RACERS

CHAPTER FIVE: The Unexpected Encounter

ISABELLE'S POV

Monday mornings should be illegal.

Especially when you spent half the weekend thinking about a certain arrogant street racer you had absolutely no interest in.

Not that I was thinking about Axel Moretti.

I was thinking about his car.

And the way he'd looked at me.

And his stupid smile.

Okay, fine. Maybe I was thinking about him a little.

But that meant nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

“Isabelle!”

I nearly dropped my spoon into my cereal.

Mia's face appeared on my phone screen during our morning video call.

“Why are you looking like someone stole your boyfriend?”

“Because someone is disturbing my breakfast.”

She ignored me. “Have you thought about him?”

“Who?”

She stared at me.

I stared back.

Then she burst out laughing.

“AXEL!”

“Mia, I swear, if you mention that man's name one more time—”

“You'll what? Write him a love letter?”

I ended the call.

Thirty seconds later, she sent me a laughing emoji.

I blocked her for exactly two minutes.

Then I unblocked her because I needed the notes she'd promised to send me.

School was exhausting as usual. By the time classes ended, I was ready to go home, shower, and forget the entire existence of men who drove midnight-blue sports cars.

Unfortunately, my plans changed when I remembered that I needed a few supplies for a school assignment.

So, instead of heading straight home, I stopped at a small automobile accessories shop along the road.

The place wasn't particularly fancy, but it had an impressive collection of car magazines, model cars, and accessories.

I was examining a miniature sports car when a familiar voice spoke behind me.

“You really can't stay away from cars, can you?”

I closed my eyes.

Not him.

Please, not him.

I turned slowly.

Axel Moretti stood near the entrance, wearing a black T-shirt and dark jeans. His hair was slightly messy, and his hands were tucked into his pockets.

That irritating smile was back.

“Are you following me?” I asked.

He raised an eyebrow. “You think the world revolves around you?”

“No. Just wondering why you keep appearing wherever I am.”

“Maybe you're following me.”

I laughed.

Actually laughed.

“You wish.”

He walked closer, glancing at the miniature car in my hand.

“Good choice.”

I looked down at it.

“It's a model car, Axel. Not a marriage proposal.”

He chuckled. “You've got an answer for everything.”

“And you've got a talent for asking unnecessary questions.”

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then his gaze shifted toward the magazine tucked under my arm.

“You read about racing?”

“Sometimes.”

“What kind of cars do you like?”

I hesitated.

It was an ordinary question. Nothing special.

Yet something about the way he asked made me answer honestly.

“I like cars that have character. Not just expensive machines people buy to show off. I like understanding what makes them special.”

His expression changed slightly.

“That's a better answer than I expected.”

I frowned. “What exactly did you expect?”

“Honestly? I thought you just liked arguing with me.”

“I can do both.”

He laughed again.

And, annoyingly, I almost smiled.

Almost.

I returned the miniature car to its shelf and picked up my bag.

“Well, this has been wonderful, but I have a life to get back to.”

“Already?”

“Yes, Moretti. Some of us have responsibilities.”

“Like homework?”

“Unlike you, some of us actually attend school.”

The words escaped before I could stop them.

His smile disappeared.

For the first time, I noticed something shift behind his eyes. It was brief, but unmistakable.

I immediately regretted saying it.

“I didn't mean—”

“It's fine,” he interrupted.

His voice was calm, but the playful warmth had vanished.

He looked away, then returned his gaze to mine.

“Enjoy your afternoon, Isabelle.”

Before I could respond, he walked toward the counter.

I stood there, feeling strangely uncomfortable.

I'd wanted to annoy him.

I hadn't expected to hurt him.

And suddenly, I realised there was probably more to Axel Moretti than the arrogant smile and expensive car everyone knew him for.

I left the shop a few minutes later, but my thoughts followed me all the way home.

For the first time since meeting him, I wasn't wondering how to win our next argument.

I was wondering what had happened to make him leave school.

And why, for one brief moment, he'd looked like a completely different person.

Maybe Axel Moretti wasn't as simple as I'd decided he was.

And that thought bothered me more than it should have.