The Racer and the Rider

Chapter four- Sam

I can't believe it. I can't fucking believe it. I lost my car to Billie Anderson. I'm pissed.
Without my car I walk to the party Veronica was telling me about. I need to calm down, relax.

I am greeted by so many people I completely forget who they are. At some point somebody handed me a beer and now the room spins slightly when I walk so I'm assuming I had more. My best friend Leo grabs my arm and sits me on a chair.

"You're drunk Carter," he says simply.
"What are you talking about?!" I shout, my words slurring together.
"You need to drink some water."
"I need to go to the toilet!" And with that I stomp up the stairs and into what I thought was the bathroom.

It wasn't. It's a bedroom where two people are very naked and very busy.
"Oh god I'm so sorry!" I close to door and carry on searching for the bathroom. I pause. That head of fiery red hair seemed familiar, a hazey memory in my drunk, wasted mind.

Shit. I run back in to see my girlfriend moaning with some junior I barely recognise.
"What the fuck Veronica?!"
She pushes the guy off her and stands up, covering herself hastily with the blanket.
"Sam? You said you wouldn't be here for an hour!"
Of course, she always tries to turn everything on somebody else.
"That's not a fucking excuse! You know what we're over!" She bursts into tears.
"No! You can't leave me! We're the most popular people in school! We're meant to be! Sam! Sam! Don't ignore me!" I do.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

It's Sunday and I've had exactly 76 missed calls and text messages from Veronica. But that's not even what I'm most pissed about. What I'm pissed about is that the girl I hate has my car. I was stupid and cocky and made a bad decision.
Now I'm lying in bed with nothing to do and nowhere to go.
I flick through the channels until the game comes on and I sit and watch for a while.

My phone dings and I reach over to grab it.

Unknown number- Meet me under the bleachers. Lunch tomorrow.
Me- Who is this?
Unknown number- Doesn't matter.
Me- I'm not going to meet you if I don't know who you are.
Unknown number- It's important.
Me- Are you a girl trying to hook up with me?
Unknown number- Of course that's what you think. And you assume I'm a girl. Dickhead.
Me- Seriously tho. Who r u? U sound like Billie

I don't get a reply so I switch off my tv and climb into bed. For some reason I have decided to go tomorrow. Mostly curiosity as to who it is and why they want to talk.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

When I get to school (on my bike) Veronica is waiting for me. She flips her hair over one shoulder and winks flirtatiously.
"Leave me alone Veronica," I push past her. She latches onto my arm and presses her boobs against the side of my body. This doesn't turn me on anymore.

All day girls are constantly coming up to me and flirting. Hoping to become my next girlfriend or hookup now that Veronica is out of the picture.

At lunch time I eat speedily and run to the bleachers. Climbing underneath I look around, shielding my eyes from the sun.
Leaning against the wall is the person I hate most in the entire world. And she's... smiling?

"What do you want Billie?" I ask.
"I'll give you your car back," she says simply.
"Seriously?" I'm confused. Billie Anderson doesn't give in so easily.
"On one condition," I'm so desperate right now.

"Anything!"
"This is going to sound crazy. But I need you to be my boyfriend in front of my mom this weekend,"

Okay I didn't expect that.
"Why?"
"See my mom is like super critical and I kinda told her I had a boyfriend as an excuse for racing- long story. But please I know we hate each other but I don't know anyone else!"

She's practically begging me. I mean it wouldn't be that hard, just one weekend and I can get my car back.
My phone rings and it's Veronica. I decline the call and look back up at Billie. She's biting her lip and shuffling on the spot. She's embarrassed.

This could work for me. It could get Veronica and all the other girls off my back.

"Yes," Her whole face lights up.
"Okay so you can come round to my house Saturday next week. It's a wedding so you'll need like a proper shirt and tie. Oh my god I mean I still hate you but thank you so much!"

I throw my arm over her shoulder, pulling her in close.
"What are you doing?" She pushes me away.
"If you're going to be my fake girlfriend then you're going to have to act like it,"

"Only in front of my family!" She tries to keep her voice down.
"Yes but until then can we please pretend at school as well?"

"Wait what? Why?" She asks.
"We might need the practise and well..." I scratch the back of my neck, "I kind of need to get my ex of my back. Plus all of the other girls and maybe my friends can stop calling me a man whore if I'm in a 'proper' relationship,"

I'm almost out of breath after explaining this all to her.
"Of course having girls throw themselves at you is tiring. Prick,"

"So is that a yes?"
"Fine!" I interlock our fingers and pull her to my side. She straightens and seems really uncomfortable.

"Relax," I whisper. She leans against me, squeezing my hand.
"I can't believe we're actually doing this,"

In the space of five minutes I've seen my enemy be annoyed, manipulative and well... surprisingly sweet. Maybe this won't be so bad.