Golden Silver

[1] Your Voice

"Step back. Look back at the memories made. Admire the people who are in your life and those who used to be a part of it. Take time to help others and yourself. If you never do this, you'll always be held back." Months after I met Kenn Blanche he told me this, and this phrase made me fall in love with him. I met him at my older brother's dragon racing competition. What an amazing day.

Sitting in the stands high above the dusty track where Vince and Vixen, our family ice dragon prepares for their race. And since Vince is the best young rider out there, he and Vixen will win their millionth trophy. I wrap my dark blue rain jacket closer to my body, and put in my ear buds to listen to music while waiting for the race to begin. I wish I was able to ride, but it is not appropriate for a young lady to ride in races at least. Casual flights or walks are fine, but races? Disgraceful. Just before I miss the race someone gently taps my shoulder. Annoyed, I tear the calming chords away from my ear and turn towards the person that will change my life.

"Um... excuse me but is this seat taken?" the voice, which is smooth like honey but remains slightly raspy in a handsome way, belongs to a teenager with semi long hair, reaching just past his earlobes. Almond shaped pale blue eyes with small particles of silver and olive green gaze at me with curiosity. Waiting for my reply, the timid redhead shifts his stance awkwardly.

"Ah! Yes, oh sorry my stuff- my stuff is in your way isn't it!" I stammer out words while scrambling to nab my leather bag out of the seat right beside me. I push my dull sandy blond hair behind my shoulders and give him room to climb into the seat. As the 5 foot something sits down, I fiddle with the zipper of my rain jacket.

"The race is about to start!" the voice next to me speaks excitedly, playfully tapping my shoulder like a child in a candy shop. My gaze shifts to his smile, which has its imperfections. A few crooked teeth, which somehow gives me the impression that he is a force to be reckoned with. Despite the few crooked teeth, his teeth are nearly perfect. The bone is like a pearl, shining in the spring sun. Time stopped when I gazed at him and his facial features, it still does.

I whip my head to the starting line and see that Vince is ready to go. Quickly, a hush spreads over the crowd. Despite this being a junior race, the stands are nearly full.  The dragons and their riders line up, 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... GO! Some fly up, some stay low to the track, but that doesn't matter because Vince is in first! Though the person behind him, I have never seen them before. Are they new? Did they move here to town lately? Or are they from Sterling? That would be something, a rider from Sterling, racing alongside mainly riders from Cressida? They never race, at least not normally. Dust blowing into my face and hair as the dragons pass their 7th lap, 3 to go.

Vince is still just as fast, but the newbie is right next to him? Nobody has skills like Vince, but that may be because of Vixen and his body. Thin and Slender, perfect to glide through people, but feathered wings to help give a stronger push when riding. Ice dragons are the best dragons to ride for races (because they are not too big nor too small) but they are extremely rare to find and hard to take care of. The person behind him was riding on of the worst types to ride, a water dragon. They are normally used for casual walks or swims, they are usually too small to ride in races. Though this water dragon is something, its wings have power that even Vixen's wings don't! They are webbed wings, the kind that are most well known, but they are not the most powerful to have. The finishing bullet shoots me out of my thoughts and I look up to notice that Vince is in first! Once again!

"Go Vince and Vixen! Woohoo!" I jump up waving my arms and clapping like a mad woman.

"Who won?" the teenager beside me asks.

"My brother Vince and our family ice dragon Vixen." I do my little happy dance, swiveling my hips and shaking my hair around.

"Oh, that is cool, my sister Crystal got second, she was so close though!" he replied disappointed, but still smiling his amazing for me and my brother.

"Your sister? That's so cool! There is almost never a girl participating in races!"

"Yeah, by the way, I'm Kenn, with an extra n. K-E-N-N."

"Neat, I'm Verity. Instead of spelling out my name, how 'bout I put it in your phone?" I slyly grin, I know how to get a guy's phone number.

"Oh sure! Here!" Kenn hands me his phone, and I hand him mine. We put our names in, and I take a picture of myself for the contact as well. We swap phones back, say goodbye and head our separate ways. All of my things in hand, I head towards the riders' exit. Vince and I have always met there, ever since he started racing 5 years ago when he turned 12. He was walking out after he loaded Vixen onto our trailer out behind the stables. I rush up and give him a hug, picking him up as well.

"Hey! Congrats man!" I say, just as excited as the first race he won.

"Thanks Verity! I've been thinking, why aren't you a rider again? You are super strong, strong enough to handle a dragon and you know basically everything about dragons! Dad and I could also teach you to ride for races!"

"I doubt mom would let me. She says it is unladylike, or whatever." I sigh, turning my body to walk beside him.

"You don't have to actually race, just for fun! To help me practice at home!"

"Where would we get another dragon? Velvet is mine, and she is for walking."

"You could always use Vixen!"

"Hello? Anybody there? Vixen is an ice dragon! Meant for experienced riders like you and dad."

"True, well haven't you saved up money for that saddle you've been looking at for months now?"

"A new saddle doesn't cost as much as an actual dragon."

"Right. Could you borrow a friend's?"

"I don't have friends remember? Actually wait. I do know someone, I could ask them."

"Great!"

"Yup." I mumble, nervous about what Kenn would say. Heck, what if he is from Sterling? My parents would be angry and would probably ground me for a month or so. Talking to people from Sterling is off limits.

People start to stop and point towards the sky, Crystal (Kenn's sister) was right above us. Looking at us. No, let me rephrase. Smirking at us. Is that a good or bad sign? Oh dear.