Drift (Drift Series)

by Dean, Michael

  “Dude, you better stop your Shade session and take this stuff before I eat it.” A grinning Scruffy shoved my bag of food into my chest.

  I grabbed the food humbly and avoided eye contact with him. “Thanks, bro.”

  We sat in silence for a few minutes, eating and watching the commotion at Sandra’s car. Breaking the momentary silence, Scruffy said, “Leo, you should go with me when I tell Shade we’re with her and that we’re sorry about what happened.”

  “I don’t need anyone to speak for me; besides, why don’t you wait to talk to her? I’m sure she’s pretty sick of all the people that keep coming up to her in their ‘poor baby’ mode. Just leave her be. When and if she gets ready to talk to guys like us about it, she will.”

  But Scruffy being Scruffy, foolish and naïve, said, “I know you don’t, and you’re probably right, but I still want to let her know I care, and you should too, ‘cause, I know you do, too.”

  I kept my attention on my food. Scruffy shook his head at my silence, and about a minute later announced he was going over to join the crowd. He reminded me that I should come with him, but I shook my head no. He shrugged as if saying whatever, and took a big slurp of his soda.

  Suddenly, the sound of a familiar, thundering engine broke like a nasty wave across BNB’s. Scruffy’s face said it all; trouble had arrived. But even without the revving of Darryl’s car, I sensed his arrival like an oncoming thunderstorm. It was almost like everyone had left. The only thing that could be heard now was one car stereo that continued to chirp music.

  Shade put her sunglasses on and slumped into the backseat of the car as she tried to hide from the coming menace. Her demeanor had changed from reluctant to fearful.

  Everyone started chatting in a much more reserved tone as Darryl eased through the parking lot. His engine hummed as he crept by everyone who was pretending not to notice him. It was hard to tell what he was doing inside his car because his windows are tinted very dark, but I assumed he was creeping to see if Shade was around. People began leaving Sandra’s car, bidding farewell to Shade.

  I couldn’t blame them for walking away now that an unpredictable Darryl was here. But I couldn’t believe how cowardly these actions were, nonetheless I mean, if they were true friends, they would stay and support her, no matter how Darryl or his friends may act towards them. Only Sandra remained by her side.

  I only took my gaze off Shade briefly, simultaneously trying to watch her and Darryl’s actions. He parked on the other side of the small plaza covered with cement tables and chairs in front of us.

  He killed the engine and got out; three of his friends followed. Meanwhile, Shade slumped even lower in the vehicle. She kept her head tilted down. Sandra leaned down and appeared to be giving words of encouragement.

  Everyone, including Scruffy and myself, pretended to be talking amongst ourselves. But it was obvious we were all keeping one eye on the potential scenario that may unfold.

  Darryl’s eyes locked onto the convertible. Without any hesitation, he started walking straight toward the car. The rest of his buddies just glared from behind him, smirking in support.

  Shade looked at her friend for reassurance. Sandra stroked her hair in a nurturing fashion as they spoke to each other, steadily watching every step the wolf took towards them.

  His glare stayed fixated on his ex. Sandra spoke to her battered friend again and waved at her as if to ask if it was okay for her to walk away briefly. Darryl stood close to the two ladies as Sandra spoke into Shade’s ear while giving her a comforting hug.

  With one of the fiercest stares I have ever seen a girl give a guy, Sandra stalked past Darryl to join her girlfriends a few feet away, never taking an eye off the feuding couple in the event she was needed. Even Scruffy’s motor mouth was put on hiatus.

  His hands grabbed the front passenger door as he leaned against it and peered at the defiant girl. He let out a sharp breath before he spoke. She never looked up, but it was clear she was listening.

  His lips moved and his head bobbed like he was unloading some sort of apology. Shade, still avoiding eye contact, crossed her arms and turned to look at everyone pretending not to watch them.

  I listened intently to catch the conversation. But after five minutes or so of Darryl pleading his case, Shade finally broke her silence. “Look at my face—you did this!” She tore off the sunglasses.

  Her shout completely silenced everyone. There was no problem now hearing the slightly embarrassed Darryl respond, “Look, I’m not asking you to get back together with me, I’m just asking if you can forgive me, and if we can be still be friends. I was drunk when that happened, and because of that, I’ve quit drinking. I know stuff like this is said all the time, but it will never happen again. What I did was wrong. I’m taking steps to become a better person. It would really mean a lot to me…and everyone else, if you would still show up at my party. I hope that will be the first step in us becoming friends again. I’m truly sorry for what I did.” He looked around and noticed everyone looking at them.

  “I don’t know. You were out of control the other day. I have to think about your offer and decide whether or not it’s a good idea for me to go to your party. If I do show, it’s understood that we are not getting back together, or are even friends yet. It doesn’t mean I forgive you, either.” She was making sure everyone around heard the conditions in case Darryl might misinterpret, or intentionally try to mislead people about her intentions.

  I thought things might weigh out for me after all. It was vital that Shade attend the party.

  “That’s fair enough, sweetheart. That’s all I ask. I hope I see you tomorrow night, but if not, that’s okay. I understand. Thanks for giving me the time to talk to you. I’ll see you later.”

  He waved to her as he squeaked out a small smile. Shade said nothing and simply nodded.

  Sandra and the others hurried to their frustrated friend as Darryl headed back to his waiting buddies. I couldn’t help but notice a certain look cross his mug when he turned. A look of rage flashed over his face. It quickly disappeared, but I knew he was struggling to maintain his positive outward appearance. He was still very angry inside.

  With the fireworks on hiatus, Scruffy waved a few friends over and we started talking. Considering how tense the evening started out, everything seemed to return to normal.

  I was laughing at Scruffy’s animated storytelling. He was doing some kind of funky dance. I kept peeking at Shade, but was a little disheartened because she didn’t look my way anymore. I was so engrossed in Scruffy and Shade, that I hadn’t noticed Darryl and his cronies hanging out at the car next to us talking with more of his friends.

  My attention was suddenly drawn with a stranglehold to their familiar voices behind me. “Darryl, I don’t know, man. I think homeboy’s ‘Stang could take your ride,” his friends teased.

  “Yeah, right. That car is just as much of a joke as the owner. I could slaughter him and that car.”

  His cocky mouth pierced through my being like an arctic wind, igniting a flame within me. Knowing what I am, and what I’m capable of, I really needed to stay silent. The last thing I needed was my own ego throwing a monkey wrench in the program I worked so hard putting into motion. I did my best to ignore him, but he kept pushing.

  “He should have painted that piece of crap fluorescent pink to match the color of his panties. Neither him nor his car want a piece of me and mine, baby!”

  The crowd encouraged him with the sounds of sporadic laughter.

  Like I said, I should have kept my mouth shut, but I couldn’t help myself. No way was Darryl Kite gonna run his mouth at my expense. The fire in my stomach burned into my throat and I turned around to acknowledge him and his belittling crowd behind me.

  It was confirmed when I turned to face him that he was indeed talking about me and my car. Darryl and his followers were staring me down. Darryl sported his ever-confident smirk. I was eager to wipe it off his ugly grill, so, playing to his emotional weaknes
s, I retaliated.

  “Those are pretty tough words. Too bad they don’t hold water, considering we just watched you get punked out from your ex-lady. You might wanna keep your mouth shut; you’ve already lost one fight tonight. No need to embarrass yourself any further.” I returned a confident smirk.

  His expression went from boastful and confident to enraged and furious at the snap of a finger. It was apparent his rabble didn’t expect me to stand up to their great and wonderful leader. They looked at him, waiting to see how he would respond. He forcefully stood straight up from the car he was leaning on. “Don’t let your alligator mouth overload your hummingbird ass…boy.” He strutted towards me.

  Before I knew it, he pushed Scruffy aside so he could get right in my face. He barely gave me enough space between his frame and mine so I could stand up from the hood of my car. I met him face to face, nose to nose. “You talk too much. I’m sick of hearing your mouth.”

  “Why don’t you shut it for me, little man? Make your move.”

  Everything in me was boiling. I wanted to rip his face off. It was important that I kept my cool though, but at the same time I needed to answer his challenge, so I fed the enflamed situation and took another shot at his pride.

  “I’ll tell you what—why don’t you exercise that car of yours the way it was meant to be exercised instead of just driving it around for all of your little girlfriends to enjoy—” I pointed to his buddies standing around smirking, causing them to hiss in disagreement. “—after I beat your butt, maybe you and I get together and talk about part two of your offer. Just be ready for the same results. Sound good to you…brotha?” I moved closer into his face and touched the tip of my nose to his.

  My eyes must have displayed a secret about my true nature, which sometimes happens when I get a little worked up, because his expression went from anger to bewilderment before changing back to cocky as he backed away and threw his arms up.

  “So, you wanna challenge me, huh? My ride against yours?”

  I nodded.

  I broke from our flexing of testosterone and was suddenly aware, much like earlier, all the attention around BNB’s was fixated in one spot again, on us two Alpha Males, and Darryl was playing it up for our audience. I returned the favor and raised my voice a little.

  “Well, if you can stand to leave your girlfriends here for a second so you can strap on a pair big enough to race me, then yeah, my ride against yours. Not for slips, for bragging rights.” I cracked a half smile.

  He backed further away, grinning, still trying to look as if he was in control.

  “The top of River Road, ten minutes. Be there and we’ll see who has the set around here, boy.”

  I nodded once more.

  He was sizing me up, but I could tell he wasn’t sure what to think about my boldness. Far as I know, no one has ever stood up to him this way. Whatever the reason, his cage definitely looked as if I rattled it.

  Sounds of shouts and clapping hands surrounded the venue in anticipation of our race, the renewed excitement of something out of the ordinary caused people to scatter back to their cars so they could get to the starting point of the race first. I kept my glare on my foe until he climbed back into his Camaro with his cronies. He never took his eyes off me, either.

  BNB’s emptied out fast. I shot a look over to where Shade and company were still sitting in their convertible. The whole carload was glaring at me hard as they backed out of their spot. Shade was the only one wearing a small crooked smile. I smiled back at her.

  “Leo, are you out of your mind? River Road, man?” Scruffy voiced great concern as we jumped into my Mustang. I started the car. “C’mon, Scruff, isn’t it you that’s always looking for action? Now you have some for tonight and you’re complaining? Don’t worry, I got this.” I screeched my tires out of the parking lot.

  “Yeah, well, just don’t put a dent in my ride.”

  “You mean this piece of crap? You got it.” I laughed with him.

  “Seriously though, Leo, you shouldn’t risk your life for a race, man. Just be careful, we all know how dangerous River Road is. It certainly isn’t going to be any safer with you racing at high speeds against a lunatic.”

  He was very serious. I turned to him, doing my best to help him relax. “Scruff, no worries. I told you, I got this, bud.”

  “Yeah.” He exhaled while glancing out of the window. He rubbed his hands along his legs like he was wiping off nervous sweat.

  I was quite confident though, despite Scruff’s understandable reluctance. If he only knew. Risk my life? There’s nothing to risk.

  CHAPTER 4

  OVERCOME

  We followed the parade of cars that piled out of BNB’s and approached Miller’s Hill looming over the outskirts of town. It was the location of River Road, the most dangerous, winding road in Mountainside.

  If one were to see Miller’s Hill from an aerial view, which is an angle I have actually seen it from, one would notice that River Road wraps three times around Miller’s Hill like a corkscrew and then gives way to a one mile straightaway that takes you into town at the bottom. The road contains steep, sharp curves and a few dips that make a speeding vehicle jump a few feet off the ground if it’s moving fast enough. It’s about four miles of nothing but terrifying turns, not to mention there aren’t any guardrails to keep you from rolling down the side of the hill through the thick trees. The only reprieve a potential racer might get is the one straightaway at the very bottom. This is where the highest speeds are reached and it’s the last chance for a lagging racer to exercise his or her car enough to win a race.

  River Road has been the final stop for a couple of area teenagers in the past, and the root cause of a handful of parents’ skyrocketing insurance premiums. There are still a handful of car parts scattered around the road to this day. There has been a city ordinance in place that prohibits anyone from loitering around Miller’s Hill or going up to the old water tower at the top. It is especially frowned upon to go inside the fenced area that surrounds the tower. But the signs plastered all over the hill still don’t stop the occasional mischief or teenage hormone exchange that takes place up there. This is why police patrol River Road with great frequency, which is another risk involved in racing in the area.

  The tower is the biggest landmark on Miller’s Hill. It’s a large, rusted, abandoned water tower that sits like a gothic-church-cherry on the top of a Miller’s Hill sundae. Adding to the mystique is a few rusting office buildings resting around the base of the large tower that was used by the employees when the tower was in use. Now that it has been abandoned, it’s rumored that suspicious activity happens at the tower, not necessarily referring to teenage relations, more that it’s haunted or something. It’s the darkest point of the hill, almost like it’s hidden in a dark veil of shadow. The people in town say it gives them an ominous feeling every time they look up at it, especially at night. Regardless of the eeriness, the water tower at the top is the starting point for all the street races with the ending point being at the four way stop at the end of the mile stretch at the bottom.

  It’s easy to see why Scruffy was feeling so nervous for me. He never stopped squiggling around in my passenger seat the entire ride there. I, on the other hand, wasn’t concerned at all and kept the conversation positive and upbeat in an effort to lower his growing anxiety. We both knew Darryl was no angel. If it meant pushing me off that hill to win the race, there was no doubt in our minds that he would do it.

  I was really taking a chance of derailing the order of things by racing Darryl. If something were to happen to him, I would be held responsible and would be punished greatly for it. Christian would show me no mercy. I shouldn’t have gotten involved, but I was sick and tired of Darryl’s power tripping. Either way, it was too late now. I had to be careful to make sure nothing went off course as a result of my actions.

  “Well, here we are, Leo. No turning back now.” Scruffy’s voice held a small hint of despair.

  We h
ad arrived at the top of Miller’s Hill, in front of the main gate that was halfway unhinged at the entrance to the water tower. This was the race’s starting point. Most people decided to park at the finish line, but a few followed tradition and were parked in a semi-circle with their headlights on. In an ironic twist, a thick fog was settling around the area. The car lights cut through it like bright cylinders of light. In the middle of the well-lit circle stood Darryl, alone in front of his Camaro, his body in silhouette.

  I pulled my car next to his, facing downhill. Scruffy jumped out. I followed promptly so we could find out what the next move was. I approached Darryl and another guy standing near him. I admit to trying to see if Shade was here too, but it was too hard to see with all the lights in my face. I hoped she had come and was at least waiting at the end. I guess I would find out when I got there.

  We met with Darryl, front and center between our vehicles. One of the bystanders, another friend of Darryl’s, walked up and started reciting some rules.

  “I’m holding a quarter. Darryl, since you arrived at the hill first, you get to call the toss. You want heads or tails?”

  “Tails.”

  “Darryl, if it lands on tails, you’ll get to choose whether you want the inside or outside lane at the start of the race. At any point you can be overtaken and lose your lane spot. The driver that blows through the stop sign at the bottom of the hill first is the winner. Everything else goes, those are your only rules…good luck boys.” He grinned as he leaned in to show us both that it was indeed a heads and tails quarter.

  It is very important to be the person who chooses his lane. Everyone knew the inside lane was the fastest, and in this case, it was also the safest. It was against the hillside and not exposed to the dangerous, unguarded cliffs. Even though being on the inside didn’t assure someone they would be the fastest or the safest, it sure felt better knowing you had that lane.