PINK SKIES ༯ J.M 4

☾ on your mark

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chapter 5
on your mark
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Kildare Enduro. Kildare Islands most notably intriguing racing events. A motorcycle race that is deeper than the basic winning spot.

Like always, Kooks against Pogues.

The sun scorched down on the sandy dune that had become this year's obstacle course. There was a clear divide of class as Pogues and Kooks to their sides of the makeshift track.

Aria fanned herself, her dark hair sticking to her back as she sweated. Her light eyes stayed locked on Rafe's tall and lean figure, watching him adjust the protective suit on his body.

Truthfully, she was scared to look anywhere else.

She knew the Pogues would be there, cheering on JJ Maybank. And she knew she should be on that side with them.

But she wasn't. Ruthie stood beside the girl, a fake smile on her lips as she stared at her boyfriend, Topper.

"Who's ready for this race?" The hosts voice rang through the speakers as the racers began to settle in. "We are just getting word that there will be another person joining us today."

John B shuffled, his beat up bike being pulled onto the track beside JJ. He sighed lowly, shaking his head as he shot daggers at the blond boy.

Aria looked down rather quickly.

"Race is to the old buoy and back. Other than that, no rules." The announcer said.

Rafe's confidence seeped off his body in the sticky air. The racers lined up, holding their handle bars tightly. The flags were waved in a matter of seconds, the riders; pushing their all into starting off.

Rafe took the lead, his hips tilted forward as his bike kicked up sand behind him. JJ shifted, gearing right behind as he desperately tried to gain the lead.

The race was tense, between the blunt hatred between the two sides of the island, and the way JJ Maybank sneered at Rafe, it was a borderline horror show.

And Aria could do nothing but watch. She had picked her side. Whether it was forceful or not.

The gasps among the crowd caught her attention as she snapped back into reality. Her blue eyes narrowing at the body on the opposite side of the makeshift dirt wall.

The mountain of sand that acted like a wall was tall and thick. Which meant, it was nearly impossible to jump over.

But with any task that seems out of his reach, JJ Maybank was the first one to sacrifice himself for the challenge.

Aria parted her lips, watching him gear up for the jump. Like a natural instinct, Aria stepped forward.

Ruthie's cold hands gripped her wrist. The snarky brunette tilted her head slightly, a sly smile on her thin lips. "Seriously, Aria? I thought you were over him."

Aria snugged her wrist from the girls grip, exhaling deeply with anger. She silently pleaded for the blonde to not be idiotic.

And if he's friends worried faces weren't enough, then nothing was.

JJ Maybank was up for any challenge. And Aria Campbell should've known that by now.

All eyes were on the blonde, waiting to see if he'd actually do it. And he did. JJ's bike was airborne, a clean jump and he made it to the other side.

Aria released a breath she'd been nonchalantly holding as he made it stability.

This in the moment move made Maybank have the lead. But just like everything in his life, it was taken. w bumped the boy, sending them both down.

The two boys hit the sand on impact, their bikes lying sideways beside them.

Topper was faster than John B, easily taking the win from the Pogues. The Kooks took the victory, just like they seemed to always do.

Aria rushed over to the taller boy, bending down slightly as she could see the anger on Rafe Cameron's face.

He dusted himself off, lifting the protective eye wear from his eyes.

"We won." Rafe shrugged. His hands cupped the side of her cheeks, pressing his lips hard against her own.

Aria froze, not moving her lips with his. He moved past her, leaving her blinking as she shoved off the confusion.

She glanced beside her.

JJ stood, his lips quirking down into a slight frown. His blue eyes were swept from the anger of losing, the burning tears of watching his only true love kiss her ex boyfriend right before him.

Even if that had broken up, JJ still considered Aria his.

But Aria had to force herself to change. And her mother's taunting voice in the back of her head snapped her out of her trance.

She pushed her bottom lip out slightly, darting her gaze between the group of Pogues.

"Better luck next time." Aria's voice was bitter, a sly smirk on her cherry glossed lips.

It made the Pogues sick. It was almost as if Aria Campbell had become a stranger.