Ride or Die

Chapter Three - Weather Talk

RIDE OR DIE

Chapter 3

The only thing that was left behind was the dust from our tires.

Luca and I were neck-and-neck, alternating from being in the lead and being overtaken by the other car. That all changed when we spotted a sign up ahead, indicating that we were quickly approaching a bend.

I lightly applied pressure on the brake, allowing Luca to overtake me a bit, though I made sure to not be too far behind.

At the speed we were going at, we reached the bend in no time. Since Luca was in front of me, I got to witness as he drifted the vehicle flawlessly and drove on, leaving me behind. I repeated the action and chased after him, trying to catch up.

I accelerated and was soon at his tail. I stayed behind him, jerking forward every now and then to keep him on his toes, sometimes overtaking him slightly just to let him overtake me back. This continued even after drifting at another corner.

Very soon we came to the infamous tunnel. The tunnel was built in a way like it was underground, but with the slope somewhat shorter and steeper, meaning, anybody who came across it would have to slow down or their car will fly off like Superman.

It wouldn't have been a first for me, though.

The brake lights of Luca's car shortly illuminated, slowing down. I accelerated a bit and overtook him, getting ready for the upcoming tunnel. I kept the speed at a constant and continued on. Just when I reached the slope, I hit the gas and into the tunnel I flew.

Thanks to the rear wheels giving me that last push, the car flew straighter and it landed on the track without slamming head first into the ground.

I looked into the rear-view mirror and saw that I was in the lead by a long shot. I had no time to celebrate though. I knew that once he was out of the tunnel he'd have no trouble in catching up to me. We have only one more bend to go then the rest of it is straight driving.

Just as I was coming up to the bend I saw his car through my rear-view mirror. Man, this guy catches up fast. Can't start fretting now, though. I smoothly drifted at the corner and stepped on it.

The loud revving of an engine met my ears, and it wasn't mine. Luca was coming in on me fast. There was no stopping him now, he was going all out. Especially since the finish line was just about half a mile away.

I racked my brain for a solution to get out of this situation. If we both were to continue the rest of the way with just slamming our feet on the gas pedal, winning for both of us would be fifty-fifty.

I may not have wanted to race in the first place, that doesn't mean I wasn't gonna go all out and try to win. Johnny taking advantage of my wallet in his bag would have been all for nothing.

I immediately thought of my brother and the times I sat in the car with him when he was testing out new driving tricks. The maneuvers he attempted were crazy and out of this world. I sometimes gave him an idea on a random trick, and he'd test and practice it until it was perfect.

That's it! Why didn't I think of it before?

This was one of the crazy, random tricks I threw at Austin when I was fourteen. Like I said, it was crazy, but surprisingly uncomplicated to do.

I slowed down a bit until Luca was almost directly beside me, and then, I drifted the car 180 degrees until I was driving in reverse instead. The maneuver caught Luca so off guard that he hit the brakes due to either reflex or shock, maybe both.

I took advantage of his stunned reaction and drifted back to face the front. By now, I was too far in the lead and crossed the finish line with ease.