Distorted Reflections

Chapter 6

"Are you aware that I'm a woman, a human being and not a fucking prize?!"
The two guys had just left, leaving me and dumbass together. The race was bound to start in 5 minutes.
What does he even think he's doing?
Who do he think he is to bet me on a stupid race?!
"Are you even listening to me?!" I glared at him as he turned on the machine once again
My blood boiled as he glared at me seriously, then turned back to the motorcycle
"STOP BEING SUCH A FUCKING DOUCHEBAG!"
The blond froze in place, and before I could register anything, he was standing in front of me, inches separating our bodies.
"Do you know who these people are? What they do?" I could see his eyes going from hazel to grey. He was raged. "Do you know what would happen if I refused? Let me tell you, they would get you and fucking leave to do whatever they wanted with you. They would force you into things you can't even imagine doing. And it would have been my fault because they have me a chance to fucking choose." He took a step closer, filling the rest of the almost inexistent space "Now don't you call me a douchebag princess. You do fucking not want to get in my bad side."
I took a few steps back.
I couldn't help but feel the chill that ran up my back. I didn't know who were they, but they obviously weren't good people.
And he was one of them.
What the hell was I doing here?
The tall blond seemed to see the fear all over my face, because his eyes softened right before he put his hand on my shoulder.
"Princess, I wouldn't bet on anything if I didn't know I would win."
And I really hoped he was right as I followed him to his bike
••••
He parked Juliet on what apparently was the starting line.
We both hopped down, and a guy and a girl approached us.
They were the racers from earlier.
I felt a chill going up my back once again. I'm not sure who I could trust - if I could even trust anyone in here.
"Ross!" The tall brunette with a southern accent lifted his hand, getting a high five "How are you man?"
"Fine." He glanced at me "This is Laura. Princess, these are Gavin and Piper."
The blonde girl opened a big smile, shaking my hand "it's so nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too." I said, my voice sounding more nervous then I expected it to be.
The guys were talking about something in a tone way too low for my liking, but as I tried to hear it, my attention was turned to a whisper from my side
"You know, you don't have to worry" I glanced at Piper "Don't tell Gavin I said this, but Ross is the best in here."
I smiled at her. She seemed to be a nice person. "So, how long have you and Gavin been together?"
"About a year now." She glanced at him "He moved in here and in a matter of two months we just clicked you know? He taught me everything I know."
"And now you beat his ass on races?"
We both laughed.
"Pretty much." She threw her hair to one side "How about you?"
I shook my head, confused "What do you-"
Oh.
"No, I'm not- we're not-"
She widened her eyes and laughed awkwardly "Oh, I'm sorry. He never brought any girl here, and there was the princess thing, so I thought..."
"It's okay" I laughed.
I was gonna tell her we were just friends, but were we?
I don't think friends would treat you like crap right after being nice or, y'know, betting you on a race.
But I had to admit I was very surprised he didn't use the biker card on any of his hookups.
The loud sound of a motor was heard and we all turned back to the starting line.
Maxon was there, some redhead girl sitting behind him.
I did a double take as I noticed something.
She was sitting backwards.
I ran to Juliet, where Ross was setting it up. "Please tell me that- I won't- I can't-"
"You can always stay with drool face back there"
I looked back to where he pointed. A bald, skinny guy, with a tattoo in his face was eyeing me like I was his next meal.
"You know Lynch," Maxon said "you can always give up. If you do, I can-"
"Not gonna happen, Rivers." He growled before turning to me "Hop in."
I hesitated. His demanding tone was scary, but every muscle in my body was frozen.
"Laura." He approached me
"I don't think I can do this, Ross! I mean, riding is one thing but this? This is-"
My words were cut short as he grabbed both my shoulders
"Just trust me."
There it was.
The half green half hazel spark was back in his eyes. And before I could stop myself I let out "Okay."
I hopped in the bike, facing the crowd and listened carefully to his voice
"You'll hold in the metal behind you. There's a total of six turns, mostly right ones. When we get there, don't fight against it. Think of the motorcycle as an extension of our body. You have to lean your body to the side I'm turning, even if it's against your instinct. If you start to panic, count them."
I took a deep breath, on a failed attempt to slow down my heartbeat. "Okay."
"Belts!" I heard a girl scream, and I felt Ross taking his off. A girl showed up by my side "lift your arms up."
As I did, she tied the belt around our waists, our backs now pressed together.
I held on to the metal behind me that was between us.
"Ready?"
I looked to the side, seeing Maxon nod and the girl tied up to him smirked at me.
"Ready?" Ross nodded and it took everything in me to not close my eyes.
The girl must've lifted the flag up, because the crowd went wild.
I spotted Piper and Gavin in the front, both cheering for us. I really hope I get to see them again.
Before I could process, he took off in full speed. My body felt numb, but electricity coursed through it at the same time as I watched the crowd get farther by the second.
I was gonna die.
I was gonna die.
I was gonna freaking die tonight and there would be no one that would end up knowing.
I couldn't see Maxon's bike, which was not a good sign.
Please don't let them win.
Lynch, what the fuck have you gotten me into?
We made a turn to the right, and I did as I was told.
One.
It seemed like I was falling and I felt every single muscle of my body yelling 'DON'T DO IT!'. It was going too fast, I tried to scream but nothing came out.
I shut my eyes only to find out that feeling my hair flow around me made me even more nervous.
I was fucking hopeless.
I could see Monday's news at Marino High. Laura Marano died because she was with Ross Lynch in an illegal street race.
What would they think?
Shit, what would Maia think?
Two.
The second turn came soon enough and it was a bit easier than the first.
Ross was slowly passing Maxon by, but the brunette wasn't up for losing.
Maxon picked up the speed, getting close - too close - to where I was.
"ROSS!"
"HANG IN THERE!"
Three.
He took the third turn, this time to the left, and Maxon started going faster once again. He was next to me and he was bringing his motorcycle close to ours.
Oh my god, I think I'm gonna throw up.
Four.
Maxon tried to crash his bike in ours. I screamed but Ross was faster. The redhead was clearly also scared as I saw both arguing.
Five.
We lost sight of them in the fifth turn.
I wasn't as tense but I still felt breathless.
I saw the bright light of his bike when we were about to take the last turn.
Six.
Maxon was doing all in his will to get to us. The girl behind him was yelling, but he ignored everything. I could hear the roaring crowd approaching. Ross started to slow down and we crossed the finish line.
He spun the bike around and it came to a holt.
As the girl came to undo the belt around us, I saw the redhead taking the belt off herself and throwing it in Maxon's face before storming off.
But I was relieved.
Nevermind that we won the race.
I was alive.
The girl took it off and handed it to Ross, I hopped off the bike and I hugged him.
He hesitated at first, standing still. But soon I felt his arms wrap around me.
If you asked me later why did I do that, I'm sure that I'd say that it was an impulse.
But now?
I didn't know, nor care.
I was alive and so was he.