Street Heat

Chapter Two - Drifting into Reality

Next morning - Monday, 6:50 am.

I woke up to the harsh buzz of my alarm, the sun creeping through the curtains to pierce my exhaustion. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up, the memory of last night's race still fresh in my mind. The thrill of victory was quickly overshadowed by the nagging tension that clung to me like a second skin. As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a mess, and my eyes held the remnants of a sleepless night. I'd need every ounce of energy I could muster today, school was a different kind of race, and the stakes were just as high.

After a quick shower and throwing on a fitted graphic tee with a pair of well-worn jeans, I headed to the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee filled the air, and my mom was already at the table, flipping through a magazine. 

"Morning, champ," she said with a smile, a glint of pride in her eyes.

"Morning," I replied, grabbing a piece of toast. "I forgot to tell you how insane the race was,"

I recounted my victory as I scarfed down breakfast, but as soon as I finished, the weight of what I might face at school settled in my stomach like lead. Roman and Magnus would be there, and I couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get complicated. After a quick goodbye to my mom, I slipped on my sneakers and headed out to my Mitsubishi. I took a moment to admire the butterfly livery on the hood, a small reminder of who I was. This car was my freedom, my passion, but I needed to focus on navigating the real challenges ahead. I got into the driver's seat and started it up, looking over my shoulder as I slowly backed out of the driveway. I then drove down the quiet streets, switching on the radio to add background noise. As I pulled into the school parking lot, the familiar sights and sounds enveloped me. Students chatting, busses stopping, and the distant echo of a whistle signaling the start of practice for the fall sports teams. My stomach tightened as I scanned the lot, looking for Roman and Magnus. They were impossible to miss, Roman's tall frame always seemed to command attention, while Magnus's easy smile drew people in like moths to a flame. I parked and stepped out, my heart racing as I spotted them standing near the entrance. Roman was leaning against Magnus's car, his arms crossed casually, a smirk playing on his lips as he shared a joke with some friends. Magnus, with his tousled hair and laid-back demeanour, stood beside him, looking slightly uncomfortable. As I walked toward them, I felt the stares of my classmates, their whispers wrapping around me like a cloak. "That's Lottie," "She won last night, right?" A knot of pride swelled in my chest, but the uncertainty of facing the boys clouded my victory.

"Hey, Lottie!" Magnus called out, breaking away from the group to meet me. His bright smile was genuine, but I could sense the tension lurking beneath the surface. "Congrats again on last night," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Thanks, Magnus. It was a close one." As we chatted, I caught Roman's eye. He pushed off the car and sauntered over, his confidence radiating in waves. 

"What's up, Charlotte?" he exclaimed, a teasing undertone in his voice. "I can't believe you left everyone in the dust, maybe I should take some tips from you on how to handle those corners."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips. "You? Take tips from me. That's rich."

"Hey, I'm just saying, if you can handle those curves like that, I'd be honoured to learn from the best," he said, stepping closer, his gaze teasing yet sincere. "Plus, I think you'd look rather cute giving me a lesson."