Illicit (H.S)

03

the street bridges where the race takes place (Except the water... if picture isn't visible, see my twitter/X bambiille) ↑↑

Lucy Greene

The concrete feels rough beneath my palms. I'm not exactly nervous, but there's a tension in the air. Below me, the cars are lined up ready to go. Thanks to the slanted walls, I have an overview of the whole race. The route is simple: a straight shot all the way to the third bridge, a sharp turn, and then back to the starting line. The first one to cross the starting line wins. As soon as Mandy throws the cowboy hat into the air, it's showtime.

Everyone is gathered around the cars, divided into their respective groups, of course. I am sitting on Rowes' side of the race, and scattered along the walls are people from town, eager to watch the race. My mind races through all of the possible outcomes. If the Normans win, Calvin is going to freak out. If the Rowes win, Calvin's ego will inaflate even more and he'll brag whenever he sees the Normans. Frankly, both scenarios sound exhausting to me.

I've always known Calvins ways, especially towards the Normans, but lately, it's been grating on me. Challenging Harry to a race during his first week here is just unfair. I've always been tired of these childish games between the two groups, but that's not something I can ever say out loud.

I spot Caroline making her way up the slanted wall. She's wearing a pair of jean shorts, identical to mine, and a white top.

"Hi, sweets. Are you excited?" I say as she gets closer.

"Mostly scared," she laughs nervously. "Listen, we have an issue." She sits down next to me.

I look down at the crowd by the cars. Niall is leaning against the car, talking to Harry. Zayn is circling the car, checking for last-minute issues. Calvin is perched on the hood of our car, William in front of him and Margot beside him. But there's no sign of Mandy.

"Where's Mandy?" I ask. She's supposed to throw the hat. She has to be here.

"That's the problem. They're wondering if you can do it instead. Mandy had to leave and do something. I don't know the details," Caroline explains.

I think for a moment. "And I would just be throwing the hat?"

Caroline nods. "Yes. They want to start now before the sun sets."

It's getting close to nighttime, and the streetlights here are notoriously unreliable. Racing cars without proper lighting is where even we draw the line.

"Fine, I'll do it. Where's the hat?" I ask as we both stand up and carefully make our way down the slanted walls.

"It should be down there, by the cars."

Once we get down to the others, I see the cowboy hat on the hood of Norman's car.

Caroline claps her hands together, "Okay, Lucy is going to throw the hat!" she announces loudly.

The Normans audibly sigh as they prepare for the race. Harry gets into his car and Calvin does the same. I walk to the starting line, standing between the two vehicles. I put on the cowboy hat and glance at my friends and the Normans, who are climbing up the slanted walls for a better view.

"Ready, boys?" I smile at Harry and Calvin, both of them focused and ready.

In my 20 years, I've never been the one to throw the hat to start a race. I wasn't nervous before, but now the nerves churns in my stomach. The engines hum in anticipation along with the Rowes and the Normans screaming and applauding.

Just before I throw the hat, I lock eyes with Harry. His intense gaze meets mine. The hum of the engines, the murmur of the crowd, all of the noise around me blurs into the background. We stand there, in what feels like a suspension of time. He nods slightly, a gesture of acknowledgement, and I find myself nodding back. I grip the brim of the hat.