Dalliance - Z.M. (An Exquisites Original Story)

78; W.D.Y.W.F.M?

So here's the deal. I see that a LOT of you are reading my book (thank u) but not a lot of u are leaving comments along the way which is a SHAME because I know you have a lot to say. So let me propose a deal.

You leave me 1K comments this chapter (I know you can do it) and I update tomorrow. As soon as you hit the mark, you get another update and I promise you're going to want it after reading this one.

Your clock starts now.

__________

Chapter 78

"She's crazy, through,

I guess there's something wrong inside."

(Raine's POV)

I find myself feeling more alive when everyone else around me is everything but. The world is silenced, the night is respectful, the events of tomorrow seem to be lightyears away. As the moon looks over me, the world belongs to me. The stars that scatter above the velvet carpet above me seem as generous as ever, spending their time shining on me and nothing else. Exhaustion overcomes me with every passing minute of the night yet I blink it away and pray that the sun doesn't come up soon. The serenity that the calamitous sky holds envelopes me whole, hugging me with such comfort that I feel loved.

But the sun doesn't care to listen to my requests. It rises every morning, leaving behind the cosmic infinity I feel under the solace of the moon. The sun hits play on the tragedies that await me, waking up those around me and making me feel less existent than I could ever feel.

One more lap.

As the sun stretches and the world ignites around me, I am engaged in a race of my own. The wheels of my car screech against the gravel path around me as I turn the wheel with the finesse of a skilled driver. Cold wind drifts through my hair as I peek out the window, circling the same tree I've crossed countless times in the last hour. The adrenaline that rushes through my blood begins to feel exceedingly exhilarating, seeping through me like the same high I get from ingesting my favorite intoxicant.

My foot presses against the pedal as the car picks up a dangerous speed. I feel a smile spread across my face as I swerve past the den, controlling the car with a brisk talent that I've inherited over my many years racing. Every turn I hit, I think back to the harmless fun I used to have after school back in Berwick. As soon as my mother would go to sleep, I'd sneak through the window of my bedroom and drive to the ring where I and my small group of acquaintances would race one another behind the local laundromat. Our cars were cheap, our time was limited, but our hearts were fearless.

Racing was my first addiction. I've stayed clean for as long as I can but with the gala approaching, I don't know the next time I'll be able to do this, and I'm not counting on making it to Heaven. So as far as I'm concerned, this is my last chance.

I'm just one turn away from hitting the mental finish line I've created for myself when I see a familiar car drive up the pathway. I hit the brakes before I crash into it, spinning my car out of the way as the car circles around me. My chest rises and falls at a familiar speed even though the car has officially stopped, but the pumping of adrenaline sees no halt.

The car drives beside mine until the window rolls down and I smile, suddenly finding it harder to catch my breath. Apollo tilts his head at the sight of me so full of life at this hour, though he doesn't seem to question it. We are both nocturnal at this point, awake for the night and sneaking brief patches of laze before the world wakes up.