the speed of love

chapter two • catch up if you can

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I zip up my backpack and walk out of my driver's room. Today was the first race of the season, which is my second in the Porsche Cup.

I walk towards Pedro's office for the after-race debrief, and still hear Kiya and Pedro arguing.

I grasp the handle to the door, and before I can open it, it flies open and Pedro walks out.

"Sorry Mack. I have to go. Debrief tomorrow morning. Call me." He says hurriedly and storms out.

I glance towards the inside of the office and see Kiya sitting down, looking defeated. I awkwardly stand in the doorframe, then make the decision to head the room.

I walk into the room, shutting the door, so it is only slightly open.

I lean against the wall, and Kiya looks down at her lap.

We sit in silence before I say, "You, uhm, want someone to talk to..?"

Kiya takes a moment.

"No, I don't want to involve you in... whatever the hell I have going on." She says quietly.

"No, no just.. bounce things off of me."

I shift in my stance before she starts talking,

"My idiot father is trying to set me up for marriage." She suddenly says.

I nod my head and look up from the ground.

"I-I don't even know what he's thinking. It's fucking 2024. Who sets their 17 year old daughter for marriage? It's not even in Spanish culture."

I don't know what to say. I'll let her continue.

"And the guy. He's just another rich kid from another rich family who has no sense of a hard life."

I look at her sitting down. I start to see years forming in her eyes. I get up from my lean and sit in the chair next to her.

"Hey, hey it's ok." I try and help her.

"I can help you if you want..? Maybe find a way around this."

I feel like my words are an empty promise. What the hell can I do that she can't?

I reach for hand to comfort her. I grab her hand and squeeze, she reciprocates.

As I listen, an alarm on her phone goes off.

"Shit, it's 9:30 PM" She says.

She continues, "I better get going."

I stand up, clear my throat, and help her up. I open the door, and watch her walk out.

"See you later!" I say after her.

She waves and walks towards the exit of the garages.

time skip

I like to think I'm classically handsome.

6'2, golden blonde hair, deep set blue eyes, and an athletic body.

The camera flashes one last time as my eyes water.

"Alright Mack come look at these" The photographer motions me to come over.

I walk over, and take a look at the camera.

I'm doing a photoshoot for my teams social media. My light cyan and white race suit on, and helmet in hand.