Jake

A great weight had escaped from my chest. I know the $5,000 prize I won in the race wouldn't solve all the problems I was carrying around, but at least it was some money I could provide my family to change their minds about marrying a billionaire's daughter. Yes, I was also desperate for all of us to recover the millionaire life we had, but not as desperate as they were. I kept thinking about this and it seemed to me a tremendous madness, nonsense. It was anything. I don't understand how they agreed to this. Worst of all, they didn't even sit down and ask me what I thought but just told me; they wanted to force me. They decided for themselves. Every time I remembered, my blood boiled, and I didn't want to go home.

The racetrack was full of people surrounding me. I was leaning back in my car, smoking a cigarette with the party organizer, who was excited for me and my victory. He couldn't believe I beat the best illegal racer his organization had ever had. Yes, he knew I was good at running, but he didn't expect me to take the win and the prize. It felt great to have beaten Kyle, who did show that he had experience in the game, and had a very admirable way of handling (I even think he would do well in legal, professional careers), but he was terrible to accept a battle. The stupid one beat me for not being able to stand losing to me. That's why he was an idiot.

My face hurt a little, but it was bearable and didn't disturb my tranquility. Although, from the anger that gave me to receive his blows, I was left with the feeling of wanting to continue the fight. I thought he would be nice when we were about to run, and I don't understand why I thought about it that way, because he ended up being just like all the other runners: an arrogant, proud, jealous, and bad loser. I think he humbled himself just by hitting me and accusing me of cheating. It was stupid because there was no way he would cheat him since his car worked in perfect condition throughout the race.

"Are you okay?" Travis asked, noticing that my cigarette was already running out. I threw mine on the ground, crushed it, and he gave me another.

"I'm fine.”

"Doesn't it hurt? From what I see, it looks like it doesn't," he raised his eyebrows.

Smiled.

"No, not so much," I replied, touching my wound.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Because I'm very amused by this.”

"What?"

"That this idiot accused me of cheating and beat me for not putting up with what he lost against me.”

"He's strong-willed. Imagine how you would be if someone just came along and won you a race when you've never lost a single one since you arrived. You must be in pain.”

"Must it hurt? Pride is what should hurt him.”

"I don't think it's just that, brother. Your money must also hurt.”

Laughed.

"Oh, please, Travis. That idiot is lined in money. Haven't seen his car? Haven't you seen how he dresses? He has a lot of money. You don't need to. He just couldn't control himself and hit me. But they ridiculed him.”

"Yes, I know he has some money from what I see, but I don't think he's that wealthy.”

"I think so.”

With all the noise of the people, I went up to the terrace of one of the few abandoned houses that were there. It's not that the noise didn't reach the top, but there were no people, and I needed to be alone for a moment. I noticed from my place that two people were walking hand in hand toward the crowd of people. I inspected them and realized that I was the loser and his girlfriend. They were together, because of how they were holding hands and so glued together.

Kyle left, and she was left alone. He seemed to look for someone with his eyes, as he looked everywhere. I went down and go talk to him. When I had her up close, she didn't see me because she had her back to me.

"Alone here?" I dared to talk to him.

She turned to see who it was, and I knew she realized who I was.

"Do you see anyone else next to you?" It was rude. But he believed little about the bad girl story he was playing.

I gave him a funny smile. He wanted to please him.

"Wow, and I thought you were nicer," I said.

"I'm very nice," she said. I noticed he wanted to smile, but he held back.

"But it doesn't seem like it with me. Is it because I have defeated your little boyfriend? "I have to admit that I wasn't so sure they were boyfriends, so this was a way to see if they were or not.

"He's not my boyfriend," she spoke quickly.

I agree.

"So? Your lover?”

"He's my best friend.”

"Does he know?" I asked.

"What do you want?" Again she behaved rudely.

"Nothing. I'm just talking to you," I said. “Why has he taken you by the hand if he is not your boyfriend?" I kept smoking.

"What?"

"I saw them holding hands a while ago," I replied, sure of what I saw.

She started laughing. I puckered my eyebrows.

"Don't you know that today's friends can hold hands without having to be boyfriends?"

Did he call me old-fashioned?

"I don't know. I don't have any friends so do that with me” It wasn't true. I had some close friends who did that with me, but I think it was because they liked me. They had certain attitudes that gave me a reason to think about it.

"I guess it's because you don't have a friend you're close enough to do for that.”

"Yes, maybe, but does he know he's not your friend?"

"Where do you want to go? She knows I am her friend and nothing more. It's stupid what you ask." He rolled his eyes.

When she suggested I put ice on after her supposed friend's idiot hit me, she behaved more sympathetic. No doubt she had a shitty character.

"Are you sure? Because I'm pretty sure he likes you. I've been watching them. And I know how she looks at you," just to annoy her.

I laugh.

"Oh, and you discovered all that by watching us for just a few seconds? It's the first time you've seen us.”

"You don't have to know them to know.”

"As you say," he finished. Kyle parked his car in front of us, with the window down, seriously looking at us. That made me laugh because it was pathetic. He was a great runner, but nothing good at disguising. I'm leaving.

I smiled at her, about to tease her again:

"Of course, go with your boyfriend who is waiting for you.”

He turned around to walk to the car, ignoring me.

I realized that I still didn't know his name. I was interested to know. Just for simple curiosity.

"Hey, you haven't told me your name yet!" I raised my voice.

But she ignored me and circled the car to get in.

Kyle stared at me, with that withering look that, instead of scaring me, made me laugh. Really, how pathetic.

"Good race!" I teased him to stop seeing me.

Kyle pulled his finger out of the middle and started the engine of his car. The same car he lost to me.