Just have to start out by saying that this is probably my favourite chapter so far, It was so much fun to write! Let me know what you think.

-Gabs

"Did you tell him?" I ask.

"Sure did" Whitey says excited. "He should be here any minute, said he had to return the dirtbike first."

"Cool" I mumble. I rub my sweaty palms alongside my new race suit. Whitey was right, pink does fit me.

It was a cloudy day, slightly breezy. I've manage to keep a straight face for some time now, however after my last raw with Mama, I just needed some relief, some control.

"How much CC did you say this one has." My heart stops, just looking at Whitey's motorbike, it's not a silly little motocross, it's a proper GP bike.

"Enough to make a grown man cry." He smirks.

"Great." I squeal, contemplating any further actions.

"I must admit I was surprised when you called this morning, thought we lost you for a while, I mean I even bought you the suit, still you declined."

" I guess, I'm finally ready."

"Well welcome back champ." He laughs.

I sigh heavily. We're on the other side of the motorpark, on the concrete circuit behind the usual gravel track. This track ain't for the dirtbikes, this one's for the proper bikes, the heavy calibres. I figured I'm old enough, maybe it's time to finally get over the hurdle that has been haunting me ever since my accident. Dad was wrong for pushing me too early, however he was right for wanting me to ride amongst the big boys.

"Alessia?"

I turn around hearing Valentino's voice, his eyes widen in surprise as he passes the empty stands. "What's going on?" His eyes wander up and down.

"Ta daaa!" I chant, gesturing to the pink suit.

"Why are you wearing that and what are we doing here?"

Valentino hasn't noticed Whitey who stands leaning against the bike. "Where on for a show, that's what we are!" Valentino hastily turns. Whitey smiles and proudly pats the seat of the bike. Valentino looks to me, sudden excitement in his eyes. "Who's gonna...are you gonna...?" He stutters, shifting between me and the bike.

I bite my lips, nodding.

Like a child on a sugar rush he starts to jump, "You're kidding me, no way." I watch him run over to the bike, he squeezes it's handles and quickly checking the displays.

"Don't even sweat it son, the bike is good to go." Whitey says.

"Alessia this is incredible." My feet leave the ground when Valentino ambushes me and starts twirling me around. "What makes you wanna do this now?" He says putting me down again. His excitement is contagious.

"I dunno." I lean on my hip. "Guess I got tired watching you guys, knowing I could easily beat you to it." Valentino looks to me with lust. "Show us what you got then."

"I will." I make sure to give my hips an extra swing when I strut over to the bike. "One thing though." I say, throwing one foot over the bike.

"What?"

"I'm going to need to borrow your helmet.".

*******

I'm on my tippy toes, juggling the weight of the bike between my legs, when Valentino comes back with the yellow helmet under his arm. I frown knowing yellow and pink don't match, however, having Valentino's helmet on today might help a little, making it feel like he's with me, that there's nothing to worry about.

"I know there's not many riders out there..." Valentino puts the helmet over my head and fastens it underneath my chin. "Most of them are old guys anyways" I turn my head, watching the men in their fifties make their way around the track. Most of them are going slow, still I know how this goes, one of these guys are probably at the height of their middle age crisis, wanting to relive their glory days as young daredevils, to then have a girl on the track (me), dressed in pink and everything, might trigger something in their testosterone filled brains. At least that is what used to happen, kids and their parents used to call me all sorts of things, some parents even wanted their kids to run me off the track.

".....So don't try and overextend yourself." Valentino pats me on the head as if I were a little puppy. I curl my lips looking out on the track, I feel my heart racing. Who is he to tell me not to overextend myself.

"Like you said Whitey..." I fit my hands into the racing gloves, "...I've got a bike that could make a grown man cry." I then flick the visor on my helmet shut.

"Lessy." Valentino sighs, shaking his head.

I put the bike in gear then pop the clutch. "Whitey!" I shout. On que he hits the deck and helps me push start the back. I blow Valentino a kiss before rolling onto the track, I'm smiling from ear to ear inside the helmet.

"I suggest you just sit back and watch son, just sit back and watch." Whitey chuckles.

I wobble a little going threw the first corner, the bike isn't up to speed. I'm scared I can feel it. "Come on Alessia." I hiss. I dare speed up on the straight, the engine roars. It doesn't take long before I'm amongst the other riders on track, they are slow so I pass them, this gives me confidence to speed it up a little bit. I feel my chest tighten as all the force is pressing against me. Clenching my abdominals a prepare for the next corner.

Break!

I hop to the side and the bike starts to lean, I'm sent in deep through the hairpin. The bike is on its edge and I found myself holding my breath. I'm alongside the ground, concrete already ripping the knees of my new suit. I still hear Papas voice echoing through my head.

Just as you think your about to tip over, that's when you switch. "Now!". A slight movement and the bike tilts back. I exhale coming out of the corner. Ecstasy! Pure ecstasy, is the only way to describe the feeling.

I look to the stands, Valentino and Whitey are waving their arms, they're cheering for me.

I do two more laps and I feel myself going faster and faster every time. I'm quicker on the straights and in the corners, despite the adrenaline and the high speed, the world around me has slowed down. I hear every breath I take, my body is all in sync with the movement of the bike, blood rushes through arms, i feel my veins at the tip of my fingers as a reach for the breaks.

Break!

I lean into the next corner, however my knee just scrapes the ground before I'm forced to tilt back. Another bike squeezes through and passes me. "Wow!" The tires slide underneath me and for a second I lose my grip around the throttle. I'm sliding of the bike and onto the concrete then the pebbles. If it wasn't for the suit the ground would have peeled my skin.

"I'm okay." I wave, getting back on my feet, there is slight pain in my left rib cage. Whitey and Valentino are quick to my rescue.

"What an idiot!" Valentino shouts. We watch as the bike that threw me off makes a lap around the track. "Let's get you back to the stands." Whitey groans, pulling the bike up from the ground.

"No." I mumble through my helmet. My eyes narrows watching the guy close in as he comes around for yet another lap.

"Lessy we should get you checked out." Valentino is tugging at my arm.

"Quickly, help me push the bike." I say, jumping back on it. Whitey holds it study for me but doesn't push. "Are you sure pumpkin? That was a nasty tumble you just endured."

I nod, "I can still get him."

They exchange looks, however none of them are of concern.

"Your best shot is to get him on the straights, let him pass you in the corner." Valentino says excited, I solemnly swore that he was about to stop me. Whitey is pushing like never before and the bike quickly engages. "Get him Lessy!" Valentino's shouts behind. I rejoin the track, eyes on the guy emerging from behind. I speed up just as he passes me, but I'm on his tail throughout the corner. I'm pressing through like a soaring bullet, Valentino was right, I'm closing in on the straight, however there is sudden traffic. Other riders are slowing down, they are giving us way. Crossing the white line, a new lap, we are on equal terms, now I can get him.

I am closer, I am, still it's hard to pass him on the straights.

Late break Alessia, always break late.

Why Papa?

Because that's how you get em.

It's the last straight, the last corner, a deep right hander followed by a quick left turn. The breeze is pushing east. There's a moment when he turns around in his seat, "Good." now he knows I'm on his tail. He's slowing down approaching the corner, I'm still on the throttle.

Break!

The late break sends me right alongside him, he wobbles as we almost touch. We're side by side tilting for the left, however he was bound to lose. I'm ahead coming out of the corner and with the final straight approaching, I am bulletproof.

There's cheers, cheers from all around the track. Everyone has stopped to watch us battle. I cross the finish line bringing the bike home. It's steamy inside the helmet, I pop the visor and cooling air refills. Someone is waving at me, I wave back, like I've just won a real grand prix or something.

Whitey's camera is out when I com crawling back with the bike on my side.

"This is going straight to the website..." He turns the camera to himself, "I'm telling you everybody, Whitey's Productions will provide you with the greatest of chassis and here you have the proof, smile for the camera Alessia!"

I am blushing when he turns the camera to me, luckily the helmet hides my stride. I give the camera a thumbs up.

Removing my helmet, my hair is wet, I'm sweating in places I wish I would never sweat in.

"So how did I do?" I've got a smug look on my face.

"Not bad." Valentino smirks, his eyes roams the sky.

"Not bad!" I gasp, playfully hitting his arm. He takes cover. "Okey, okey, you were pretty amazing."

He lured me in with his embrace. I get a peck on the cheek.

"Better than you?" I smile

"Don't push it."