Page 84 of Race to Me

I’m done.

Thirty-two

The halls of the dorm are quiet. There’s no chatter of girls gossiping or the tapping of fingertips against keyboards, which would make for a relaxing midnight shower, if only I could relax.

I step in to let the warm water cascade across my shaking body. To let it wash away the running paint and tears. I run my fingers through my hair, hastily shampooing it to distract myself from the fact that Foster is being an idiot and risking his life racing tomorrow.

“I wish I had someone to talk to …” I mumble to myself. Kate’s with Ryder, and I don’t want to bother her. I feel like everything is always collapsing around me, within me … I don’t want to bring that stress to anyone.

I touch my fading red streak, the fierce reminder that Foster is real and that I’m not imagining my feelings for him. The deep, real feelings I’m experiencing for the first time in my life.

I ring my hair with a towel while I walk back to the room with every intention of studying and catching up on some homework, but it isn’t long before I collapse onto Kate’s bed. Since we haven’t made my sidemy sideyet, I feel more comfortable here.

I’ve heard my phone buzzing for hours; I’ve tried my best to ignore it. But now, in the still silence of the night with only the thunder to bring me company, I need a distraction.

Mrs. Rita:’Niña Dulce!(Sweet girl.)Why haven’t you come to see me?’

My heart warms. I do need to go visit her. That’s what I’m going to do right when I wake up tomorrow. Ignore the reality that Foster will be racing tomorrow during a tropical storm. Scrolling further ...

Foster:‘You really are ridiculous, Freckles.’

Foster:‘Did you get home okay?’

Is he seriously acting like nothing’s wrong? I can’t help the flutter in my chest.

Kate:‘What happened? Foster just came in heated. He broke like everything. Why aren’t you with him?’

Kate:‘Talked to Brett. He told me he took you home.’

I don’t reply. Kate knows I’m safe, and I’m sure she informed dickhead … I mean Foster.

Before falling asleep, my phone dings one last time.

Foster:‘If you have another nightmare, just call me.’

∞∞∞

I would allow the sunshine to wash over me as I head towards Mrs. Rita’s apartment building, but it’s ten in the morning and still dark out due to the storms rolling in.

Which reminds me—although I don’t need any reminders—that Foster is going to be on a motorcycle in this shit.

And while I’m pissed at him, he’s still consuming my every thought. I can’t help but plug my phone into the AUX to pull up his playlist. I’m so happy Kate let me borrow her mom’s car again. I really need to get some sort of income.

I strum my fingers to the rhythmic beat as I drive down the street, and my eyes wander around the area. They land on a building with a familiar name: Grace Studios.

I laugh to myself, imagining how it would look if I joined. Mom would get a kick out of that. Just what she wished for. Though her dream for me was cheer, I’m simply going to say any form of dance is something I want to stay far, far away from. Just out of spite.

The GPS alerts me to turn right. A small stream of rain patters against the windshield, mocking me. Pushing the shifter into park, I take in a deep breath. Only, it isn’t a full one. The sting of panic brings my anxiety back in full force.

A quick, sharp knock sounds against my window, making me jump. “Skyler!” Mrs. Rita sings, opening my door for me.

I can’t help but smile. I’ve missed her so much.

The parking lot is swarming with children as they run in circles to catch little drops of rain on their tongues. A few of them stay glued to Rita’s hip.

I wrap my arms around her when I get out of the car, “I missed you so much!” I nearly cry into her arms.

She looks up at the graying sky, saying, “Come on. Let’s get inside before it starts raining more.”

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