The streets of Michigan held the best car soirees and top dog street races-on top of it all, a life of their own.
What happens when two polar opposite racers collide; the best one from detroit, and one all the way from the city of angels?
It was getting late, and I finally clocked out yet another long shift. Chaeryeong had stuff to do at home, so I had to close up the cafè. The evening breeze hit my skin as I stepped out, only to see Yeji once again, leaning casually against her car.
She'd been doing this almost every day—showing up, staying a few hours, chatting with Chaeryeong, which I highly disapprove since Chaeryeong spills a lot, and occasionally bothering me.
It's Friday.
On the contrary, it had grown on me in some weird, inexplicable way. Seeing her waiting by her car had become part of the routine.
A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I caught it just in time to shove it away, forcing my usual expressionless face back on.
What am I smiling about?
I scolded myself. Feeling things was something I'd always been careful about, and showing them? Never. I walked over to her, trying not to make eye contact.
"Saint Claire," I greeted, watching as her eyes lit up at the sound of her surname. It was almost amusing how she seemed to enjoy the way I said it. "What are you doing here again?"
She shrugged, a smile playing on her lips. "What, can't a girl wait for you after work?"
I rolled my eyes, but deep down, it didn't bother me as much as it used to. She always found ways to sneak in a comment, no matter how indifferent I tried to be. I'm starting to think it's her talent.
"So, have you eaten?" she asked out of nowhere, and my stomach betrayed me with a low growl. I hadn't had anything since morning, thanks to leaving my lunch back at the studio.
I shook my head, almost ready to turn her down. "No, but I'll grab something on the way home."
She raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Because I know a great spot."
My initial response was to say no. I hated the idea of being carted around, but the hunger gnawing at my insides made me reconsider. Plus, she wasn't going to drop this. Not by a long shot.
"Fine," I muttered. "You better drive slow or I'm jumping out." I said. I know, I know. A racer who hates driving fast on a casual night? Yep, that's me. I'm not planning on dying with someone else behind the wheel.
She chuckled. "As you wish, Ryujin." She said and opened the door for me. I was surprised, but before I could even react, she was already on the other side.
The place she took me to caught me off guard. It was small, tucked away in the outskirts of Detroit, quiet and far from the city's usual noise. "How'd you know about this?" I asked, genuinely curious.
She smiled like she had a secret. "I looked it up. Figured you'd like somewhere quiet after a long day."
For a second, I didn't know what to say. She wasn't even from here, yet she went out of her way to find a place that fit...me. That was a first. I'd never had anyone go through that much trouble for me, let alone someone who I saw as a rich girl looking for a thrill.
This is all temporary, Ryujin.
We ordered our food, and for the first time in a while, It felt natural. She ordered some Chicken alfredo pasta, and me, not knowing what to get, just ordered the same. She did the talking, to which I was thankful for. My social battery is on a low given the amount of customers I have to deal with every day.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
