Struggling to breathe

Familiar Settings

We pulled into a race. I stopped alongside Brian and got out when he did. He protectively put his arm around my shoulder and a man with an afro came over to us.
"O'Connor where have you been?" He asked and brought Brian into a bro hug, who instantly encircled me again.
"I went to get you another racer. Meet Aurora. Best racer I've ever seen. She's even better than me," Brian introduced me and I smiled.
"Hi I'm Aurora, pleasure to meet you," I said and offered him my hand. The man kissed my hand and I giggled.
"Hello little lady, I'm Tej. Welcome to my race," he said and I grinned.
"Here's some money Tej. Should cover it," I said and passed him a wad of money before getting back in my car. Brian and Tej talked for a while and when Brian walked away, I rolled down the window and the boy next to me winked at me.
"Ay mami. Sweet ride," he said and I grinned.
"Me and my little brother Jesse worked on it," I grinned and revved the engine. As Brian was getting in his car, Tej came over and leant into my window.
"We're gonna be real good friends little lady, I can tell. Only one you have to watch out for is my girl Suki. Good luck," he said and I gave him a fist bump.
"Thanks Tej. I hope you make some coins," I grinned and he walked off, opening up the circle of people as all the boys revved their engines making me roll my eyes. "Niños," I muttered and turned the stars on the roof of my car on so they glittered prettily.
"Ready," Tej said five times, each time pointing at a car. "Go!" He yelled and I shifted, speeding off. I laughed feeling the adrenaline go through me as I raced against these idiots.
"Idiotas," I grinned and raced neck and neck with the guy in first, not even pushing my accelerator hard. "Gracias Jesse," I said and pressed a kiss to my fingers. I then pressed my fingers to the picture of Jesse and smiled happily. I drifted smoothly round the corners, remembering learning to drift with Vince. These fools have nothing on me. On the last corner, the guy beside me drifted too far out, giving me and Brian the advantage. "You know I can't let you win O'Connor," I yelled and he shrugged.
"Final stretch. It's worth a shot," he said and I grinned, slowly pushing down on the accelerator. The guy behind us turned on his NoS and went zooming past us.
"Too soon," I grinned and shifted gears, the wind blowing through my hair. I overtook that fool and laughed softly to myself. I then gulped when I saw the bridge rising. "Aw shit, really?" I sighed and sped up, my accelerator now on the floor. I shifted again and went speeding over the bridge, landing neatly on the other side before anyone else was even close. I then hit my NoS and went soaring through the finish line. I then stopped neatly and cheered happily as Brian came up beside me moments later. We got out of our cars and I pulled him into a hug. "Yes Bri," I grinned and pressed a kiss to his cheek.
"Hey little lady, Brian was right. Your a fierce racer," Tej said and passed me the money.
"I try," I grinned as Suki pulled up. "Did you take your share?" I asked and he nodded, patting his pocket. "Good," I grinned as Suki walked over.
"Hey Suki, I'm Ari. Good race girl," I grinned and gave her a hug. "Here's £1,500 back. Just for making that jump," I grinned and she smiled. She took the money and pocketed it, walking over to Tej. "Here you go pretty boy," I said and split the money with Brian. "You probably need it more than me," I said and he grinned, nodding.
"Thanks Ari," he said and pressed a kiss to his forehead just as the cops turned up. "Follow me," he said and got in his car as I raced over to mine. Brian drove off quickly with me on his tail.