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𝐂 𝐇 𝐋 𝐎 𝐄︎

I walk up to the track entrance, the sound of engines roaring in the distance. I spot Rusty and Ariel near the entrance. Rusty's waving at me, a grin on her face, but Ariel's standing a bit farther away, arms crossed, eyes locked on the racers. The tension between us is always thick, and right now, it feels like a wall between us.

"Hey," Rusty says, stepping forward to greet me with a hug. It's warm, familiar, and I'm thankful for it. "Thanks for coming."

"I kind of had no choice," I mutter, glancing over at Ariel. "She's got a thing for drama, doesn't she?"

Rusty laughs, but it's strained. "You know how she is. Nothing ever feels real unless there's chaos."

I nod but don't respond. Rusty's always been the calm between Ariel's storms, and while I appreciate her efforts, nothing changes the fact that Ariel's always been the kind of person who stirs things up for fun.

Ariel finally glances over at me, her expression unreadable. "You made it," she says, her tone flat.

"Yeah, well, you know how it goes," I say, giving her a tight smile. "You want me here, so here I am."

Ariel doesn't smile back, and I can feel the distance in the way she's looking at me. She shifts her weight, obviously not interested in talking further. Rusty picks up on the tension and steps in.

"Okay, let's grab a spot," she suggests, clearly trying to keep things light.

I follow Rusty, keeping my distance from Ariel as we find a place to stand. The noise of the crowd and engines buzz in the air, but it doesn't drown out the tension between me and Ariel. Every time I look at her, I feel that old ache—the years of anger and resentment, never quite healed, just buried.

The seats are packed as we stroll up to the front, the buzz of excitement in the air.

"And with two laps to go, the leader is car number 44, Chuck Cranston!" the announcer shouts, his voice crackling over the loudspeaker. "Coming around the last turn on the final lap... We have a winner! In the number 44 car, it's Chuck Cranston crossing the line first for the checkered flag! Let's hear it for Chuck!" The crowd erupts in cheers, and Ariel lets out a loud, enthusiastic scream.

"Yeah! He just won!" she yells, her voice full of excitement.

"Today's late-model division two-time champion, folks. Give it up for Chuck Cranston! Way to go, Chuck!" The announcer's voice fades out as Chuck locks eyes with Ariel from across the track.

"Go up there, you get that flag and get that cute butt out here right now! Come on, now!" Chuck yells, a mischievous grin on his face.

Ariel bites her lip and, without hesitation, bolts toward the track to grab the flag. Rusty looks at Chuck, then back at Ariel, her expression immediately turning concerned.

"Oh no..." I mutter under my breath, watching Ariel rush over.

"Ariel, what the heck are you doing?!" Rusty calls out, her voice filled with disbelief. But Ariel just ignores her, focused on the prize.

"Hammer down, baby!" Ariel jumps into Chuck's arms, planting a kiss on his lips as the crowd continues to cheer. Chuck grins, setting her down gently before hopping back into his car.

"That is sick," I mutter, shaking my head. "How much older is he than her?" Rusty sighs in response.

"Oh, yeah. Come on, now." Chuck yells to his crew, revving the engine, and they head toward his race car.

"Chuck Cranston! I don't care if your daddy owns this track, you've got to get her out of here!" Rusty's voice cracks, her concern palpable. But it's too late. Chuck fires up his car, and Ariel sits on his window, waving the flag as he yells, "You can chase me down, old man. Chase me down!" She taps the top of the car, signaling him to go.

"Get back here! You're going to get yourself killed out there!" I shout, but it's useless. The engine roars to life, and they race off, Ariel waving the flag triumphantly.

"Once again, ladies and gentlemen, your late-model division two-time champion. Let's give it up for Chuck Cranston!" The announcer's voice echoes as they zoom around the track.

I glance at Rusty, already knowing what she's thinking. "Let's go," I say, starting to walk toward the parking lot.

A short while later, Ariel catches up with us, breathless and eager.

"Rusty!" she calls, but Rusty doesn't respond. Ariel tries again, more forcefully this time. "Hello, I'm talking to you two!"

Rusty rolls her eyes, frustration evident in her voice. "You know when you're watching the news, and you see someone get killed doing something stupid?"

Ariel cuts her off, huffing in annoyance. "Ugh, this again?"

"I don't want to be that stupid friend who just stands around watching." Rusty glances over at me, her expression softening just a little. "He should never have let you do that!" she adds, her eyes starting to glisten with unshed tears.

Ariel crosses her arms, her posture defensive. "So what are you going to do? You're just going to leave me, then?"

"Me? Leave you?" Rusty's voice cracks slightly as she turns away, her back to Ariel. "I don't know what's going on with you anymore. Ever since Bobby..." Her voice fades as she walks toward her car, the weight of unspoken words hanging between them.

"I guess I'll get my own ride back," Ariel mutters, her voice low.

"I guess you will..." I say quietly, watching her retreat. Rusty and I exchange a glance before heading to her car. With that, we leave, and Ariel is left standing there, watching us go.