DREXEL GENESIS

 The day after my friends confronted me about my interest in Crimson, we set out to search for Kash. After a long search, we eventually found him on a basketball court, dribbling a ball with his friends.

"Hey, Grater!" I called out to catch his attention. He immediately stopped playing and gestured for his friends to do the same when he recognized us.

As he walked over with his friends, his face already bore an expression of annoyance and displeasure. 

"What brings you here to see me, Drexel? It's not exactly a pleasure to see you," he remarked sarcastically.

With mock melancholy, I jutted my bottom lip out and told Kash, "Don't look so happy to see me. I'm not here to fight." Glancing at my friends for support, I mustered up the courage to go through with what I had planned. It was not that I was nervous to race against Kash (that is just a snowball's chance in Hell), but I was worried about what would happen after the race.

I secretly hoped I would lose so I wouldn't have to confess my feelings, but at the same time, I couldn't bear the thought of losing to Kash. This was not only about Crimson but it was also a matter of pride.

I scolded myself for letting my friends talk me into this. Kash stared me down with a look that made me feel like a speck of dirt on his shiny car tire. 

"And why are you here?" he asked coldly.

I straightened my spine and crossed my arms, trying to project an air of confidence and intimidation. For a split second, my eyes met Archer's.

"No," his eyes seemed to say. "You are doing it the other way. Relax your butt. You look like you're holding your shit-"

"-Got it," my eyes said back.

I cleared my throat and stood up straight, knowing that most of the basketball team was familiar with the street racing scene in the city and some of them were even involved in it. I wasn't worried that the word of the challenge will spread to the wrong people.

"I've come to challenge you to a racing duel," I announced.

Kash seemed taken aback by my words, and it took him a moment to process them. He turned to his friends with a confused look. "Marcus, Storm, did you hear what he just heard?"

His lackeys nodded slowly, also looking at us skeptically. We had never openly challenged each other before, so Kash was understandably surprised. "Challenge me?" he repeated incredulously.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I'm feeling a little adventurous," I said to Kash, flashing a mischievous grin. "And what's more exciting than a little street racing competition with a rival like you? It's all about the thrill, don't you think?"

He approached with a pensive look and remarked, "I see. However, I don't believe this is merely for the sake of excitement. You initiated the conversation and challenged me. There must be more than just a sense of adventure driving you. What is at risk?"

"Racing for Crimson."

As soon as I heard the unexpected statement, my heart dropped, and I spun around to see who had spoken.

"Zeke!" Archer exclaimed, taken aback. 

Even Jed looked at Zeke with a mixture of disbelief and concern, which was unusual considering his usual stoic expression but the nuts of Zeke's brain were probably dropping like dead flies so that was even a more worrying priority. 

"You can't just blurt out something like that in front of everyone, Zeke!" Jed scolded his closest friend in a firm, hushed voice. 

Zeke remained unfazed and approached Kash.

"Crimson? What did you say?" Kash asked breathlessly in confirmation.

"Zeke no-"

"If Drexel wins, he will confess to Crimson. That is the stake," Zeke revealed to my utmost horror.

Kash's eyes lit up with interest, and he regarded me thoughtfully. I quickly pulled Zeke to my side and scolded him harshly. "This wasn't the plan, Zeke. We agreed not to reveal my interests like that," I growled, unable to conceal my disappointment in him for disregarding my boundaries.

Zeke's jaw tightened as he shook his head. "I'm sorry, Drex. But let's face it, Kash wasn't going to give in easily. I had to bring Crimson into this to get his attention. Now he'll take the race more seriously," he explained.

As I mulled over Zeke's explanation, I turned to Archer and Jed, who were looking at him warily.

"Crimson, huh? Now that is interesting, not to say I find the redhead intriguing too, you know. Who would've thought that little Drexel Genesis finally has a crush on someone?" Kash remarked, a sly smirk playing on his lips. "So, does that mean you will NOT confess to her if you lose?"

When he put it like that, I actually realized how stupid this plan was. Really, Drexel? You chicken. Now Kash knows and he will try to back me out as far as possible. Apparently, Kash got his answer when he saw my glare deepen. "I'm in. Next Friday night good? I've been itching to race in the Down South dirt track."

Down South Dirt track?

I had never raced in the DownSouth dirt track; The track was a former horse racing venue that had become overgrown with gravel, rocks, and dirt. Despite this, the track was still being used for races, but only the more seasoned street racers and the privileged who could evade the authorities would dare to race there.

Kash, on the other hand, had a distinct advantage due to his familiarity with the sandy and dirt track. In fact, Kash's expertise lay in racing on dirt tracks, and I knew that it was one of his greatest strengths. As I had only ever raced on tar roads, I knew this would greatly benefit him.

"You are in for a frightening loss, Genesis. I can race the DS track with my eyes closed. And when I win, I'll make sure you don't get to look at Crimson in the eye," Kash gloated while Archer had to physically restrain me from attacking Kash in response to his insults. "If everyone has a purpose in life, yours is to become an organ donor because I will kill you if you dare look her way!" I yelled.

"Oh I will..." he sneered with a growl and came closer to me, "...when I win of course."

Jed came in between us and lightly pushed Kash away from me. "You better not make any trouble for Crimson or any of us until Friday. Even if you win or lose, Crimson will still be our friend nevertheless. So Drexel's got nothing to lose. She is most likely to reject your advances if you come out too strongly."

Kash let out a huff in return. "You better watch what you are saying, nerd."

"Nerd? You agree that I'm smarter than you, dumbass?"

"Who're you calling dumb, you wuss!"

"You're not the dumbest person on the planet, but for your sake, you sure better hope and pray to all the Gods that he doesn't die, birdbrain!" One thing you shouldprobably know about the silent and stern Jed by now is that he is a force toreckon with, and if provoked, well, good luck to you or you'll have all yourhair fallen by the time you find something to say back to him throughout Jed's mercilessdissing.

One of Kash's closest friends, Marcus, let out a loud laugh at that and he quickly fell silent, letting out a hiccup when Kash gave him a glare. 

"We'll settle this next week Friday, then we'll see who the dumbass birdbrain is. I'll reserve a time slot for us at midnight," Kash scorned and stormed out of the court, practice left behind, probably to take a cold shower to calm him down.

I turned towards Jed with a laugh, "You still have a grudge against the basketball team, huh?"

"Yes."

Zeke declared, "With the stakes high on both sides, the race will be a serious competition. Neither of you will give up easily. This is not just about Crimson, it's about our pride as well."

"I'm still upset with you, Zeke. Even though your words convinced Kash to agree to the race, you should have talked to me first! I wasn't prepared!"

Zeke grinned apologetically, "Sorry again. But what is done is done. You should thank me, hmph! Otherwise, you would've come up with stupid excuses as to why you were challenging him to a race out of nowhere! He would've never believed you!" he argued back. 

Archer just slapped his head. "Consult us next time."

After challenging Kash, I had managed to talk to Crimson after school just before she was about to drive off home. That too, I wouldn't have done it if it weren't for my friends' involvement. Jeez, what has happened to the confident me? 'King of racing', they say.

One thing that changed was the way I acted around Crimson. I found it unnerving to meet Crimson's eyes. Not only did I open up to her about my family, but every time I conversed with her reminded me of the race and what was to come. As a result, I resorted to the cowardly tactic of avoiding her. I have never referred to myself as a coward before. Shame on you, Drexel. I wish Uncle Emmett was here to slap some sense into me in his typical fashion.

My heart had stormed wailing winds when she asked me if I was avoiding her because she had done something wrong. I had realized that I was wrong and slowly stopped treating her that way. I couldn't stand the sight of her sad honey-brown eyes whenever they met mine.

This had happened four days ago and today was Friday, meaning there was one week left until the race. Archer called it 'Ultimate dirt race of love' which sounded dirty and uncomfortable even to my own ears. Fortunately, Jed intervened and simply renamed it into 'The Dirt Race'– which was typical of him.

"If you have a moment, I could use your help," I tell Uncle Danny tentatively when I reach The Garage, unsure if I should be bothering him.

Danny removes his glasses, and concern furrows his brow. "Is everything okay? Is it your family?" he asks. 

"No, they're all good. I need some advice for a race I have next week," I explain. "It's going to be on a dirt track, the DS Dirt tracks to be exact, and I could really use your expertise since I'm not familiar with that type of racing."

He repeats the name 'DownSouth Dirt Track' with a hint of surprise. "How did you end up getting a race there?" he asks apprehensively.

"It's a bit of a long story, but I'll be racing against Kash Grater on his home turf. I would love to bring down two or three pegs off his clothesline of a head," then I clasp my hands together. "Please help me, Uncle Danny!"

Danny puts down the papers and leans back in his chair, a small smile forming on his lips. "Ah, racing on dirt tracks. I remember my younger days, tearing up those dirt tracks with Emmett by my side," he says wistfully. "I'd be happy to help you out. Dirt tracks require a different set of skills and techniques than regular tracks. Let me give you some pointers on how to handle your car and maneuver through those turns. We can make some adjustments to your car."

I let out a sigh of relief, grateful for Danny's willingness to help me out. "I would really appreciate it."

"No problem, kid. That's what I'm here for," he says with a reassuring smile. "Now let's get started."

Danny evaluates my car after I brought it into the garage, "The tires should be changed. As you know, a Ford Mustang is not very suitable for this type of racing, but you are lucky that the DownSouth track is not that muddy. Otherwise, your tires would sink like the Titanic. It's just a very dusty and gravelly track, only used by off-road racers. Have you been to the DS Track before?"

"I haven't raced on it. I've only seen it from afar once," I reply. A year ago, my friends and I had gone to watch a race there to get some pointers. It was such an enthralling experience to watch popular cars racing on the tracks. The air had been brown, dusty and noisy but I hadn't let it cloud my excitement. Wealthy people and somewhat professional enthusiasts raced the DownSouth Track, including The Ferals and it brought in a lot of money.

We street racers are just toned down to the illegal racing in the midnight mountain tracks and the Abandoned Bridge. I never wanted to race in the DS Tracks since the street racing in the midnight mountain tracks is duly enough for me. Plus, the DS Tracks were far away from my place, so it would be risky for me to go to race there when I was sneaking out of my house.

"Then you would have to visit the place to see what is awaiting you. Know the tracks before you race, Drexel. That is important," he advices. "I'll give you a day off tomorrow. I'll make some calls and see when the tracks are free for you, so you can freely study the place, alright?"

"You got it, Boss. Thank you so much."

"You are my mate's nephew and it is my duty to have your back. Maybe I'll go see him this evening. Been a long time since I last saw your Uncle," he grimly says as his eyes take a nostalgic spark that seems to appear whenever he is reminiscing the days he spent with his best friend; my Uncle.

"I visited him last week and the condition's never changed," I tell him with a sigh as I remember how I met Crimson and told her everything about my Uncle and Mother. After talking about him some more, I set out to work, my heart heavy as a result of our conversation. I really hope Uncle Emmett will be alright.

° ° °

While Rowan swallows down her dinner, I carry my mother's plate to her room, which was conveniently located on the same floor so she wouldn't have to deal with the stairs. After a soft knock, I open the door to find her sitting in her wheelchair by the window, engrossed in a book. As soon as she sees me, her face lights up with a brilliant smile.

While Rowan had the same heart-shaped face and I got the same dark brown hair as our mother, Rowan inherited our father's grey eyes and dirty blonde hair, and my father used to laugh and say that I had inherited his eyebrows and nose.

I had wondered where my unique golden-flecked, pure hazel eyes came from but my mom explained that I inherited them from her father, my grandfather, who had passed away when she was only two years old.

"Hey, Mum, dinner's hot and ready," I inform her as I wheel her to the table. 

Kneeling beside her, she beckons me closer, and her hand glides over my head in a tender gesture. 

"How was your day, son?" her gentle voice inquires.

"School was good, and I did some work in the garage. Same old," I reply nonchalantly, offering her a spoonful of soup. "I can feed myself," she insists, but I shake my head. "Don't tire yourself, Mum. Let me show my beautiful mother some love," I smile at her, and she chuckles.

"You must be tired," she sympathizes.

"Nah, seeing your smile makes it all worthwhile, Mum," I joke, and she playfully slaps my hand. "What a sweet talker. You should use those lines on a beautiful young girl, not an old woman like me."

I can't help but grin, and the soup almost spills from the spoon. "Oh? Who's the lucky lady?" Mum asks, playfully ruffling my hair. I want to tell her about Crimson, but I shake my head. "There's no such lady."

Mum chuckles softly as she dabs her lips with a napkin. "Okay, if you say so. Have you had dinner yet?"

"I will," I reply.

After Mum finishes her dinner, I tuck her into bed. 

"I don't think I need a caretaker, son. I can manage on my own," she says.

"Someone needs to be here with you when we're at school, Mum. Don't argue with me on this again. Is Aunt Annie not good enough for you? I can find someone else," I say.

"No, she's a good soul. She always entertains me with stories of her childhood and her children. But I'm afraid that you're missing out on your childhood caring for me and earning money. You don't deserve this, son. I'm sorry..."

I cut her off with a hug. "I love taking care of you, Mum, and don't ever feel guilty. Everything's going smoothly, especially with my friends helping me out. You don't have to worry about this anymore. Everything is under control, okay?" I say, kissing her forehead.

Mum only nods her head grimly and looks away from me towards the window. She does this when she's reminded of something or when she feels guilty, which is often whenever we talk. It confuses me at times, but I never ask further. She just feels the need to blame herself for how things have turned out in the present, but I never blamed her. She had gone through so much, especially when my father walked out on us.

"Goodnight, Mum," I say, slowly opening the door to leave.

"Goodnight, son. Sleep well."

Just as I'm about to close the door, I hear her say, "Do introduce me to the lucky girl sometime."

I smile to myself, shake my head, and close the door.

TWO MORE CHAPTERS LEFT UNTIL THE ULTIMATE DIRT RACE!