Dark Horse: Academy Elite Series Book 1

Chapter Two

After twenty-four hours, I was finally unpacked. Dates on my calendar circled in a bright red color. I carefully placed my pictures and trophies strategically around my room. A big poster of Mclaren's Formula 1 Driver, Lando Norris. On the other wall, I had an even bigger poster of Red Bull's Driver, Max Verstappen. One day I hope someone has my poster hanging on their wall. Peering over my shoulder, I see my favorite poster that my father helped me get: Jules Bianchi. Dad, I'm doing this journey for you. I hope I make you proud.

Everything else I needed, I'd be getting in a few days. And within the hour, I would know the 19 names of everyone I was going to destroy on the track. 19 names of people I'd never see again. Get in, get out. Germany is not our home, Lia.

And on top of it all, I have made an enemy. I'm a nice person and I never wish disgust or hate on anyone, but he was different. Strange, I can travel across the pond, but boys will always be boys. There's no need to translate that.

Wavy, blonde hair with freckles that painted his face. A punchable face, that is. Eyes the color of the raging sea. And a perfect nose. Like why did he have to be blessed with a nose that people can only dream of? It isn't fair.

Actually, my parents dying instead of me wasn't fair. Him having a perfect nose is an injustice.

"I thought you needed your sleep, Sleeping Beauty."

Punchable face, I thought. No, you mustn't sink to his level, Lia. Academy starts soon. "Today's going to be a great day."

"And why is that?"

"Because I'll be free of you. Sounds like paradise to me."

"If you just left the estate, you'd be free of me too."

I grabbed my bag and left on that note. He does not dictate what I do. Focus, Lia. The Academy was even more beautiful in person. Decorated with cathedral stained glass windows. Larger than life. You could hear other drivers tearing up the track and my blood boiled with anticipation. It was a paradise made for me.

"Ms. Sla-"

"Fischer."

"Oh, I was mistaken."

"You weren't, sir. I just don't use that last name. If people knew who my father was, I'd be treated differently and I don't think I've earned the name yet."

"Practice starts tomorrow. For now, meet your competition."

I pushed through the doors and saw a collection of eyes staring back at me. The best of the best. The only thing better would be seeing Lando Norris or Charles Leclerc or someone of that caliber. Like Carlos Sainz or even Max Verstappen. Anyone from Formula 1 really. A few people I recognized instantly and it was only time before they saw me and meandered their way over to me.

I'd know Zizi anywhere.

"Lia!"

"And here I thought we were becoming friends." I joked. "Looks like I got some competition."

"You were always the better racer." she paused before waving over the other two girls. Both undeniably beautiful. Maria always reminded me of a 1930's actress, the way she did her hair. Eyes kissed by the Sun God himself. The marriage of warm honey hues and soft moss dancing in the sunlight. Then there was Andreia. If you didn't know her, you'd think she was closed-off and cold; but that couldn't be further from the truth. Eyes the shade of onyx melting into dark chocolate morsels. Human embodiment of sunshine.

"Lia." smiled Andreia. "Ready to get your ass kicked?"

"Are you ready to eat your words, Andreia?"

"How are you adjusting to Germany, Lia?"

I wanted to mention the guy who was tormenting me. That I was indeed human after all, but I shrugged the thought. Why give my competition information that could be my undoing? It wasn't all bad. The house was in desperate need of redecorating. "Actually, I was wondering if anyone wanted to stay at my house for the season. Plenty of rooms. It's about ten minutes away."

"Are you asking us to move in?" asked Maria. All I did was nod.

Zizi wrapped her arms around me and said, "I would love that. How many people can move in?"

" I think I have room for eight people."

"No boys allowed?"

"Unfortunately, I would have to offer this opportunity to the boys too."

Then I saw Nico Moretti. Childhood best friend. Sadness stained his eyes. "Nico?"

"Fischer? Is that you? I knew I smelled an American." laughed Nico as he threw his arms around my neck and held me tightly. His shaggy blonde hair tickled my face. "How are you?"

"Same old, same old."

"Lia."

"Nico, I would've beat you if..." I began as I swallowed my own sadness. He was there when my parents died until I pushed him away. Don't get close to anyone. You don't need to suffer. Anyone I get close to suffers a fate worse than death. I've learned to keep to myself and no one else gets hurt. And if I don't have people to care about, I don't get hurt. I've had a lifetime of pain and misery in the span of a year. Maybe I'm the Grim Reaper collecting souls.

I can't handle another death when I live.

"I know."

The academy doors open and I lock eyes with this blonde guy. You've got to be shitting me, I thought.

Everyone turned towards me when I realized I had said it aloud instead of remaining quiet. There's no way that he's a driver like me. Well, did you give him a chance to introduce himself before painting him as a villain?

"Sleeping Beauty."

"That's not my name."

"And I don't care to learn it."

"You two know each other?" asked Nico.

"Kakerlake." I muttered as I turned to head towards the track. I saw which car would be mine for the season. A single-seat, open-cockpit in the shade Fire Engine Red. The number 33 glazed over it with all of my sponsors. My Ferrari.

"Das Paradies genießen"?

"Könnte nicht glücklicher sein."

Raphael, Adriana, and Santiago kept tight-lipped about the situation.

"What are you doing here, American?"

"Apparently teaching you how to race."

"You're the human equivalent of a participation trophy."

"And you're the low-wattage bulb in the lamp of life."

"Is that the best you got?" snarled Mr. German. His punchable face hovered in front of mine. His rapid breath. "I didn't realize you were an expert in everything."

I took a step closer before Nico pulled me away. "What's going on between Spier and you?"

Spier. Fucking Milo Spier. The only competition I have. The guy I would have competed against last year if...

"Nothing."

"Didn't look like nothing, Amelia."

"Nico, there's nothing to discuss. He's an arrogant asshole with a god complex that I happen to be living with."

"You're living with -"

"Moretti, there's nothing going on. Remember the house I have here in Germany? He's my roommate. Currently looking for eight more. Because if we're left alone, someone is going to jail for murder."

"He's a Formula 2 Driver, Lia."

"And I expect to be an F1 Driver. It is the first season they have an opening on the Formula 1 Team. The first year a woman has a chance. He's merely a blimp on my roadmap to stardom. Are you with me or not?"

"Yes."