The Bike Race

         “Would you guys rather hear my winning speech now, or later?” I asked, trying to make my voice sound mighty and dignified.

         “Winning speech?” Sandy frowned. “The race hasn't even started yet!” Sky stood next to her, nodding in agreement.

         “Maybe so,” I said, “But who's to say I can't win?”

         “You're chances are slim, you realize that, right?” Thunder asked, overhearing us.

         “Oh? And why's that?” I snapped my helmet firmly into place as I spoke.

         “Well, you've never won before,” Jill replied, placing a hand on my shoulder.

         “I've been practicing! This time's gonna be different, I know it!” Jill just shook her head; she was showing me sympathy when no one else would. That's what happens when you're one of the youngest members of our group; you're looked down upon and seen as inferior.

         “You're going to do great today,” I heard LaRena say. I turned, only to see her addressing my rival, Moo. See, the whole bunch of us have been friends since we first started school, and back in those days we gave each other nicknames. Only Moo's, Thunder's and my own (which, by the way, is Nubea) actually carried over into adolescence.

         “You think so?” Moo asked, smiling up at her from his bicycle.

         “Absolutely,” She said. The summer breeze blew some of the long strands of her brassy colored hair across her bronze face. I felt a pang of jealousy watching her flirt with him instead of me. If I could win the race today, then surely LaRena would see she was chasing after the wrong guy.

         “Are you ready?” Tico asked. About to enter his senior year, Tico was the oldest. Because he was also Sandy's cousin, Tico felt that it was his duty to watch over us “children.”

         “I am,” Moo said, turning to me.

         “I was born ready!” I said, winking at LaRena. She didn't seem to notice.

         “On your mark,” Tico said as Moo and I got into position. “Get set...GO!”

         We flew down the hill at top speed while the others ran along behind, cheering loudly. The race started out close, but Moo quickly pedaled ahead of me as we approached the first hill. As if his being two years older than me wasn't enough of an advantage (he was about to enter the ninth grade), Moo was as big for his age as I was small for mine. But I refused to let this stupid hill become my undoing so early in the race, and after a few more bumps, twists, and turns, I managed to shrink the gap that had separated us for most of the race.

         “You nervous yet?” I shouted to the back of Moo's head. Thick tufts of dark, mane-like hair peeked out from underneath his big white helmet.

         The head turned, allowing his face to see how close behind I was. “Me? Nervous? No way!” He grinned, flashing his perfect white teeth at me. I instinctively ran my tongue over my braces, and another sharp stab of envy surged through me. Determined, I found the strength within to pedal harder and faster.

         To my surprise, I actually passed him. Excited, I pedaled harder still, fearful Moo might catch up to me at any moment.

         I never saw what happened next. Come to think of it, I never heard it, either. No, it wasn't until after I'd slid across the finish line did it dawn on me something wasn't right.

         “Hey guys, did you see that?” I called. But when I turned around, I saw the others had all gathered near a large tree. Confused, I ran back up the hill to see what all the commotion was about.

         “You idiot!” Sandy shrieked, one of her long, manicured fingers pointing accusingly at me.

         “What? What did I do?”

         “God, Nubea!” She threw her arms up in exasperation. “I can't believe you'd just abandon us like that, speeding down the hill without ever looking back!” I tried to speak, but could only stammer at her. Sensing my distress, Jill quickly came to my aid.

         “Shut up, you insensitive little brat!” She said, “Obviously he doesn't know.”

         “Know what?” I started, but Tico was motioning for us to come over to him.

         That's when I noticed Moo's bicycle and how battered it was. I also noticed that something was sprawled out alongside the front tire.

         “Oh my God!” I gasped in realization. That something was Moo's leg, and it was twisted the wrong way!

         “Anybody have a cell phone on them?” Tico was saying. “We've got to call 911 right away!”

         “Oh, Moo!” LaRena was stroking him gently. “Are you all right?”

         “Yeah,” he said, but I doubted it by the way his face was all twisted in pain.

         “What happened?” I turned to Jill and Thunder.

         “Well,” Thunder said in that matter-of-fact tone of his, “Moo suddenly skidded out of control, sliding down this way,” He pointed. “Then he smacked that tree, and finally he tumbled down over here, bike and all.”

         This was unbelievable. I shook my head, trying to keep up with how quickly the disaster had just struck. As I followed the others down to where the ambulance waited, I couldn't help but wonder: I had just won the race and got to watch my hated rival fall flat on his face, but why did my uneasiness overshadow my joy?

***

         “Is there anything I can get for you?” Tico asked, standing in the bedroom doorway.

         “No thanks,” Moo said, “I just need a little rest is all.”

         “Okay, but don't hesitate to call if you need me.” Like a mother hen, I thought bitterly as Tico left the room. LaRena was sitting across from me, her eyes fixated on the offending cast that covered Moo's leg. Two days ago I thought I was falling in love with her. Now I was growing to hate her.

         “Want me to fluff the pillows?” She asked without waiting for a response.

         “Nubea,” Moo's dark brown eyes were studying me from beneath the dozens of pillows LaRena was smothering him with. “What's wrong?”

         “Oh, he's been that way all day,” LaRena answered before I could even open my mouth. “Maybe its just something he ate. You know how sensitive Nubea can be.” I resisted the urge to insult her, knowing it would ruin what little chance I had of ever asking her out on a date.

         “It's nothing,” I grumbled instead, leaving Moo's room. There was a nice smell coming from the kitchen. When I followed the tasty aroma, it led me to Sandy and Sky, who were hovering over a metal pot on the stove.

         “What's that?” I asked.

         “Soup,” Sandy said bluntly. She was still pissed with me for some reason.

         “Actually,” Sky said, ignoring his girlfriend's tone of voice, “It's our version of the classic Chicken Noodle Soup, but we're using extra veggies and tofu instead of chicken.” Sky began licking his lips, and a dreamy expression came over him.

         “Tofu? Eww!” I said with disgust.

         “We have to use tofu,” Sandy said sharply. “Moo's a vegetarian, remember?”

         “Of course I remember, I'm not an idiot!” Who was she kidding?

         An awkward silence filled the kitchen, and it seemed to crush us under it's oppressive weight.  Sky began to busy himself with the soup, while Sandy took to getting a bowl out of the cabinet. I broke the silence by asking if I could have some soup, even if it did have tofu in it.

         “Uhh...well...” Sky said slowly. “You...can't.”

         “What? Why not?”

         “Do you have a broken leg?” Sandy asked. I shook my head. “Then you don't get any soup!”

         “Sorry Nubea,” added Sky, “but there won't be enough left over.”

         “Yeah, whatever,” I said, sulking out of the room. Their response didn't surprise me; everyone had started ignoring me ever since the bicycle accident. I'll admit I can be annoying at times, but that's just because I'll do anything to make people laugh. But no matter how funny they found me to be, Moo was always  the focus of their attention.

         I walked outside of the house and sat down on the front stoop. What was it that made them all like Moo more than me? He made being perfect seem effortless, whereas I had to try twice as hard to get anybody to even notice I existed.

         “Are we almost there?” I heard a voice say, followed by a grunting sound. I looked up to see who was approaching.

         “Oh quit complaining, Thunder. God, you're like a freaking two year old!”

         “But Jill, this stuff is just so heavy,” Thunder sighed. I could barely see him underneath the massive cardboard box he was carrying. My spirits rising, I ran towards them. Jill would understand my troubles; she always knew how to cheer me up.

         “What are you guys doing?” I asked when I was close enough to them.

         “Bringing Moo some books of mine,” Thunder said.“Thanks for helping me carry some. Oh wait--you're not.” Thunder then pushed past me and went on inside.

         “Don't mind him,” Jill said, shaking her head. “When I find out what's stuck up his butt, I'll make sure to dislodge it.” I forced a smile, but clearly it was me he had a problem with.

         “So,” I said, changing the subject, “What are you carrying?”

         “A gaming console and some of my old games,” she gestured towards the box she had tucked under her arm, which didn't seem nearly as burdensome as Thunder's box. “After all, a guy can only read so many books.” We laughed, reminding ourselves of what a dork Thunder was.

         “Jill,” I said, walking with her towards the house, “After you set this up, want to go  get some ice cream or something?” I was expecting an eager response, but Jill only sighed.

         “Sorry bud,” she said, “I promised Moo I'd play this old shooting game with him for awhile.”

         “Oh.”

         “But it's a four player game, so you can join us. Maybe we can go get some ice cream afterward.”

         “No thanks,” I did my best to hide my disappointment. Even Jill had fallen for his charms.

         I decided to go get that ice cream by myself, because I figured I ought to get used to being a party of one.

***

         Although I swore I wouldn't, I went back to Moo's house the next day. Nothing had changed; my so-called friends were still ignoring me and smothering Moo with love and attention. Moo's mother stopped by to check up on us during her lunch break. I pretended to be helping out and enjoying myself like all the others, but the second she left to go back to work I went into Moo's room, claimed a bean bag chair, and put my headphones on. With my music blasting, I hoped to disappear into the background.

         LaRena and Moo were the only other people besides me in his room, and I took to watching their lips move as the music made me feel at ease. It wasn't until I saw Moo making strange faces as he spoke that I thought to turn off the music and take to eavesdropping on their conversation.

         “It's so itchy!” He was saying, reaching down and trying to scratch at the cast. I bit my lip to keep from smiling.

         “What can I do? Anything?” Even when she was filled with genuine concern, LaRena still made sure to bat her lashes at him.

         “Maybe you could find something I could use to scratch with,” Moo said. “Would you mind asking Tico for me?”

         “Not at all!” She said. “I'd do anything to help you feel better!” Like a ballerina, LaRena leaped to her feet and gracefully flew out of the room.

         We were all alone now. I was about to put the music back on when Moo caught my gaze. I could tell just by his expression that he wanted to say something, so I slid the headphones off my ears and around my neck.

         “What's bothering you?” He asked.

         “Nothing,” I mumbled, looking down at my feet. I knew that he was staring expectantly at me. At first I thought I ought to say something, but thought better of it. Knowing Moo, he was probably trying to read my body language and guess what was wrong; ever since Moo had read a book on Sherlock Holmes last year, he'd become obsessed with mysteries and problem-solving. Feeling as though I'd just been placed under a spotlight, I tried not to think of anything at all, though I was well aware that he wasn't really a mind reader.

         “Congrats,” Moo said.

         “For what?” I asked flatly.

         “On winning the race!” Moo was smiling. “You beat me, remember?”

         “Yeah, I guess I did,” I said, surprised. “Thanks.”

         “You know, I'm sorry for spoiling it for you,” He seemed genuinely apologetic. “Truth is, being me isn't as wonderful as you probably think. I can't get a moments peace!” He glanced towards the door, and we both knew LaRena would return at any moment. “Besides, having a broken leg hurts!”

         “I'm...sorry too, Moo,” I heard myself saying. “Sorry for ditching you back there and for being such a jerk.”

         “Don't be,” Moo said. He looked as surprised as I was. “I can't imagine how awful it must feel to have everybody ignore you, why, I'll bet it's worse than being the center of attention twenty-four seven!” he shook his head. “You deserved to win, you know. I was careless.”

         “Really? How so?”

         “Remember when you passed me? Well, I was trying so hard to regain the lead that I lost control of my bike. I swerved right into the tree, and...” He shuddered, and I didn't dare to imagine the rest.

         “Say, Moo,” I said, getting up and heading towards him, “How about a rematch, when you're better of course. That way I can officially say I beat you.”

         “Sounds good to me,” Moo said. We shook hands. “Now how about we call Jill in here and finally play that shooting game?”

         “Sure thing,” I said with a smile, knowing that Jill must have put him up to this. She hadn't really abandoned me after all. Instead, she'd proven me wrong about the type of guy Moo was, because I  had been to blinded by my jealousy to see it.

***

         “It's too cold out!” Sandy whined. “Why are we doing this?”

         “What, you seriously thought I was gonna wait a whole year for this rematch?” I asked. “No way!” Summer was long gone, and autumn was already changing rapidly into winter.

         “You've got this, Moo,” LaRena said sweetly, admiring both the brand new bike and the guy sitting on it.

         “I wouldn't be so certain about that,” he replied. “I'm out of practice. Besides,” He smiled over at me, “Nubea's a little speed demon!”

         I laughed, knowing full well that, even after becoming friends with Moo, I could still lose this race today.

         “Good luck, pal,” Jill patted me on the shoulder, “Not that you'll need it.”

         “May the best man win,” Thunder said, smiling at me. I gave him a thumbs up; it was good to know that Thunder didn't see me as a little kid anymore.

         After Tico gave the count, we sped down the hill at top speed. Moo and I were neck-and-neck for most of the race, but towards the finish it became clear that I had a real shot at winning.

         Then things happened way too quickly. I passed the finish line, jubilantly throwing my arms up in the air. My initial victory wasn't just a fluke after all. Everyone was cheering, and in the excitement I almost didn't hear Moo shouting frantically behind me.

         “Nubea! Watch out!” I looked ahead, noticing for the first time how quickly my bike was moving towards Tico's car. Acting fast, I grabbed a hold of the handlebars and tried to regain control of the bike. I missed the car by an inch, but the bike swung about every which way until it tipped completely over, taking me down with it. Together the bike and I kept on tumbling until we hit a fence, but somewhere between the fall and the landing I heard something snap, like a tree branch caught underfoot.

         I knew the others were nearby, but I was too dizzy to determine where their voices were coming from. Moo was the first person to come into my view, followed by Jill. Both were looking down at me, and it was at that moment I became aware of an acute pain that shot through my left leg and foot.

         “Are you okay?” Moo asked. Judging by the horrified look on his face, I must have been in terrible shape.

         “Did you see that?” were the first words to tumble out of my mouth. “I was going like a hundred miles an hour!”

         “Oh no!” Tico pushed Jill and Moo aside, staring down at me. “Not again! Somebody call for an ambulance!”

         “Oh Nubea!” I heard LaRena squeal, “Your leg looks broken! Does it hurt?”

         I nodded fervently, trying not to grin too wide as she covered her mouth in fright. LaRena had made me realize something: I was now officially entitled to twice as much attention than Moo had been all those weeks before. For not only had I gotten seriously injured during a bike race, but I'd actually won the race, too! Best of all, everyone was looking down at me with genuine concern (why, even Sandy was as pale as a ghost!), and I took solace in knowing that my friends really did care about me after all.

         I knew right then that Moo was wrong. Being the focus of everyone's attention is worth any amount of physical pain. But now that their undivided attention is mine, I promise not to get too carried away.