Racing Hearts

Chapter 8: Race Day Nerves

The roar of engines echoed through the arena, sending vibrations through the ground and through Serena's chest. The high-pitched whine of tires screeching on asphalt mixed with the excited cheers of the crowd as the drivers lined up, ready for the race of a lifetime. Everywhere Serena looked, people were draped in bright colors, holding flags, and wearing team caps, their excitement palpable in the air. But despite the buzz of anticipation around her, Serena felt like she was standing in a completely different world—one where her heart raced faster than the cars that were about to zoom past.

She hadn’t thought race day would affect her like this.

She watched him race before, many times. This is where they met. But now, she feels indifferent. It wasn’t that she wasn’t interested—far from it. But the idea of watching him in the heat of competition, risking his life for the thrill of speed, made her stomach turn. Now, standing in the middle of the raceway, surrounded by fans and the smell of gasoline, Serena felt an overwhelming wave of emotions crash over her.

Nerves, excitement, fear—none of them meshed together smoothly. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of the race or because of their growing feelings.

"Are you okay?" Nicole's voice cut through her thoughts. Her best friend had insisted on coming with her for moral support. She stood next to Serena, a massive drink in hand, clearly more excited about the race than Serena was.

"Yeah," Serena lied, forcing a smile. "Just… a little overwhelmed."

Nicole raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. "It’s because of him, isn’t it? You’re freaking out about Eli."

Serena sighed, glancing over to the racetrack, where the drivers were making final adjustments to their cars. Elioth was among them, leaning against his sleek black racer, his face hidden by his helmet. Even from this distance, Serena could sense the intensity radiating off him. She had seen Eli in many different lights—quiet, thoughtful, passionate—but this is him, in his element. With engines revving and the thrill of competition thick in the air, he was entirely in his zone.

"It’s not just him racing," Serena admitted, running a hand through her hair. "It’s everything. My feelings… I don’t know if I’m ready for all this."

Nicole tilted her head, her eyes softening. "You just like him so much. That’s clear. Why are you so scared about this?"

Serena bit her lip. "Because... what if I’m not enough for him? He’s still holding onto something with Arietta, and I don’t want to get hurt." She gestured vaguely toward the track. "This world is scary. The thought of danger, the adrenaline—what if I can’t handle it?"

Nicole placed a hand on Serena’s shoulder, squeezing gently. "You’ve always been strong. Don’t let fear keep you from seeing where this could go. And as for his past with Arietta? You’ll never know unless you dive in and face it head-on. Also, he already told you that he is ready to leave it all behind. So tough up girl!"

Serena nodded, though her nerves didn’t ease. The sound of the announcer blaring over the speakers signaled that the race was about to begin. Her stomach flipped as the cars lined up, Eli’s sleek black machine among them. The engines growled like wild animals ready to be unleashed. Her heart beat in time with the countdown, the tension mounting with every second.

"Racers, take your positions!"

Serena felt a knot tighten in her chest as the lights above the track flickered from red to green. In a heartbeat, the cars lurched forward, tires screeching, engines roaring like thunder. The force of it all hit Serena at once, the speed, the sound, the intensity of it all. Elioth’s car was a streak of black as it zoomed down the track, weaving in and out of the other racers with an agility that took her breath away.

Her hands gripped the railing in front of her, knuckles white as she watched him. Every turn, every near-miss had her heart in her throat. She had always known Eli was good—he was one of the best—but seeing him in action was a completely different experience. He wasn’t just good; he was magnificent, a master of his craft, controlling his car as though it were an extension of himself.

But with every lap, Serena’s anxiety grew. She could see the risks he was taking, the split-second decisions that could make or break the race. One wrong move, one mistake, and—

She shook her head, forcing herself to breathe. She trusted Eli. He knew what he was doing.

But as the laps continued, Serena’s emotions continued to spiral. She wasn’t just worried about the race. She was worried about what this race represented. Watching him risk his life, seeing him chase the adrenaline rush—how could she ever fit into this world? How could she compete with the thrill that racing gave him? And more than that, how could she compete with the ghost of Arietta, the woman who had shared so much of this world with him?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud cheer from the crowd. Eli had just taken the lead, his car speeding ahead of the others in a daring move that left everyone gasping. Serena’s heart swelled with pride, but it was quickly followed by a pang of fear. This was the man she had feelings for—a man who lived for the danger, who thrived on the edge of control. Could she really be a part of that life?

The final lap approached, and the tension in the air was almost unbearable. Elioth was still in the lead, but the other drivers were close behind, pushing harder than ever. Serena could barely breathe as she watched, her entire body tense with anticipation.

As the cars rounded the final turn, time seemed to slow. Eli’s car was inches ahead of the second-place racer, but the gap was closing fast. The crowd was on their feet, screaming, but Serena couldn’t hear them. All she could see was Eli, his car, and the finish line that seemed so far away.

And then, in a blur of motion, it was over.

Eli crossed the finish line first, the crowd erupting into deafening cheers. Serena let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding, her heart pounding in her chest. He had done it. He had won.

But as the adrenaline of the race faded, Serena was left with the same question that had been plaguing her all day.

Where did she fit into all of this?

As the crowd celebrated, Serena’s gaze followed Eli as he pulled into the winner’s circle. His team swarmed around him, congratulating him, patting him on the back, but Serena stayed where she was, frozen in place. She wanted to run to him, to share in his victory, but something held her back.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that no matter how much she cared for him, this world—the world of racing, danger, and adrenaline—was always going to be a part of Eli.

"Go to him," Nicole urged, nudging her forward.

Serena hesitated, but then, with a deep breath, she made her way down to the pit, her heart pounding in her chest. As she approached, Eli spotted her through the crowd. His face lit up, a brilliant smile breaking through his usually stoic expression. He broke away from his team and crossed the distance between them in a few long strides.

"Hey," he said, his voice rough from the excitement. "What did you think?"

Serena smiled. "You were amazing."

Elioth studied her, his smile fading as he picked up on the tension in her voice. "But…?"

Serena swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "It’s just… I was scared. It’s a lot. I’m happy for you, but…"

She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Elioth’s brow furrowed, concern flashing in his eyes. "Serena, if this is too much—"

"No," she interrupted, shaking her head. "It’s not that. It’s just… I like what you do. I just got scared. But you are amazing."

Elioth reached out, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, grounding her in the midst of her swirling emotions. "I will always make sure to be safe. Because I have you. You just have to watch me, and I will make sure to come back to you. That’s all I want."

Serena looked up at him, her heart aching with the weight of her feelings.

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xoxo