"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." ~ Unknown
"And this is Bella," Michael continued, gesturing to the youngest of the group. "She's still learning, but she races well."
"Hi," Bella said, offering a shy smile.
"Nice to meet you," Selina replied.
"Likewise."
"Last but not least," Michael said, turning toward the final figure, "this is Alice. She's the star of this group. Unlike the rest of us, she's a professional racer. Quite famous on social media, too."
Selina followed his gaze.
Alice was leaning against a sleek black BMW S1000 RR, her helmet tucked under one arm. She had sharp brown eyes and straight black hair cut short in a bob. There was something about the way she held herself, confident, poised, yet distant, that made Selina pause.
When Alice looked at her, Selina felt an odd twist in her chest. Not hostility, exactly. Something softer. Almost sad.
"Hi," Alice said, her voice warm despite her guarded expression. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Selina managed.
Alice smiled. It didn't quite reach her eyes.
Michael stepped slightly closer to Selina as he finished the introductions. "I've known them for more than two years. I come here when I feel like racing or going on long rides. We almost got caught by the police once." A faint smile tugged at his lips. "But they're good friends."
He turned to the group. "I'm not racing today. I only brought her to enjoy the show. She wanted to try riding, but our bikes are too heavy for a beginner. Can we borrow something lighter?"
"I'll get one," Max said. Then, with a dramatic sigh, "Though it's a pity you won't race. I was really in the mood."
"Sorry, guys."
"Then at least do a stunt show for us," Kevin insisted, grinning. "Please?"
"We'll see," Michael said. "But let me teach her first. That's what I came for."
"Alright, alright."
Selina noticed it then, the way Alice looked at Michael. Not the way friends looked at each other, but something deeper. Quieter. Girls caught these things. Selina had always been observant, and now her chest tightened.
Oh, she thought. That's why.
The sadness in Alice's eyes when she first saw Selina. The way she held herself apart. It wasn't dislike. It was recognition. She had looked at Selina and seen someone who might already hold the place she wished she could occupy.
Selina filed the thought away, careful not to let it show on her face.
Max and Kevin went off to borrow a bike. The rest of the group leaned against their motorcycles, chatting easily as they waited. Michael stood close to Selina, explaining the basics: clutch, throttle, brakes, his voice low and patient.
Soon, Max and Kevin returned, rolling an orange Suzuki V-Strom 250. "This should work," Max said. "Light enough for a first timer."
They moved to a quiet corner of the makeshift track. Michael guided Selina through the motions, how to start, how to balance, and how to stop. She listened intently, her nervousness barely hidden beneath her focus.
But before she could actually ride, Kevin called out. "Alex! Come on, just one small stunt match. Quick one. Crowd's already hyped."
Michael hesitated. He looked at Selina.
"I can teach her," Alice offered quietly. "If you want to go."
Michael glanced at Selina. She nodded.
"Okay," he said. "I'll be back."
He walked toward the staging area, and Alice stepped closer to Selina.
Alice was patient. Formal, but not cold. She explained the same things Michael had, but from a slightly different angle, her voice calm and measured.
When Selina finally managed to start the bike without stalling, Alice asked, "Do you want me to sit behind you? Help you balance? Or would you rather wait for Michael?"
"If it's not too much trouble…" Selina said.
"Not at all."
Alice wore her helmet and settled into the seat behind Selina. "Don't be nervous. Since it's your first time, I'll handle the clutch and gears. You focus on accelerating and braking. Even if you mess up, I've got it. Okay?"
Selina nodded, surprised by the kindness in Alice's voice. She had expected distance, maybe even resentment. Instead, she found patience.
She is a kind person, Selina thought.
They started slow. Selina managed the throttle, and for a brief, exhilarating moment, she felt the bike move under her control. Then she squeezed the brake too hard, and the bike jerked. Her heart lurched.
But Alice's hand was there, steadying the handlebars, correcting the motion. "It's okay," Alice said calmly. "You're doing fine."
They circled the lot a few more times. By the end, Selina could handle the brake and accelerator without panicking. She wasn't ready for the road, but she wasn't afraid anymore.
When they returned to the group, the stunt match was already underway. Max went first, his movements bold and dramatic, drawing cheers from the small crowd. Kevin followed, flashy and fast. Then Luke.
Selina watched Luke closely. His style was different, smoother, more controlled.
When he finished, Alice's eyes lingered on Luke with something like admiration. Pity he never went professional, she thought.
Then it was Michael's turn.
He took Luke's bike, better suited for stunts, and rolled onto the makeshift track. Selina's breath caught as he accelerated, the rear wheel sliding into a perfect drift. He lifted the front wheel, held it suspended, then set it down with impossible grace.
Selina watched, her heart pounding. Not from fear. From something else. Something she couldn't name.
When Michael finished and rode back to the group, he found Selina staring at him.
"What?" he asked, pulling off his helmet.
She shook her head, smiling. "Nothing."
Afterwards, they all went to dinner, a small, local Italian restaurant that wasn't well known, but clearly beloved by the group. The conversation was loud, warm, and full of teasing and laughter. Selina sat beside Michael, watching the easy way he interacted with his friends, the way his rare smiles came more freely here.
They followed each other on social media and shared contact information. Alice, Bella, Max and Kevin didn't really hide their identity. Like they shared their actual Instagram account and number. Meanwhile, Luke and Michael only shared their number, which weren't linked to their social accounts. Especially Luke, he was like a mystery, and he never revealed anything personal about himself.
When the meal ended, Michael said goodbye to the group. He and Selina walked out into the cool night air, leaving the noise behind.
"You didn't race today because of me," Selina said quietly as they walked.
Michael glanced at her. "I didn't want to. I just wanted to teach you."
She smiled and didn't know what to say to that. So she walked beside him in silence.