Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Zip Racer - Episode 3
The sun was high in the sky over the desert as Kiki, Nina and Jinx sat down at the bar in the Zip Club. The name may have been corny, but they sold the best cocktails for miles. “The usual, when you’re ready Jaz.” The bartender smiled. “Three Breezers comin’ up.” He winked at Jinx, who gave him the usual flirty smile. Kiki nudged her with her elbow as Jaz went down the bar to get their drinks. “You’ve been eyeing each other for the last three weeks, why don’t you just ask him out?” Jinx frowned. “K, do you remember what happened the last time I asked a guy out? They don’t call me Jinx for nothing, you know.” Nina shook her head. “They call you Jinx cos you were born on Friday 13th. That’s the only reason. Now stop being so superstitious and ask him out!”
Nina was never usually so blunt, but she could never stand any of the superstitious bull that Jinx came out with. It wasn’t really Jinx’s fault, as she couldn’t help when she was born. Her parents had always delighted in sharing ancient superstitions with her. It had made her rather paranoid. Nina’s brash response took Jinx by surprise, and so decided to take the chance. “Fine, I’ll ask him out!” She was trying to sound annoyed, but there was no disguising the smile on her face. She stood up and headed down the bar before she could loose her nerve. Nina and Kiki smiled at each other. It would be good to see her dating again. After her last boyfriend she had almost gone of boys completely. It was about time she met a nice guy.
After a few minutes, Jinx returned with their drinks. She was all smiles. “I take it it went well then?” Jinx nodded as she handed Kiki her Breezer. “We’re going to the Krash Katz concert on Friday night. Apparently, he got tickets just so he could invite me.” Nina clapped her hands. “Well it’s about time!” The girls laughed and Jinx sat down next to them again, thoroughly thrilled with herself. Kiki took a long sip of her drink, shivering as she swallowed the icy blue liquid. It looked like things were going well for everyone. Jinx had a date, Nina’s career as an actress was about to kick off, and Kiki… Well, almost everyone.
Though she would never admit it, Kiki had been hurt when Dax had been chosen for the pro leagues. It had been her ambition for years, and Dax had only raced that day for the hell of it. But she could think of no one who deserved it more. He was a great racer, almost better than she was. There was no use moping. She would get there someday too, and they would be the hottest pair the leagues had ever seen, both on the track and off it. She really did miss him a lot. She could barely remember the last time he had kissed her… Kiki shook herself slightly, snapping herself out of it. She never usually got so soppy. It had just been so long. Too long.
Two hours later, the girls finished their drinks and thanked Jaz, who insisted on paying for them. They headed out of the bar, squinting in the evening sunlight. The sun was moving towards the west, and would be setting in about two hours. They decided to head back to the track, where they could practice their favourite sport. They settled down in the shade of the mech shed, watching the guys repairing damaged boards and breaking open the old ones for parts. Nina and Jinx were chatting and laughing, trying to decide which mechanic would be the best match for Nina. But again, Kiki was distracted. She slipped back into daydreams about Dax, and the day they had met. The day they had raced. She pulled his jacket close around her, remembering every detail in his face.
After a while, Nina and Jinx noticed Kiki wasn’t saying a word, just staring into space. They smirked at each other. Nina snapped her fingers in front of her face, trying to wake her up. “Yo K, come back down to earth will you?” Kiki blinked and sighed. “Sorry, I just zoned out there for a while.” Jinx smirked. “We noticed.” Kiki smiled, looking up at the sky. “Hey guys, I’m gonna head home. I have a cat to feed and an early race tomorrow. Meet me here at nine?” The two nodded, standing up to give her a hug before she left. They waved until she turned the corner. Kiki ran across the street to her apartment building, opened the door and jogged up the stairs. She turned the key in her door and opened it, Rika streaking down the hall to greet her. She picked up the silver tabby, scratching her ears and headed for the kitchen. Her foot knocked against something as she went through the door. Looking down, she saw a rucksack with a howling wolf logo. It wasn’t hers.
She put down the cat and headed for the bedroom. There on the bed was a magnificent silver wolf with huge green eyes. Its head was resting on its paws, waiting for her. Kiki smiled as it lifted its head and pricked its ears, looking straight at her. “It’s you.” In response, the wolf began to change until it was no longer a wolf. There was now a nineteen year old boy sitting on the bed, his eyes as large and green as the wolf’s had been. “It’s me.”

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