6. Dire straits

Arya

You will always shine if you never stop chasing after your dreams. I believe in it. Your path of destination can be different from others, but you need to hold your ground and keep walking, don't be afraid to see the bumpy road. A positive attitude gives you power over your circumstances instead of your circumstances having power over you. It works on me, I think it also works on others as well. Okay, now enough with my positive vibes. I am nervous a bit about the tournament. But, I am also excited about my motorbike racing.

I woke up and watched toward the window that the day was rather pleasant. I went downstairs, had my breakfast, and was ready to check on my motorbike. I checked on the main things; like tires and wheels, brakes, fuel systems, and other parts as well. I changed some parts with new ones which I have brought home earlier. Then checked on the scratches and put color on those places after cleaning my whole motorbike. Later, I filled the fuel tank of my motorcycle with Castrol Power Synthetic Motorcycle Oil. My bike was ready to fly on the racing track. I was waiting for the afternoon to reach the destination from where our event was going to happen.

Ethan told me earlier his car racing event would hold before my motorbike racing in the afternoon. And the motorbike racing event would be held in the evening. It was already noon when I finally completed my task on my bike. I took a shower and had lunch. Then I got ready for the event. I wanted to be there to cheer Ethan for his match. Zach was also going to be there. We three be there to cheer one another's matches. We are faithful to each other.

I arrived at the track and met Ethan. He saw me and gave me a side hug. The guy's eyes were sparkling. I could understand his heart his beating in anticipation, the adrenalin rushing in his whole system due to excitement and thrill. Well, every player feels the same way before there matches. A real player doesn't compete with others, he or she does compete with himself/herself to prove that he or she played better than before. A real player never gives up and he or she can never claim to be a victim in a game.

I patted Ethan's shoulder and said, "How are you feeling right now?"

He grinned and said, "Ecstatic."

I smirked. "Who are you going to compete with?", a voice from behind asked, he was Zack.

Ethan said, "Samuel over there(indicating a blond guy) is a great competitor in between the other five contestants. The other four performed well in the previous event."

Zack asked, "How many times you have to cross this track to win this match?"

Ethan said, "We have to cross this track three times. If a racer crosses two times the finishing line before the other five, he will consider as the winner. If a racer tried to attack another racer, he will consider as a disqualified racer, and as a penalty, he can't take part next two or three future events. There have some rules of first runnerup and second runnerup as well. The same goes for motorbike racing too."

I nodded firmly and said, "Let's see."

There has an announcement to the car racers to reach in front of their respectable cars and for some formalities. So, Ethan said, "This is it then."

I said, "Good luck.", and gave a side hug."

Zach said, "Give your best." and patted Ethan's shoulder. Ethan smiled lazily. He saluted us and went toward his car.

Zach said to me, "Let's go and have a seat."

I followed his lead and took the topmost seat to get a clear view. I said, "You have your championship next week Saturday, right?"

Zach said, "Yes. Saturday evening. I will inform the time to you both."

I nodded, and we were watching a blond cheerleader who wore a very short skirt and extremely tight shirt showing her cleavage to the racers while jumping up and down. She was totally in caked up faced, a slutty clown might I said. Zach and I shared a look, and he sighed helplessly. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I just wish no cheerleader is going to be there in my match. I don't want to commit a crime in living daylight. I heard blowing the whistle, and the race begins.

Ethan was right. That blonde was a great competitor. He and Ethan both were on each other shoulder. None of them was backing down. In the first round that Samuel guy crossed the track first, and Ethan was in the second position. Then again they both sharted to chase each other. The second time, Ethan accelerated higher so he got to cross the track first at that time. Samuel was in the second position. Then they both started to head competition. Ethan increased his speed at that time and went ahead of Samuel. He also started to chase Ethan. As Ethan was near to the finishing line, he decreases his speed, and easily crossed the finish line the third time. Ya! You got that. Ethan became the winner. Zack and I started clapping and smiling cheekily. We went toward Ethan's direction, and we three embraced in a group hug. The whole stadium was hooting and shouting in joy. Ethan gave them a flying kiss toward them and a killer smile. Cheeky bastard! The cheerleader came and started eating Ethan's face. Zack and I scrunched our noses in disgust and gave a cold glare to Ethan as he turned toward us. He immediately got rid of her and came toward us. We backed away. Eww! Like seriously.

Then after over an hour, the announcement for the bike racers began. Both Ethan and Zack kissed on the top of my head and patted my back and uttered luck to me. I went to my bike and sat on it. I closed my eyes and took a sharp breath. I started my engine and, control the clutches and accelerator my bike. In every passing second, my grip over the clutches was becoming firm. Thankfully the cheerleader was nowhere to be seen. Well, good for her. I was going to compete with the other six on that track. The announcer was checking our names and wrote down the bike numbers.

After ten minutes, the announcer told us to be ready. Then five seconds left. They counted three, I inhaled sharply. They counted two, I clenched my jaw to steady my heartbeat. Then one and We flew.

The same rule for bike racing as well, so I refused to use all of my strength in the first round to cross the track, but my speed was near the max speed. The other racers increased their speed to cross before me. But I somehow managed to cross the finish line before others first time. They somehow got my strategy. So, I changed my plan. I let them go farther and took the second position in the second time. And that was the time to apply my final strategy. I increased my speed higher, and the rest left far behind. I focused on my goal. I was thrilled, adrenalin rushing higher, a bade of sweat run from the forehead on mine, my eyes sharpened, heart beating in anticipation. When I was near the finishing line, I slowed down my speed, and with a steady heart, I crossed the finishing line momentarily.

I halted my bike and put off my helmet. I put my head on the headboard and exhaled sharply. I was going to be deaf for sure within two minutes. The roaring was higher than before. I was the only female bike racer who was participating for more than five years. I looked upon the crowd and waved at them while keeping a blank expression. You can address me as arrogant or conceited or intimidating, but I don't care.

Hate me or love me, it's up to you. We can't make others like us anyway. I observed Ethan and Zack approaching me, I left my bike and took two steps toward them. They instantly pulled me and spun me over. I chuckled when they put me down.

Ethan said, "Damn girl. You scared us for once. That was a hell of a strategy. You nailed it, fake nerd."

I smirked and said, "Thanks for the compliment, bad boy."

Zack said, "Congrats kid, you played well and scared us as well. It was worth watching the kind of match. You both played well."

Ethan and I smiled a little at him and started to walk toward the exit to put my bike in the track garage. We stayed till the prize distribution. Ethan and I got our trophy, and collect the winning amount from the judges. We then go back to our vehicles and went out. I put everything under the seat of my bike. We decided to head home. Well, except Ethan. He went to a party. Zack has his grandmother to take care of. Where I went toward my home, but I chose the longest way to go home.

I was roaming through the empty alleys while riding my bike leisurely. Suddenly a dreadful scene came in front of me. Six bulky men were beating a man brutally. They got chains and brass knuckles on their hands. One of them also holding a gun and pointing toward the guy. I did what I usually do in my right mind. Putting myself in the trouble.

I increased the speed of my bike and directly hit the gun guy from behind. His whole body flew away and fell on the ground. I quickly hopped off my bike and snatched his gun, and hit his head with the back of the gun. I pointed the gun toward the startling goons and started to play my game. Like always, I put myself in huge trouble. I didn't know from that day my life would turn in a dramatic way. I would find no way out. I didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse. Let's face it. I had no idea that day I saved a dangerous man in the world. I was doomed.