'Safe' Is Not A Word In My Vocabulary

Kim dropped me off at home and I collapsed on the couch, turning on MTV music videos, I fell asleep to the first song…

When I woke up it was only 11 o’clock. I got up and went to get dressed. I put on a leather jacket over a blue low cut tank top and white skinnies. I wore black heel boots and let my hair fall onto my back in waves.

I shoved my leather fingerless gloves in my pocket and grabbed my keys.

I smiled grimly to myself when my cars lights flashed.

I wasn’t joking about Edward and the whole sports car thing. I’m not supposed to drive my Lotus around Forks but I save my flashier vehicles for nights like these.

XxX

I parked my car next to a tricked out Lamborghini and walked over to the guys.

“Hey boys.” I said, grinning. Bones threw his arm around me and Crusher smirked.

“Thought you weren’t gonna show,” he muttered, flicking his cigarette butt on the ground. I rolled my eyes at him. “Do I ever miss a race?” I asked and he shook his head, his smirk growing more pronounced.

“But you also never hang out in malls so I guess there’s a first time for everything.” Crusher muttered, I stuck out my tongue out at the same time K-9 whacked him for talking like that.

K-9 wanted nothing more than for me to stay away from the street life, but he'd never ask me to quit.

“I got a whole secret life you guys know nothing about.” I said with fake seriousness. Ammo and Crusher laughed. Bones grinned.

“I thought this was your secret life.” Ammo suggested and I laughed “Nah, this is just for fun; can’t pass up an opportunity to humiliate you boys now can I?” I teased and the rolled their eyes simultaneously.

All around us, oblivious to our little party, people were amped up with excitement.

Slutty girls were making out with the racers and promising them such and such if they won. The first race hadn’t even started yet and someone had the huge speakers in their trunk (probably stolen) cranked up loud enough that everyone here could hear it. But the sleeping dregs four blocks away couldn’t.

Ammo was off making and taking bets on me and probably some other people. I smiled to myself and Bones tightened his arm around me. He tapped my shoulder and pointed over to where the sign ups were. I pecked his cheek lightly in thanks and left.

I weaved through crowded the dancing bodies, my hips keeping up easily with the loud music. I didn’t sign my real name; no one did, just in case the police got a hold of this list and thought they could outsmart us.

We’re not that stupid.

Of course, they didnt really know what they were doing, the list was basically a status thing, it was graffiti on a stolen car, that changed every night, certain parts of it for certain levels of racer. I was at the top, and so was Bones, but we didnt like to race together, because sometimes things got close, and a little edgy for both of us.

I noticed a new name on the list, which is weird since I didn’t recognize it. I race strictly with the good guys, no amateurs aloud, and as far as I was concerned, no one here had earned a spot in my race.

I quickly scanned the crowd, looking for a new face.

I saw him quickly, he had a cocky look on his pale face and I felt my eyebrow rise of its own accord.

He didn’t look intimidating, that was the last word I’d use, the first would be awkward. He looked about 5’2 and his Nikes were just cheap knock offs. I went up to Crusher to ask him what the new guys deal was but he was…busy.

“Ugh I did not need to see that.” I mutter, walking away from Crusher and his latest make out session.

I sighed internally.

If you want something done right…

I walked up to shorty to see him flirting with a skinny blonde in heels. He was flexing his muscle and kissing it. Pathetic.

“Yo, new guy.” I snapped and the blonde quickly shuffled away. She probably thought I was marking my territory or something. As it was, almost half the people here were watching me.

“Yeah?” he asked in a voice that was too deep for his baby face and black faux hawk. His eyes widened as he shamelessly checked me out and he smirked.

“I don’t know where you’re coming from or who you think you are, but you might need to look into a less advanced race.” My voice was incredibly sweet and sarcastic, it took him by surprise.

He snorted. “Doll, I don’t think you have a clue.” Cheers went up and I hadn’t realized the first race had started already.

My smile turned pleasant. “Actually sweetheart,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “This is my race, and if you think you have any reason to be her you sure as hell better prove it.” He raised an eyebrow as his eyes took in my 5’7 feminine frame. I smirked and invited him, using a hand gesture.

“Bring it on.” He says and I smile wider. Then I turn on my heel and go up to Ammo, who was now assembled with Bones and K-9.

They looked at me expectantly and I smirked. “Ammo, take your bets, the new guy wants to challenge me.” I jerk my thumb towards the dude and I realize who he came with.

They were a bunch of posers. They call themselves a gang but they’re nothing but white trash.
I don’t even think they’ve killed anyone...That explains the cheap Nikes.

They’re not bad as far as racers go but they haven’t beaten me yet.

It’s still too close for my liking.

They guys narrowed their eyes and K-9 clamped me on the back. “Give a proper welcome for me.” He muttered and Bones crossed his arms over his chest, his dagger glare aimed directly at the newbie. Ammo ran off to spread the word and I felt a familiar anticipation cloud my mind...

A short while later, K-9 suddenly tapped my arm and I looked up to see the new guy walking towards me. I felt my smirk widen when I saw two of the other guys flanking him. A circle of people had gathered around us like it was a school yard fight. K-9 and Bones both fell back behind me in the same manner. In a way, it almost reminded me of a pack.

I am NOT an alpha. Not even close, that was always my brothers job.

“There’s still a chance to back out.” Whitey hinted while his friends snickered. I kept a pleasant smile in place.

“I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Unless you trying to chicken out?” I suggested and he scoffed. “No way babe, I’m just trying to offer you an escape.”

I snorted and rolled my eyes, still smiling, still sarcastic and dangerous.

“Obviously sweetheart,” I started, keeping up the pet name scheme, “you’ve never been to one of these races before, I own these streets.”

Several “Ooh” sounds could be heard from the surrounding crowd. They knew I wasn’t just talking, these races were mine.

“Just see if you can keep up.” He snapped and I rolled my eyes. “Keeping up won’t be the problem; it’s trying to crush that enthusiasm.” He glared at me and I tuned on my heel.

I walked deliberately up to my car and stroked the hood, looking at him with expectant eyes. He scowled and turned with his followers.

XxX

I sat in the front seat of my car, the engine already running while Whitey was in his next to me. It was a blue Ferrari. I have a red one at home, and a green one too.

I revved the engine as the preppy blonde girl in heels threw a flag to the ground, signally the start.

Tires squealed against the pavement.

It was a pretty close race; we lapped around the western edge of the city and spun dangerously in and out of civilization several times.

I could tell he was pretty good at the wheel, but I was heavier on the petal.

When we finally reached the drags, I was in the lead. I had to spin out a bit so I could stop and I heard
K-9 and the others wolf whistle. I quickly got out of my car and went over to him.

“Nice race.” I commented, smiling, now that I’d won; I could afford to be generous. “You’re the real deal.” He replied appreciatively. I held up a hand, “Im Cent.” I said as he shook it. “Aaron.” He replied.

I was about to say something else when someone’s startled voice snapped me out of it. “Someone called the cops!”

Cops seemed to be the magic word because suddenly, all hell broke loose.

People were shouting and screaming as the rushed to their cars, trampling and shoving each other. The posers were the first ones gone since they’d been so close to their cars, which immediately had me suspicious. K-9, Ammo and Bones were in there car in a second, but since Crusher was closer to mine, he jumped over the hood and into passenger seat through the automatically opened door.

K-9 peeled out of the lot when Ammo was still climbing in, I laughed for half a second and then shoved my keys in the ignition.

And we were gone; my mind seemed to be steering, rather than my hands as we flew around the corner, a second before the sirens were heard in the distance.

XxX

We drove east a little ways and then North, finally heading south at around 4:00 in the morning. There hadn’t been a sign of pursuit but this was just a precaution.

I flicked my phone at Crusher, “Dial the guy’s number for me, see if they made it out.” I said and he nodded.

I heard him greet the others and my chest eased up a bit when I realized they were alright.

“No!” Crusher muttered into the receiver “Don’t go home, they know we’ll be there and us being out all night will just confirm that were up to no good.” I heard Ammo’s muffled voice on the other line. “Well what the hell are we supposed to do? Sleep in the car?” I rolled my eyes and held my hand out.

Crusher handed me the phone without hesitation. “Ammo, it Cent, tell K-9 to take you guys to my place, you can crash there for the night.”

Ammo agreed and I started the long drive home.