Defying the Rules

Sorry about not posting yesterday. I spent most of it recovering from work (it’s kind of hard to type when your fingers hurt whenever you touch something. Darn soap allergy). Anyway, I’ve manage to edit this next part into something I’m willing to show now. It’s time for the next Race. Amy is about to do something defying. To the story!
********
“Are you ready for this?” Silver Fox asked her as they mingled beside their cars as the spectators filled the seats.

“I hope so,” Amy muttered, glancing around to make sure that none of the monitors focused too closely on her. It would be mortifying if her school friends found out about this. Especially if she didn’t even win the race.

“Don’t worry,” Silver Fox said, patting her on the shoulder. “You’re still in your first year of Racing. It would be a surprise if you win the Final your first year.”

“My Dad did,” she pointed out.

“Your dad is an exception,” the Racer concluded. “Though it would be pretty amazing if you managed to pull the same thing off.” She then paused, glancing around nervously. “Just don’t get too noticeable, alright?”

Amy frowned. “What do you mean?” she asked.

“RACERS!” an official said over the speakers. “TO YOUR CARS!”

Silver Fox waved goodbye and took off in a jog to her car. Amy continued to frown after her. What had she meant by that? Don’t get too noticeable?

However, she didn’t have much time to think about it as she got into Maxx. The racetrack was very different from the last one and not everyone had the same vehicle. Since this was the next series of races, the competition and skill they needed to win became more difficult.

The racetrack was all dirt and hills, going over miles. The spectators lined the track, though most were gathered around the starting/finishing line where there were still bleachers and large screens erected for the fans to watch. Again, Amy was shocked that they grew excited when watching something that they could barely see.

Putting her helmet on, she could hear Maxx making note of the other racers.

“Alright,” he said, “we have a few dirt bikes… A few sand buggies… More dirt cars like us…”

“Maxx,” she said, “you’re muttering.”

“I don’t mutter,” he argued.

“You mutter,” she stated simply. “Now…Our stagey is still on?”

“It’s a proven method,” he huffed. “You ready for this?”

“RACERS! START YOUR ENGINES!”

“I’m ready,” she said, gripping the wheel.

Orange.

Yellow.

Green.

She took off, the other Racers around her fighting to keep ahead of others. She took note that the favorites, the more experienced Racers, kept to the middle of the pack, just as she was. Her stagey wasn’t all that unique. As Maxx had said, it was a proven method.

It was much harder driving on dirt and hills. With each bump, she flinched, glad that Maxx wasn’t going to get hurt from all the jumping that they were doing. If anything, she was the one who would be hurt from this. She had bruises after some of her training sessions when Maxx would come out without a scratch.

“And SILVER FOX TAKES THE LEAD!”

The commentator’s voice bellowed in her ear. Amy flinched. So, the leaders were starting to break out of the pack. Time she did the same.

“Alright, Maxx,” she breathed, pushing her foot down on the gas as they drove up the side of a hill. “Time to join the leaders.”

“Don’t need to tell me that,” Maxx huffed. However, his engine whined at the effort to climb the steep hill, struggling to pick up speed. Around them, the other Racers tried the same, some of them starting to fall behind.

Reaching the peak, she continued to push Maxx faster, gaining speed with the aid of gravity. A quick glance told her that there were no curves for her to worry about to slow down for.

However, there was something a bit more worrying.

“Great,” she muttered. The Circuit had laced the last leg of the race with numerous smaller hills. A dirt car like Maxx would have a hard time maneuvering through I without tipping over. Perhaps choosing a dirt bike, while silly for the first part of the track, would have fit for this part.

“Aims,” Maxx said. “There’s a car’s path on the outside of the track,” he pointed out. Amy glanced ahead, noticing that Silver Fox, also in a car, had used the path that Maxx suggested. So, there was a way for a car to go through without tipping over driving over those smaller hills.

“Good,” she muttered. “We’ll go there.” Slowing Maxx just enough to change direction, she focused on the single path left for cars, hoping to get there before another car got there.

But she wasn’t the only one to notice the path. As soon as she reached the beginning of the path, another car was there, trying to beat her to it. She gritted her teeth as he came up beside her, trying to beat her there. She focused on making Maxx faster, trying to…

BANG! SCCCRREEECHHH!

Amy struggled to keep Maxx from grinding on the railing. The other car kept pushing on her, forcing her to the railing. The spectators were quick to move out of the way, just in case she was forced off the track.

“Amy!” Maxx warned.

“What?” she asked, glaring at the other Racer. While it wasn’t against the rules to drive another Racer off the track, this was just mean. She could be seriously hurt from this!

“Don’t you see where we’re going?” Maxx demanded.

Amy tore her eyes away from the other Racer and finally noticed what lay ahead for them.

It was a hill, steep and way too small for Maxx. The path that they had been following swerved for a moment away from the railing to avoid the hill. The other car would have the perfect chance to run her off and still get away. The other Racer must of noticed, because he continued to push her against the railing.

“We’re going to crash!” Maxx exclaimed. “And…” He stopped talking. Amy felt her blood run chill.

“We might not walk away from it,” she breathed.

“I’m sorry, Amy,” Maxx said, the hill getting closer. “I tried.”

Amy didn’t say anything, the enormity of the situation slowing the world even further. No, this couldn’t be happening. She had to survive. She had to win the race.

She wasn’t going to let the Race Circuit take her life as well.

Suddenly, she knew what to do.

“Maxx,” she said.

He knew immediately what she was planning.

“Amy!” he yelled. “NO!”

“Dirt bike!”

Engaged in her Talent, the crack of his change slowly erupted in her ears.

CCCRRR…

Around her, Maxx started to glow, his shape shifting around her. Amy felt the chair around her change to a hard seat beneath her.

AAACCC…
The steering wheel morphed in her hands. It felt a lot like play dough. Spreading her hands apart, she readied herself for the bike that Maxx was about to be. She leaned forward, placing her feet on the newly formed pedals between her seat.

CCCCC….

The car around her was gone, the bike beneath her nearly formed.

KKKK!

Maxx was no longer the car. He was a dirt bike, motorized and completely shock proof. They didn’t have to worry about being jarred over every bump now. She wasted no time for wonder and put on an extra bit of speed. The Racer who had tried to run her off suddenly slammed into the railing. Amy didn’t bother turning back to see the wreckage she knew was there. She focused on the hill, driving up it and down the other side. The other Racers didn’t notice her transformation and kept their goal for the finish line.

“Amy…” Maxx breathed in her ear. “That was… How did you do that?”

“You enhance my Talent, Maxx,” she said, still unsure how she did it. “I’m not going to have the Circuit kill me with my own Talent. Come on! Let’s win this Race!”

She had the impression of Maxx grinning. “Let’s do this!”

She wove through the Racers, now using Maxx’s ability to sneak through even the smallest of spaces. The dirt started to clear as she reached the leaders, leaving the other Racers now in her dust.

“Come on, Maxx!” she said, noticing that both Bluebird and Silver Fox were also breaking out of the pack. “Let’s win!”

Bluebird and Silver Fox were still in their cars, creating enough dust to obscure the view of the other Racers. Amy took her chance, pouring her energy into Maxx to go faster. It didn’t matter anymore if she just got into the top five. She might have just broken some rules. She had to win the Race now.

“There’s the finish line!” Maxx told her. “You’re in the lead! Take it!”

“Don’t need to tell me twice,” she said, putting on another burst of speed. The end of the track was fast approaching, no one was even close to her. She focused on the banner ahead of her, only taking her eyes off of it when she reached it.

“AND THE WINNER IS RACER AIMS!!!”

She slowed to a stop, the world once again returning to their normal speed. She was immediately surrounded by officials, fans, and mechanics, all of them talking too fast and too many for her to understand. However, above the din, she could still hear the commentator.

“What an amazing Race here today, folks! Racer Aims started this race in a car and ends up finishing on a bike! I think that today we’ve witnessed a change in the Races!”

“A change indeed,” Maxx said, his tone full of wonder. “I’ve never known that a Racer could change their program while still in it!”

Amy shrugged, noting that her face was displayed on the screen. So much for anonymity.

“Racer Aims!” people yelled, trying to get her attention, but Amy couldn’t care less. She had won the Race, she was off to the next series.

She was one step closer to retirement.
**********
Jay had been amazed before by Racer Aims, but after the race, he knew that she was more than just amazing. She was something special. Something worth more than casual teasing.

So it came to be a bit of a surprise when Williams asked for a private meeting with him the day after the race.

Jay went to the banker’s home, wondering of all the things that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. The Circuit argued for a while about whether to allow Aims to keep her win or not. It was eventually decided that she could. After all, she didn’t break any rules. She just did something that no one thought was actually possible.

Because of her performance, other Racers tried the same trick of changing their vehicles while in them and the results were the same. Racers could change their programs while they were inside. Because of this, the Circuit now argued about the rules concerning this ability to change. Some argued that it should be illegal, while others insisted that it now be required for Racers do to so. Jay personally thought that it should be up to the Racers what that rule should be.

And through all this, Aims kept aloof of everyone. Even from her own Sponsor’s associate. It was almost as if she didn’t want people to idolize her.

I wonder why Williams wants to see me, he thought as he waited in a library for the banker to arrive. The message Williams had sent him via email was short and left no room for arguments. The banker wanted to see him and that he had better come quick. Of course, Jay was curious why the message was sent.

What did Williams have up his sleeve this time?

Jay wandered around the library, impressed by the man’s collection. Many old books and classic works were there. He noted with some interest that the majority of the books were about Talents. While Williams wasn’t Talented himself, he associated with a number of them and worked closely with others. It wasn’t a secret that he was fascinated with the lot of them.

The door opened.

Jay turned to the door, not surprised by the man who wheeled in. Williams was a much older man, confined to a wheelchair. Though he was confined, Williams didn’t allow anyone to push him around, choosing instead to wheel himself. The old man had sparse white hair and age spots covering his skull. The skin drooped off his bones and his movements were just a bit jerky.

However, the light in his blue eyes betrayed that his mind was still fit as ever.

“Jay Torgenson,” Williams said, smiling. “It’s nice that you could see me on such short notice.”

Jay smiled back and shook the man’s withered hand. “And miss a chance to meet a great man? I don’t think so.”

“Charmer,” Williams chuckled. “But you know that I asked you here for a reason.”

“Well,” Jay admitted. “It must be important. You work mostly through your associates now. To see me in person, asking me to come here to meet you in person, then it must be big.”

“Obviously,” Williams agreed. “Please, sit.” Jay sat down at one of the tables as the old banker wheeled over.

“Now,” Williams said, seeming a bit worn. “Something happened yesterday, something that put young Aims on the wrong sort of radar.”

Jay frowned. “What?” he asked. “I wouldn’t say that. She’s now a favorite to win the Final.”

“And that’s the problem,” Williams sighed. “I’m afraid that I’m so far removed from the rest of the world now because of my health that I cannot protect her as much as I would like. So I must pass on her contract. I’d like to sell it to you.”

Jay blinked in surprise. “Sell me Aims’s contract?” he repeated. “Why?”

“I originally bought her contract because I wanted to make sure that she wouldn’t be used by the Circuit,” Williams confessed. “I didn’t want her to be used like her father. However, I’m afraid that she’s gotten the wrong sort of attention now with her stunt. I cannot protect her. You must.”

“Protect her from what?” Jay asked, feeling as if the old man was talking in circles.

“You’re a bright lad,” Williams went on, as if he didn’t hear his question. “You know things aren’t always what they seem. Aims is going to need an ally while she’s in the Circuit. She needs someone of your skills, experience, and connections.” He paused, boring into him with his stern gaze. “I picked you, from among many Sponsors, to help Aims because I know that you will.”

Jay didn’t say anything. He knew what the old man was implying.

“Your mother gave you a rare and precious gift,” Williams said softly. “I know that you will protect Aims. Do you want her contract or not?”

Jay forced himself to smile, to cover his uneasiness.

“We have a deal.”
***********
Amy dreaded going to school the Monday after the race. Not only was she the winner of the race, but she had also done it in such a way that history would remember her as the first Racer to have ever changed vehicles during the race. Of course her face was all over the news, papers, and the internet. There was no way that she could keep going through classes as normal “Amy McPeir” again.

“If you’re dreading it so much,” Maxx said to her as she drove to school, “then why not skip the classes?”

“I worked too hard to get into those classes,” she argued. “I’m not going to skip classes merely because they know about my Talent.”

“I’m surprised that the Circuit is allowing you to keep going,” Maxx added thoughtfully as she drove into the parking lot. “Wasn’t one of your agreements state that you wouldn’t tell them that you’re a Racer?”

“Yes,” she admitted, quickly finding a spot to park. “But it also said that if my classmates find out because I win races or something like that, then I can keep going to school and suffer the consequences of it.”

“You’re crazy,” Maxx said.

“And you enhance that,” she rebutted. “I’ll see you after classes.”

He sighed. “I await your return with breathless anticipation.”

“You don’t have breath,” she pointed out as she got out.

“My point exactly.”

She slammed the door shut. “Obnoxious!”

“Crazy!”

Amy couldn’t stay mad at Maxx. He was only trying to cheer her up by having an argument. Chuckling, she patted his roof and made her way to class. She had purposefully came early to classes, hoping that she could find a place to hide for a bit before the students came and started to stare at her.

The only problem with that plan was that there were already several of her classmates there waiting for her.

Amy froze when she caught sight of them and they of her. They immediately stopped talking, staring at her with something close to suspicion.

“Amy!”

She turned around, finding both Natalie and Aaron rushing up to her. She was a bit surprised to see them both smiling.

“You’re a Racer!” Natalie squeaked, grabbing her in a tight hug. “No wonder you worked weekends!”

“Wow,” Aaron said, grinning in his usual way. “I’m impressed. A Racer and going to the Chemistry Academy. You must have a thing for pain.”

She merely scowled at him. “You know,” she said, “Maxx says the same thing.”

“Maxx…” Natalie muttered, as if she were trying to remember who he was. “Isn’t that…”

“Your car?” Aaron finished.

“Yep,” Amy admitted. “He talks all the time.”

“Do not,” Maxx said to her. She chuckled softly, seeing the confused looks on the faces of her friends. They couldn’t hear Maxx since his physical self was outside. However, that didn’t stop him from talking to her from inside her head. It made for some very interesting conversations.

“Wow,” Natalie sighed dreamily. “It must be fantastic to be Talented…” She paused, glancing briefly at Aaron then her. “You know… In our small group, I’m the only one not Talented.”

“Don’t worry,” Aaron said, patting the girl’s shoulder. “It’s over rated anyway.”

“Agreed,” Amy added. “If I could have my way, I wouldn’t be Talented.”

Someone snorted behind them. Turning around, they saw the other students listening in on their conversations. One of them, a boy whose name Amy couldn’t remember, was glaring at her.

“What?” she asked.

“You don’t want to be Talented?” he asked, scowling. “It’s a gift, a blessing! And you don’t want it? I bet you use your Talent so much that you would be completely lost without it.”

“Doubt it,” she said blandly. “I almost never use it unless I’m Racing.”

He snorted again. “Really?” he asked. “I bet you use your Talent to cheat. A quick look at your notes and no one would ever know.”

This time, Amy snorted. “You forget. My stuff is locked up during the test.” The other students muttered among themselves. It was always an interesting rumor about why her things had to be locked up during the tests. “And you think that the video our class during tests so the teacher can have fun watching us again?” she continued, growing perhaps more bold than wise. “They do it so that they can slow the recording down and see if I’m cheating anyway.” She scoffed. “They make sure I don’t cheat.”

The students looked decidedly uncomfortable again and backed off. The boy who had spoken up sulked away, properly chastised for his outburst.

“That’s a lot of suspicion that they put on you,” Aaron noted.

“And a lot of bother to make sure you don’t cheat,” Natalie added.

Amy shrugged. “I had to go through a lot to get them to agree to let me come. I want an education, even if my Talent was Speed. I was willing to do almost anything.”

“Noticed,” Aaron commented. Suddenly, he grinned again. “Could you tell us more about the Race? It was amazing!”

Amy sighed. Even though it looked as if her friends weren’t going to shut her out, they were still going to be interested in the Races.

As she went through classes, Amy caught the glances in her direction, the pointed fingers, the whispering. Even upper classmen took note of her. There were even a few brave souls who asked for her autograph. Amy tried to let all of the attention slide off her, but, by the end of the day, she found herself annoyed with it.

I’m just a regular person, she thought to herself as she left her last class. And there are plenty of Talented here. I’m not that unusual.

But she was unusual. Chemistry wasn’t her Talent.

At last, the day was over and she was packing her bag to leave.

“Question,” Natalie said, also packing her bag. “If you’re a Racer… What do you drive to school?”

Amy blinked in surprise. “You’ve seen what I drive.” She really didn’t want people know to know that she drove Maxx to class.

“Yeah,” Aaron teased. “Like a Racer would drive a clunker to school. Seriously, isn’t that your program?”

Amy scowled. How was it that everyone knew about the computer chips that they implanted into the Racers’ brains?

“Yes,” she finally answered with a sigh. “It’s my program. I just transform him into a clunker so he wouldn’t stand out.”

“Your program is a he?” Aaron asked as they walked out of the classroom.

“His name is Maxx and he has a very masculine voice,” Amy said matter of factly. “I suspect that he’s male.”

“Can we see him?” Natalie asked. They walked out of the building and she hesitated.

“You’ve seen him…” she started to say.

“As a clunker,” Aaron pointed out. He grinned. “Come on. I’d love to actually meet him.”

“Me too!” Natalie sighed.

“Come on,” Maxx said in her head. “I’d like to show off for once.”

She sighed. “Outvoted,” she grumbled. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to Maxx.”

She didn’t join her friends’ excited conversation, dreading this. It was bad enough to have everyone staring at her during classes. Now people would probably wait for her to show up so that they could see Maxx.

After all, he was the flashy one.

“Hey, if you’re dreading it so much,” Maxx suggested, “how about I come to you? Get this over with?”

“Fine,” she muttered. “You love to spin your wheels anyway.”

Maxx laughed and she could hear him rev his engine.

“Well?” Aaron asked. Amy had stopped on the sidewalk before the parking lot, waiting for Maxx to show up. “Where are you parked?”

“Why would I need to find him?” she asked, noticing as he drove up. “When he always comes to me?”

Maxx arrived, still in his clunker form.

“Woah,” Natalie said, her eyes wide. “He just drove up by himself?”

“I am alive,” Maxx said, surprising her friends by talking. “Just because I’m a computer program, that doesn’t mean that I’m not able to think for myself.”

“And give me sarcastic remarks,” Amy added fondly. Despite that she didn’t like showing Maxx off to her school friends, she was happy he was there. Somehow, he managed to combine the world of Racing to the world of school.

“That’s because you’re sarcastic back,” Maxx huffed.

“Woah,” Natalie said again, her eyes wide. “He’s amazing!”

“Why, thank you!” Maxx said proudly.

“Yeah,” Amy agreed, smiling a bit. “Just don’t praise him too much. It might go to his head.”

“It will not!”

“Whatever,” she scoffed. “Well, I’ll see both of you tomorrow.”

“But there aren’t any Races on Monday,” Aaron started to say.

“I just got into the next series,” Amy pointed out. “I’ve got to train. And besides, they’re likely going to be announcing the new rule about changing our vehicles mid race. I’d like to know what those rules might be.”

“Yes,” Maxx agreed. “We should be going.” His door opened. “Shall we?”

She paused, thinking it over. “Maxx,” she commanded. “Speed bike.”

Crack!

The clunker changed into a sporty looking speed bike, not as big as a motorscycle, but large enough to ride around the city. Her friends gasped in shock and took a step back. Their surprise was understandable. It was a bit hard to believe that a vehicle could change so easily.

“See you tomorrow!” she said, putting on her helmet. She mounted Maxx and drove off, finally feeling good about being both Racer and college student.

She could do it.
**************
The rules are changing and the world is about to become more dangerous. Until next week, enjoy the journey!

Midterms and Parties

A shorter post, I know, but the next scene that I wrote has a gaping huge hole in it that desperately needs fixed. (Seriously. I made note of it while I was writing). But I shall post the next bit that is ready. One thing that I like about this book is the chance I get to unleash my frustrations about being a commuter at college. I’ve never felt like I went to college. Oh, I went to class, studied, presented, took tests, all that stuff, but I was a commuter. No one wanted to do things with commuters nor could I do things like other college students because I had to work. I’ve transferred many of those frustrated feelings to Amy. Poor girl. To the story!
********
A month had passed since her first win and Amy knew that the next race was coming up that weekend, but she couldn’t fully concentrate on that.

“Why did they have to plan midterms the week of the next Race,” she muttered as she drove Maxx to school. “It’s completely unfair!”

Maxx snorted. As usual, he wasn’t too happy about going to school. While he was no long bored all day as he listened to her classes through her, he was still transformed into a clunker of a car, complete with rust and squeaking wheels. He often expressed his disgust for the disguise at every chance he got.

“Well,” he said, “most Racers don’t go to college. Ever. As far as I understand, you’re the only one. Everyone else thinks your nuts…” He then sighed. “And the other programs make fun of me! I’ll never live this form down.”

“Oh, shush,” she told him. “You’re just fine. I gave you an engine of a sports car under the hood. It doesn’t matter what you look on the outside.”

“Beauty is only skin deep?” he suggested. “My ‘skin’ is ugly!”

“But you’re a fantastic car,” she praised.

He sighed. “Its no use talking to you.”

Chuckling, she parked him. It was the day before their next race and the day she had her last midterm. She focused on the final as much as she could, though she and Maxx went through extra training as well. This race was going to be different from the others. It was the first in the next series. The first where the Racers get to decide what type of vehicle that they would be racing in. Maxx suggested that she should stay with the normal car form, since she was most familiar with that.

“Wish me luck!” she said as she grabbed her backpack and rushed to class.

“Why?” he asked her, his voice coming from her head. “You’ve studied enough.”

“Thanks for the support,” she grumbled. “I’ll see you after the test.”

It wasn’t long before she was already at her classroom, the rest of the students waiting outside for the door to open. Most of them sat on the floor in silence, going over notes and silently mouthing the things that they had memorized. Amy quickly found Natalie and Aaron also sitting on the floor. Natalie was pouring over her notes while Aaron lounged with the sort of confident assurance that he would be fine.

Well. He was a Chemistry Talented. Of course he would pass.

“Hi,” she said breathlessly, sitting down next to them. “Feel ready?”

“No,” Natalie answered truthfully, frowning as she looked something up again. “You?”

“As prepared as I can get,” she grumbled. In the month and a half that the three of them had first sat together in lab, they quickly became good friends and study buddies. It wasn’t uncommon to see them going to lunch together or studying in the library.

“Professor Longhirst’s tests aren’t bad,” Aaron said, idly scratching his nose. “Multiple choice… a few math questions…”

“You’re Talented,” Natalie grumbled. “You don’t count!”

“Oh,” he said, mocking to be hurt. “You wound me.”

Amy rolled her eyes, pulling out her own notes and quickly going over them. Her grades were pretty good, but she had to keep them up if she wanted to stay in school. It was yet another requirement the Circuit placed on her when they agreed to let her attend college. Her grades had to keep a B or better or else they’d pull her out and she’d stay in the RCC.

She wasn’t going to let that happen if she could help it.

The professor arrived a few minutes later, unlocking the room so that they could file in. Amy actually dreaded this part. Yet another requirement that she had to endure so she could attend classes.

However, this requirement had been placed by the academy itself. Since she was a Talented Speeder, they feared that she might use that Talent to cheat her way through tests and take a quick look at her notes. As the other students placed their bags at the front of the room, such as all the teachers required, she took her backpack directly to the teacher, letting him lock it up under his desk. She’d only get it back when she turned in her test.

They worry about me cheating, she thought as she took her seat. I don’t need my notes to cheat. I could look at anyone else’s notes to do that. However, they were more worried about her notes than anyone else’s. And she was the one with the Talent to do things quickly.

However, the bitter thoughts didn’t linger as she was handed her test and she began to pour over it. Just as she suspected, the test wasn’t too bad, but there were a couple questions that she was certain that she had missed. A half hour after being given the test, she turned it in and retrieved her bag. The other students had noticed that her pack was locked up during each test. While no one had actually come up and asked her why that was, Amy had heard the rumors about why her things needed to be locked up during a test. Each rumor was more ridiculous than the last.

Letting out a sigh of relief as she left the class, she found Aaron waiting. She smiled and joined him as they both waited for Natalie to finish her test. She came out, looking much better than before the test.

“Alright,” she said, joining them. “That wasn’t too bad. Should we go to lunch?”

“I actually have to go,” Amy admitted. Both she and Maxx wanted to get a bit of extra training in before the race the next day. “Work…”

“You work a lot,” Aaron noted. “Most people who get into this school have scholarships. They couldn’t afford it otherwise.”

“But she doesn’t live on campus,” Natalie pointed out. “Didn’t you say that your relatives expect you to pay for some of your expenses?”

“Thus why I need to work,” she sighed. “I’ll catch you next week then.” She turned to go.

“Hey,” Aaron said, “do you work tomorrow?”

“Why?” she asked, wondering why he would ask.

“Well,” he said, glancing at Natalie. “We’re both planning on going to the big Race tomorrow. We have an extra ticket. You want to come?”

Amy froze. They were going to go to the Race? What if… What if they recognized her?

They don’t need to, she thought. It was her strategy to get into the top five. That would get her into the Final Races. If she could just win one of those spots, she would be fine. No one paid attention to the third, forth, and fifth places. First and second always got the attention.

“I can’t,” she turned down. “Work still. I always work weekends.”

They both sighed.

“Sorry to hear that,” Aaron said. “We’ll see you Monday then.”

“Monday. Bye!” She dashed off, suddenly feeling a pit in her stomach.

If they recognized her at the Races, then her simple life at school wouldn’t be so simple anymore.
**********
Jay attended the party the night before the Race. As usual, the Racers wore their clean jumpsuits, mingling among their Sponsors. This party was reserved for them with no reporters or fans to clutter the scene. It was a friendly atmosphere that permitted the sense of good sportsmanship and no ill will.

That would quickly change the next day.

Jay stayed a bit aloof of the party goes, preferring to people watch instead. While he was used to parties, and interacted in them all the time, there were a few parties when he just enjoyed watching instead.

His dad was on one side of the room, talking with his business partners and their Racers. He pointedly ignored those ‘lesser’ businessmen who tried to get his attention. Jay shook his head. When would they learn that his dad was only interested in the powerful? However, he couldn’t blame them either. The only way to get ahead sometimes was by linking with a stronger ally.

He watched that for a bit before becoming bored with it. He had seen this scene a hundred times in his life. Been part of it himself as well. It was getting repetitive, and he was only twenty-one.

He couldn’t stop himself from switching his gaze to the most fascinating person in the room.

Racer Aims, as usual, looked annoyed. She also stayed aloof of the party attendees, glaring a bit at anyone who tried to talk to her. Even her own Sponsor and fellow Racers avoided her. She often stalked into corners or around the wall, making sure that she was always on the move so that no one would be able to pin her down.

Jay smiled. It would be entertaining to pin her down.

Decided, he went to try to get her. He planned it just right so that when he finally crossed the room of people, she had stalked into a corner. The perfect place to keep her while they talked.

“Hello, there, Aims,” he said cheerfully from behind her. Aims whipped around, giving him one of her characteristic glares.

“What do you want?” she asked bluntly. Jay smiled. This girl was brutally honest and straightforward. There was much to appreciate in that.

“Just a nice friendly conversation,” he replied. “Would you like something to drink?” Even as he said it, he waved over one of the servers with drinks.

“I’m underage,” she pointed out as the server got to them.

“Don’t worry,” Jay said, taking two drinks from the server, allowing him to serve others. “There are fruit drinks with nothing in them.” He handed one to her. She held it, not taking a drink.

“It’s not poisoned,” he assured her, sipping from his own drink.

“This place is poison,” she rebutted. “What do you want?”

“I told you,” he said, “just a nice friendly conversation. Don’t you have those?”

“Not here,” she snorted.

He raised an eyebrow. “How are classes? You’re going to the Chemistry Academy, aren’t you?”

She stiffened, her bright blue eyes wide with shock. “How did you know that I’m going to the Academy?” she asked.

“All the Sponsors were told about that agreement between you and the school,” he informed her. “Whoever got you had to agree to that as well.”

She scoffed. “And here I thought that Williams approved it.”

“I don’t doubt that he did,” Jay said, waving his hand. “Williams has always liked the underdog and the hard worker. You were the perfect prize to grab to him. There were a few Sponsors who were disappointed that they didn’t win your contract.”

“So sad for them,” she said sarcastically.

“You’re classes?” he asked again. “How are they going?”

She sighed, consigning herself to having a conversation with him. “They’re going really great. I just finished my midterms today.”

He nodded. “Midterms and races do go together. I hated that when I was in college.”

She frowned, eyeing him with surprise. “You went to college? Aren’t you the ‘heir’ of the business?”

“I am,” he answered, grinning. “But just because I’m the heir doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t get my education. I graduated in Business Management from the State University here. One of the top of my class, truthfully. I could compete with Talented, if needs be.”

“I didn’t know that there were business management Talented,” she said, her tone revealing that she wasn’t convinced.

“There aren’t,” he corrected. “But if there were, I would be able to compete with them.”

“You have a high opinion of yourself,” she noted, scowling again. “You know that, right?”

“Of course,” he chuckled. “When you’re in my sort of position, you learn to fake confidence until you have it. Otherwise, you’ll be eaten alive.”

She frowned again. She did that a lot. Jay had only seen her smile a few times and he liked that look on her face. Though her scowl had a certain charm to it, the way her face lit up in a smile was worth so much more.

Suddenly, she glanced over his shoulder.

“Someone is coming to talk to me,” she said, side stepping him. “Excuse me.” She quickly walked away from him and towards Silver Fox. The mature Racer had been talking with their Sponsor’s associate, Roger. They both seemed a bit surprised when Aims joined them. Jay chuckled. So, she wasn’t above lying to get away from him.

It would be interesting to see how long that would last with him.

“Jay, what are you doing?”

Jay momentarily froze. Had his dad noticed that he was talking to Aims? He turned, finding his father staring him down disappointedly.

“Doing what?” he asked innocently.

Ford nearly scowled. “You know what. You were talking to that Racer Aims again. I thought I told you to stay away from her.”

“I’m just having a nice conversation with her,” Jay argued. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Ford sighed. “My boy,” he said sternly, “someday, you’ll learn to stay away from people like her.” His father then walked away, glancing briefly at the young Racer. Jay thought that he saw his father glare at her. Jay frowned. What was that about?
*********
Another hint of a more dangerous plot ahead. Next time, the revision of Amy’s next race. Enjoy the journey!

The First Race

Welcome back everyone! It’s onto the Race. To the story!
********
It was their first official Race.

Of course, it was Saturday and she waited with Maxx in the hanger. Other Racers also waited there, mechanics checking their programs to make sure everything was all right. The mechanics were a surprise to her. Although Maxx didn’t need a key or gas, he still needed some maintenance. The mechanics were part car mechanics part computer engineers. The one who worked on Maxx was one of Williams’s, a lowly lackey that didn’t say much to her other than that Maxx was still in top shape.

“Unpleasant lot, aren’t they?” she observed as the mechanic left to work on one of the other two Racers Williams Sponsored.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Maxx told her. “They’re just intimidated by the Talented.”

“Don’t know what for,” she said, sitting down on his hood. “I’m still human.”

“Human?” he asked. “Didn’t you accuse me of making you a cyborg?”

Amy chuckled.

“So you’re Racer Aims.”

Amy turned around, immediately recognizing who spoke though they had never met before.

Racer Silver Fox was an older woman in her late twenties or early thirties. Though she was a Racer, she had the look of a mature businesswoman wearing a silver jumpsuit with green accent colors. The stark difference in her appearance was her strait red hair that she wore down.

“Silver Fox,” she said respectfully. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” When Amy had arrived to the RCC, Silver Fox won her third Final. As much as Amy could gather, Silver Fox didn’t care much either way if she retired or not.

The woman smiled, though it seemed tired. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, walking around Maxx. “And of, course, your program as well.”

“Hello, Racer,” Maxx said. “Nice to see someone who is civil.”

Silver Fox raised an eyebrow. “A sarcastic program,” she mused. “They are certainly diversifying the programs now. I had to update my Lilly a couple years ago to include her personality.”

“Lilly is your program?” Amy asked.

“I was already in the Circuit when the chips came in,” she explained in a dull tone. “And I was one of the first to receive a chip. I will admit that I wasn’t pleased at first when they did, but…” She sighed with a smile. “You’ve been driving Maxx for three months now. Do you want another car?”

Amy glanced down at Maxx. This was a car race, so he was the typical racecar with the purple and red that were her assigned colors. His front wheels turned to her, expecting her answer.

“Nope,” she said, smiling a bit despite herself. “Maxx is mine.”

Silver Fox nodded in approval. “Our programs are one of the perks about being a Racer…”

“Ah! You two have met!”

They both turned to find Roger approach them. He was dressed in a suit and carried a brief case at his side. “I’m glad that you two got to meet. I don’t think you’d know this, Aims, but Silver Fox was a big fan of your father.”

“Thank you, Roger,” Silver Fox sighed. “That’s just made this conversation awkward.”

“Don’t worry,” Amy said, rolling her eyes. “I’ve met a lot of people who were fans of my Dad. I’m used to it.” Though she said it, she was still a bit mystified. Silver Fox was a fan of her Dad? The mature Racer was one of the favorites in the world, cheered on by many different people, even those of a different Race Circuit.

“Well,” Roger said, “that’s settled. Now we have to get ready for the Race. You both know what to do?”

“Win the race?” Amy suggested.

The two chuckled. “Try to,” Roger amended. “As you both know, this is the first Race of a new season. An elimination round. If you get into the top three, then you get to move onto the next rank of Races. If not…” He shrugged. “Then you get to race in the smaller leagues and attend any small function that we agree to.”

Amy suppressed a shutter. That was the last thing that she wanted to do. Some Racers may enjoy attending small functions, such as opening stores, selling merchandise, or promoting a program, but she wanted nothing to do with that. She had to get into the next rank of Races. She had to get to the Final.

“Best get ready to go,” Roger told them. “Silver Fox, you’ll be in the first race, Aims you’ll be in the third.”

They both nodded. There were too many Racers in their Circuit to all race at once. The four other Circuits would be holding similar races, to weed out the weak and put their best Racers into the Final races. It was an all day affair to race, with multiple races so everyone had a fair chance.

“Good luck,” Silver Fox said, shaking her hand.

“Thanks,” she said. “Good luck to you.”

Nodding her thanks, Silver Fox left to get ready for the first race.

“What do you think, Maxx?” Amy asked, sitting down on his hood again. “We got a chance to be in the top three?”

“We better,” he huffed. “We made a deal, remember? We’ll win those five Finals and retire. Then you can be that chemist thing and I can spend my days driving around and enjoying myself.”

Amy smirked. That was her Maxx.

“Are you ready for the race?”

“Oh, no,” she grumbled under her breath. She recognized that voice.

“What?” Maxx asked.

“Oh, don’t be like that,” the person said, coming at her from behind. Turning her head to the side, she watched as Jay as on the other side of Maxx’s hood. He grinned at her. “I know you’re excited to see me.”

“Excited my foot,” she growled. “Get off my car.”

“Technically he’s mine,” Jay teased, patting Maxx’s hood. “after all, it was my family’s company that built his chip…”

“Oh?” Maxx asked, his tone taking in a bit of heat. “Then why am I only linked to Aims? Hum? Now, get off me before I drive off with you still there like a bug on my windshield.”

“Alright,” Jay said, getting off and backing off a bit. “Don’t get running happy yet. The race hasn’t started for you two.”

“Is there something you want here?” Amy asked, glaring at the young Sponsor. “I thought Bluebird was your Racer. And he’s not racing until the second set.”

“What?” he said innocently, still smiling like an idiot. “Can’t I come by to admire one of my new favorites?”

“I haven’t raced yet,” she pointed out. “How could I be a new favorite?”

“You’re spunky,” he chuckled. “I like that in a woman.”

“Ugh!” Amy said, disgusted. “What are you? Some sort of sick stalker?”

“Nothing of the sort,” he said, winking. “Flirtatious billionaire might be closer to the truth.”

“That’s more disgusting!” she coughed, feeling nauseated. “Do you think you can buy me? Get out of my sight! You’re a disgusting pig!”

“A perverted disgusting pig,” Maxx agreed, revving his engine enough to make Jay step back again.

“You miss understand me,” he said, sounding a bit hurt. “I don’t buy affection. A billionaire is a title, nothing more. Flirting is more of my style. And you’re reactions are fun to watch.”

“Really?” she growled. “How about I just have Maxx run you over? Would that be fun?”

Jay winked again. “Only if you’re the one driving. Well, I must be off. I just wanted a chance to talk with you again. Until later, Aims.” Blowing a kiss in her direction, he left, humming a cheerful tune.

“I hate him,” she muttered. “I really do.”

“Don’t worry,” Maxx said. “He can’t bother you too much. You’re being Sponsored by Williams. If he bothers you too much, you can complain and have Roger take care of him.”

“At least that contract is good for something,” she muttered. “Come on, Maxx. Let’s watch the races.”
***********
A large screen had been propped up so the Racers and programs that weren’t in the current race could watch the others as they competed for the finish line. Amy parked Maxx far enough away so that she wouldn’t be uncomfortable as she watched the races. She sat on his hood, leaning back against the windshield as he instructed her on what to watch for.

“Notice how Silver Fox hangs back,” he quietly told her so that the other Racers wouldn’t listen in on their conversation. “She’s going to let the others run out of energy first before she makes her move. It’s always smart to use your energy in a way that you don’t use it all up in the first few miles. You’ll want that extra bit of strength later when you’re racing towards the end in a final dash.”

Amy nodded, understanding that completely. Her Dad had done very much the same when he was a Racer. She would never admit it to other Racers, but she studied her Dad’s tactics and tried to mimic his skills.

After all, fourteen years after his death, people still idolized him.

The Races were intense to watch, listening to the commentator give a blow-by-blow account as the Racers tried to edge their way to the front ranks. The Races were just the same as she remembered watching them as a kid. Streaks of color around the track, the loud cheers, the witty remarks, and the anticipation in the air electric frying the air.

She hated it.

Are they’re going to be any deaths today? She wondered as the first race finished, with Silver Fox taking the first place. While in recent years the death rate had declined in recent years due to the computer chips, there were still deaths of Racers on the track.

“Maxx,” she suddenly said as the next set of Racers lined up at the starting line. “What happens to you if I die on the track?”

“I die with you,” he said matter-of-factly. “Well… My chip does. They have a copy of my program elsewhere and I can be reused for the next Racer.”

“So there could be other Maxx’s,” she mused, somehow feeling uncomfortable with that.

“No,” he corrected. “There could be future me’s. It’s against the Circuit rules to have a program exist in more than one Racer. I won’t be given to another until you die.”

“Thank for the comforting thought,” she grumbled.

“Anytime.”

The second race was much like the first. Amy tried on concentrate on the race itself rather than what came next.

“And Bluebird wins!” the commentator roared above the cheering crowd. “Followed closely by Runner and Carster!”

“Racers for number three!” an official said in the room. “Time to line up.”

Amy took a deep breath. Time.

Getting into Maxx, she drove out of the hanger where the rest of the Racers were waiting for their turn or to finish watching the Races.

“Keep it together,” she muttered to herself as she approached the starting line, following the hand signals of one of the officials. The other Racers lined up with her, some of them revving their engines to get the race started. “It’s going to be fine. Just remember what you’ve learned and concentrate on winning the race. You can do this, Amy.”

“Talk to yourself often?” Maxx asked.

She snorted, putting on her helmet. Despite the lowered risk of a crash in Maxx, the helmet was standard Circuit attire. She strapped it on, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

“Only when I’m nervous or talking to you,” she answered, waiting for the last of the Racers to line up.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.

“You’re a part of me now, right?” she asked. “So essentially I’m talking to myself when I’m talking to you.”

“I think I may be insulted,” he huffed. “I enhance you but I’m not actually you. I wouldn’t want to be like you. You have a thing for pain. Going to college… being a Racer at the same time… and punching guys who bug you.”

“I only did that once,” she pointed out. “And he deserved it.”

“RACERS!” the announcer said in her ear from the headphone in her helmet. “The race is about to begin!”

“Don’t worry, Amy,” Maxx said as the light turned yellow. “I’m here with you. I want to win too.”

Amy nodded, watching as the light turned to a second yellow.

“Let’s win this race,” she whispered.

Green.

All at once the world both slowed down and sped up. The officials, crowd, reporters, mechanics, Sponsors, and everything else slowed down to a crawl, their movements exaggeratingly slow. However, just as they slowed down, the other Racers sped on the track at the same speed as her, confusing her senses. Whenever she had used her Talent, in rare events growing up, she had been the only one to do it, thus making the world go in slow motion. Now she raced along side those who had the same Talent, moving just as fast as she could.

“Now, Amy,” Maxx said, his direction coming directly to her ear through the headphone because the sound of the other engines made it impossible for him to talk normally. “Our first turn is coming up. You’ll want to try to get on the inside and creep your way forward to the pack leaders.”

“Got that,” she replied, focusing on her driving.

She didn’t pause to think as she wove through the other Racers, letting her instincts guild her. This was natural, this was what her Talent did. It made her fast, it gave her quick thinking, and it gave her quick reactions. While the cheering crowd may enjoy just streaks of color going around the racetrack, she knew it was much more than that. This was skill and strategy.

They really don’t know what Racing is all about, she thought briefly before pushing Maxx through an opening that wasn’t going to last long.

Even as exhilarating as the Race was, the blood thundering through her, the adrenalin coursing, her stomach was sick. No. The people out there didn’t know what Racing really was like. They would never know. But they enjoyed watching as those Talented enough to do it race, just lines of pretty colors on the track.

“Four laps down!” Maxx told her. “One more. Best move up as close as you can to the leaders!”

“Got that,” she said again, focusing on the task at hand. She had to get into one of the top three spots. Then she could move on in the Races.

The first step of getting into the Finals.

It took her half the lap to move out from the middle of the pack. She gripped the wheel tighter as she found herself tied with the third front runner as the finish line started to come up fast. While the track itself was large, it would only take a few seconds for them to reach the end.

“Come on, Maxx!” she yelled, forcing her Talent for extra speed. “Let’s win!”

The other third struggled to keep with her, trying everything he could to stay ahead.

“AND THE THIRD IS TOO CLOSE TO TELL!”

Amy cursed under her breath at the sound of the commentator in her ear. The third was too close to tell? Slowing down, the world started to speed up again, the people returning to their normal movements. When Maxx came to a stop, she got out of him, quickly scanning the arena for the large screen. The other Racer that she had been tied with stopped next to her, also getting out and watching the screen. It would be there that the winner would be announced.

Taking her helmet off, she bit her lower lip as the camera focused on both her and the other Racer, to capture their emotions when the decision would be made.

“Come on,” she breathed, watching the slow motion replay of their dash across the finish line. “Come on… I need this win… Come on…”

Even slowed down, it was hard to tell who won. Though, she thought Maxx was just a bit faster…

“The officials have reviewed the race,” the announcer said. “And the third place taker, and moving to the next series of races is…”

Amy felt as if she could breath. It had to be her… It just had to be!

“Racer Aims!”

“YES!” Amy jumped in the air, throwing her fists up in victory. She had third place! She was moving on!

The other Racer stalked off, his car following after him. Amy didn’t care. She was in the next series!

“Congratulations, Aims!” Maxx laughed, driving donuts to express himself. “We did it!”

“Onto the next step,” she laughed. He skid to a stop beside her and she plopped down onto his hood, patting him. “We’re going to win the Finals. The first Racer and program to retire.”

“That’s our deal,” he chuckled. “We’re going to do this!”
*********
Speaking of congratulations, my brother Evan got married this last weekend to Briana. Congrats to both! But after spending a weekend with family and running around, I’m out of energy. Time to enjoy a day of relaxing. Enjoy the journey!

College

No intro today. To the story!
**********
Amy didn’t even bother to stay any longer with the Sponsors. Besides, she had been there long enough to be seen and conversed. She was sure that she would get someone to Sponsor her, especially considering the interested they all had in Target’s daughter.

Just so long as it wasn’t that last guy. He was obnoxious.

What was his name again? Kay? Jay?

Whatever, she thought as she rubbed her knuckles. He had some hard abs. It probably wasn’t the best idea to punch him.

Next time, she vowed. Next time that pretty nose of his. That, at least, should be softer to break.

Stalking outside, she found Maxx still in his purple and red coat of paint. He too seemed miserable about the choice of colors for them.

“Why did they pick purple and red for you?” he asked as she approached.

“Red was my Dad’s color,” she said, sitting down on Maxx’s hood. “And since I’m a girl, they thought purple would be good. Apparently in the last couple of years they’ve decided that Racers need two colors instead of the one.”

“I know the rules and regulations,” Maxx huffed. “They included that into my program.”

“Maxx,” she sighed. “Silver.”

She stood up and Maxx changed color. She got in, realizing that she had left him in his racing car form.

“Maxx,” she started to say.

“Get out.”

The command was short and without emotion.

“Maxx?” she asked, confused.

“I said out,” he said again. “Or would you like an explanation first, miss lazy bum?”

“An explanation,” she insisted.

“Very well,” he snorted. “It is unknown what happens if a Racer changes their vehicle while being in said vehicle. Some theorize that the Racer will die during the magical change. Others say that both program and Racer will disappear.”

“Oh,” she said, understanding. “I’ll get out.”

She got out of the car and faced him so that she was sure she wasn’t in the area of change.

“Maxx. Normal car.”

He changed into a normal silver car, completely unremarkable and nowhere out of place.

“I’m a part of your Talent,” he huffed. “Why don’t you want to show me off?”

“Because I want to go for a drive before going back,” she argued, getting back inside. “I don’t want to get stared at.”

“Or followed,” he muttered darkly. “You still think that they control every aspect of your life.”

“They say where I live, where I work, what I can and can’t do,” she pointed out. “A simple drive is one of the few things I have left in this miserable circuit.”

“You have me.” He sounded hurt.

She smiled, rubbing the steering wheel lovingly. “I’m sorry, Maxx,” she cooed. “I do have you. You’re the best thing that has happened to me since coming here.”

“Including getting into that college?” he asked.

“College is my own goal that I had awhile,” she said. “You’re more than all that.”

“Thank you!” he said, then paused. “I think…”

Amy laughed, revving his engine. “Come on, Maxx. Let’s go for a drive.”
*********
The next day, after Amy had eaten breakfast, Camellia found her.

“You have a Sponsor,” the Seeker said, grinning, though it was now always forced around her. “He’s waiting for you in conference room five. Don’t keep him waiting.”

Without making sure she understood the instructions, Camellia walked away. Amy shook her head and went for the conference room. After she and Maxx had gotten back from their drive, very late that night, Camellia was there to chew her out about her behavior in front of the Sponsors. She said that there was a possibility that she wouldn’t get a Sponsor because of how she treated them.

I don’t care, Amy thought as she found the right room. I want out of this Circuit as fast as possible. And if that means they have to kick me out because I’m such a pain, then so be it.

However, she didn’t think that plan would work. Speeders were always kept under close surveillance, even before the Races started.

Opening the door, she found that her Sponsor was someone who had not been in the room the day before.

“Hello!” said the heavyset man, walking up to her and shaking her hand. “So you must be Aims.”

“Yes,” she said slowly, narrowing her eyes. “And you are…?”

“Oh,” he laughed, “I’m Roger Westview. I’m an associate of Sponsor Williams. He’s the one Sponsoring you through the Circuit.”

Williams, the CEO of Fortune Bank. She was backed by a banker. For some reason, that rubbed her wrong.

At least it wasn’t that one heir.

“Isn’t he going to come see me?” she asked. From all the stories she had heard about Sponsors, they were very involved in their Racers’ lives.

“He’s not the type,” Roger said. “He’s actually quite ill and doesn’t get out much. He prefers to send out his associates to do all his work. When he heard that Racer Target’s daughter was in the Circuit, he placed his bid for you long before everyone else. And I must say, that it was a large sum.”

Thanks, Dad, she thought. It was a sincere thanks. She didn’t want to deal with people. If she was going to go through this Circuit, she would prefer to have her Dad’s reputation to proceed her.

“Well, then, Aims,” he said, motioning toward the table and her contract on it. “Shall we discuss the terms of your contract?”

“Why not?” she sighed, sitting down at the table. “What other restrictions is Williams going to impose on me?”

“Actually,” he said, smiling. “Not a lot. He also heard about how you want to college. He’s a man of hard work himself. He worked up the ranks to get to where he is. He likes hard work in his people. He would prefer if you would continue working as you are.”

“How many Races does he expect me to win?” she asked.

At this, Roger flinched. “Truthfully?” he said. “None.”

She raised an eyebrow. She had made it no secret that she wanted to win five Finals and retire.

“Why?” she asked. She and Maxx had been training hard over the summer. She even had plans to continue that training after she started school.

“Well,” Roger muttered, fidgeting as if he didn’t want to say it. “You are a first year Racer,” he pointed out. “Racers only start winning in their third or fourth years. There are few exceptions.”

“My Dad was,” she started to say when he cut her off.

“Yes,” he agreed, “you are Target’s daughter, but that doesn’t mean much. Did you really get your father’s Talent in full? His determined spirit? His natural grace behind the wheel? That’s not really known until your first Race. Until we know what sort of Racer you are, a prodigy or a normal one, you’re not expected to win any Races. I’ll have you know that it’s normal procedure for all Racers.”

Amy tried hard not to scowl. They have their own rules, she had to remind herself. I just have to prove them wrong.

“Who else is he Sponsoring?” she asked. It was very rare for a company to Sponsor only one Racer.

“Just two others,” Rogers reported, half smiling. “Perhaps you’ve heard of Crasher and Silver Fox?”

“Silver Fox?” Amy repeated, surprised. “Really?” She had heard enough of the Racer to know that the woman was basically worshiped by fans and spoiled by Sponsors. Many of them tried to woo her away from her own Sponsor.

“Indeed,” Roger chuckled. “Silver Fox is our main star. She’s a great Racer. Our company is blessed to have her.”

“Alright,” she said, thinking it over. “So I’m the third Racer you have… When’s my first Race?”

“Three weeks,” Roger told her. “It’s just a small Race, one that all Racers go through so that they can test their skills against each other.”

In other words, she thought, a chance to give the newbies something to judge their skills against. And it gives the veterans a chance to check us out. But that was already happening. Whenever she went out training, several other Racers would come out and watch. Some of them even raced with her and Maxx. As far as she could tell, she was better than most of them.

“Anything else I should know before we sign this monster beast?” she asked.

Roger chuckled again. He did that a lot, it seemed.

“We can do it now.”

Five minutes later, Roger was gone with her contract, her life now in his hands.
**********
“Do I have to look like this?”

Amy drove to school, her first day of classes at the Chemistry Academy. She could barely sit still, even though that she was driving. She was half tempted to ask Maxx to drive for her. Her backpack was in the passenger seat, filled with her notebooks, books, and her new laptop. As an agreement with her Sponsor, he provided her with a current laptop to do what with she liked.

Such as studying.

“Come on, Maxx,” she said soothingly, rubbing her hands along his wheel. “Do you really want to be parked in a college parking lot looking like a racing car?”

“It’d be better than this junker,” he grumbled.

“You know the agreement I made,” she said, getting excited as she spotted her school across the intersection where she was sitting, waiting for the light to turn. “I’m allowed to go to school, but they don’t want it known all over the campus. They’d like me to keep a low profile as long as possible here.”

“So,” Maxx concluded grumpily, “that translate into me looking like a piece of junk?”

“I’m sure that you can survive a few hours looking like this,” she told him, the light turning to allow her through. “Besides, don’t you want a little time to yourself?”

Maxx snorted. “I’m a car,” he pointed out. “I’m almost always alone! It would look pretty strange if I started driving through buildings!”

“You won’t be with other Racer cars,” she corrected. “Come on, Maxx. Don’t be such a stick in the mud about this.”

“Stick in the mud?” he exclaimed. “I have mud in my tires!”

“Oh, shush,” she said, turning into the parking lot. “We’re here. Now, remember the rules…”

“Don’t say anything,” he recited gloomily, “don’t change shape, don’t drive around without someone in the driver’s seat, and don’t get stolen.” He paused as she drove around to find a parking spot. “I don’t get stolen,” he muttered. “I have no locks to break…”

“That’s why they gave me a fake key,” she said, distracted as she found a spot. “It’ll look as if I do unlock you….” She parked. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her pack and patted his steering wheel again. “Be good, Maxx.”

“Do well in your classes,” he sighed, resigning himself to a morning alone.

Grinning, Amy got out of the car, walking with a bounce as she went to her first class as a college student.
**********
The lecture classes were very different from the classes she knew in high school. She had figured that the teachers would keep them for the length of the scheduled class time, as her old teachers did, filling the time with get-to-know-you games or small worthless assignments. Her professors had no such inclination to do such useless things. She paid attention as they went over the class syllabus, what they would cover, and then jumped straight into lecture. She was glad that she came prepared with paper and pencils. It was a bit hard to keep up without them.

She was also surprised at the number of students in her first classes. While she was used to twenty to thirty students with a teacher, her large classes had up to seventy. I can easily be overlooked in these classes, she thought, leaving another class, noticing how many of the students walked past her without saying anything. Even when a few bumped into her.

It’s what I want though, she thought, walking to her last class for the day, a lab. I’m not a Talented here. I’m another student.

Just as she had always planned it to be anyway.

Entering the lab class, she was finally met with a sight she was used to. The room was filled with long tables with various equipment that all science classes boasted. There were a few students already there, mingling near the front of the room. As far as she could tell, there wasn’t a teacher yet.

Picking an empty table, she propped her backpack against the side of the chair, sat, and waited for the teacher to show up. Soon other students started to also show up, picking chairs. One girl came in and promptly sat right next to her. She was a plump girl, with a long blond braid and pink complexion. Amy guessed that she was also fresh out of high school.

“Hi there,” she said, smiling nervously. Amy returned the smile. She had seen the girl in a few of her other classes. “I’m Natalie. Who are you?”

“Amy,” she said, offering her hand in a shake. The girl took it.

“Exciting, isn’t it?” she asked, looking around the room with a twinkle in her eye. “To be here… learning chemistry from one of the best schools in the field… living away from home… Hey, where do you live?”

Amy froze. She forgot. Most students, especially freshmen, spent their first years living on campus. She didn’t have that luxury. She would be living at the RCC until she retired. There was no thought of where else she could live.

Not that she was going to tell Natalie that.

“I live off campus,” she admitted, looking down at her feet. “Relatives, you know. Trying to save money.”

“Oh,” Natalie said, patting her back. “I understand. If I had relatives living in the city, I’d live with them.”

Before Amy could reply, another student entered. Everyone in the room went silent for a moment then continued on in hushed tones. Amy could understand why. It was the same everywhere. The stunned silence, the gawking, and the respect.

A Talented had entered the room.

He had been introduced in every class, pointed out in the halls, and even randomly adored everywhere he went. He was one of the few Talented that attended the Academy, a free pass since he was Talented.

A little unfair, really, she thought. She had to pay her way through school and she was a Talented as well. Not that they knew that.

This Talented was one of the most handsome men Amy knew. And that was saying something. She didn’t notice boys most of the time. But this guy was tall, trim, and had an easy smile. He also presented himself as clean cut, with a nice style of black hair and well-pressed clothes. Unlike other Talented Amy knew, he didn’t consider himself above others, talking politely with everyone who stopped him in the halls and approaching people first.

He glanced around the room with brown eyes, deciding which table to join. Amy half hoped that he would pick another table to sit at.

Then again, only she and Natalie were at this table….

He walked towards them.

“Oh, my,” Natalie breathed, a blush turning her face red. “He’s coming this way!”

“Hello there,” he said, smiling as he reached them. “Mind if I join you?”

“No,” Amy said, “go ahead.”

“Thanks!” he said, sitting down on the other side of Natalie. The poor girl was still red and wouldn’t look him in the eye. “You probably already know me, but I’m Aaron Colifer. Who are you?”

“I’m Amy McPeir,” she answered.

“Natalie,” she managed to squeak out.

“Nice to meet you,” he said, grinning. “So, how do you guys like classes so far?”

“It’s a lot of fun,” Amy said. She was beginning to really like this Talented. He seemed very down to earth, easy to talk to. “I’m really excited to be here.”

Aaron laughed. “I’d be surprised to find someone who isn’t excited to be here.”

At that moment, the teacher walked in, one of their professors from before. The class settled down and got ready for the day’s lab. Amy couldn’t stop her smiling. She was very glad that she was there.
**********
“So?” Maxx asked as she got in him. “How was class?”

“Wonderful,” she beamed, turning him on with a thought. “And how was sitting in the parking lot?”

Maxx snorted as he revved. “Boring,” he grumbled. “If we’re going to be doing this five days a week, then I’m going to need something to do.”

She frowned, backing him out. “What can you do?”

“You could leave me movies,” he pointed out.

“Really?” she asked, surprised by his answer.

“No,” he sighed. “I’m pulling your leg. Actually, you could tune me in to your classes.”

“You really want to listen to my classes?” she asked, amused. “You’re a computer chip designed to enhance my Talent. You’re a racing machine. How could chemistry interest you?”

“It’s not so much the chemistry,” he admitted, “it’s more about keeping my program busy. Analyzing new information is always entertaining for a computer.”

He had a point.

“Alright,” she said, turning onto the road. “But I don’t want you to be interested when I’m taking a test. I’m not going to be a cheat.”

Maxx scoffed. “I’m not interested in tests anyway. A boring and pointless ritual, if you ask me.”

Amy laughed. Maxx had another point.
*********
Next week, her first race! Enjoy the journey!