The Drift that Made Us

Chapter 3

UNO

"NEE NAH... NEE NAH... NEE NAH!!!"

Wait, that was not an alarm clock. It was not my alarm clock, to be specific. What the hell was that noise?

"NEE NAH... NEE NAH... NEE NAH!!!"

Shit! What was that ear-deafening wail? Let me sleep, okay? Just five more minutes.

"NEE NAH... NEE NAH... NEE NAH!!!"

What was that thing? My head was buzzing because of it. Still, eyes closed, I wandered my hand to my bedside table. But there was nothing! Damn it!

"NEE NAH... NEE NAH... NEE NAH!!!"

So annoying! I squeezed two large pillows on my ears to mute it slightly, but it wasn't working. I threw the pillows, and it flew somewhere I don't care where. The hell! Why would it stop a little bit? The damn thing forced me to stand even if my body begged me for my bed. I need to shut the thing off as soon as possible.

I knelt to check under my bed but nothing. I checked under my study table, which was at the far end. Damn it! The noise could seriously destroy my hearing. It was a toy car, more like an ambulance-fire truck sirens combo. How could that be possible?

"NEE NAH... NEE NAH... NEE NAH!!!" my mind was like a blank canvas at the moment but would spark rage anytime now. When I got up, my head banged on the hardwood of my study stable. God damn it!

"What is that noise all about?" asked my father. He stood outside my door and observed. I didn't say anything. I just showed him the "toy from hell" that annoyed the s**t out of me. I wanted to let it fly across my room and break it, but I didn't have the energy to do so.

"Oh, it's my gift! Sorry, son!" he smirked at me like he didn't mean what he had just said. He was getting on my nerves without even trying.

"Gift? More like a punishment, don't you think?" I was waiting for an answer.

"A little bit of both. All our staff can't wake you. And this can? Interesting," my father was insane. Crazy in another world. Why couldn't he let me be and continue with his life?

"Okay? Thanks? But, seriously, I need to sleep, so if you can excuse me, I need my sleep," That was all honesty and nothing more.

"You're welcome! I believe it is your first day as a senior?" He was right. It was the first day of my senior year in high school.

"Yes," I said.

"Let's have breakfast together?" he asked, looking at me for a reply.

"No, thanks! I'm late for school." I lied. No one would enjoy an awkward breakfast.

"When was the last time we did something together, Uno?" I reached for my school bag and paused. I flicked through my memories with him, but nothing clicked. I should have answered him. I opened the zipper of the bag to check the contents.

"Yes, that's how long! We can do something in our free time. We can play golf or do cart races." my father said. Not sure if this time, it was for real. I placed the bag back on the chair beside me. "Okay," I said without meeting his eyes.

"Can I ask you one tiny thing?" his eyes illuminated with anticipation.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Can you please smile once in a while? If I am not asking too much." I froze this time and met his eyes, and he gave me a worried smile.

"All right, no worries," I said, ending the conversation.

After an hour of preparation, I headed downstairs and planned to head straight to school. When I reached the last step of the staircase, my father was seated behind the table, occupying the head facing the stairs.

"Are you sure you won't eat breakfast with me? I asked the staff to prepare your favorite longganisa, sunny side up, and fried rice. Longganisa is a Spanish sausage.

"I'm sure, enjoy yours. I need to go." I said and walked to the door. I didn't notice my father following me until he said, "Saw your new ride, Xavi, and it's red, cool! the branch manager told me that you even had it customized." That snitch! I specifically told him not to tell my father the pull-out specifics.

"Yes, I need a new one since it's my last year in high school," I said. Not really for school. Okay, but more likely for car racing. For my next race, I should get even with Reed Martinez. "What happened to your Faccaro?" he asked.

"It's in the shop for maintenance and oil change." True, but the real reason it was in the shop was that the paint on the bumper was scratched and flaked off. Last time, I smashed my Faccaro on a street post during street practice, so the engine also failed.

"Uno, drive safely, okay? And please, stay away from streetcar racing." I said nothing, so he added, "I'll give you anything you want. Just stop racing on the streets." He was my father, and I wanted to respect his wishes, but this was the only thing that excited me.

"How d—" He cut me, and I almost raised my voice because he had me follow again. He doesn't trust me now, huh? I chose to keep it cool.

"Be careful. I don't want to lose you, either!" Drama? Never a fan. The Xavi, my Xavi, was waiting for me in front of the house.

"Okay!" That's all I said, and I climbed into my new car. I hit the brakes and pressed the start button between the car seats to turn on the engine. It roared back at me, which was the sound I wanted to hear.

I was about to drive out, but my phone rang. I answered through Bluetooth.

"Bro, where are you?" It was Toby. My good friend and schoolmate. His voice boomed inside the car.

"On the way to the Uni, how about you guys?" I asked. Curiosity seeped through me.

"Oh, Kiro, Dani, and I are here, but Rome is missing in action. Head straight to the car park," he said.

"Okay, got it," I answered.

"Take care!" he said.

"Thanks!" I said and dropped the call.

I spotted Reed's Zarri outside Wheeler University. Why the hell was he here?

When I reached the car park, many people were "hanging out." As I saw my designated parking space filled, it sparked my inner beast. Everyone knew that the area was mine. I had parked in it since I owned my first car. I couldn't see Kiro in the sea of people, so I called him instead.

"Kiro, who the hell is in my parking spot?" I asked. I was keeping everything calm. Yes, this was still calm for me.

"No idea. Let me check," Kiro replied and dropped the call. I could see him now, asking other students about the car parked in my spot.

A girl who wore brown boots emerged from the crowd. Who the hell is this girl?