"Drivers, welcome to SPEED WARS!!"
The crowd roars in response to Sam and Charlie. Sam, also known as Yang, is a shorter guy who stands at 5'7 but has good size to him. His honey hair sits just above his ears with an effortless look to it. His hair color also matches the honey colored eyes on warm beige skin. Overall, his appearance makes him seem harmless. But everyone knows that's not the case. Charlie, known as Yin, is a little taller being 5'11. He's the complete opposite of his partner, with dark shaggy hair. The dark green eyes pop out compared to his porcelain skin. He looks like he's constantly wanting to beat someone up. Together they create the duo Yin Yang. Their stories go way back to their early youth with both of them growing up in the workshop. Working on cars to make them lighter, stronger, and faster. Eventually they started putting together street races and won all their matches. The police chased and chased them but they never could catch up to their Z's, so they gave up. In exchange for some peace, both parties agreed that they could host any meet anywhere and do anything. All except the actual street racing. The word around is that Charlie pays off the local sheriffs to keep the police away. No one's ever had the balls to ask him though, so it remains unknown.
"Tonight we have a couple lineups for you, but before we get to the main event we're going to do our traditional limbo, burnouts, and donuts. So enjoy the show!" booms Sam, which only makes the crowd louder. The guys step off the stage and the crowd disperses to the nearest burnout area. Leo and I make our way over where there's already a Nissan Silvia burning out.
"Do you have a match tonight?" Leo says while watching the silvia move in the designated area.
"I do actually. So go ahead and place your bets." I say proudly.
"You sound so confident for someone who doesn't even know their match yet"
I roll my eyes in response to his warning. Yes, the matches are set up but no one ever knows who they're going against. It's to keep the racers from messing with someone's car or backing out. You don't know until you're lining up and the guy next to you is driving a GTR. But that's why I like these matches. It's a guessing game and when you think you know who it is, it's not.
"Are you seriously doubting me right now?"
"I have faith in your driving Eve. Believe me I do. I just don't want to lose another $300 like last time."
"You know that one dosen't count. They jumped early and no one called it."
Leo just sighs and his eyes finally meet mine. Something's up but I can't tell what. He's bet on me for every race I've been in. Hell, even after the one's I've lost. So why is he backing out now?
"Is everything okay?"
"Eve-"
"Hey Everly, you're up. Get your car ready and line up. You have 10 minutes." says the runner. Just as quick as he showed up, he quickly disappeared back into the crowd. I turn back to Leo who looks defeated and seems unsure.
"Go get ready. I'll see you at the finish line." he says with a smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. He turns and walks away before I could say anything.
I'm already moving to the starting line when I see my opponent. It's a white Nissan Skyline. It looks simple but who knows what they've done to it. The windows, of course, are tinted so I can't see the driver. Finally, a starter walks in between us, making their way to the front. I can see a crowd forming, people holding their phones out and cupping their mouths to cheer. The starter is a young girl, maybe 13 or 14. She's more on the short side, definitely under 5'3. Wearing black sweats with neon green designs on the side of the leg and a plain black crop top. Her hair is a different story. It's the color of a blush pink and thrown up in two messy space buns. Accessorized with little stars and what I'm assuming is glitter. The way it shimmers in the headlights, captivating any eye.
She points to the skyline first, "Ready?". It revs in response. The crowd returns the energy by cheering louder. She then points to me, "Ready?". I also rev in response, getting the same reaction from the crowd. I have one hand on the wheel and the other on my gear shift. My speaker is playing one of my favorite songs, 'This Feeling' by my!lane. I'm focused on the road ahead and my mind is nowhere else but here. I'm ready. In a swift motion, she raises her hands over her head and shoots them down to us, "GO!".
I press down on the clutch, move to first gear, and press on the gas. Clutch in, second gear, clutch out, gas. Clutch in, third gear, clutch out, gas. Clutch in, fourth gear, clutch out, gas. Clutch in, fifth gear, clutch out, gas. It's a repetitive motion. Street lights and signs are passing by me in a flash. I look over to my right and we're evening out. That's fine, I know this course enough to know when to shift up or down. We're coming up on a sharp right turn that few can make. Clutch in, third gear, clutch out, brake. I have to slow down if I'm going to make this turn. I turn the wheel all the way to the right and push down the e-brake quickly. Drifting on the turn and going into the next lane. I pull the e-brake up just as quick and even out my wheels. Clutch in, fifth gear, clutch out, gas. I look back to see the skyline and it also does a perfect drift. Damn, whoever's driving knows this track just as much as I do. I don't let the thought sit for long as I look forward. Halfway there. I keep pushing until I see the purple flag less than a mile away. I'm up ahead when suddenly I see the skyline pass me. There's only one thing that can push a car that fast in a short second. Nos in near perfect timing. Near perfect. I clutch in and move my knob to sixth gear, then clutch out. I press on my gas hard and grab the steering wheel with both hands. The purple flag is coming up quick and I'm at even with the skyline again. At this point it's going to be a matter of millimeters. I turn to my right to catch a quick glance at the car. Then, in a blink of an eye we pass the finish line.
I look in my left rear view mirror to see the purple flag far behind us. I clutch in and out while moving my shift knob back to second gear. We slowly pull off to the side and set my car in park. I turn the engine off and slump back to my seat. Holy crap! It's been a long time since I've had this much adrenaline. I even pushed my supercharger to the max, which almost never happens. Hell, I don't even know who won. I look out my window to see the driver door opening. Out steps a guy, and my is he a giant. He's tall at 6'1 with broad shoulders. His head is topped with pitch black hair. He's wearing a plain white t-shirt, showing tattoos that cover his arms. I open my door and step out of the car. I turn to meet his eye and find him leaning on the side of his car.
"Hi." he says. His voice is deep and soothing, the one you use to calm someone down. It's almost hypnotic.
"You know, if you waited a couple more seconds to switch your nos you probably would have won."
"Probably? Sorry to break the news and let your little hopes down, but I did win." Plastering a smug look on his face.
I pause before responding. Does this guy seriously think he won? Clearly we passed the line at the same time, and unless he has some super power to look back and visually see who crossed the line, there's no winner.
"I have reason to think otherwise."
"Which is?"
"We crossed at the same time. No doubt about it."
"You sound so confident in that statement. Almost like you believe it."
"I do."
"Care to make a bet then?" his mouth forms into a smirk. I don't have to hear him out. He's clearly messing with me, trying to psych me out somehow. But it's enticing at the same time.
"And what would that be?"
"We go back to the meet and hear the results. Loser has to pay up ¥134,975. Simple."
It's simple in the worst way. That much yen equals up to $1,000, which is money I don't have to spare. I've been saving up to finally move out of the house. I was also considering taking Ophelia's offer to go to Osaka for the summer. Missing $1,000 would put a stop to both plans. It's also a lot of money for one race, which makes me think this guy is either desperate or crazy.
"I'm sorry, did you say ¥134,975?" I try my best to hide my disbelief but, it's impossible to hide the concern in my voice.
He flashes a smile which only gives me chills. "Is that a problem?"
Asshole. I shouldn't agree at all. It's a stupid idea which would only cause me problems. But, if I accepted his deal and won, it would help in so many ways. The house has become a constant place filled with my parents' arguments. Moving out means not having to hear the screaming matches. It also means a new start for myself, which is what I need right now.
"Not at all. I'll see you back at the meet."
I get back in the car and immediately make my way back. I really hope I didn't make the wrong choice. If he really did win then I'd have to wait at least another year to move out; and I'm not entirely sure if I can wait that long. It's a 50/50 chance though, which is better than none.
We return to the meet and there's a big crowd waiting for us. I get out of the car and the first thing I see is Leo walking towards me.
"Eve, what the hell happened? We've been waiting for you guys to come back. The reporters wouldn't announce the results until you both returned. People are starting to get pissy. Apparently this race had a lot of bets. Including mine, in case you forgot." He gives me a concerned look which I respond with a shrug.
"Sorry, we pulled over to the side and lost track of time."
"What? You mean you talked to the guy? Eve, you shouldn't even be near him."
"What's that supposed to mean? Do you even know him?"
"That guy you talked to is Azriel. Sure, he's a big racer and has a reputation of winning. But there's also word that he's involved with something illegal. Like some underground shit illegal."
"And where did you hear this?"
"Does it matter? I'm telling you because I'm your friend. He's not someone you want to be around, let alone deal with. "
"It's a little too late for that."
Leo gives me a confused look mixed with something else. Anger? Hurt? Fear?
"Eve. What did you do?" He's now staring at me with cold eyes which means he's pissed.
Before I can answer I hear a loud voice coming from within the crowd.
"Drivers, here are the results from race number seven."
I turn my head to look for Azriel and find him staring at the sky. He's staring at the night sky and I have no idea why. He drops his head and when he turns we make eye contact. He raises one of his eyebrows and then puts on that smug look. I roll my eyes and turn away from him, paying attention to the reporters. I didn't realize I was holding in my breath until my lungs started to fight for air. This moment could either help me or ruin me.
"The winner of this race was difficult to determine. The snapshot showed a millimeter of a difference, making it a very close race. As a result, the winner of race seven is… AZRIEL!"
Half of the crowd roars in cheers while the other half curses. I can't believe the result. This has to be a mistake right? Losing by a millimeter! It sounds like a joke and yet, I'm living it. Even worse, I just lost $1,000. Fuck.