That evening, Fiona, curled up on the dorm sofa, grinned at her terminal screen like a cat who'd gotten into the cream. She had just uploaded a series of selfies to her social media, each one radiating with her undeniable charm. There was just one odd detail: Allie and Amir could be spotted in the background of every single photo.
In the first, Fiona winked at the camera while, behind her, Allie and Amir locked eyes in a battle of wills over the last piece of red braised pork in the cafeteria. In another, Fiona flashed a peace sign as Allie, face etched with exasperation, was dragged along for roller practice by a relentless Amir. And in yet another, Fiona pouted playfully for the camera, framing Allie and Amir silhouetted against the setting sun as they sat side-by-side on the training ground, their shadows stretched long and intertwined.
"Fiona, how many photos did you actually take? Why are Amir and I the backdrop in every single one?" Allie asked, scrolling through Fiona's social media with a mixture of amusement and disbelief.
"Oh, come on, it makes my photos so much more lively and fun!" Fiona chirped, sidling up to Allie and throwing an arm around her shoulders. "So, what do you think? Did I capture your beauty?"
"You did, but it feels a little like… paparazzi," Allie admitted, shaking her head and pointing at one particular photo. "Look at this one, Amir's face is completely blurred. You were clearly focused on me, weren't you?"
"Gotcha!" Fiona giggled, sticking out her tongue. "What can I say? You two are just so visually appealing together, I couldn't resist snapping a few extra shots!"
The day of the preliminary races arrived, and all of Mars buzzed with anticipation. Allie stood at the starting line of the women's 1000-meter speed skating heat, her heart thrumming with a heady mix of nerves, excitement, and anticipation. This was her first official step toward becoming a professional racer.
She took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping across the sea of faces in the stands and the top racers from across Mars lined up on the track. Every competitor was primed and ready, the air thick with an almost tangible sense of rivalry.
Not far away, Jones Dalton warmed up, her presence a constant reminder that they were in the same heat. Catching Allie's eye, Jones offered a challenging smirk, her gaze sharp and unwavering. It was a look that screamed, "This time, victory is mine!"
Allie ignored the provocation, focusing her attention back on the track ahead.
"Bang!"
The starter pistol fired, and the racers shot off the line like arrows released from their bowstrings. Specially designed wheels whirred against the smooth track, their speed generating a low hum and a rush of wind.
Allie's body moved in sync with the rhythm of her skates, each movement precise and powerful as she picked up speed. She was like a swift swallow, darting across the track, leaving a trail of fleeting shadows in her wake.
Jones Dalton was hot on her heels, her skills as Mars' rising racing star undeniable. But today, she faced Allie, a girl fueled by a mysterious power and an unshakeable determination.
Allie had only one thought: Win! She had to win this race, to prove her worth.
Her skates seemed to become an extension of her will, each turn executed flawlessly as her speed climbed, gradually widening the gap between her and the other racers, including Jones.
The crowd roared excitedly, captivated by Allie's skill and astonishing speed. Cheers erupted from the stands.
"Allie! Allie! Allie!"
The deafening chant echoed through the arena, spurring Allie onward. She skated with even greater fluidity, her speed increasing until she left her opponents far behind.
Ultimately, Allie crossed the finish line first, claiming victory in her heat with an undeniable lead.
The crowd erupted, thunderous applause washing over the arena as people leaped to their feet, cheering for the young rising star.
Jones Dalton's face was a mask of bitter disappointment. She bit her lip, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and resentment. She hadn't anticipated Allie's raw power and now, her earlier taunts felt hollow and foolish.
Allie went on to secure a spot in the obstacle course finals, once again finishing first in her heat. That same day, both Amir and Fiona dominated their respective events, effortlessly securing their own places in the finals.
Their fellow students from Extreme Academy swarmed them, ecstatic cheers and congratulations filling the air.
"Allie, that was incredible! You're our idol!"
"Amir, I knew you had it in you!"
"Fiona, you were amazing! We're so proud of you!"
Amir's fans, in particular, were so enthusiastic that they nearly caused a security breach. It took the combined efforts of several guards to maintain order.
That evening, in the Academy's dining hall, Amir finally broke free from the throngs of admirers. Heaving a sigh of relief, he dramatically lamented, "Oh, the curse of my own charm! It's a heavy burden to bear."
He sauntered over to Allie's table, tray in hand, and dramatically brushed his hair back from his forehead. "Allie, do you see any scratches on my face? Those women were terrifying! They practically tried to tear me apart!"
As Allie turned, ready to inspect his face for any sign of damage, Amir leaned in and swiftly planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Allie, I'm still waiting for your answer," he murmured, gazing at her with hopeful eyes.
Allie, caught off guard, blushed furiously, one hand flying to her cheek while the other hand subtly channeled her Kunlun energy. This guy was really pushing his luck.
"Amir! Behave yourself!" Fiona intervened, slapping him on the shoulder. "Allie is mine, hands off!"
"Fiona, I've had enough of you!" Amir protested, rubbing his shoulder with a frown. "Aren't you supposed to be a friend? Don't be a roadblock on my path to love with Allie!"
Fiona, without missing a beat, launched into another round of "loving education."
"Allie." A familiar voice cut through the commotion.
Allie looked up to see Ryan and his assistant, Mary, standing nearby. A wave of surprise washed over her and she quickly excused herself, getting up to greet them.
Ryan, dressed in a black leather jacket and fitted pants, seemed less austere than usual, his demeanor radiating a youthful energy.
"Ryan, what brings you here?" Allie asked.
"I heard it was your finals today. I wanted to see how you were doing." His voice was warm, laced with concern. "I haven't had time to train you these past few days. How are you feeling?"
"I feel good. The races went smoothly today." Allie smiled.
"That's good to hear." Ryan nodded, his gaze shifting to Amir, who was watching them intently. "Amir, you did well today. Keep it up."
"Naturally," Amir replied, with a confident smirk.
"Fiona, I'm borrowing Allie for a bit to run some tests. I'll bring her back later." Ryan informed Fiona.
"No problem at all," Fiona chirped, waving at them.
"Come on, I've reserved a small skating facility." Ryan gestured for Allie to follow him as he headed out of the dining hall.
Allie trailed behind him, leaving a stunned silence in their wake.
Watching them go, the smile faded from Amir's face. He turned to Fiona, his expression serious. "What's going on between them?"
Fiona shrugged, a knowing look in her eyes. "Who knows? Only they do." She pulled out her terminal and resumed her furious typing, up to her old tricks again.
Ryan led Allie to a private, fully equipped skating facility. The ambiance was calm, the lighting soft—perfect for testing and training.
Under Ryan's watchful eye, Allie executed a series of complex maneuvers and techniques, her every move meticulously observed and recorded.
After the testing, Allie stepped off the track, accepting a bottle of water from Ryan. She stared at it for a moment, lost in thought.
It was a bottle of premium mineral water from Mercury, the elegant design and crystal-clear contents a testament to its luxury. It was a luxury Allie had never encountered before.
"What's wrong?" Ryan asked, noticing her distraction.
"It's nothing. Just thinking about the past." Allie gently shook the bottle, the clear liquid catching the light. "Back in the refugee camp, we used to fight tooth and nail over a bottle of cheap, recycled water…"
"Allie, those days are behind you. You're incredibly talented. You'll never have to live like that again."
Allie took a sip, the water cool and refreshing. She'd never imagined water could taste so good. "Is this really water from Mercury?"
"Yes, from the largest lake on the planet - Lake Alynslie," Ryan confirmed.
"Mercury sounds like a wonderful place," Allie murmured, a hint of longing in her voice.
"Allie, you seem different today. Is something bothering you?" Ryan asked, his sharp eyes picking up on her subtle shift in mood.
"No, it's nothing, really." Allie shook her head, avoiding his gaze. "By the way, will you be at the finals tomorrow?"
"I…" Ryan hesitated. "I'm not sure."
The day of the finals dawned, the energy in the arena palpable. The people of Mars lived for roller racing, and no one wanted to miss this event.
Allie warmed up backstage, her eyes scanning the throngs of spectators. She didn't see the familiar figure she was searching for. Fiona was competing in a simultaneous final, leaving Allie to face this challenge alone.
"Bang!"
The starting pistol fired, and the final race was on.
Allie shot off the starting line like a bolt of lightning, her skates blazing a trail of light across the track, her speed breathtaking.
As she rounded the first bend, a familiar figure flickered in her peripheral vision. Ryan, unexpectedly, was in the stands!
Allie's heart leaped, a surge of warmth coursing through her. It was as if his presence had imbued her with renewed strength. Her confidence soared, her speed increasing even further as she effortlessly overtook the racer ahead of her, claiming the lead position.
But then, disaster struck.
As Allie navigated a sharp turn, a wave of dizziness washed over her, a child's voice whispering in her mind, "Sister, help me!"
It was the voice from her dreams, the voice of the mysterious little girl.
Allie's skates wobbled, her balance faltering for a heart-stopping moment. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
Allie gritted her teeth, fighting to regain control. She didn't know what was happening, but she couldn't fall here.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed through dizziness, her indomitable will and honed skills allowing her to right herself and continue racing.
Though her speed had been compromised, she persevered, refusing to give up.
In the end, Allie secured a qualifying spot in the Twin Stars League, even with her setback.
Ryan immediately rushed down from the stands, his face etched with worry. "Allie, are you alright? Are you hurt?"
Allie shook her head, her face pale. "I… I don't know. I thought I heard something strange…"
And in her mind, the little girl's voice echoed once more, filled with fear and desperation.