11

            I pull into the school parking lot and find an empty space just a couple cars down from where Mika parked and shut off the engine. As I grab my bag from the backseat, I look up quickly; glancing over at Mika as she knocks on the window. I turn around and get out of the car, locking the door as I push it closed.

 

            "Man I can't wait to see the look on Conner's face when he sees your car." She says as we make our way up the stairs and head inside the building.

 

            "Yeah, that will be something worth seeing" I say with a light chuckle. "Just, imagine how red his face will be when he finds out he can't win against me in a race anymore."

 

            "Oh, I can hear his voice now." Mika says impersonating him as she speaks. "Man you cheated. You messed with my car."

 

            We continue to mock Conner as we make our way through the crowd of students coming inside from the courtyard and head straight for the gym. The halls quickly filling with echoing conversations and loud, multiple slams of lockers as they opened and closed. It wasn't much longer until the bell rang and the halls cleared but by then, Mika and I were already sitting in the bleachers carrying on our conversation.

 

            "You know; I have to ask you something."

 

            "What is it?"

 

            "How do you do it?"

 

            "Do what?"

           

"Stay so positive, even after everything that's happened."

            I pause for a moment and look down. I was plagued by her question, however, I knew the answer. In a way it was both simple and a bit wise as well but, I doubted that it would be the answer she had expected. I smiled softly before looking up at her; gazing into her eyes. They shone with curiosity, eager to learn more as if they were a child just starting school. Though it wasn't the perfect read, it was the look she had given me and It hung over me like a shadow.

 

            "Mika, I've been through enough to realize that there's not always going to be a light at the end of the tunnel." I say, watching her facial expression change slowly.

 

"Sometimes you have to wander around in the dark just to find it but, the best thing to do is to make your own light and follow the road out."

 

            She seemed satisfied with the answer that I had given her. Though she didn't say it, the soft smile that grew upon her lips had. It wasn't my best answer for her question but, for her, it was what she wanted to hear. It was that type of wisdom that she craved for what appeared to be for quite some time. The very same wisdom that I had once craved for myself a year ago and never received.

 

            We sat together for the rest the class telling each other short stories from our past. It wasn't much longer until I had realized she had managed to scoot closer and rest her head on my shoulder but, I just smiled softly and pretended not to notice. We grew closer since then and looked after each other as family.

 

            A few weeks later, Mika began showing me her driving methods for when she'd participate in the races. Every week from then we'd practice drifts, maneuvers, drafting, even moments when nitrous should be used. I'd get better each time and before I knew it I was just as good. I knew every move, every tactic that she'd use and perfected it to the point where I could add my own twist on some of them. She was impressed by how quick she picked up on it, but she wanted to put my knowledge and my improvements to the test.

            The Following weekend, Mika and I met at the track once more for our race. She had been there already by the time I had shown up; waiting patiently at the starting line. I pull up beside her and get out of the car, walking over to the driver side of hers and tapping lightly on the window.

 

            “Are you ready for the race?" I ask her, laughing a bit as I see her jump.

 

            "What took you so long?"

 

            "Oh, you know. Traffic" I say as we both laugh.

 

            "Alright well hurry up and get back in your car" she says smiling. "I want to be able to beat you before Conner makes any plans to show his face."

 

            "It seems a bit late for that." I say looking back, watching as Conner pulls onto the track.

            We watch Conner as he pulls alongside of us and gets out of his car. He was still wearing that smug look on his face. Mika and I couldn't stand it. It was like his calling card; he'd give you that look and next thing you know, somehow he's screwed you over. Maybe not at that very moment but, it would happen the same day.

 

            "Well if it isn't boy wonder and her trusty side kick" he says as he leans against his car. "Mommy giving you driving lessons Jay?"

 

"Ugh, who invited the drag queen?" Mika says as she glances over at me.

 

            "Don't look at me I didn't invite her" I say laughing a little.

 

            "Oh that's funny, why don't you take that bottle out of your mouth and demonstrate the new tricks that your owner taught you."

 

            "Is this guy serious?" I say looking over at Mika. "You wouldn't stand a chance."

 

            "Don't tell me you're afraid of getting your a*s handed to you."

 

            "No, I just know that the race would be over before you even hit the gas."

 

            "Then prove it" He says as he gets back into his car.

 

            "You don't have to race him James" Mika says lightly.

 

            "I know, but it'll be fun to crush his ego." I say as I walk over to my car and slide into the driver's seat; starting the engine and pulling up to the starting line.

 

Mika pulls to the side and gets out of the car, leaning against the hood as she watches Conner’s friend walks over to the starting line and stands between us. Conner and I rev our engines as we watch him point at both of our car and raise one of his hands. I then glance over at Conner, seeing him grip his steering wheel tighter and look away smirking as look back at his friend just as he drops his arm.

We both pull away quickly, our tires kicking up dust as we make our way down the track towards the first bend. I could hear his engine through the windows, laughing at the fact that his car sounded like a weed eater and shift up to third as I round the bend; pulling in front of him. I watch his smile drops as I glance up in the rear view mirror and laugh harder as the gap between us widens, shifting to fourth, then fifth. Not much further to go now, as I drift through the second bend dropping a gear and shifting back up as I turn out of it.

“Still think Conner’s got a chance?” Mika says as his friend walks up beside her.

 

“Don’t get your hopes up.” He says glancing over at her. “It’s not over yet.”

 

Oh how he was wrong, the race had been over long before it started. I had Conner beat already, however, I accepted his challenge to simply make a point. His ego had led him to believe that he had been greater than the rest of us and it was a shame that this would be the day he’d be proven wrong.

Our tires squealed as we rounded the final turn, inching closer and closer to the finish line with each passing minute. I could see Mika standing there waiting; smiling as she herself had already knew the outcome. I shift to the next gear and pull ahead, taking the lead and widening the gap between the two of us. It wasn’t longer till I had crossed the finish line, beating Conner at his own game.