DREXEL GENESIS

"It has been a long time since we've come here. We are just going to observe the tracks, right?" Archer asks as I drive on the tar road in between the tall trees that sheltered the high-end buildings. 

DownSouth was one of the most beautiful and ethereal parts of the city and a majority of the wealthy people resided here, even Kash. We barely come here, as there is no reason for us to do so. I've asked Archer to tag along with me too as I could use more insight.

"Yep, there are no upcoming races there, so we can see what we are into without any disturbances."

The drive takes approximately half an hour, and I pull over when I see the wide old ranch ahead of me. The DownSouth Ranch had been one of the vastest economic spots in our city and had been a great spot for horse racing too, but it shut down decades ago as a result of a big wildfire.

Now, it was used for races mainly run by the rich people in this part of the city. John Grater was also one of them. People like us, who have no connections to the DownSouth whatsoever, illegally race on the old and Abandoned Bridge on the outskirts of the city. Why the Graters and his stupid Ferals team race in that bridge, I don't know, but when there are more options to earn money, I guess he had no reason to let it go.

As I stood there, I could hear someone approach me and I turn to see Ken or Kenan, John Grater's right-hand man, sneering at me menacingly. "So, you're here to assess the difficulty level of racing against Young Master Kash," he sneers.

Archer responds with a sweet yet mocking tone, "Well, Ken-doll, how lovely to meet you."

"Regardless of how much you practice, our Young Master will surely come out on top. The Ferals will finally defeat you, and I can't wait to see the look of defeat on your face this Friday!" Kenan taunts.

"Can you please leave us alone? We have better things to do than entertain you," I interject, frustrated at having to deal with someone I despise first thing in the morning.

"I hear you're racing for a girl," he smirks, causing me to shut him down with a glare and retort, "Mind your own business. Do you have no shame, meddling in the problems of teenagers?"

He responds with a huff, "I'll be keeping my eye on you. This Friday will be one for the history books!." Then he climbs on his bike and drives off into the distance, much to our relief.

"I hope he doesn't do anything to Crimson," I worry, angry at myself for not thinking further about how this could affect Crimson. 

"If he does, we are there to stop it. Now come on, let's not waste our time on useless people," Archer says and we start to descend the sandy slopes that led to the tracks.

I was taken aback by the sight of the vast and circular course, which was surprisingly dusty rather than muddy. The absence of rain for weeks had transformed the area into a desert-like landscape, making racing on these tracks a risky endeavour as the dust would obscure our vision.

As I stretched my limbs and felt the gentle breeze, I couldn't help but remark, "What a breathtaking place!"

Archer disagrees, saying, "I see nothing breathtaking about a brown, dirty road. This place is so dry."

But for me, seeing a track that resembled a real racing course was a thrilling experience, and I couldn't contain my excitement. "I'm going to be racing here!? Look at these tracks!" I exclaim, bouncing on my feet and resisting the urge to run towards them.

Archer chuckles, "Take it easy, Drex."

As we enter the tracks, we notice some people already present, some with their bikes, presumably assessing the terrain. Archer kicks a stone away in annoyance, "I can't stand this dust. Can I take a rain check on the race day?"

I retort sarcastically, "Really? You don't want to watch your best friend race? Some friend you are."

Taking in a deep breath, I revel in the sensation of the gritty dust and dirt, while Archer shudders and flails his hand in a futile attempt to clear the dust from his eyes. He suddenly darts back in the direction of my car, saying, "Wait here."

While he was gone, I take a stroll around the tracks, lightly brushing my sneakers against the damp, stony surface. Racing here would be challenging, and my car's tires wouldn't survive the experience. At least the tracks weren't very muddy, or else my car would be swallowed up. I couldn't imagine telling Uncle Emmy that our car had died an early death.

Archer joins me with a huff, wearing sunglasses and a cap that adds to his usual chicness.

"Prepared, I see," I comment as he hands me a pair of sunglasses.

"Someone had to keep a level head while you were losing yours. You were too excited to think clearly," he grumbles as we walk together.

I chuckle and continue walking, starting to review my mental notes from last night. Studying and examining the course on foot is crucial, as is planning my turns and the celebration dance I'll perform if I cross the finish line in one piece. 

Note to self: no twerking or overly exaggerated booty shaking.

"What are you mumbling about?" Archer asks.

"Just going over my plans for the day," I reply. I had spent the previous night in bed, visualizing my performance on the track.

As we walk, I notice an unusual rock formation at the side of the road. 

"Doesn't that rock look like 'Pride Rock' from 'The Lion King' to you?" I ask Archer, who is also staring at the rock in awe.

"Wow, it really does! It's massive!" he exclaims before starting to climb to the top. "Take a picture!" he shouts from the top. I roll my eyes but oblige, snapping shots of Archer's comical poses before joining him. From the top of the rock, we have a breathtaking view of the wooded fields and pine trees surrounding the area that expanded for miles.

As we descend from the rock and walk back towards the tracks, I hear the roar of an engine behind us. 

          I turn to see if we are in the way of a biker, but instead, my eyes widen in disbelief as I watch a bike accelerate up the 'Pride Rock' and soar into the sky like a majestic bird. The shadow of the bike passes over our stunned faces before landing gracefully on the ground. I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the biker in amazement.

Archer breaks the silence, shouting out, "What. Was. That?"

The landing was so beautiful, I couldn't help but stare in reverence at the biker who had just performed the stunt. "Arch, did you see that? That bike - it flew!" I exclaim, still trying to process what just happened.

"Of course I did! Did that just happen before our eyes?" Archer rubs his eyes, trying to make sure he's not hallucinating as we watch the biker pull up next to a group of other bikers.

Would Crimson be impressed if I managed to pull off a stunt like that? 

I've never pulled off stunts with my car though.

Although I wanted to approach them and gain some insights, their loud voices, tattoos that seemed to replace their skin, and the deafening roar of their engines were intimidating enough to scare tigers away. They belonged to a different world, and I was certain I would be crushed like a soda can before I could even utter a word to them.

Once we recovered from our shock, Archer and I resume our walk, attempting to inconspicuously slip away from the bikers as we drew closer to them. However, as we approach, they turn to look at us, and we couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. 

"Hey there," one man greets. "Haven't seen y'all here before."

"We're just here for a visit," I reply briefly, my guard up.

A man in a leather jacket, who towered over me with his broad shoulders and intimidating stature, steps forward and asks, "Visiting, huh? And what brings pretty little boys like you to a place like this?"

"We're observing, just checking things out. Is that a problem?" Archer says as he slides his sunglasses up his forehead and crosses his arms so that they flex and bulge. Looks like he took the word 'little' to heart.

The man in the leather jacket was clearly unimpressed. "Who gave you permission to be here? Do you have an official letter, an approved stamp or... money?"

I was taken aback by his questions. Were we trespassing? Was this not a free zone?

Confused, I ask, "What do you mean?" while silently plotting a quick escape plan in case things took a turn for the worse.

As the men continued to stare at us, our nerves began to fray. Archer mutters under his breath, "Run?" I nod slowly, preparing myself for a hasty escape. However, before we could make a move, the bikers burst into boisterous laughter and howls.

Bewildered like a lost traveller, I watch as they struggle to catch their breaths from laughing so hard. 

"What's going on?" Archer demands, his suspicion palpable.

One of them sobers up quickly, "Sorry about that boys, but it was him who asked us to mess with y'all for a bit," he grins and points to someone in the back, and I notice a young man who had been hidden by the massive bodies of the other bikers. He was a full foot taller than me with hazel eyes and a lean body, his blonde hair pulled back into a small bun.

Archer and I could only stare in shock as the man stepped forward towards us with a small smile.

As soon as I realised who he was, I call out, "Ka- KAISER?!" and lunge towards him for a bear hug. We almost stumble from the force of the embrace, but he steadies us with a hearty laugh. "Whoa there!"

"How are you even here?" I demand with a breathless laugh, shaking his wide shoulders in disbelief.

Kaiser grins and ruffles my hair, "Hello to you too, brother from another mother." It was a nickname we had given each other years ago and it had stuck ever since.

"Kaiser! You gave us quite a shock man," Archer says as he too hugs the man in greeting.

"I saw you guys coming from a distance and couldn't resist pulling a little prank. But that was a nice welcome, wasn't it?" Kaiser cheekily tells us.

"You got us for a moment there. We were ready for an escape," I confess with a scowl even though happiness flowed through my veins from seeing my longtime friend and senior. "What are you doing here?"

"I took the weekend off from the university to come back and see my family, friends, and my lover," Kaiser replies with a sparkle in his eyes.

Kaiser Grater, a second-year medical student with a strong ambition to become a doctor, was a model student, a respected senior who was the Student Council President at our school two years ago, and a good friend to many in our town.

But you know what's crazy? This awesome and cool dude; Kaiser Grater, is the elder brother of our dear Kash Grater, son of our beloved John Grater and nephew of our favorite teacher Mr. Denver.

Was Kaiser Grater adopted?

I wish.

Despite coming from a family with a rich and questionable reputation, Kaiser Grater was determined to create his own path and not succumb to the ways of the Ferals. What made him stand out was his unwavering commitment to his own principles. He refused to follow in his father's footsteps and inherit their family business, instead pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor and helping others.

Kaiser was always at odds with the violent methods that the Ferals used when collecting debts and he refused to support them in any way. He stood up for what he believed in, even if it meant going against his own family. People often commented that he inherited his kind and caring nature from his mother, who was unfortunately married to John Grater, a man known for his infidelity and shady dealings.

Despite his family's reputation, Kaiser was determined to make a difference in the world and live by his own morals. His actions were a shining example of how one can rise above their circumstances and create their own destiny. 

His friends and admirers looked up to him as a role model and admired his unwavering commitment to his principles and I was one of them.

As for me, I still strongly believe that John Grater leads an underground drug mafia! Or at least, something quite similar to it. Archer once slapped me in the head and told me not to watch too many dramas when I shared my deductions with him. 

Despite my suspicions, the truth about John Grater's illicit activities remained hidden due to his powerful connections. He and his group of Ferals continued to profit off the debts of others and lived an unruly life of luxury. 

However, I hope that the current Chief of Police would be strong enough to bring them to justice since John Grater had the former Chief Police Officer on his side.

"I've seen Melody at school with Kash and his group. I heard she was down with a bad flu for quite a while," Archer states pensively.

Kaiser's eyes light up with love as soon as his girlfriend is mentioned. "Yes, I'm here mostly to see her, especially since I couldn't visit her when she was sick," he explains.

"Your brother must not be doing a good job looking after her for you," I joke with a smile.

"Now, now, don't make me jealous," Kaiser says, tightening his grip on my shoulder with a scary grin.

"If anyone's jealous, it's Kash if he sees you with Drexel right now," Archer interjects.

"Exactly. He would accuse me of trying to 'steal' his beloved brother from him," I add with an eye roll.

Another reason why Kash and I often clashed was because he would get angry and possessive whenever I interacted with Kaiser. Kaiser had always been friendly and approachable with us, while Kash usually received lectures and scoldings from him, which was understandable since Kash often got into trouble. He was always green-eyed, even if Kaiser simply spoke to me. What a crazy guy.

Kaiser chuckles at our conversation, "You guys are still at it, huh?"

"We sure are," Archer chuckles as he describes how Jed retaliated against the basketball team. I glance back at the track where the bikers Kaiser with were preparing for what looks like a race.

"Are they going to race, Kaiser?" I wonder out loud.

"Yeah, just a practice and some testing. By the way, what brings you guys here? I couldn't imagine running into you in DownSouth," he asks as we move to a shaded area under a large tree at the side of the track.

Archer takes off his sunglasses and hooks them onto the collar of his T-shirt. 

"Drexel's gearing up for a showdown with your little bro, right here on these tracks next Friday," he declares.

Kaiser looks ready to give me a piece of his mind as he asks, "Are you serious? Are you two never going to give each other a break? I thought you were the more level-headed of the two, Drexel." I feel a pang in my chest as Kaiser looks at me with a disappointed expression. I realize this is probably how Kash feels when he gets scolded by Kaiser.

"Wait until you hear that it was actually Drexel who challenged Kash. All that for loooove," Archer snickers, and Kaiser turns his head towards me in disbelief, saying, "My brother must have really pissed you off."

"I can't stand you right now," I deadpan at my almost ex-best friend.

Archer just blows a teasing kiss my way. This guy was something else.

"Wait, what? Love?" Kaiser cuts in, looking genuinely distressed as he rubs his temples. "No, no, please tell me you and Kash haven't fallen for the same girl too!" His voice rises above the roar of the engines in the background.

"That's not it! It's not love!" I protest, but they ignore me as Archer excitedly explains the reason for the race, which I'm starting to regret bringing up. It was too early for love! It is just a mere interest in her.

"Oh, I see," Kaiser nods after the lengthy explanation. "So, Drexel finally took an interest in someone."

Why was everyone saying that?!

"I know, right?" Archer cheers. "I don't know what you kids are up to, but I'm a bit bummed that I won't be able to see you both race," Kaiser admits. "I'm also curious to meet this girl. Has she seen you race before?"

"Yeah, once. She wanted to watch me race again," I tell Kaiser.

"It's rare to find a girl who likes racing. They're a gift from God," Kaiser says in a serious tone but then winks at me. "Introduce her to me after you two get together."

After you two get together.

That sentence alone gave me the chills. And before I knew it, a smile had already made its way into my face. I look down and lightly sway on my feet, digging a hole in the ground with the tip of my shoes. "She might reject me."

"Look at you," Kaiser laughs, "I've never seen you look shy before."

"Aww," coos my ex-best friend as he pinches both my cheeks teasingly. 

I slap his hands away and huff. "I came to study the track. Maybe I can learn something by watching the bikers' race," I say,  wanting to divert the attention away from my personal life.

 Then, he introduced his biker friends to me, so that they could give me some pointers and they showed us some of their techniques much to our excitement. Kaiser was never the one for street races, but he did attend some of his friends' races in the past.

"First of all, make sure you know the layout of the tracks," one of them advises. "It's easy to get lost in the dust."

"Secondly, watch out for the bumps and jumps. You don't want to damage your car or hurt yourself."

"Finally, don't be too aggressive. Racing is about skill and control, not just speed."

As we spent more than half the day at DownSouth, I couldn't help but think how much I enjoyed it and wished that Jed and Zeke were there with us.

It was moments like these, I think, laughing at one of Kaiser's friends falling off his bike while attempting a trick, that made me realize why I loved racing so much. The rush of excitement that filled my body when I saw others race, and the joy I got from working with race cars - it was a feeling that only a racer could understand. To others, it may seem like nothing more than engines, tires, and wires, but the bond between a racer and their car was indescribable.

This Friday night wasn't just about Crimson, it was about embracing my passion, being consumed by the adrenaline rush and raw emotions that only driving could bring.

Life was like a race, it wasn't just a sport - once you started, you had to keep pushing forward and facing obstacles without looking back.

So, even if the primary goal of Friday's race wasn't met if Crimson doesn't reciprocate my feelings, I will still win this race. I'll grip the steering wheel and start my engines with the determination to win, not to come in second or last. 

And I'll make sure that Kash never crosses that finishing line before me, no matter how new the course or boundaries are.

1 more chapter until the BIG RACE!

So we met Kaiser, Melody's boyfie! What do you think about him?