Jay's POV
Night had settled over the house like a soft blanket.
The home was quiet. Too quiet.
Which usually meant one thing.
Everyone was asleep.
Perfect.
I slowly pushed my bedroom door open, careful not to make the hinges creak. The hallway lights were dim, the marble floors cold under my feet.
I peeked left.
Nothing.
Peeked right.
Still nothing.
"Good…" I whispered.
I tiptoed down the stairs like a professional spy on a mission. One wrong sound and my mom would magically appear from nowhere asking a hundred questions.
And tonight?
Tonight I did not want questions.
My brain had been spinning all evening.
Matilda.
The stupid prank.
My broken phonewatch.
The annoying boys in class.
And worst of all…
That stupid cold face of Mark Keifer Watson.
I quietly slipped out through the side door and headed straight toward the garage.
The huge metal door loomed in front of me.
I slowly pressed the remote.
Whrrr…
The door lifted.
Inside, the cars sat lined up neatly like rich sleeping giants.
But I wasn't looking at the cars.
My eyes locked onto the corner.
My motorbike.
Black.
Fast.
And beautiful.
A grin slowly spread across my face.
"Hello, baby," I whispered.
I wheeled the bike out quietly, trying not to wake the neighborhood.
Helmet on.
Engine start.
VRRRRRRMMMM.
The bike roared to life like a wild animal finally let out of a cage.
My heart instantly felt lighter.
Yes.
This.
This was what I needed.
I sped out of the driveway and into the night.
The wind rushed past me, pulling away the stress from the day like it was being peeled off my shoulders.
Streetlights blurred.
The city lights glowed.
And soon enough, I reached the place that always calmed my mind.
The racing track.
As I rolled in, familiar voices greeted me.
"JAY?!"
I looked over.
Luke was leaning against the barrier with a drink in his hand.
Next to him stood Jeff.
Both of them stared at me like they had just seen a ghost.
Luke walked over with a big grin.
"Jay! You're here tonight?"
I removed my helmet, running my fingers through my hair.
"Needed some peace of mind," I replied.
Jeff raised an eyebrow.
"I thought your dad and Aries banned you from racing again."
I shrugged casually.
"They won't find out tonight."
Jeff and Luke exchanged a look.
Then Jeff laughed.
"Alright then. The queen of the track returns."
Luke clapped his hands.
"Perfect timing. Race starts soon."
I smiled.
Now this was exactly what I needed.
I rode my bike to the starting line.
Several racers lined up beside me.
Engines roared.
The smell of gasoline and rubber filled the air.
My fingers tightened around the handlebars.
A man stood ahead holding the signal light.
He raised his hand.
"READY!"
The racers leaned forward.
"3…"
My mind flashed back to school.
The laughter.
The prank.
The broken watch.
"2…"
Matilda's voice echoing.
Scholarship girl.
My jaw tightened.
"1…"
Keifer's bored face.
You always bump into people.
My grip hardened.
"GO!"
VRRRRRRRRMMM!!!
The bikes exploded forward like bullets.
The wind slapped against my helmet as I sped down the track.
The world blurred.
But my thoughts kept racing.
Those idiots in class…
Breaking my watch…
Matilda acting like she owns the school…
Anger bubbled in my chest.
My speed increased.
Faster.
Faster.
Why do I even care about those people?!
I closed my eyes for a split second.
"Calm down… Jay…"
The wind rushed loudly in my ears.
I inhaled deeply.
Then opened my eyes again.
And immediately slammed the brakes.
At the finish line stood two very familiar figures.
Aries.
And Dad.
My eyes widened.
"…Oh no."
That was not the finish line welcome I wanted.
That was the punishment committee.
Panic kicked in.
I quickly tried to slow the bike.
Too fast.
Too close.
"Crap!"
I turned the handlebars sharply.
The bike skidded sideways.
SCREEEEECH!!
The tires dragged across the ground.
The bike turned hard, barely missing the finish barrier.
But momentum pushed me straight toward the side wall.
"NO NO NO—"
BANG!
The bike slammed lightly into the barrier wall.
Not a huge crash.
But enough to shake me hard.
Within seconds, people ran toward me.
"JAY!"
Luke.
Jeff.
Aries.
Dad.
They all rushed over.
I slowly removed my helmet.
My head felt dizzy.
Aries crouched down quickly, examining me.
"Look," he said urgently. "She got hurt. Her forehead."
Dad's face was dark.
Very dark.
"What are you doing here?" he asked firmly.
I blinked at him.
"To think."
He crossed his arms.
"If Jeff didn't call me, looks like you would've raced all night."
My head snapped toward Jeff.
"JEFF?!"
Jeff lifted both hands defensively.
"Hey! Don't look at me like that. Your dad scares me."
Aries suddenly grabbed my ear.
"Ow!"
"You still haven't stopped racing?!" he scolded.
"Aries! My ear!"
Dad sighed deeply.
"Let's go home."
I looked at my bike.
"But my bike—"
Luke waved his hand.
"I'll bring it."
I nodded reluctantly.
We walked to the car.
The ride home?
Silent.
Very silent.
Which somehow felt worse than yelling.
Luke followed behind us with my bike.
When we arrived home, something strange happened.
The lights were on.
And everyone was awake.
My mom rushed forward immediately.
"Jay!"
Her eyes locked onto the small cut on my forehead.
"What happened?!"
"It's nothing," I said quickly.
Aunty Gemma appeared with a first aid box like she had been waiting for this exact moment.
Mom gently pulled me to sit down.
"Hold still," she said.
Meanwhile…
Dad and Aries started the lecture.
"Jayjay Mariano !" Dad began.
"What were you thinking?!" Aries added.
"You promised you'd stop reckless racing!"
"You could have gotten seriously hurt!"
Mom carefully cleaned the cut.
"It stings!" I complained.
"Good," she replied calmly. "Maybe you'll remember next time."
Dad sighed heavily.
Then suddenly said,
"If you want to race… at least tell me so we can race together."
Mom froze.
She turned slowly.
"…Seriously?"
I grinned.
Then high-fived Dad.
"Best dad ever."
Aries stared at both of us in disbelief.
"Dad! You too?!"
Mom shook her head and placed a bandage on my forehead.
"Unbelievable family."
She stood up.
"Go freshen up and sleep."
I nodded.
"Yes ma'am."
I stood and stretched.
My body finally felt tired.
Really tired.
I walked upstairs slowly, the bandage on my forehead reminding me tonight had definitely been… eventful.
When I reached my room, I collapsed onto my bed.
I stared at the ceiling.
Then sighed softly.
"Tomorrow…"
I closed my eyes.
"…better not be worse than today."
But knowing my luck?
It probably would be.
End of Chapter 11 🏁🏍️