The Racer and the Rider

Chapter three- Billie

Fucking unbelievable. I almost regret making this decision. Almost.

We're lined up now and a girl stands between us.
"Oh hey Fiona!" I shout, having recognised her from other races.
"Billie! Oh my god it's so good to see you!" It's totally unprofessional but she's my friend and I can also tell it's pissing Sam off.

She raises her arms in the air and we're off. I speed ahead, gripping my legs tightly as we make big turns.
He's beside me at one point, smirking. I'm so tempted to bash into his car but I don't want to ruin it before I win it.

We are head to head for the most of the race and as we reach the last corner I cut ahead as Sam tries to turn and stay in front of him. He swerves to get in front of me but it's too late. I crossed the finish line.

Jumping off Betty I rush towards Sam's car. He climbs out, utterly gobsmacked. His mouth is open and his oceanic eyes are wide as golf balls. He screams and his whole face turns bright red. If he wants such a bastard I would feel sorry for him. Guilty even.
"Here take the fucking car!" He presses the keys into my palm and storms off.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I pull my phone out of my pocket. I dial and wait for him to answer.
"Hey I kinda have a car now."
"Yeah,"
"Yeah,"
"Could you pick it up for me? I've got Betty,"
"Okay,"
"Thank you so much!"
"I love you!"

I end the call and lean against Betty. A girl walks up to me and introduces herself as Penny. She has short, shoulder length hair fading from dark to light blonde. Her eyes are a warm brown and she's really small. But she's dressed in a short skirt, ripped tights and a worn leather jacket. She wears thick eyeliner and black lipstick smears her lips.
"I saw your race. He fucking deserved it. Prick,"

Oh my god this girl is so like me.
"I know. What school do you go to?" I ask.
"Carden High," That's our rival school.
"Warren hill High," I reply.
"I'm just here to see my boyfriend race. I'm not a racer though. I'm a musician,"
I can see that with her beautiful voice and outward confidence.
"Are you in a band?"
"Umm yeah I'm the lead singer,"

I've never really had any friends so I have no idea what to say.
"Cool." I reply. Shit she probably thinks I'm a weirdo.
"Can I have your number?" She asks.
"Sure,"
I give her my number and she walks away.

I stand around for a while, watching everybody else have fun.
I place a cigarette between my lips, lighting the end. I exhale and feel relaxed.
That is until it's snatched out of my hands.
"These things can kill you," he says.
"Oh well," I grab it back from him. "Anyway thank you so much for this,"
"You thanking me! My little sister stole Sam Carter's car! Of course I want to fucking drive it!"

"Don't ruin it though. I know how many accidents you've been in with the Audi!"
He scratches the back of his neck.
"See those weren't all my fault..."
"Oh really?" He chuckles and I wrap my arms around him. He's only my half brother but we're closer than anyone else in our family.

He also hates Sam as much as I do. As players of rival football teams they became automatic enemies.
He jumps into the camaro with a huge smile and drives off, leaving clouds of dust in the air.

••••••••••••••••••••

When I arrive back home it's almost midnight. I slowly open the front door and creep up the stairs in complete darkness. It freaks once and all the lights in the house come on.

My mother is sat on the couch, waiting for me.
"You've been racing haven't you?" It's barely a question, she knows I have.
But I can't put up with it any longer and I don't care if it's a lie or not so I say it.
"Actually mom, I was on a date," She sits up straighter now.
"I'm sorry what did you say?"

"I was- Umm- on a date," I clear my throat.
"Dressed like that?"
"Yes mom. He respects me however I dress."
"So is this boy your boyfriend?" She gestures for me to sit next to her. She's getting excited.
"Yes," Oh shit. I should have said it was a one time thing. That we didn't get along. Now she's going to want to meet him.

"I want to meet him,"
"Umm I don't think that matters,"
"Oh honey of course I do. In fact you can bing him to Dawn's wedding!"

Dawn is my stuck up cousin who is seven years older than me. She was always stunning and gloated for months when her super rich boyfriend proposed.
"Umm I don't think he's free that day,"
"He better be or I'll think you made him up!" She chuckles to herself and I gulp.

"Well I'll have to check with him but he can probably come."
"That's great sweetie!" I swear that's the first time in at least two years that she's used a term of endearment.
"I already bought you a dress which I hung up in your wardrobe! Eek this is soo exciting!"
She stands up and wraps her arms around me.

I don't know why I carried on the the lie. Maybe it was my mother giving me positive attention, maybe I enjoyed pretending to be a normal, pretty girl for one day. I'm still not sure.
I knew I would regret it. But I lied anyway. Now I just need to find a way to make this imaginary boyfriend real. And I have no idea how to do that.

I've never had a boyfriend after ninth grade when I asked Tommy Garcia to the valentines dance and he accepted. Only to stand me up and tell all of his friends it was a prank. A joke.
It made 15 year old me feel like shit.
Plus Sam told everybody I farted in seventh grade and I still haven't been able to live it down. That was the first year we met. He made fun of me, insulted me, made me feel bad at myself. So I was mean back. Ever since then we have hated each other. With a passion.