Hayes's pov.The town of Helway was never fully asleep.During the day, it looked like any random sleeping small town but night time was when it finally awakened.

The abandoned highway on which we stood waiting to commence the race echoed with the roars of engines from both cars and motorcycles

The road was discolored from oil that had been leaked from cars and motorcycles.It looked dangerous.

The streetlights on this highway were all broken and out of use.Therefore,our only source of lighting was from the neon lights that some had taped to their cars and the flares that were lighted.

A crowd of teens and young adults stood on either sides of the road barred by old plastic barriers that were filled with water.

Their raucous voices echoing as they screamed and chanted the names of the competitors they were supporting.

The air was heavy with smoke.It reeked of alcohol,weed and oil .But I loved the smell.It filled me with joy and excitement,emotions that were not a constant in my life.

I was sitting on my black Ducati with Jasper standing right by me.His posture was tense as his eyes swept through the highway scanning for any anomaly.

I was also tense as I sat on my motorcycle.Even though I was the best racer,I was not complacent.

Which is why I remained the best.I treated every opponent as an equal.I never underestimated anyone.

The engine of my Ducati was on.It was a few minutes to the starting of the race.

The air had turned thick with tension and anticipation.It was so.tense,it could cut a rope.

"Okay man,it's time to remind everyone gathered here why you are the best", Jasper said ,his face set in utter seriousness.

I cracked my neck right,then left, trying to loosen some of the tension before starting the race.

"They would not know what hit them",I replied with conviction.

"That's my man",he said gripping my hand in a strong handshake.

"But be careful man,he can be dirty".

"I know.I can not risk getting injured now that I have met her".

Jasper raised his eyebrow in a manner I knew too well making me realize my slip up.It usually meant a question was about to follow.

Right at that moment,a blonde girl wearing a mini jean skirt with sheer stockings underneath it walked to the center of the road .Right between my motorcycle and my opponent's who had pulled up just now.

I said a silent prayer of thanks to her for saving me from Jasper's probing gaze, however momentarily.

"Good luck man", Jasper said walking towards the barricade.

I turned to my opponent feeling his stare.His face twisted into a wicked smile aimed to intimidate me.I returned it with a huge grin with pissed him off.

I put on my helmet and turned my gaze to the road ahead.I revved up my engine.

The girl in front raised up the flare she holding as a signal.

I gripped the throttle of my motorcycle ,training all of my attention on the road ahead.I zoned out every noise and all that was left was the vibration of my motorcycle and my beating heart.

She dropped her hands with the flare down.We both launched forward at a speed that could render newbies breathless and dizzy.

And if I am being honest,I have to admit that my opponent was good.But there was only one room for greatness.And that was me.Period.

He managed to stay side by side with me since the beginning of the race.

We were getting to the part of the road which would either work in my favour if my opponent did not know about it or not if he did.

There was a little pothole on the left side of the road where my opponent was riding on.I had spotted it when I had gone scouting the track earlier this afternoon with Jasper.

Right before we got there,I veered slightly to the right of the road away from the middle.My opponent who had no prior idea rode right into the pothole.

The speed at which he was riding caused his motorcycle to somersault.Luckily,he jumped off the motorcycle right before it flipped over.

The force of his impact on the ground caused him to roll on the ground till he finally ceased.His team went over to check on him.

I crossed the finish line to the roars of the cheering crowd, chanting my name,"Hayes,Hayes,Hayes".

I skidded to a stop,my heart pumping fast from all the adrenaline coursing through my body.

I dragged in a ragged breath lifting my helmet off my head.I slicked back my hair that had fallen over my eyes.

Sweat was pouring down my back in droves.

Jasper rushed to my side from the sidelines screaming,"that's my best friend,that is my man".

This boy was not the least bit shy about how corny he sounded.I laughed due to how infectious his happiness was.

He draped his hands over me as he squeezed me in a tight hug,not the least bothered by how sweaty I was.He finally released me ,his hands ruffling my hair.

"This is it",I thought.

This is what I lived for.What made me feel alive.

But strangely enough,it felt as though it had lost it's potency.I no longer felt the rush,the thrill nor the ecstasy of winning a race.

All my smiles were forced as I tried my best not to raise any eyebrows.

I went over to my opponent who was sitting in his team mates car,his arm tied with a shirt in a makeshift arm sling.Turns out his fall had broken his arm.

"Congratulations man",he said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.He looked calculating and pissed off.

"Thank you.Get well soon",I said and walked back to my motorcycle not bothering to fake a smile .

The reason why I went over was because it was a required formality.

I found myself wishing,as I swept my eyes through the crowd,to see a pair of electric blue eyes and long dark hair.I did not.

But that would have to change soon.