Crack Of Distraction
1236 Words
ISABELLA’S POV:
The next morning, sunlight spilled through my curtains, but for the first time in months, I didn’t feel like getting up for work. My head felt heavy from last night’s emotional storm. Dad and I had sorted everything out, yet a strange ache lingered in my chest. Maybe I just needed space… and Linda.
So I texted her, Let’s meet today.
She instantly replied, Stadium. Car race. Come fast!
Typical Linda.
I got ready and drove to Los Angeles Stadium. The air buzzed with excitement, engines roaring like beasts waiting to be unleashed. People rushed to find seats, waving flags and shouting for their favorite participants.
I spotted Linda in the front row, practically bouncing in her seat. She noticed me and jumped up, flinging her arms around my neck in a chokehold disguised as a hug.
“HEY! Finally you came!” she squealed.
“Linda—air… I need air,” I choked, patting her back until she loosened her grip. She pulled away grinning, and we both sat down.
She pointed eagerly toward the track. “Look there! The red car, THAT’S MY COUSIN! HEY MASON! HEYYY!”
She waved both hands wildly. Mason spotted her, flashed a quick smile, and slid inside his car like he owned the entire track.
I laughed at her energy. “You never change.”
“And I don’t plan to,” she said proudly, still staring at the cars like they were gods descending from the sky.
Her voice softened a little when she finally looked my way. “So… what did you wanna talk about?”
I sucked in a slow breath. “My dad. He… wants to get married.”
Linda’s jaw dropped so dramatically I feared it might detach. “I BEG YOUR PARDON?”
I nodded, bracing myself.
She gasped even louder. “YOUR father? The Greek God with salt-and-pepper hair? The man of my dreams? HE—IS—MARRYING—SOMEONE—ELSE?”
“Linda—”
“How DARE he break my heart!” she said, pressing her hand to her chest like a tragic heroine. “Doesn’t he know I’ve been mentally preparing to become your stepmom? Tell him I’m ready. READY! I will treat you like a princess.”
I burst out laughing. “You’re insane.”
“I’m serious!” she huffed. “Why is he marrying some random woman instead of me?”
“Because he doesn’t know about your… creepy crush,” I said, flicking her forehead gently.
She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. “Fine, whatever. But how do you feel about it?”
I leaned back, staring at the racing track as drivers prepared for the signal. “Honestly? I freaked out yesterday. I yelled at him. I thought he was forgetting Mom… forgetting me. But… Aunt Maria talked to me. And I realized I was being selfish.”
Linda’s expression softened instantly. “Hey. It’s okay to feel scared about changes. He’s your whole world.”
“I know,” I whispered.
The engines roared louder, shaking the seats beneath us. The crowd rose to their feet as the race countdown began.
Linda nudged me. “Whatever happens, Isabella, I’m with you. And if your dad’s new wife gives you even a tiny problem, just tell me. I’ll scare her away.”
I snorted. “How? By talking her to death?”
“Exactly.”
The race began with a deafening boom, cars shooting forward in a blur of color and speed. As Linda screamed Mason’s name again, I found myself smiling.
Maybe today wasn’t so bad after all.
The race finally ended after almost an hour of screaming engines, roaring crowds, and Linda shouting Mason’s name every five seconds. As soon as the winner was announced, Linda grabbed my hand without warning.
“Come on!” she yelled, practically dragging me.
“Hey, where are we going?” I stumbled behind her as she power, walked like a woman on a mission.
“To the cafeteria, obviously! I’m taking you to meet Mason.”
Oh God.
She didn’t stop until we reached the stadium cafeteria, where she half shoved me into a seat and booked a table with the confidence of someone who didn’t believe in rejection.
I took out my phone, scrolling through notifications when Linda suddenly elbowed me hard.
“He’s here.”
I lifted my eyes, ready to smile politely, but the moment I saw his face, my smile froze. My heart dropped straight into my stomach.
NightOwl.
My online stranger. The man who called me “junkie” last night. The sarcastic, smooth-tongued guy I was texting until dinner.
Linda blinked. “What are you saying?”
I quickly shook my head, pretending nothing happened. I stood up as Mason reached our table.
He extended his hand, a familiar smirk curling on his lips.
“Nice to meet you, Isabella.”
His voice. That same deep, teasing tone from last night. I swallowed my shock and shook his hand as calmly as I could.
Linda was too busy fangirling to notice anything strange.
“God, Mason! Your driving was insane. You literally flew that car and won!”
He gave her a lazy, confident grin. “I know. I am the best.”
Linda laughed and jumped to her feet again. “Be right back, off to the washroom!”
The moment she left, silence wrapped around us. He leaned back, observing me with an unreadable expression.
“So,” I cleared my throat, trying to act normal, “you’re a sports man.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I love driving. Speed calms me. That’s why I chose racing.” His eyes softened slightly. “Didn’t expect to meet you this soon, though.”
I managed a small chuckle. “Honestly, last night when I looked through your profile, I thought the pictures were fake.”
He smirked. “Funny. Something we have in common, you used your real name, and I used my real photos.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but the waiter appeared beside our table.
“Would you like to order something?”
I shook my head quickly. I needed air. I needed a moment to understand how this insanely handsome man from an app somehow turned out to be Linda’s cousin. This was too much coincidence… or maybe not coincidence at all.
“No, thank you. I should get going,” I said, rising to my feet.
Mason immediately stood up too. “Wait.”
I paused, confused.
He picked up a tissue, pulled out a pen, and scribbled something on it. Then he folded the tissue and handed it to me.
“Here. That’s my number. I’m planning on deleting that app soon.”
I stared at the tissue, then at him. His eyes held something, interest, curiosity… a spark I couldn’t name.
“I already left the app,” I told him, slipping the tissue into my bag. “But… I’ll text you.”
His lips curved slightly, like he knew I would.
I turned away, my heart racing for reasons I refused to examine yet. As I walked out of the cafeteria, one thing became very clear:
Last night’s stranger…
Linda’s cousin…
The man with a race car and a smirk…
Mason… NightOwl…. just walked into my real life.
- Writer
