SFX League

pled on the edges and had several names sloppily handwritten in highlighter marker. Too illegible for anyone to see from afar.

The man was accompanied by four other individuals, all wearing the schools uniform and peering at Vin as if hed committed a grave offense.

”… ”

After glancing again at the pool of cars blocking the exit, Vin looked stiffly at the recruiter. He blinked, then steadily continued down his own path. He ambled like a pedestrian that wandered down a dark, sketchy street alone at night, avoiding capture like their first encounter.

Unfortunately, Vins hyperdrive (jogging pace) was too slow, and his forearm was seized. ”Hey now, don be a stranger, ” said the man named Hughie Dover.

Vin turned, openly faced the red-skinned man, then deflected his comment. ”The entrance ceremony is in 30 minutes, ” he informed.

”Don you worry about that; I don have 12 NASCAR championships under my belt for nothing, ” he assured, pulling Vin along.

Vin hadn noticed before because of the crowd, but the fellow had quite the ride. It was the latest model Ford Mustang, a muscle car with low suspension and a custom red leather interior. Vin didn doubt the vehicles capability, but he wondered how six people would fit into a two-door car.

It wasn just him; a single woman among the group of males had no trouble expressing her discontent.

”Mr. Dover, there is zero chance Im going to be canned up against this many sweaty men, ” she complained. The recruiters solution was, naturally, to offer her shotgun, the passenger seat. As if that solved the issue.

”Hard pass. I will wait for a taxi, ” she refused, drawing forth her phone. Mr. Dover chuckled, plopped into the drivers seat, then started the roaring engine. ”Good luck finding a driver amid this shit show. ”

The middle-aged man snapped the passenger seat forward, tipped his sunglasses toward the boys, then grinned. ”You lumps getting in, or what? ”

After short consideration, one of the students sucked their teeth and mumbled, ”Fuck it. ” His attire was as lax as his tone. Dressed casually in a goofy font blue shirt designed after Vins favorite song, ”Wake up, by Cave In. ” He rolled up his sleeves as if going into battle with the rear seat, then boarded. After them, the rest of the boys swallowed their pride and entered.

Before Vin joined, he glanced at the mid-height girl with lengthy blonde hair. Everyone wore the same uniform, yet she emitted an aura of wealth and class.

”Hey, ” he said, fetching the girls attention. He thought it was foolish to let something as trivial as a loaded car hinder her decision. But, the potential of one less competitor on campus was bothersome.

When she peered over, Vin presented Miyo to her like a gift. ”If it makes you feel any better, you can hold onto Mi- ”

”What in the world is that? ” she rudely interrupted.

Vin continued to hold his friend out in display for a moment of disbelief. His face had remained level, but he was boiling internally. He pulled his pal into his chest, then silently pivoted away from the girl. Vin stepped toward the car, pushed the passenger chair back, then sat in the seat Mr. Dover had offered the female student.

Without a word, he nonchalantly closed the door, then rolled up the tinted window so he didn have to see her face.

”Has no one taught you manners? ” Scolded one of the back passengers. ”Better yet, why is your summon out in public, ” added another.

Vin heard them but ignored their comments while he continued to silently mope. Mr. Dover found the situation humorous and laughed while gearing the vehicle to drive.

Just as they began to pull off, a knock on the glass set them back. The girl had a change of heart after seeing the wait time for a taxi. Vin was cordial and opened the door, even holding the entrance open for the lady… So she could climb into the back. She complained, but the driver sided with Vin, who took the seat when she initially refused.

The cars engine revved and blared, and the vehicle in the lane next to theirs became spooked. The slight sign of hesitation was sufficient, and Mr. Dover threw the car into gear and snapped directly in front of the other driver.

He rode the tail of different cars so tightly that Vin could preemptively feel a collision with their bumper. The unusual fellow informed them the key to good driving was being assertive. One of the back seaters disagreed and called his style of road work intimidation. Nonetheless, it worked; opposing cars and the passengers in the automobile were jerking left and right at the mercy of the raging Mustang.

The entire drive was turbulent and perilous. The constant moaning and grunting behind Vin determined that much. Anyhow, they arrived at their destination in one piece. Their recruiter showed an ID to enter the school grounds, then sped inside before pulling up and parking on the curb. ”Rides over, be sure to tip, and rate your driver, ” he joked.

”1 out of 10, ” insulted the back passenger, holding onto their woozy head as they climbed out. Vin thought otherwise; the fast speed and near collisions made him even more excited to race at the new school. ”10 out of 10, ” he honestly replied.

The recruiter fired a thumbs up, then instructed them on where to go. Needlessly, because the flock of other students pooling in made it quite obvious which direction to follow.

Vin separated from the others and embarked alone for the assembly. Keen but painfully unaware of what to expect from school life.