{ back to school race / 21st September / with Jesse }
∘₊┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈₊∘
Rudy leaned halfway out the driver’s side window, arm dangling, grin already plastered on his face like Jesse wasn’t just giving him that death glare from the porch. ”Come on,“ Rudy taunted him, revving the engine again. ”Don’t tell me you’re scared.“ Aaaand there it was… Something flickered across Jesse’s face then and Rudy knew he won. If his smile could grow even bigger, at that moment it would’ve. ”There he is! Atta boy!“ Rudy hollered, pounding the side of his truck as he watched his friend head toward his. By the time Jesse slid into his truck, Rudy was bouncing in his seat like the starter pistol had already gone off. He leaned on the horn one more time because… why stop now? Before shouting across the space between them, voice way too loud for the hour. ”You mean when I win? But okay… Deal! Loser buys the deluxe meal. Extra shake, cherry on top, the whole nine yards.“ He drummed his palms on the steering wheel like a drumroll, revved his engine so obnoxiously the whole neighborhood probably wanted to strangle him and shot Jesse the cockiest grin. ”Hope you kissed your car good morning, ‘cause she’s about to cry when I beat her.“ As if the universe agreed, a neighbor’s curtain twitched and someone yelled about calling the cops. Rudy only grinned wider. “See? You got fans already, don’t let them down.”
Rudy slammed his door shut like it was part of his argument, shoes crunching gravel as he rounded on Jesse, pointing at him with a smile that struggled not to escape. ”Cheated. Don’t even give me that ‘raw talent’ cr*p. You jumped the start, I swear it!“ He was half grinning, half scowling. ”And don’t think I didn’t see you cut that corner by Oak Street! Any closer and that poor old man Davis would’ve had your bumper for breakfast.“ But Jesse was still smirking, still basking in his so called victory and Rudy hated… loved that look. He groaned dramatically, dragging a hand through his hair. ”Man, you can’t give a guy one thing… Senior year, I wake up early, I give you the honor… the honor of racing a future legend and this is how you treat me?“
He stepped in close then, shoving Jesse lightly at the shoulder, grin widening despite himself. ”You better believe I’m holding you to that deluxe order. Fries, shake, the works. Aaaand…" Rudy jabbed a finger into Jesse’s chest. “Extra ketchup packets. None of that two pack stingy nonsense or I’m sending it back.” But his act slipped for a moment, his voice dipped, not teasing this time, not loud or showy… Just him. “Seriously, though… that was good, Jess. You needed that. Felt it, didn’t you?” So he clapped Jesse on the back, rough and easy. “Alright, alright, let’s get in there before the whole damn school hears about how you “beat” me.”
∘₊┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈₊∘