The Princess of the Streets

Eleven - Strange Morning

"Chase, I swear to god, if you pull ahead one more time I'll beat the shit out of you," Ryder seethed from beside my car through the open window.

I was too busy laughing at her furious expression to pull the car forward again, or I definitely would have threat or no. She quickly grabbed a hold of the door handle and slipped into the car.

If her eyes could talk, they'd be sending me death threats. "Oh, come on, Ry. You should be thanking for me. You got your daily workout," I reasoned with a grin. I had taken to messing with Ryder all morning, and I only slightly regretted it when she slugged me in the arm. 

"Ow," I mumbled, rubbing my now sore shoulder. I started off towards the school after giving Ry a quick side glare.

"What's got you in such a good mood this morning?" she asked as she pulled down the sun visor and fixed her makeup in the mirror.

Not you, I wanted to say. "I don't really know. I think it's because Dad and Cara stopped fighting and I actually got some sleep."

"Oh. Good! It's about time those two made up." 

"Tell me about it," I muttered. I was extremely happy they made up. Even though they only fought for the weekend, it was horrible. The place was like a war zone, and I was constantly worrying about them getting a divorce. Needless to say, by the horrifying sounds they were making in their room by the end of it, a divorce was pretty unlikely.

"Oh, I went over to Chace's house yesterday-"

"Why did you do that?" I asked, cutting her off. 

She huffed. "Because he's my cousin, now don't interrupt me again. I went over, and he and his dad started talking about you. You've apparently made an impression on Paul because he told Chace that he has some real competition. I just thought I'd warn you... Paul doesn't like competition."

I tilted my head slightly, letting her words sink in as I pulled into the school parking lot. "So, are you saying I have to watch my back around them? 'Cause I think that's old news." Though the reminder was nice to have. I had  let my guard down a bit at the race track. "Thank you, though, Ry."

"Just looking out for your well-being. I mean, if something were to happen to you, I'd have nobody to drive me to school."

"You have a car!"

"Yes, but gas costs money," she said in such a strange way that I couldn't help the laughter that slipped out as I got out of the car.  She sounded like a valley-girl and a lion simultaneously 

"Really? I had no ide- ahh!" I squealed as I was suddenly picked up by my waist and spun around.

Impulsively I shoved my elbow into the ribs of the person holding me.

"Fuck, Chase!" Either Evan or Ethan said from behind me. I quickly whipped around to see him bent over with his arm around his midsection.

"Idiot! How haven't you learned yet? If I get surprised, I'm gonna hurt somebody!" I loudly chastised who I now realized was Evan. Ethan and Ryan were standing behind him laughing.

"I think you broke a rib," Evan mumbled. I could hear the pain in his voice, and immediately felt guilty. 

I sighed. "Stand up straight, you big baby. Let me see." As soon as Evan stood as straight as he could - but not before flinching like I was about to abuse him some more -, I lifted up his shirt and took a look. 

A big red mark was visible over one of his upper ribs. I whistled through my teeth as I poked it. 

"Ow!"