Bella

Episode 2: The race

She felt a bit nervous to race with some of the best racers but she told herself she had to race many others to get there. She could not help but envy the racer in a yellow GTR. She thought to herself that the car was kind of cool.

They had all reached their final stage of the King of the Track Award and everyone was trying hard to have this award. To Bella this was a great achievement.

The growl of a huge car came from behind as slowly a black jeep came forth almost scratching Bella's car.

"Hey"came a man's voice from the truck as slowly the tinted window opened.

Bella turned to face the rather young man as he talked to her.

“Hello” replied Bella.

“Mind some talk before the race.“

“Why wouldn't I” She said this and watched him climb down from the truck.he came and gestured whether he could get in the car.Bella unlocked the door to the passenger seat and the car gave out a double clicking sound. He pulled the door open and got into the passenger seat.

“Nice Audi you've got here.“

“Thanks, I call him Ted”

“Never heard that before. Most of us give them feminine names.“

Bella laughed and said “he's just special”

“Am Marc by the way” he said this extending his arm for a handshake.

“Bella” she replied extending her arm for the handshake as well. His palm was warmer than she expected.

“Wanna bet the race”

“Why would I and I'll win over you anyway”she said this and chuckled .

“Maybe you will and maybe you won't “

“Okay I bet”

They did not say anything for a while but instead looked at one another each one wondering what to say.

“So…”

“I was th…sorry “Bella apologizes after she interrupted Marc.

“ No just continue am a little uneasy because of the race.“

“Same to me. I have never reached the finals before.“came Bella

“Well I lost the last time I reached.“

“At least I have never lost in the final” Bella said this and laughed.

The racers were called to order by a noisy sound and one by one the racers responded by getting out of their machines.

“I think that's our cue” Marc told Bella as he opened the car door, “we'll talk after I win.

“We'll see about that,” Bella said as she got out of the car too and closed the door.

All the racers gathered at the officials desk to be told the rules. The map was connected to their cars and they were given some time to be ready

Bella, being always ready , sat in her car and took it to the starting line to wait for the start. She placed her good luck doll on the dashboard and hoped for the best. The other racers came to the starting line as well . The map was uploaded and popped up on Belles dash screen. The track was a little more complex with many turns but she was ready for as many turns as there would be. She had trained hard for this and she was better positive.

The indicator drone came swerving through the airand slowed down in front of the seven racers. It began to countdown from fifteen and the engines of the vehicles revved thunderously.

Bella took a deep breath and made herself comfortable. She powered her engine and watched as the numbers moved from four-three-two. She knew this was it and the time it hit one and turned green Bella stepped an the gas. Though she was not the first to accelerate, the Audi had enough power to catch up with the other cars that had some seconds advantage. She turned her gear and it clicked into position boosting her car past the fifth racer. She could see Marc's black jeep second and the yellow GTR first but she knew they would have to slow down at the corners and curves.

She felt the speed and momentum build up as she pulled a second gear. The car sped past the fourth and third racer. To her she only had two left and then keep up with the pace.

“A curve, sweet..“ Bella said this and smiled then she slid herself back at her seat and grasped the hard brake. She was getting ready to round the bend in her well mastered skills.

She counted yards in her head and pulled up the brake when she had two counts left. The car drifted round the bend screeching and smoked leaving a trail of burnt rubber on the track .

She amazed everyone as she got past the other racers. She heard the commentator shower her in praise…” what a wonderful skill to perfectly round the bend and emerge first in line. But will they ca…” she couldn't help but smile.

She tapped the dash screen and it zoomed the map indicating the final hundred yards. Though some round stuck out, she was now determined to win.

She made to change the gear but all of a sudden she paused and memories started to hit hard on her. She was getting the worst and most haunting things of her life break out at the wrong time. A cold tear dropped and splattered on her thigh. She knew she had to focus but before she thought of turning the gear the yellow GTR veered past her. She almost increased her speed when her dash screen indicated a big '2'. She had been second . She felt the rage in her and even after she stopped her car and the awards being given, she did not care. All she wanted was to get out of there.

A girl with crazy coloured hair came towards her . Bella was deep in thought that she only noticed the girl when she had already reached where she was.

“Hey” came the girl.

“Hey” Bella replied to her in low spirit.

“That's a cool race you did back there.“

“But I didn't win though.“

“Who cares if you win or not.“the other girl said this and waited to see if Bella would smile. To her expectation Bella smiled and she laughed.

“Yeah who cares if we win.“ Bella said this mostly as a comfort.

“I did win you know.“ The girl said this as a matter of fact.

Bella did not reply but just looked at her.

“Call me Alex.“

“Bella”

“You could make so much with that kind of driving you know.“

“Yeah I could.“

“Guess you ain't interested.“

Bella laughed then told her, “ let me think it through, maybe.“

Alex pulled out a card from her pocket and handed it to Bella, “let me know what you decide. I'm gonna … go..maybe..“

Bella chuckled at how she stammered then hugged her. She watched her leave for her car. She started the car and drove past her then she pulled up her window and sped away.

Bella sat in her car and started the engine. “My lucky doll.“ She said this as she placed the doll on the passenger seat and drove away.