Niko and Vanessa are waiting by my locker, and we all head to class arm in arm. It's different from spending time with Kianna. Ki-ki is loud and outgoing and always made sure everybody knew we were coming, but Niko and Vanessa are reserved. I suppose when you live in a town as small as Parkwood, everyone already knows who you are; there isn't the need to be noticed.

At lunch, Vanessa asks if I want to grab some food after school. I'd actually love to–riding is starting to take over my life–but I've already promised Tyler.

I tell them this, and the mention of riding piques Niko's interest. He shuffles a little closer and rests his hand on his chin to look at me. "So, you're the girl my brother's been talking about."

I frown. "Who's your brother?"

"His name's Sam," Niko says. "He came home the other week and, in his own words, said, 'Hot girl is making waves at the track.' He's not really one for expanded noun phrases, you know?"

I laugh before my eyebrows shoot up. "Wait, you're related to Sam?"

He sighs. "Hard to believe, right? I mean I got the brains, the looks, the body. Unfortunately, he got the talent."

I smile. "You obviously got the modesty trait, too."

"So, can we come and watch you race, then?" Vanessa asks. "I've never really been into the whole track thing. It might be fun to watch you."

"Why don't you guys meet me at the track after school? I'll be there around four."

Niko nods before stealing a fry from my plate. "Can't wait. Can I take some pictures of you?"

I look up, alarmed, and Vanessa laughs. "It's not for his personal collection if that's what you're thinking. He's in photography club–he brings his camera everywhere."

"Uh, sure," I say.

"Great," Niko says, and he steals another one of my fries.

The rest of the day goes just as smoothly. I'm starting to talk to the kids in my class, and when Mr. Lux, the History teacher, asks us to talk to our neighbor, the girl next to me says, "Roxy, right?" Then spends the next ten minutes talking about my hair.

"You should see it when I first wake up," I say back, and she laughs.

By the time school finishes, I can't stop smiling. Niko links my arm after class and walks me to the parking lot, where Tyler is leaning on his bike. He sees us and straightens up, his smile quickly falling when his eyes flit to Niko.

"I'll see you later," Niko says, hugging me, and I nod before walking up to Tyler.

"Hey," I say.

"Hey." His voice is clipped as he reaches into the back compartment, pulling out the spare helmet. Without a word, he slips it over my head and fastens it under my chin. Finally, he looks at me. "So, you and Niko are friends?"

"Yeah," I say. "Worlds apart from his brother, right?"

He doesn't say anything to this, he just throws a leg around his motorcycle and waits for me to climb on the back. I wrap my arms around his waist and put my feet on the footrests. After checking his mirrors, we're zooming off through the parking lot and down the main road toward the track.

I hold on tighter, enjoying the feel of the wind. Growing up, my dad used to say that riding is freedom, but I never really understood what that meant back then. Now I get it–on a bike, you are limitless, free to go wherever, whenever you please.

We pull up to a little bike store not far from the track. Tyler slows to a stop, and I unravel my hands from his waist before getting to my feet. We head inside the shop together, where we're met with a beefy-looking biker.

"Ty," the biker says in a low, gruff voice, and he fistbumps Tyler.

"Hey," Tyler says back. He turns and nods at me. "This is Roxy."

I stick out my knuckles thinking I'm going to get a fist bump, too, but instead he just looks at me and laughs.

"I'm Star," he says.

"Star?"

He nods and tilts his neck to the side, revealing the star tattoo behind his ear. "My Ma had a thing for Astronomy."

Tyler moves to the racks, so I follow him. I've never seen a gear store so well equipped before. I study the gloves, allowing my eyes to roam over the different makes and colors. A good set of gear is always so expensive, but now that I don't have to save for a bike, at least I can afford them myself.

I brush my fingers over a pair of black 360 gloves. They're forty dollars, but pretty much unparalleled in fit, dexterity, and handlebar control. I try on the small size before putting them on the counter.

Tyler has me try on several different helmets despite the fact my current helmet isn't that old. We settle on a matte black one that makes me look like I mean business.

"You need any boots?" he asks.

"No, my boots are fine." I get out my card just as Star makes his way around the counter.

"I got it," Tyler says, getting out his wallet.

I put a hand out to stop him. "No, I've got it. You're already letting me borrow your bike, I don't need you to buy my stuff."

He sighs like I'm purposely being difficult. "It's fine, sirenita. I got it."

I stuff my card in the card machine before Tyler can move. Star smirks, and I can feel Tyler glaring at me out of the corner of my eye, but I don't care.

By the time we get to the track, it's nearing four. I spot Niko and Vanessa already sat at the patio and call up to them. Vanessa grins and waves down at me while Niko snaps some pictures.

Tyler walks me over to the track. Just as I'm about to join the others, he grabs my arm and says, "Take it easy. You're still getting used to this bike."

"You could always ride with me," I say. "Just in case."

He fails at hiding his smile. "And break the code? Not even for you, sirenita."

"Fine." I shift my goggles into position. "See you after the race, then."

I make it to the start line and wait a few minutes for the last few riders to get into position. I can feel my pulse racing the way it always does just before a race. Not because I'm scared, or nervous, but because I'm excited.

As soon as the whistle blows, I'm zipping down the track. This bike has got the kind of horsepower I've only ever dreamed of, and each turn and corner feels smoother than before, like I'm riding on a ground made of silk.

I try to heed Tyler's warning and take it easy–especially after this morning–but when one of the other races tailing me, my ego can't take it. I go full throttle and leave him in my dust.

The other riders fall away until all that's in front is the horizon. I push myself harder, desperate to feel the power of the engine beneath me.

The second I cross the finish line, I turn to look over my shoulder at the guys I've overtaken. Maybe I'm too competitive, but seeing them behind me fills my stomach with this deep sense of pride.

I push my bike off the track and leave it in a bay before scanning the bar. Tyler has disappeared, but Niko and Vanessa are jumping and cheering on the patio. I smile when I get to them, and they pull me into a three-way hug before saying how amazing I was.

Alex comes up behind them and says, "You did good out there. Looks like all that training with my brother is paying off."

I smile and say, "Not really, this is amateur hour, remember." I turn to Niko and Vanessa and say, "Guys, this is Alex. Alex, this is Niko and Vanessa."

Niko nods and says, "We've met, although she was decidedly smaller back then. Chubbier, too. Always covered in paint or dirt." He looks at the confusion on my face and adds, "Oh, we were five. Our parents are really good friends."

Vanessa ignores his rambling and turns to smile at Alex. "Hi, nice to meet you."

Alex smiles back. "Back at you. Listen, I gotta get back to work, but I'll catch up with you in a little while, Roxy."

I nod, about to turn to Niko and Vanessa when I spot Tyler stood by the steps. He indicates for me to follow him, so I tell my friends I'll be back in a minute and follow Tyler into the parking lot.

He turns around, closing the distance between us. "I thought you were going to take it easy," he says.

"I thought about it," I say.

He cocks an eyebrow. "And?"

"And decided I didn't want to."

He shakes his head but smiles as he does it, like he just can't believe me sometimes. "You're a pain, you know that?"

"Thanks. No, really. I love it when you insult me."

He smirks and looks over to the patio. "So, you and Niko," he says, looking back at me.

"What about me and Niko?" I ask.

His eyes darken. "Are you into him?"

His question surprises me. I lean in closer until I'm positioned near his ear, then repeat the same words he'd said to me. "Don't be jealous, sirenita. He's just an old friend."

He smirks and steps closer. My breath hitches, because now he's so close that my mouth is about an inch away from his. He lowers his head, and I'm certain he's going to kiss me when the sound of footsteps makes him step back.

I turn to find an alarmed looking Alex stood behind us. "Alex," I say quickly. "Hey. We were just talking about the tournament."

She nods briefly, but her eyes say everything she won't. "I forgot to ask you earlier if you'd be okay working one of those unpaid shifts on Friday."

"Of course," I say. "No problem."

I step forward, trying to think of something to say, but Tyler steps in front of me. "What is this, slave labor?" he asks. "If she's working a shift, you need to pay her for it."

Alex's eyes narrow. I'm about to tell him I offered, but the ferocity in Alex's eyes stops me. "What do you know about anything? When was the last time you helped out with a shift, Tyler? When was the last time you came home to help Dad? After everything he's done for you."

The muscles in Tyler's jaw contract. He takes a step forward. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know you're a selfish asshole who only ever thinks about himself," she says.

There's a second or two where they just glare at each other. Then Tyler storms off, followed by Alex, and I'm left in the parking lot alone.

A/N

Hey everyone, hope you enjoyed this chapter! Happy New Year!! ❤️