Asher

Beginnings... just as usual for a day in Corona Bay. To begin a day here, is to watch the last race of the night reach the finishing line just right on the road below me. I lived on the East Coast of Corona Bay, the finishing zone for the Cross-Island Track. Cars of all makes and models gather here for a race they were invited to or created themselves, some even customise their cars specially for the track.

I might have been explaining too much, but the fact is... I'm sort of attracted to cars. A lot. I'm not like other girls. They all get addicted to being race cheerleaders or shopping or makeup or sucking up to the Aces of Corona Bay right now, but I wanted to be part of that action that sent thrills through the racers - I wanted to know how that feeling is.

Thank God I wasn't that poor a person - but I started out small, just to save some money on repairs if I ever needed them. I bought a manual 6-speed Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII, which was one of the best cars available at the time of my purchase. I brought it to a workshop, hoping I'd get a nice deal, but no. I was just about to give up at my sixth workshop when I saw a familiar face.

"Asher! It's surprising to see you drive this beauty!" I stifled a laugh as I saw my great friend Frost in his dirty mechanic suit.

"Thanks, bro! Just thought it was a nice fit, though I'll move on when I earn enough." He gawked at me, thinking that I hopefully wasn't insane.

"You ain't by chance heading towards a career in street racing, are you?" I nodded my head enthusiastically, but his face told me to shut up and keep my silence.

"Oh well. I guess you're the ambitious type. C'mon, I'll let you have a tour around your car - just in case you need self-service. Oh, and I'll be your mechanic - I'll help you out in your career."

"Is your workshop certified? By the Aces?"

"Sure is, Ash! They came by many times for maintenance and upgrading, ain't nobody gonna miss my shop. You are my, like... 30th customer!" Wait. 29 cars came before me? That's... just ridiculous.

"Man gotta give you some respect for that, Frost. Now gimme some mods that are gonna work well with my Evo. I'll take a walk around the area while you doin' it. Don't break my car!" He gave me a hand wave and reassured me that it would be fine, telling me to leave with peace of mind.

Well, it is my car temporarily held up at somebody else's place, after all. I grabbed a Sprite from the nearby 7-Eleven and set off on a little tour around the shop.

Just when I was skimming through the items in my aisle, someone bumped into me real bad such that my arm was stinging.

"HEY! Goddammit, watch where you're going!" I snapped.

"Welp. Sorry girl, but that can't possibly be my fault when you're just strolling in a bloody shop." He had long curls, tan skin and beautiful hazel eyes. His body was a perfect fit to the facial features, and I realised who it was.

"Michael Jackson... the newly crowned Ace of Corona Bay."

"What, you surprised or somethin'? Don't block my way, thanks." He shoved me aside and hastily paid the cashier for his Gatorade before he jogged out of the shop whistling.

Rude. Really bloody rude.

"Welp, just my life." I took a bag of Chipsters, passed the exact cash amount to the cashier, and made my way back to the shop. The cool wind breeze brushed against my cheek - I folded my arms, trying to grip the Chipsters such that it didn't fall, but I caught a glimpse of that Ace... again.

That, was a sleek black car. A McLaren. Ace Jackson revved the engine so bad the smoke was in the face of the car behind him in the parking lot. A burnout - and just shot off. I shook my head in pure disappointment towards my late startup and joining of the sport, and trudged back.

"You seem ultimately depressed." Frost shared my Chipsters as he took a break from work.

"What can be more depressing than seeing the behaviour of one of the Aces of Corona Bay?"

"Now that sucks. Gimme another one, thanks. I'm more addicted to the Chipsters today... dunno why." I sighed, passing him another chip.

Biting onto the chip, Frost gestured to my car, and continued to get work done.

"Oh, beh de woay," Frost chomped down the chip, "decoration parts won't arrive till at least next week, or well... I can try end of this one."

"What about performance? Can you remove the speed limiter - remove the basic stuff?"

"Yeah. That's pretty easy. I'll be gettin' it done soon." A friend of Frost, I suppose, appeared from behind the workshop and passed parts of all types to my poor friend working on my car.

"Basic tuning upgrades are more or less there. Now for reducing the redundant... weight? Change of seats for you, Asher? This one's on the house. No need to thank me - take it as a 'lil gift."

"Man... you're the best, Frost. Gotta take my hat off to you."

"Oh c'mon, we're friends. Gotta help you in your career - let's start on a high note." Opening the doors after reducing the suspended height of the car, he dismantled the seats and removed them, asking his little assistant to bring in ones with that word in capital letters that left a big impression - "BRIDE".

"Newest full-bucket seats from BRIDE that are meant for racing!" Frost chirped enthusiastically, but his face went white when I heard a car cut its engine at his shop door.

"Hey Frost... service my car for me," a familiar voice called. I spun round to see that it was Mr. Ace. How coincidental can these things be?

"Oh, it's you again. Outta the way, I got priority." Shoving me aside, Frost could only facepalm and shrug in apologies. Having to attend to the Ace, Frost definitely has no time for me. I went to my car, and tried the new seat, watching the two as I see the Ace stealing glances at me, but they were never ones of acceptance - it was all rejection, the face of hatred, the face of pride.

That would show for sure when I'm out of street racing.

Oh, didn't Frost say that he took off some stuff from the car already? Is there a chance that I can race the McLaren?

Hell... yes, it's a slim chance, but still one.

I got out, pulled my black helmet and fireproof black jumpsuit I kept for a day like today, rushed to the toilet to change while they weren't paying attention. When I returned, the Ace looked up at me, my helmet visor still down.

"You're a lady, but can you win me? Where's your car - hey, aren't you that girl... hiding behind a helmet?" I was so tempted to grab a gun if I could find it.

"...." I kept silent and never acknowledged. Still scanning the vicinity for a gun, I decided I shouldn't try to kill him. I'll just keep some weapons in the back for some threatening next time. I sauntered over to Frost, trying not to spoil my passive image.

"Is it completed?"

"Uhm, yes...please don't screw up, Ash," Frost answered, whispering the last few words of warning.

I turned back, my helmet facing the Ace sitting down, slightly shaken but visibly unseen from his body posture, unless seeing from his eyes.

I pointed my index finger at Michael, threateningly. I wanted to see how I fared. Ever since I passed my driving test, I had always practiced around the streets and the track, making sure I knew my car inside out, but this might determine... even if the cars' performance is visibly different.

"You. You're my rival today. Classic outrun - 500 metres to win." He glared at me before bursting into laughter.

"In that wreck of yours? I'm being nice to you, lady. Please get a better car."

"Streets only, no highways." He gawked at me this time around.

"....Interesting. Challenge accepted, girl."

Author's Note

I SIMPLY JUST LOVE THIS CHAPTER!

except for the part where i had and must make Asher change into her racing gear, and the passive personality there. (almost said chapter once again, oh well)

anyway, thank you for reading! hope you enjoyed this book so far, although as it says in the text, it's just the beginning!

do leave a vote or comment if you liked this chapter and follow me for more updates!