Lory’s POV
Overnight, I rose to the top of the class.
When Frayne’s parents confronted our homeroom teacher about the sudden change, they went home and beat him in frustration. The teacher, too, lectured him tirelessly. But nothing could pull his attention away from Bettina.
I didn’t want him throwing his future away for the sake of a high school romance.
As his friend, I decided to talk to him, though I knew deep down he wouldn’t listen.
I found him leaning lazily against his Harley-Davidson motorcycle. In his arms, Bettina wore heavy smoky makeup, a scarlet wig, black stockings, and a miniskirt. The two of them were kissing in a back alley.
I walked up, trying to pull Frayne aside. But Bettina swatted my hand away.
“What? You again? Whatever I want to do, how is that your business?”
Ever since Frayne let loose, his temper had grown violent and unpredictable.
Biting my lip, I pleaded with him stubbornly.
“Frayne, I know you like Bettina. But can’t you at least wait until after the SATs to start dating?”
Then I turned to Bettina.
“Studying isn’t the only way out, I know. But given your family background, isn’t it the best path you’ve got?” I asked. “Don’t you care if the person you love throws his life away?”
She curled her arms around Frayne’s neck, planted a kiss on his cheek, and looked at me with mockery in her eyes.
“Girl, get this straight,” she snapped. “Frayne and I are the couple here. We’ll do whatever we want. What does that have to do with you?”
She smirked, adding, “Besides, he already promised me he’d marry me someday. What do I have to be afraid of?”
A stabbing ache tore through my chest. Frayne avoided my eyes, puffing on his cigarette and staring off elsewhere.
Bettina’s tone sharpened, cutting straight into me.
“Don’t tell me you actually thought Frayne liked you? Frayne, it’s time you chose. Do you want her—or me?”
A chill autumn wind swept through, carrying dry and russet leaves that swirled in the air. My heart pounded as I waited for his answer.
Frayne stubbed out his cigarette. And then, he bent down and pressed a kiss against Bettina’s cheek.
“What she can give me…” he said, turning to look at me, “you never could.”
I was not gonna accept it. I kept my gaze locked on him, desperate for some other answer.
But Frayne didn’t say more. It was Bettina who spoke again, this time pointing at the Harley-Davidson beneath them, her voice cold.
“I can sit on the back of Frayne’s motorcycle and go wild with him. Can you?”
I wanted to refuse. But the ridicule shining in her eyes cut deep. My chest tightened, and in a rush of defiance, I nodded.
“If I do it—if I ride with you—will you finally change, Frayne?”
He opened his mouth to object, but Bettina blew a smoke ring straight at me. Their friends even burst out laughing.
“What’s wrong? Got any more complaints?”
The racecourse was a looping mountain road. The start line was also the finish.
The sharp howl of the wind screamed in my ears.
My nails dug into my palms as I gripped the seat, too terrified to open my eyes.
Two motorcycles roared down the track, neither willing to yield.
At the last tunnel before the finish, the rival cut the corner first, slipping past the line.
Frayne gritted his teeth, shifted gears, and pushed harder, refusing to fall behind.
My jaw trembled. I clung to him tighter and tighter.
Suddenly, out of the darkness, a massive freight truck barreled out of the tunnel.
In a split second, Frayne wrenched the handlebars, swerving hard.
A bone-grinding screech of brakes split the air, followed by an earth-shaking crash.
The force hurled me off the motorcycle, my body slamming into the ground. The twisted motorcycle flipped and came crashing down onto my lower leg.
Nearby, the other girls shuddered in fright. One of them, hands trembling, hurriedly pulled out her phone and dialed for help.
