CHAPTER
'the thrill of racing'
ONE

Forks, Washington. A place where the sun barely ever existed and the clouds gloomed over the town. A town that, despite it's gloomy look, was perfectly fine. Like every other small town, thriving with the residents who lived there.

Helaena Swan was no exception of thriving within the small community.

Helaena was the adoptive daughter of Chief Charlie Swan, having lived in the town since she was born, the girl now being sixteen. She has gone into foster care after a tragedy struck her home.

Charlie had her most of her life.

Though, despite the change in name and guardianship, Helaena had always lived within the residency of Forks. Despite everything, she stayed a light within the town. As shy as she seemed, everyone knew that there was more to her than meets the eye.

Even her friends knew that. She had a small group of friends, a group she was with daily. Thomas Tozier, Suki Shipman, Nova Vinesett, and Matteo Mathers were the only four that truly mattered to her though, being a grade above her as she was a junior and they were seniors.

Thomas's father had originally worked with Helaena's mother when they were young, having originally met when she was merely 4, but they became closer come her freshman year and death threats came her way.

And he introduced her to Matteo a few months later, the two not instantly clicking but over time becoming inseparable.

But then came Suki and Nova, two peas in a pod and both in odd situations with Thomas. They ended up on the same cheer team as Helaena. And thus, came the only four she cared four. All thanks to Thomas.

The other friends? Well, they didn't really appeal to Helaena. She was fine with the four she had. Ruth Baird and Henry Gosnell, the touchiest couple Helaena has ever seen. The two were quite possessive of each other and Henry was the oddest therapeutic person.

Then there was Henry's sister, Amelia, and her best friend Blossom Fisher. The two had already graduated, but still hung around nonetheless.

And the final friend, one who had recently rubbed off on the wrong foot with Helaena, Karris Sink.

If you asked Helaena about the girl, she'd cut you a glare that rivaled the one of many others.

So here she lay, on her bed, flat on her stomach as she wrote in her journal. It was merely a month or so before she got to see her adoptive sister for the first time since the girl was thirteen? Maybe fourteen?

Helaena had lost count.

And the need to care. The last time she had spoken to Bella, the girl wouldn't stop complaining and moping to Renee about her. That had stuck with her through the years.

The girl's strawberry blonde hair was bunched up in a claw clip as her tongue stuck out from her lips every so slightly. Her concentration residing on the paper that she was writing, one she didn't mind. She enjoyed writing, and her friends did not.

So often she simply wrote their papers for the thrill of writing and since she had been doing it for so long, no one could really make any assumptions based off of old papers.

"Helaena! Thomas is here," Charlie called out causing the girl to quickly rise off of her bed, "I've got to go into work. Be careful out, alright?"

"Got it, Dad!" Helaena called out as she quickly rose from her bed, looking at her appearance with a small cringe, "Can you tell Thomas to come up?"

She heard a few inaudible words being spoken downstairs before the sound of footsteps carried up the staircase, before the door to Helaena's room opened. The girl was in a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt rummaging through her closet.

"Still not dressed?" Thomas faked a sigh as he leaned against her doorframe.

"No," Helaena cut him a small look while a grin tugged at her lips.

Her hair wasn't terribly bad but her outfit was definitely not something she was going out in. She pulled out a few things before handing them to Thomas with a look.

"Hold please."

"Since you were so kind," Thomas winked at her which caused her eyes to roll.

She began to peel off her shirt before taking the top Thomas held and sliding it on, the thin straps resting over her shoulders as she began to tighten the laces on the back of her top before tying it off and switching her sweatpants with jeans.

"Let me guess, converse?" Helaena almost laughed that Thomas even had to question what she was going to wear, "I'll take that as a yes."

Helaena grinned widely as she made a move to ruffle his hair as she placed her old clothes on her bed before sliding on a pair of socks as well as her shoes, "You know me so well."

Her jeans were a bit baggy on her and hung loosely on her waist but they looked great with her outfit. The girl added a few articles of jewelry, rings, earrings, and quite a few necklaces, before she turned and looked at Thomas.

The teen's brown hair rested in a wild heap on his head. Wearing a brown sweater and a pair of darker jeans with his boots. His signature rings littering his fingers.

Thomas was one of the most wanted guys at their school, besides the Cullen boys.

He held a jacket in his arms before handing it to Helaena, who went to protest, until he practically forced it on her arms.

"Are you ready now?" Thomas questioned as he waved over her frame.

The girl rose to her feet as she resisted the urge to sigh while saying, "Yes, Tommy," before she managed to move around him, "We're meeting Matteo and Suki at the strip, right?"

He gave a swift nod in response, "You're correct," He followed her out of the Swan home, briefly stopping so she could lock up before continuing their journey, "I heard Newton's looking to race."

Helaena let out a scoff, "Newton? Mike Newton, street racing?" She almost laughed at how ridiculous that sounded, "He won't survive five minutes."

Thomas quickly rose his eyebrows as if saying he agreed while entering his car alongside Helaena.

"Are you actually gonna socialize at this race?" Thomas questioned as he revved up the car.

"No, I'm too anxious and I only need to socialize with Matteo, Suki, and you tonight. Nova's not going to be there," Helaena hummed as she winked over at Thomas.

Thomas and Helaena were a complete mystery to Forks High. Rumor has it, the two were secretly dating - or at least hooking up. It had been rumored since Helaena made her debut at the High school, neither minded and both played into it to throw people off even more.

"Come on, Kermit," A groan left Helaena's lips at the nickname.

"It's been years and you still call me that?" Helaena pouted as she opened her door and slid out.

"You love it," Thomas teased before Helaena's entire facade changed.

Helaena began to fiddle with the ends of Thomas' jacket that was draped over her body. The crowd of young teenagers trying to get into the thrill of the race was hilarious. Some would never come back again, too scared of the repercussions of their actions.

"Yoo! Thomas!" One of the guys yelled over.

A few whistles left guys lips as Helaena sauntered by. Her fingers tapping rhythmically against the fabric of the jacket as she moved through the crowd, nodding curtly at those who addressed her.

A shriek almost left Helaena's lips as Suki wrapped herself around the girl. Helaena was the shortest of the group that had arrived at the race. Being five-foot-five while Suki stood merely an inch taller and both Matteo and Thomas were six-foot.

"I was wondering when you'd get here," Suki grinned as she moved her arm to rest on Helaena's shoulders.

"Yeah," Helaena's voice was quiet as her eyes raked around, "Thomas was late."

"Me?!" Thomas exclaimed as his head whipped over in her direction, "Were you not the one undressed?"

"Woah," Matteo then butted into the conversation, "You two..."

"Told you they're sleeping together," Suki laughed as she shook her head.

"Yeah," Thomas winked at Helaena causing everyone to roll their eyes.

Racing was something that the kids often snuck out to do on the Sundays prior to the school day, so that in case anyone got hurt they got a free day off of school the next day.

Though, it was usually the armatures trying to show off that got hurt.

"So, who's racing?" Called out one of the seniors, trying to estimate who all was doing what.

The entire group raised their hands, along with half of the crowd. A normal sight that most people at the Strip were racing, the few that weren't were there for the people.

"Thomas! You're racing Newbie Newton first," The same boy yelled yet again.

Thomas smirked before he cracked his knuckles, "Oh this will be good."

Helaena gave a soft nod as she watched her friend go off. The thrill of racing now starting to take over. It was quite funny after all, watching the races and what happens to those who lose.

This fool. She couldn't help but think. Mike Newton had never raced a single day in his life. Who did he think he was to race any of the teenagers who were usually at the strip? It was ludicrous.

"Mike Newton? Racing?" Suki scoffed at the mere thought of this.

"More like driving his car into a pole, he can't even keep it straight!" Matteo couldn't help but snicker as he laughed loudly.

"Guys," Helaena was trying her best not to laugh as she shook her head.

"Oh come on, Helaena. You know we're right!" Suki dramatically tugged against her friend, "Newton doesn't even know what a straight line even looks like!"

This statement was probably true. Helaena once had math with Mike, back when she was in her freshman year and she made over four hundred dollars off doing his homework because he knew absolutely nothing.

Helaena rolled her eyes as she shifted her weight between her hips, "You aren't wrong."

"See!" Suki let her arms go in the air as a wide grin broke out on her face, "THAT'S RIGHT EVERYONE! SUKI IS ALWAYS RIGHT!"

"I wouldn't go that far," Helaena mumbled as she watched over Thomas' car as the race was seconds away from beginning.

"Yeah. Look at your last boyfriend," Matteo responded as he placed his arm on Suki's head.

Suki was quick to push him off as a scowl resided on her features, "Says you. Didn't you get cheated on, not once, but twice and still go back to the girl?"

Well, that does it. Helaena scratched the back of her neck awkwardly as the two began to bicker back and forth. Helaena looked over a few heads and managed to catch a glimpse as the cars took off.

"You don't know anything," Matteo shot at Suki, clearly aggravated by this comment, "Thomas doesn't let me live that down."

"You complained all the time during work about it! Not to mention, how Helaena literally dated the brother during that situation but then she caught someone else's eye and jumped ship!" Suki exclaimed, now noticing as Helaena began to wander off

Well, more like one car took off and the other began to mosey along. Did Newton really think he was going to win while racing like that? She almost laughed, almost.

"Helaena," Suki snapped her fingers as she looked at the girl, "Pay attention."

"And listen to you bring up Casey? No," Helaena retorted as she looked back at her friend, "How many..."

"Times do you have to tell me you knew he was bad and wanted a messy breakup? I know," Suki looked at Matteo for help but he held up a motion of surrender, causing her to groan.

"And I didn't get one. I wanted a relationship, he was the only person I actually dated. I wanted that change in myself, for me to find myself," Helaena rolled her eyes before leaning against someone's car.

"But you didn't get it," Matteo sang in a sing-song voice, "And you're still as amazing as ever."

"Shut up," Helaena's face burned of embarrassment as she rolled her eyes, "You're such a liar."

"I am not!" Matteo acted appalled before a gush of wind hit them as Thomas raced by, going over the finish line, "Tommy boy won."

"Like usual," Suki huffed, "I really wanted someone to finally beat him!"

"Mike Newton couldn't beat a fly," was Helaena's simple response as she made a face, "He's as useless as my birth parents."

"Oh," Matteo looked caught off guard by that one, "Well that was certainly something."

"YO SWAN!" One of the racing guys called out, "you up for a race?"

Helaena wasn't leaving without at least racing one race, she nodded her head, "Yeah, let's go," despite how loud she had to be to get her voice over the crowd it held that same shy tone.

Helaena did a momentary handshake with Thomas as he placed a small hit to her back before letting her get into his car, something she often raced in. She effortlessly slid into the driver's seat and got herself settled before looking at the girl between the two cars.

Watching as her hands stayed in the air with the bandanas flying high before harshly pulling down, signaling for the two drivers to go.

And they did.

Sharp turn ahead, small detour, and I'm set, Helaena had this path memorized like the back of her hand and often took; to her surprise, no one ever figured it out.

Helaena shifted gears, Thomas loved his straight drives, before taking her turn and speeding through the alley ways before she was quick to shift back and get the car situated.

"Sucker," The adrenaline pumped through Helaena's veins as a small smirk rested on her face as she pressed down on the gas before making it back to the strip and crossing the finish line with the guy not too far behind.

"AND HELAENA SWAN STANDS UNDEFEATED!" Thomas and Matteo both yelled while whistling loudly as Helaena stepped out of the vehicle.

Helaena made a face as she walked over to her group once more as another race started. Helaena going back to leaning on Thomas due to his arms always wrapping around her as girls came over.

"How are you and your mystery girl?" Helaena then mumbled as she looked up at the boy.

"Mystery girl? That's her new name," Thomas couldn't help but find this quite funny, "She's doing great. Really excited about a few things."

"That's good..." Though Helaena went silent, still wanting to know about his girlfriend, "Why can't I know who she is," Helaena pouted.

Helaena respected Thomas' privacy, but she really wanted to know. She was a curious person and she wanted to know the girl who made the guy who was practically her brother as happy as he had recently been.

"Because, it's not the right time," was Thomas' simple answer as he ruffled her hair.

"When is?" Helaena pouted as she removed herself from his grip.

"Whenever it is, Kermit. We'll figure that one out," Thomas teased before sirens pulled up, "Shit, we gotta go!"

"SCATTER!"

Helaena grabbed ahold of Thomas' keys and bolted to the car before watching as Suki, Matteo, and Thomas piled into the vehicle before she sped off, barely giving Thomas time to close the passenger's side door.

Dad's going to kill me, Helaena couldn't help but think. The last thing she needed was to get caught. What would her father think if he found out she was one of the kids racing the strips.

Helaena whipped the vehicle through the alley ways before she pressed her foot firmly to the gas, shifting the gears before turning down into an abandoned garage and cutting off the lights, and slowing down.

Helaena peered back through the rear view mirror at her friends. Seeing Suki hold onto the car for dear life while Matteo did not look surprised and was perfectly fine while sitting in his seat.

"Helaena, please tell me never to ride with you again," Suki was gripping the seat tighter before Thomas' phone began to ring.

He slipped the Nokia out of his pocket before flipping it open, a glint of something flashing through his eyes before he hit decline and typed out some sort of answer.

"Mystery girl?" Helaena questioned as they waited out the cops for a moment, waiting for them to pass the road.

"Yeah. I'll call her back later," Thomas shrugged while Matteo shot some sort of comment.

"Who'd you pay to call you?" Matteo snickered with a grin.

The secret about Thomas' mystery girl had been kept within the friend group. No one outside of the group knew, keeping up the rumors about the two friends and keeping the two up as the most eligible bachelor and bachelorette.

"Your mom," Helaena let out a groan once Thomas' hand came in contact with her mouth.

Thomas looked as if he was trying not to laugh, "Helaena, not the time. Not while we are running from your dad."

"Damn," Helaena resisted the urge to grin as his hand slid off of her mouth, "Who's getting dropped off first?"

"Me!" Suki was quick to exclaim, "Please god me."

"You act like my driving will kill you," Helaena huffed as she adjusted herself before watching as the flashing blue lights passed.

"She won't kill you," Matteo added with a small grin.

"Maybe a little whip flash," Thomas added with a laugh.

"That's not making me feel any better!" Suki exclaimed as Helaena began to slowly drive them to her home.

"Yeah yeah, how do you think we feel?" Thomas retorted with a charming smile.

"Yeah! We were the first two people to sit in a moving vehicle with her driving once she got her permit!" Matteo added.

These people were going to be the death of Helaena. The constant bickering and laughter leaving the car as they successfully evaded the cops. This was almost a every weekend thing, it would just vary depending on who is driving.

"Goodnight!" Helaena yelled out the driver's window as Suki exited the car.

"Good night!"

Nights like these made Helaena happy. Helaena shook her head as she laughed knowing she was in for a long night as she pulled out of the driveway...