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I've never been more nervous in my life.
I was about to do something I have never done before. I was finally about to ride my precious motorbike. Sure, I have been on many bikes before, but riding your own bike, after a month of lessons, secret lessons that is, but now I'll finally be able to hit the roads. And that feeling alone causes anxiety and excitement, both running through my veins.
The sound of someone knocking on the door breaks me out of my trance. I get up from my bed ans strut towards the door, throwing it open. I'm surprised to see Cherry standing there, with her usual warm smile on her face.
These past few days, she's warmed up to all of us, because she's usually here in the evening, either chatting with Martha or drinking wine with Aunt Veronica. Even Tanner and Em have started to spend time with her.
"Hey Lydia, mind if I come in?" she asks, giving me a soft smile.
I step aside to give her way, "Of course."
She nods and steps inside. I follow her, shutting the door behind me. I see her standing near the foot of the bed, looking a little out of place and awkward. I walk towards the couch and gesture her to take a seat as well. She smiles and sits down next to me, "I wanted to talk to you about something."
I nod, giving her an encouraging smile, "I'm listening."
She takes a deep breath, giving me a grateful smile, "You know that you and your dad, uh we are seeing each other. We are taking things slow but I've had this feeling that's been nagging me for some time now. I wanted to know how you feel about us. Are you comfortable with me dating your dad?"
I sigh loudly, placing my hand on her fidgeting ones. "You know, I haven't seen my dad this relaxed in a while now. And it's because of your presence. You make my dad happy. Also, about how I feel? I'm happy to see him giving himself another chance. So, as long as you guys are happy, I'm content."
"Thank you, I-" she pauses, her eyes twinkling with merry, her hands squeezing mine, "I just want you to know that I'm not here to replace your mother, or make you feel like I'm intruding or anything. Your dad, he's pretty special to me, and so are you. I'm here as your friend."
Tears burn my eyes, but this time they are happy ones. My dad's lucky to have met such an angel. "I've never felt that. And, maybe if you and my dad get married, I might start calling you mommy."
She laughs along with me, wrapping her arms around me in her embrace. "Thank you. I was so scared, but now I can finally breathe."
We pull away, smiling at each other. She gets up from he place, giving me another thankful look,"I should go now. Your dad's been waiting downstairs for a while now. We are going out."
I stand up with her, nodding, "I know how impatient he is, so enjoy."
She gives me another smile, and then walks out of my room. After she's gone, I decide to get ready and head to my closet to pick an outfit. Deciding on a red leather jacket, black jeans and a pair of black ankle boots, I put on minimal make up. Once I'm satisfied with my look, I pick my phone to see the time.
The sound of the door opening with a bang startles me, making the phone fall off my grasp and onto the bed. I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart, glaring at Tanner and Em who are standing near the door, laughter shining in their evil eyes.
"Did we scare you?" Em snickers.
"No, my phone just falls from my hands every time you guys open the door," There's a sarcastic undertone in my voice. They laugh and walk inside, shutting the door behind them.
"You ready to go?" Tanner asks.
"Yep, a little nervous but more thrilled to finally do what I've been waiting for," I grin.
"But keep a few things in mind. Drive slow. No speeding. Wear a helmet, and please do not do anything reckless," Tanner states, giving me a warning look.
I nod my head, giving him a reassuring smile," I know. I'll be careful."
"Great, let's go then!"Em claps enthusiastically, skipping out of the room. It doesn't take us long to get down, Em and Tanner taking the car, and me heading to the garage for my precious bike. My hands skim against it's shiny surface, the smooth texture bringing a smile to my face.
Let's get ready to roll.
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I remove my helmet, and stand near the entrance of the arena, scanning the crowded area, my eyes desperately searching for Ridge. I just texted him to come at the main entrance for a surprise. He had been constantly asking me to learn how to ride this baby. I had been pushing him off whenever that matter came up, because I wanted this to be a surprise for him.
Even though the place is jam packed, I spot him walking towards me in quick, long strides, a curious expression on his face.
"Ridge," I shout his name, to capture his attention. His head snaps up at my voice, eyes widening in disbelief and shock. His mouth opens and closes before he realizes what's happening, a shit eating grin spreading on his beautiful face.
He picks up his pace,until he's right in front of me, dimples winking at me. He pulls me to him, capturing my lips in a slow, yet demanding kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck, smiling against his mouth. He pulls away, framing his face in my hands, eyes shining with happiness, "You said you wanted to wait till school is over."
"I lied," I bite my bottom lip, running my fingers through his hair.
He closes his eyes, and when he opens the, the intensity of different emotions twirling in them knocks me off. "Fuck, you drive me fucking crazy. But I love you. God, I love you so much."
My whole body stiffens, my fingers stopping their movements at his confession. His words have floored me, knocking the breath out of my lungs. My lips split up in the biggest smiles I can muster. I bite my lip and whisper, "I love you too."
I see numerous emotions flashing in his eyes, but the one that stand out makes me go week in my knees. My insides are burning with those fuzzy warm feelings.
Love
This beautiful boy, loves me.
And I couldn't be more happy.
Laughing, he picks me up and spins me around making giggles erupt out of my mouth. People are watching us, some with curiosity, some with jealousy and some with awe. But these people are not important.
This guy is.
He puts me down on my feet, wrapping me in a hug, burying his face in my hair. "I love you."
"I love me too," I snicker, placing a kiss on his head. He pulls away, narrowing his eyes at me, though there's a playfulness twinkling in his deep brown eyes.
"Lovebirds, it's time to go! Come on," We hear Tanner' voice yelling for us, walking in our direction, "Your race is about to start, lover boy."
Laughing happily, we ask him to go, saying that we'll be there in a few minutes. I park my bike in a safe place, away from those hungry eyes who can't seen to look away from here. It doesn't take us long to get to the main area, where our friends are present. Ridge kisses me once before scurrying away to go prepare for his race.
We all stand near the boundary, excited for the race. The girl who was here the last time Ridge had a race, whose name I remember as Lina, takes her position, before firing the shot. Ridge and Samuel, aka Dickward, both zoom past us. My eyes focus on the big screen in anticipation to see what's going down. I know Ridge will win.
I have faith in my man.
A strange scene unfolds in front on me. I notice something strange happening. Dickward is getting close to Ridge. His bike is edging dangerously close to the path Ridge is riding on. Fuck, something's not right here. I turn to my side to see others with the same bothering expression on his face.
"That dick is trying to do something," Ashton states, eyes fixated on the screen.
"Fuck, is he trying to ram into Ridge? That bastard. Is he trying to kill himself and Ridge?" Neil yells, running his hands through his hair in worry. Faye takes hold of his hand, making him take a deep breath.
My breathing slows down when I register his words. No, no, that cannot be happening. I won't let that happen.
"Lydia, you're shaking," Erica's voice reaches my ears. She stands in front of me, holding my shaking hands in her steady ones. An arm wraps around my shoulder. I snap my head up to see Bruce, pulling me close to him.
"Breathe, Lydia. Nothing will happen to him," He assures me, but nothing seems to put my doubts away. I have this bad feeling in my gut.
I shake my head vigorously, "No, they need to stop the fucking race. Samuel's bike is out of control. Or else he's doing this on purpose. What if he rams into Ridge? No, I won't let that happen. He can die, guys! Don't you guys fucking get it?"
Everyone notices Samuel's motives, as murmurs start circulating through the crowd. And that's when it happens, Samuel looses control, slamming his bike to Ridge' right, making them both lose control. And then, the screen blacks out.
Fuck
No. This is a dream. This is not real.
"Lydia, babygirl! Lydia!" I can hear Tanner calling out my name but my mind doesn't seem to respond. The only thing that's clogged my senses is that Ridge is hurt.
"Lydia!" I snap my head to Em when she shakes my shoulders to bring me back to reality. I look at her, with my eyes blurring with tears. "They are saying that Ridge is fine. He didn't have any serious injury. The fences and the grass reduced the impact. Come on, don't you want to see him?"
I nod my head in an aggressive manner, no words leaving my mouth. I just need to see that he's actually okay. Until and unless my eyes don't see him, my body don't feel him close to me, I won't be able to form a coherent sentence.
Tanner's car rolls right in front of me. I get in the passenger seat, and he drives off to a little distance where I see many people around, putting the bikes away. I climb out of the car when my eyes fall on Ridge, sitting at one corner, a guy attending his wound on his forehead.
I run towards him and stop when I actually see what has happened. His leather jacket his covered in dirt and mud, jeans is ripped at different places, spots of blood visible clearly. There's a big cut on the right side of his forehead, through which blood is pouring out.
A sob rips out of my throat when I see him in this state. He cranes his head up to look at me. He tries to get up but winces slightly. I run towards him and launch myself in his arms, tears streaming down my face. The guy who was cleaning his wounds walks away to give us some space.
He wraps his arms around me, burying his face in my neck. He runs his fingers through my hair, breathing hard, "I'm right here, baby. I'm right here."
His voice snaps something in me, making me whimper. I pull away from him, kissing his head, his cheeks, his lips, kissing all over his face, "Thank god you're alright."
He gives me a small smile, "You cannot get rid of me that easily. I'm tougher than that." He brings his thumbs up to wipe away the tears, kissing my forehead.
"I swear to god I'll kill you if you even pull such a stunt again," I threaten him, narrowing my eyes. "You don't get to race until each and every fucking thing is checked thoroughly. Starting from your bike to the track to the guy going against you."
"So romantic," he has the audacity to chuckle at a time like this. "I can totally feel the love."
"You'll be getting all the love once we reach home. Right now, you need painkillers and medicines," I retort, dragging him by his hand to Tanner's car.
This guy ain't getting out of my sight for a while now.
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We are nearing the end of the book. Such a bittersweet feeling it is! :-)
Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know this update is a little late but when writer's block hits you, there's no escaping it easily. But I tried, lol.
Next update soon!
Till then,
Stay Safe and Stay Happy! <3