Race to the Finish

Race to the Finish chp. 21

I arrived at Jaiden’s school seven minutes late. She was sitting under a tree alone. Jaiden isn’t one to make friends easily, not that I could blame her, but I wish she had at least one friend. 

I parked my shitty ass car in front of her making her look up at me. Once she saw me, she smiled and picked up her stuff. She jogged to the car and got in.

“Hi Alex.” Jaiden greeted me smiling sweetly.

“Hey Jai.” I greeted back.

I was about to ask her if she was ready to go when I look out the window and see a boy no older than 11 smoking. He didn’t seem to be smoking weed; he was smoking a cigarette, but he must only be 11. 

Jaiden must have noticed my face expression as I looked out the window because after she looked she spoke, which cause me to turn away from the boy to look at her.

“That’s Andy. He’s 11 he’s a grade higher than me. I don’t know much about him except he gets in trouble a lot and smokes a lot.” Jaiden explained.

Andy seemed familiar to me. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere, but I can’t put my finger on where. His features are also very familiar to someone, but I don’t know who.

Andy has thick, brown, spiky hair. He has stormy gray eyes, and a much too familiar mischievous grin. He is tall for a kid and skinny, but he seemed to know how to handle himself.

I didn’t say anything. I removed my gaze from the boy and drove away.

“Jai I have to go somewhere for a few hours so I’m just going to drop you off at home.” I broke the silence a few minutes later.

“No!” Jaiden screamed causing me to jump and swerve the car.

“Sorry.” Jaiden mumbled.

“It’s ok; just don’t try to give me a heart attack again.” I laughed slightly.

“Ok; I just prefer to go to Titi’s house if possible.” Jaiden said in a quiet voice.

I looked at her from the corner of my eye. She really likes Titi. I guess she does have a friend after all even, if he’s 10 years older than her.

“Sure. Titi wouldn’t mind.” I replied and drove to Titi’s house.

I parked outside of Titi’s house and got out of the car. I knocked on the door 3 times and didn’t get an answer. I pulled out my phone and texted him. After five minutes he didn’t answer so I knew exactly where he was at.

“Let’s go.” I told Jaiden.

“I don’t want to go home Alex. Please.” She pleaded.

“You aren’t going home right now. I’m taking you to Titi.” I told her and she nodded.

We both hopped in the car and I drove to my destination. The place where Titi doesn’t answer his phone or texts immediately and the place he is when not at home or at the street race.

We arrived outside of a mechanic shop. Drilling, cars being revved, metal being moved, and many more of these types of sounds surrounded the area. It smelled of gasoline, oil, and smoke. This is one of the best places ever.

“Yo, Alex is that you?” A middle aged man asked.

“The one and only. How are you doing Martin?” I asked him while we met half way.

“I’m doing good and you?” He asked as he hugged me.

“Same.” I smiled at him once we pulled away.

Martin is Titi’s boss. He is a chubby man, with a goatee. He has salt and pepper hair, and is about 5’9 in height. He has a tattoo that says mom inside a heart, and is wearing a blue mechanic’s shirt that says Leroy in the name part, and some jeans, with boots.