Street Heat

Chapter Four - High Stakes

By the time Friday arrived, the atmosphere was electric. The whole school felt like it was buzzing with energy, and I could barely contain my excitement as I prepped my car for the race. I was determined to defend my title and show everyone, especially Roman, what I was actually capable of. Aside from the charged atmosphere of the week, I found a note from Roman in my locker at the end of the day that had a smiley face at the bottom.

You looked pretty today. Can't wait for Saturday. -Roman

My heart fluttered, and my cheeks flushed. A note was a bold move, that's for sure. Maybe Roman wasn't so bad, and the reputation he had was just a rumoured stereotype. Thats what I hoped for.

Day of the race - Saturday, 8:30 pm.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over Los Angeles, the racers gathered at a lookout point along Mulholland Drive. The road, famous for its dramatic curves and sweeping vistas, was buzzing with anticipation. The backdrop of the city lights twinkling below added a cinematic feel to the atmosphere. The downside to this being our track for the night, was the complexity of the curves. We would have to have insane control, and of course I had it but I had my doubts. As I pulled into the lookout on Mulholland Drive, my heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The sunset painted the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink, illuminating the curves of the road below. My car turned heads as I parked, and I could already hear the cheers and laughter from my friends and fans gathered at the edge of the cliff. Stepping out of the car, I was immediately greeted by a wave of familiar faces. 

"Lottie, you're finally here," Magnus shouted, his eyes sparkling with pride. He came over and clapped a hand on my shoulder. "You've got this. Just remember our practice from this week."

"Yeah, like that's gonna help with these twists," I joked, trying to lighten the tension. Just then, Roman approached, his signature smirk plastered on his face. 

"I was starting to think you were too scared to show up," he teased, leaning casually against my car like it was his.

I rolled my eyes, but the flutter in my stomach betrayed me. "Just you wait, Roman. You're in for a surprise."

"Right. Okay," He said, walking over to his car. After exchanging a few more light-hearted jabs, it was time to focus. The crowd began to shift, following the thrill of anticipation. Magnus and I headed to our cars, and I took a deep breath as I slid back into the driver's seat. The reality of the race hit me hard. This road was complex, and every turn could be the difference between victory and disaster. The starting line was marked with just two pylons, standing tall on either side of the road. I felt a knot in my stomach as I looked down the winding path ahead. Mulholland's twists and dips were legendary; it wasn't just a race but a test of skill and nerve. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, a mix of fear and adrenaline coursing through my veins. But I pushed it back, knowing I had to fight against that doubt. With the sound of the crowd counting down echoing in my ears, I focused my gaze ahead. The engines roared to life, and as the signal dropped, we took off, tires screeching against the asphalt. I found myself battling for position, weaving in and out of turns, heart racing as I navigated the treacherous road. The race was intense, and I was neck and neck with Roman. Every twist felt like a potential disaster, but I stayed determined, pushing my limits. The thrill of competition fueled me as I expertly drifted around a sharp bend, gaining a momentary lead. I finally got ahead of Roman and it felt like a breeze for once. I had finally gotten a hang of the curves of Mulholland, and I was leaving everyone in my dust. Just as I thought I was about to cross the finish line first, I felt Roman's presence in my rearview mirror. In a split second, he surged ahead, expertly maneuvering past me and taking the lead right before the end. I crossed the line just seconds behind him, the initial excitement fading into disappointment as I realized I hadn't won. I felt my heart drop and I scrunched my nose in disappointment and disgust, trying to maintain a tough facade. I felt like crying, but that's a pathetic move. Especially in front of all these people, especially in front of Roman. The crowd burst into cheers and I pulled my car slowly into the small area where I could park my eclipse. I killed the engine and slammed my hand angrily on the steering wheel, cursing under my breath. I paused and stared ahead of me, I really thought I had it. I always won, and its not that I was a sore loser, it was that I was so damn close, and I lost it all so quickly. Magnus was the first to reach me, pulling up beside my car with a grin.