Finish Line

12

Dylan is silent. I don't know where he's taking me but we're on a mission to get somewhere far from here. I listen to the music playing over the speakers. It's not anywhere near what I've been listening to lately. I stargaze out the window. Where could he possibly be taking me this late at night? It's already like 8:30 and he's driving out of the city towards the middle of nowhere. I don't know how to explain how I'm feeling. It's like a rush of excitement and fear at the same time. 

Dylan's mouth is sealed shut. I've tried talking to him or asking him where we are going but he stays quiet. Either one word responses or no responses at all. It's been a good 25 minutes at this point. 25 minutes of pure silence. 

Ahead of us I see some lights zipping around. I don't know what it is but I'm suddenly curious. I sit up a little bit, desperate to see the lights speeding through the darkness. Dylan drives towards the lights. The nerves are building inside my stomach. I look around at what lies before me. 

There are cars everywhere. Nice cars. The next thing I noticed was the people. They were everywhere. Skanks in tiny shorts and practically bras. Guys in leather jackets everywhere. I give Dylan and odd look and he drives up a little closer. 

Now I can see everything. I see the dirt track laid out before us. I see the headlights speeding around it. I see the people screaming and cheering. I see people placing money on certain cars. I then realize that this is a drag race arena. I'm shocked. 

Dylan's completely stoic. He stops the car before turning to me, "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

And without a doubt in my mind, I stupidly nodded, "Yes."

"Alright, hold on," He pulls up to a guy who's seemingly waiting for him. I look over at them and they are talking quietly. I ignore the secrecy and look out my window. There are people staring at me. Looking at me as if they're shocked to see someone in the passenger seat of a car. Or maybe of Dylan's car. 

Dylan drives away from the guy and drives onto the track. He parks the car at the start line and another car pulls up beside him. Dylan looks at me and tells me to stay in the car. I nod quietly. He steps out of the car as does the opposing driver. I see a girl in his passenger seat as well. I wonder if I'm the only girl who's ridden in Dylan's passenger seat. I wouldn't assume so however by the shocked faces of some of the audience members it would seem that way. 

The driver and Dylan shake hands and both make their way back to their own cars. I pull my seatbelt across my chest. Dylan unbuckles it. I give him a confused look. 

"When I win this, you have a job to do," He explains as he starts the car up. I hold onto the door handle and the middle console. I look out the window anxiously. Why did I agree to this? I agreed to this because I am head over heels for a stupid guy who puts me in dangerous situations and treats me like a piece of trash. However, I have given him a chance to prove himself to me. And he does this by taking me to a drag race. 

A girl steps out onto the course. She's wearing a pair of jean shorts and a tank top. She looks at both drivers and gives two thumbs up. She raises her flag up and whips it down quickly. 

The speed hits me hard. It slams me back against my seat. The world speeds past me and there's so many feelings speeding through me. The first is fear. However once I see how much Dylan knows what he's doing, I calm down. The second is nerves. What if he loses? However that is soon replaced by excitement as Dylan takes the lead in the race. He drifts around the curves and the wind zips through my hair. 

He's nearing the finish line in moments and my window rolls down. He motions for me to lean out of it. I'm terrified. He notices my face fall and places one hand on my thigh. Chills shoot up my body at his touch. I'm mesmerized by his voice. His eyes are captivating. They hold power and strength.