Warm autumn breeze brushes past my skin, and I feel every delightful piece of it as a delicious cup of coffee warms my hands. I look around a busy coffee shop, butt happy and comfortable at my favorite spot that I had to fight someone to get.

_Peace. Finally._

See, my life hasn't always been peaceful, more so, Reckless, and fun, with crazy outbursts. But I’ve put that life behind me. Well... Maybe I miss it, but gosh, had it brought so many dangers, and.. him.

I close my eyes softly, reminiscing about that old life I gave up.

“Hey.. Scarlet.”

My heart drops. I know that voice. That calm, beautiful, and.. No.. that _traitorous_ voice.

I take a deep breath and turn my head. I must be asking for a death sentence. I study his face, which now possesses new, depressed facial hair around chapped lips. Though his brown eyes are still the same as they always were.

I sigh, “Hey. Um.. What are you doing here?”

I watch him gulp as his hands nervously fidget. “Well, I know this is out of the blue, and after everything that um,” he looks down at the floor in guilt, “.. Happened, I dont expect an answer. But. I have a race today, and Tom isn’t able to make it, and our manager said if we don’t get another racer, he will stop funding for FlashRunners since no one is watching anymore.. Since you left. I just really can’t afford it anymore if he stops funding, and I’m kinda on the verge of being convicted. So.. I was wondering if um,”

I sigh, “If I fill in the spot for him?” I knew he would ask that, and I don’t know if I can do it for him. “Look, Damian, I just-“ I stutter as my mind spirals on what to say next. “I just.. I’ve put that life behind me. I haven’t raced in forever. I’m sorry.” I look down at my coffee, now cold, and look back up at his helpless face.

“That’s ok, I understand.” He looks down at his hands and starts to walk away when he stops, turning back at me. “See you in the long run, Skids.” My stomach flutters at that nickname, and he winks while flashing a smile I sometimes wish I could kiss again.

Guilt fills my heart. Maybe- Ugh, no. Well.. he is going to get evicted, and I haven’t raced in so long.

“Wait!”

Hand on the door, he turns towards me with confusion smothered on his beautiful face.

“I-I will. I’ll race with you. Just one more time.”

I watch light fill into face again.

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_This might just be the end of me_

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Welp- I make bad decisions every day.

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It’s been almost two hours, and I am now strapped in a bright red race car, with a helmet so tight the world seems to spin.

_Gosh._

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I just love this feeling. The feeling right before a race.

I look around the track, and to my surprise, it’s only me and Damian. I turn on my walkie talkie.

“Damian. Where is everyone else?”

I hear a faint nervous laugh. “They’re coming. Dont worry.”

Suddenly, a horn blows, indicating the start of the race.

“DAMIAN!?”

“Let’s see what you got, Skids.” He laughs before saying, “I know you can’t beat this Drift King.”

Okay, Okay. Maybe I should I stopped the race right then and there. But he said I can’t beat him, and I have a _slight_ problem with competition.

I watch Damian’s blue car zoom fast past me as he woops in the speaker.

_Hell no._

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I quickly stomp the gas pedal, as autumn wind blows on my face, and I feel more at peace than I did in that coffee shop. I laugh loudly, loving this rushing feeling I haven’t felt in so long.

As I approach him, I turn my head, and he winks, and I look back at a track that goes off hill into the freaking road.

_What the hell?_

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“Damian, why does this track lead to the road?” I watch him go faster, driving into oncoming traffic.

“DAMIAN, THIS IS ILLEGAL!” I scream so loud that I think I might have gone deaf. But still, he drives, and still, I do as well.

We race past small convertibles, and people walking their dogs, frozen in shock when we pass them.

But I feel _so _alive.

I woop loudly as I pass his car, and a black and white finish line catches my eye.

“See you on the other side, Drift Loser!” I mock his old statement, and as I almost reach the finish line, eight police cars skid in front of it. I press the gas pedal, and my head whips back, hitting my seat.

Police sirens fill my ears as someone opens my door, grabbing me. I fall onto the floor, almost blacking out.

“Scarlet! Are you ok?” I smile at that voice and open my eyes to see his worried face.

I laugh, “How was I Drift King?”

He laughs back, “Well, you beat me, Skids.”

And I smile, never feeling more alive and at peace than in this moment.

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