked just like her ,black hair and blue eyes, that is before she turned herself a blonde . No one could make the mistake that they were siblings." I made you your favourite pancakes." She tried to bribe but got only a huff in answer.

" Well if you won't talk to me how will I know if you want to go to the pit with me today?" Julie baited as she turned back to the sink.

"Really? We can go?"Tony finally answered his eyes alight with excitement.

"Yes but after school."

"Aww man." He grumbled.

"Education first young man." She lectured  pointing at him. "Now go get ready or you will miss your bus, I have to go do some errands."

"You off today?"

"Yes. I'm all yours today."

Tony scoffed."That's what you said yesterday."

"I'm sorry an emergency came up."

Another scoff." That's what you said day before. Don't make promises you don't intend to keep." He said as he abruptly stood up.

"Tony, I-"

"Save it Jules." He said and turned around to go back to his room.

Julie sighed and fought the urge to follow and have the usual fight with him. She knew it wasn't easy for him , it was only the two of them.

Sometimes she regretted the career she choice because it left little time to spend with him. But she had always wanted to study medicine and she had promised their father she would do it.

Tony came down twenty minutes later freshly showered and with his backpack. Although he was a total bookworm and a nerd he refused to dress in the stereotypical way. Opting for jeans , tshirt and snug leather jacket. He still wore his nerd glasses that belonged to their mother and it made Julie smile.

He gave her a brief glance as he took an apple from the table and turned to walk out.

"I love you." She called out.

"Hmmm" he mumbled back making her smile. At least he bothered to reply. That's life as she knew it when it came to Tony.

A few hours later everything was done. Deciding to eat out for dinner instead of coming home to cook meant her house was clean till morning.

She took a long shower then dressed in black jeans ,a black tank top and a black leather jacket she was ready. Dark colours made her blend in at the pit.

Now she just needed to surprise Tony by picking him up at the school with her Harley. Although she like her quiet safe life she had a few indulges, her bike was one of them.

Julie got to Eastwood high just as the students started filing out. She kept her helmet on not wanting people to know who she was. Tony would recognise her bike though.

When he saw her he grinned like an idiot and ran to her. Julie smiled remembering when he was young and she came to pick him up. He would light up just like that and run to her.

"Surprise!"

"Hey."

"Hey? That's all you got?"

"I'm still mad at you."

"I'm sorry ok. I'm trying to make it up to you."

"Really" "Can I drive her then?"

"What?But- argh- fine. If you hurt her I will take away your car privileges."

Tony made a fist bump in the air before grabbing the spare helmet. He gave her his back pack to carry the swung his leg and sat in front of her.

His friends and some students stood and watched them. Tony being the show off he was revved the bike a couple of times before he took off at a crazy speed.

Julie did not bother scolding him, she did that and worse at his age. Being twenty nine and a guardian to a teenager meant you tone down.

They got to the pit in record time with Tony breaking every speed record he could. Luckily no police caught them or she would have a huge-ass-ticket to pay.

The pit was the name given to a hideout for as much illegal things adrenaline junkies could do. Car racing, bike racing ,dirt biking ,go cart racing and other crazy things were here.

Julie used to come with her father and when Tony turned sixteen she couldn't resist coming here with him. He was every bit an adrenaline junkie like her.

Before he ran off she grabbed his arm giving him a look."Be safe, don't make money bets and don't fight." Tony recited. "You take the fun out of the pit Jules.

"I know now go before I change my mind."

She watched him run towards the dirt bikes, they were his favourite. The first time she saw him on the ramp her stomach boiled with fear. She wanted to run and forbid him from even trying. But her father always said let a child be wild in front of you so that you can watch than stop them and they do it behind your back.

"Julie!"

"Johnny"

"Hey baby are you here to finally marry me?"

"Sorry my love I'm still planning to join a Covent and become a nun." She replied making him burst out laughing.

Johnny was one of the runners of the pit. He kept the peace between racers and also from police. He had taken a strong liking to her when they first met years back until her refusal sunk in and now he just joked around with her. He was also one of the very few people who really knew her and still had a connection with her past life.

"Long time no see. Did you bring Tony?" Johnny said taking her hand and looping it in the crook of his elbow. He was a gentleman sometimes and escorted her around the pit.

"Work is hectic. Tony is somewhere around."

"That boy is just as wild as you . It must be in your blood. Let me go buy you a drink, Tony is probably gonna be too preoccupied."

"Sure."

They walked to the open bar that was in the pit. Some of the drinks mixed by the bartenders she swore were illegal. They made you black out and wake up in weird places.

"Julie! The usual?" Her favourite bartender called out.

"Hey Marcel. You know me, clear head through out." She called out taking a sit at the bar stool.

Johnny sat next to her with his whole attention to her. He slowly appraised her from head to toe,not in a sexual way but checking if she was ok.

"I have been well Johnny. Just busy with work." She replied his unasked question.

Johnny checked once again though."Do you want an update?"

"No I want nothing to do with them." He asked as he did everytime he saw her.

"Ok. So when are you taking Tony to the range? He should know as much as you do." Quick topic change as usual with Johnny.

"For his eighteenth birthday two months from now. Didn't want to but you are right I can't hide things from him for ever."

"Good. Now how about a race ,for old times time." Johnny offered with a wicked grin on his face

Julie never said no to a race with him."Don't cry when you lose."