I liked it! Loved the drama that is starting to unfold here.
GASP 
A trip to Italy with Francesco?! I can imagine that this will not settle well with Mr. McQueen. 
I loved this chapter! One of my favorites, along with Chapter 2. <3
^^^ That is scary. Like, that’s bad. But you including it was good. 
^^^ Let’s make this like Facebook. “Paulisha likes this.”
I am even beyond excited to keep reading now! Love it, love it, love it. <3
It’s funny how you should mention “Unfaithful” and stuff, because I heard “Single Ladies” on the radio this morning and really couldn’t help but laugh at the lyrics and how it connected to this story. “If you like it, then you should have put a ring on it. If you like it, then you should have put a ring on it. Don’t be mad once you see that he want it 'cause if you like it, the you should have put a ring on it.”
Thanks! I was hoping that would be a bit of a shocker. 
Thank you Jordan! Yes, I like stirring up the dramatic side of things. It ain’t over yet.
SallyMcQueen: Oooh! A new chapter fav? Awesome! 
Hahaha, “That is bad, but including it was good.” Thanks! And OMG, I know, we legit need some kind of a ‘like’ button on every post. I would use that sucker all the time. LOL! That is a fitting story! And I’m flattered that it made you think of my story. <3
I’m going to try for either tomorrow or Friday for the next update!
I’m looking forward for it.
Your welcome. I can’t wait for the next chapter to be posted.
Well, the wait is over guys! Here’s the next chapter…
CHAPTER SEVEN- “Avventura” (Adventure)
Obviously Francesco wasn’t lying when he said he didn’t find any feelings with Mia… Sally thought as she stared blankly out the plane window.
Francesco had told her many things. He’d shed light on things she hadn’t even known she was feeling. He’d also convinced her that the right thing to do was get away from it all.
It’s only a trip; I’ll be back in two weeks. I just need to clear my mind, she reminded herself. It wasn’t enough to block out the constant reeling memories though.
She could still remember the stark silence out in Tailfin Pass when she’d met with Francesco. She could envision him parked in front of her, and then whispering the words, “OK, I’ll go.”
It couldn’t mask the tumbling feeling inside of her, and every time she thought of McQueen’s eyes in the airport the discomfort only intensified.
She couldn’t let herself feel this way, it wasn’t right. She’d made this decision; she’d have to carry through with it. Then, when she got back home, she’d apologize to McQueen for hurting him and they’d realize just how much they’d missed and loved each other.
So, what was she worrying for? It wasn’t like they were over. It wasn’t like she was running from the problems she’d created.
She had to think of this as an independent project. As if she was setting out on a short project away from home. She’d done it before, she could do it again.
When they touched down, Francesco showed her out of the airport and to his hometown. It was a lovely Italian villa, full of grand architecture, cobblestone roads and fine sculptures of artwork.
“What-a do you think, Miss-a Sally?” Francesco asked her as he gazed proudly at the surrounding buildings.
“Oh! It’s breathtaking! Just as beautiful as you said it would be…,” she mused quietly.
He smiled with satisfaction, then swerved forward in excitement. For a moment she thought he was about to kiss her. She’d have to get used to him being this close if they were to spend the next two weeks together. Now that she thought about, she’d only ever trusted three boys to be at such an intimate distance; her father, her high school boyfriend and McQueen.
McQueen, McQueen! Stop thinking about him and enjoy yourself a bit! She ordered her inner self furiously.
“Now,” Francesco started, “Are you-a ready for Francesco to-a show you all of Italy’s best, as-a promised?”
She nodded in agreement and followed him deeper into the villa, every second taking her farther and farther from what was really on her mind.
He did show her the best. With Francesco Bernoulli there was nothing less than “best”. They visited a museum five times the size of the Radiator Springs racing museum. They went to an enclosed theatre with triple screens. They drank wine you couldn’t even find in the whole United States of America.
The evening came fast, and soon it was time to dine.
“So, did you have plans for dinner? I could pay this time,” Sally offered casually. It was a custom for her to share meal payments back home with McQueen.
He threw her a look of shock. “No, no!” he exclaimed brusquely, “We will not-a eat here!”
Confused by his brash rejection, she said somewhat angrily, “What? I told you I could pay if-.”
He pulled extremely near to her side. His tone softened dramatically, “We shall eat-a home cooked meal by Francesco’s mama. It is-a tradition.”
She studied him awkwardly. Suddenly open-wheels didn’t look so great. She’d have done anything to trade them for a pair of fenders, ones with fake headlights and stickers.
But she didn’t have that. She had the perfect Francesco Bernoulli instead. This wasn’t her idea of perfect anymore.
“Oh,” she responded dully as she tried to edge Francesco out of her personal space. Was he trying to get this close to her? Had she fooled him into thinking there was some kind of courtship going on between them? Because it wasn’t like that. It was more like he was her friend that also happened to have a hot body. But with McQueen out of the picture, Francesco was clearly trying to push the boundaries of friendship.
“Come,” his voice broke into her thoughts, “let yourself be introduced-a to… the Bernoulli family!”
Sally sat alone at the back of the Bernoulli house, or palace as it should have been referred to more properly. Dinner had finally wound down and given her a chance to escape from the family.
She rested her eyes on the cool, black night sky and heaved a sigh of unhappiness. She was taken by a feeling she hadn’t felt in quite some time. It was the type of emotion she used to get when she was on her own in Los Angelos. The darkness would bring out the pain of hopelessness and inflict wounds upon the empty parts of her heart. It would claw at her soul until she settled it, or let it bleed from her eyes in the form of tears.
And in that moment she felt more alone than she ever had. She let herself cry into the still night time soundlessly. She tried to figure out all the reasons she was here, when she should have been with McQueen.
Because no adventure was any fun without him.
Kind of angsty there at the end. :laughing: Hopefully I portrayed Sally's emotions nicely, but I'll let you be the judge. Please comment if you like, and thanks for reading! :slight_smile:Great job! This is my favorite chapter of the story. I think you showed Sally’s feelings in a very powerful way, I loved it.
Nice chapter! The way you built up Sally’s emotions were great. I can’t wait until Sally gets introduced to the Bernoulli family. Good job!
Yay! I’m very happy that you guys got a good level of intensity from Sally’s emotions. And she already had dinner with the Bernoulli family, I just didn’t describe it because it was basically uneventful and dinner scenes can be boring sometimes. The next chapter will be jumping back to McQueen. I might have it out by Monday or Tuesday but I’m going to post a new fic right now! Thanks for your comments guys!
Sounds awesome! And you said it was up Jonah and I’s alley, eh?
Yes sir! Both of you! I posted it up!
I can’t wait for the next chapter.
Finally got to read this! Although, I was looking forward to McQueen’s reaction, i’m sure we’ll see that next chapter in his POV. 
^^^ Love. <3
I see where the story is going (at least where I think it’s going) with Francesco starting to come on to Sally. Well, you know, I can’t blame him. If I was a guy and a girl left her boyfriend to come spend time with me in a foreign country, I would think she had something for me too. I loved the ending and can’t wait to read the new chapter.
What I thought of recently was what would happen if a little, pesky paparazzo caught photos of Sally and Francesco alone together in Italy? Talk about a hot, selling story!
Keeping you on your toes!
SallyMcQueen: Oooh! I got a ‘love’ instead of a ‘like’? 
I’m cool with likes, but loves are even better. LOL, yes, where you think. Feel free to share any predictions you have, I’ve already made the story decisions in my mind so I’m not going to steal your idea or change it to make you right or wrong. You’ll have to tell me if you guessed right though. 
Ah, the paparazzi. Yeah, I tend to leave them out. Mostly due to the conversation we had regarding the fact that they may not be allowed to bother stars in their hometown and stuff. But that is a good thought!
And now we go off to McQueen’s point of view! Read on! 
CHAPTER EIGHT– “Forte” (Strong)
‘Goodbye’ was such a scary word to use, especially when he didn’t know the next time he’d tell her ‘hello’.
McQueen tore this thought apart over and over, trying to find the good in it. Somewhere there had to be some meaning in it. Just 24 hours ago, he’d parted ways with her, and he’d been consumed with the notion that there was a different meaning behind her goodbye than there was behind his. His was a thin cry for her to stay, a plea for her to do anything but go. Whereas hers had been so indefinite, like she was saying goodbye to more than just seeing him for two weeks. No, it felt like she was saying goodbye to him altogether.
Exercise some trust, he tried to tell himself. But he’d given her trust, enough to allow her to run off to Italy with Francesco.
He drudged over to the hotel window. Mater and he had decided to stay in a nearby city instead of driving back to Radiator Springs just yet. Mater had informed him that Holley’s flight was due to arrive today, so it only made sense to stay close by to pick her up.
He gazed out the window and struggled not to think of Sally. She was probably already well into her day over in Italy- enjoying herself, doing new things- it was likely the time of her life.
It wasn’t even the fact that she was with Francesco that bothered him anymore. It was the empty feeling he had without her. She ripped the colour from his world, the light of the sun and the shine of the stars. Everything was just dull when she was gone.
And he felt lost knowing that she wouldn’t be there when he got home. The bed would be cold, with the blankets heaped into mounds, just as she had left it. Life would keep moving and time would go on, there was nothing he could do about it.
Then he heard a knock at the door. He didn’t feel like leaving his misery, but he wiped it from his exterior. He clicked a button and found Mater waiting on the other side.
“Hey buddy, are ya ready to go?” he asked anxiously.
“What? Don’t you think it’s a bit… early?” McQueen glanced over at the clock; ten am.
“Well, I just wanted to be sure we make it on time,” Mater muttered nervously.
“Mater, the flight doesn’t get here until 2 pm.”
“I know, but I just thought we could, uh…,” Mater paused briefly, “Get yer mind offa things.”
It was quite blatant what he meant by “things”. McQueen almost cracked a smile. Mater wasn’t considered the sharpest tool in the shed at times, but he had a heart of gold that more than made up for it. He couldn’t turn the offer down, so off they went.
It was an hour’s drive to the airport but they were left with lots of time to kill. They toured the shops, ate from a small café and most importantly, avoided trouble with security.
They didn’t talk about Sally, however, Lightning could still feel himself shadowed by the memory of her. Of course, today would be the day that he’d find a sparkly caution cone, perfect for her collection. What was the point though? Perhaps she didn’t even care for those silly things anymore. He had to stop dwelling on the past and come to terms; he obviously didn’t know her anymore.
2 o’clock rolled around soon enough. The two friends found a vacant spot near the arrival terminal. Mater rocked happily on his tires while McQueen stared distantly off at the constantly rolling digital font on the signs above. Destinations to Japan, Austria and Italy flickered mockingly through his sight.
Then he heard Mater gasp and felt a nudge at his side.
“There she is! Let’s go say hi!” Mater chimed before cutting into the crowd.
McQueen followed quietly behind until they reached the beautiful Jaguar. He tried not to look as they touched lips for a brief second. It was already uncomfortable to see his best friend kiss someone, and kissing always led him to thinking of Sally.
“Oh, it is so wonderful to see you both!” Holley gushed and smiled pleasantly.
He laughed lightly and tried to return her upbeat personality, “You too, Holley! I know Mater has lots planned!”
She grinned wider, “I don’t doubt it. Won’t you and Sally join us for a nice evening like last time?”
Mater’s eyes flashed to him, but he held strong. “Yeah, I hope so. She’s been very… busy lately, so I’ll have to ask her.”
“Ah, I understand. Well, it would be lovely if you could. Now, I’m afraid I have to make a call,” she dropped an octave, “Finn needs to know I made it safely.”
“Right! Standard procedure?” McQueen asked interestedly.
She batted her eyes and rolled them gently. “No, the old chap just likes peace of mind. I must declare; he is more sensitive than you’d expect!”
McQueen nodded and suggested, “Why don’t you take her over to that quiet lounge, Mater?”
“Well, sure, but ain’t you comin’?” Mater probed with a hint of worry.
“I’ll catch up to you at the hotel, there’s something I have to do.”
Mater looked to Holley but she was waiting on his response. He knew what McQueen was planning, but who was he to stop him? “Alright then, we’ll catch ya later!”
McQueen watched them drive off and slowly be swallowed by the crowd. His heart suddenly raced as he focused on a neighboring airport gate. He studied the Italian flag draped over the arch above it.
There was no way he was falling out of love. This was nothing like Mia had described. He still thought of Sally every day and he knew deep down that neither of them was happy. Just because he wasn’t “falling” didn’t mean he didn’t still love her.
He couldn’t let Sally get away. He’d been chasing her for more than five years now, and he wasn’t about to stop.
Haha, I just had to bring Finn in for a second. :laughing: But go McQueen, go! <img src="//pixarplanet-forums.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/4/4d009dd141f26b0a611a818d8d3d4fc9f50168cf.gif" width="15" height="15" alt="8D" title="Chuckle"/> Thanks for reading! Comments anybody? :slight_smile:Loved it! I like how Finn and Holley showed up here and getting to hear Lightning’s POV.
Wonderful job! I love the way you included Mater and Holley. I always like to see what the character’s are thinking, so I loved that bit about it. I’m excited for the next chapter!
Thank you for your feedback guys! Not sure when I’ll have the next chapter for this one, maybe Friday when I update my other story too.
Sounds good to me.
I’m excited for it too.