Page 1 of Send It
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Lincoln
I’ve never liked pink. I’ve never wanted to wear a dress and paint my face with so much makeup it looks like I’m going to war. I’ve never wanted to go shopping and spend countless dollars on jewelry and outfits. Truthfully, I’ve always been a little rough around the edges.
For as long as I can remember I’ve been riding dirt bikes. I grew up in the racing circuit, my dad being a pro-rider and winning several supercross titles. My brother started racing before me, no doubt wanting to be just like our dad, and it wasn’t long before I followed.
My long dark hair hangs down my back in a braid as I push my helmet over my head, securing it into place. There’s no way in hell I’m going to lose this race. Glancing over at the rider next me, I see my older brother, Reiss. Arguably the best nineteen year old rider in the country,and the person I need to beat today to make it to amateur nationals.
It’s the gateway to supercross, and guarantees good sponsorships, or better, a factory ride. I need to win today or it will be next year before I have another chance to punch my ticket.
The braaping sound of the engines fills the air, and the gate drops. Dirt flies in a cloud behind us as we race to the first turn. Reiss beats me, taking the holeshot, and his best friend Colson is close behind. Colson already punched his ticket a few weeks back, he’s no doubt going to do whatever he can to help Reiss. Including blocking me.
I try my best to push myself, and go just a little bit faster than I’m used to. My arms are burning from the strength it takes to keep the bike under me. After a few laps, I’m not gaining on Colson or Reiss. I try my best to think about what Ryan, our trainer, says when we need to focus.
Keep your eye on the prize.
Shifting my attention from Colson and Reiss, I just ride, and within another lap I’m right on Colson’s ass. He looks back, and it’s as if I can see his eyes through his goggles. The darkness in them nearly shines through, he’s not going to allow me to pass. Not without a fight. I know I have to take the inside. It’s the only way.
The next turn is the last before the finish and it’s my only chance to catch Reiss. I hammer down, and try my best to get around Colson but he blocks me and brakes. My bike slams into the back of his and I go flying into the bank.
That mother fucker just wrecked me.
I lay in the dirt and watch as my brother hits the last double and crosses the finish line. Punching his ticket.
A hand is extending toward me and Colson has his helmet off, he’s actually grinning. A wide sadistic grin. Is he kidding me right now?
I swat his hand away, jumping up and pelting his chest protector with my tiny fists.
“Oh my God, Colson! That was shitty and you know it!” I scream.
He grabs my wrists, “Chill out, baby Bane. You know you weren’t beating him anyway.”
I hate it when he calls me baby Bane.
I feel my entire body filling with the rage of a ten year old whose brother’s best friend just stole food off her plate, “Then why wreck me, huh? You know damn well I would’ve caught him.”
Colson shrugs, actually fucking shrugs me off, “Well, better luck next year. It’ll be fun having you cheer us on from the pits. You aren’t ready to ride with the big boys just yet.”
I imagine all the ways I could kill him as he hops back on his bike to meet Reiss at the trailer.
“You okay, honey?” Mom asks, as I ride back to where our trailer is and my dad lifts my bike onto the stand.
“I’m fine,” I mumble, walking into the living quarters and slamming the door.
Fuck you Colson Raines.
Twenty minutes later Reiss struts inside. “Linc, I’m so sorry. I know how bad you wanted to win today.”
I don’t respond to him, my face buried in my phone. I don’t want an apology from him. He didn’t crash me, andhe certainly can’t control Colson. He rode hard and he beat me off the gate, fair and square.
Colson on the other hand, he’s been a little shit all season. We used to be as close as Reiss and Colson. It’s like a switch flipped the moment we hit puberty, we went from watching ninja turtles and sharing Trolli gummi worms to barely spending any time together at all.
We try our best to avoid each other, and I’m not sure I can quite pinpoint the moment it changed, but I do remember the first time I felt the shift. It was Sophomore year of high school, and we all met up to take pictures before winter formal. It’s the first time Colson ever saw me in a dress. My hair wasn’t in a braid or ponytail, it was like it was the first time Colson realized I was a girl, and I’ll never forget what he said to me.
I can’t believe you are going to wear that in public.
It was like he stuck a dagger directly into my chest. I looked similar to all the other girls there, but he singled me out and made fun of me. The boy who used to hold my hand when my dad would race to calm my nerves, now threw insults at me and wanted me to fail.
