Biker Chick by Dakota Knight Page A

through me. Despite my earlier reservations, I began to get excited. I nodded at folks and waved when I could.
    As we rode into Franklin Park, my eyes widened at the number of steels parked along the paved paths and in the park’s lots. The riders at the Blast were no joke. Not only did I see the typical steels, but there were also Big Dogs, Choppers, and Three-wheelers. There were models I never laid eyes on before.
    It was so packed that Ray and I had to squeeze our steels among the masses on the lot farthest from Broad Street. I took off my helmet and stared at my surroundings with wide eyes and wonder.
    â€œDamn, I ain’t never seen nothing like this,” I told Ray as he pulled off his helmet and stood beside me.
    â€œYou right, Ma,” Ray replied. “I didn’t think they’d have anything like this in Columbus.”
    He went back to his steel and strapped his helmet on it.
    â€œYou think that’ll be okay?” I asked.
    â€œMa, please,” he said, looking around, “Ain’t nobody going to steal your helmet. Just strap it and let’s go.”
    After I unloaded my helmet, we walked up to the first wave of the crowd. As we walked through the sea of people, several people nodded and others actually said hello. Some of them stared at my silver hair. It was typical and didn’t really bother me. As the crowd thickened, Ray took my hand and pulled me closer to him.
    â€œHow long did you say we were staying?” he asked.
    â€œI don’t know. I promised Mrs. Phillips I would come, and I came. I know she’s probably going to ask my mom if I came, so know I can say I did and even if we only stay twenty minutes, I’ll be telling the truth.” I looked toward a gathering of park benches and grills. “We should at least get some free food before we leave.”
    Ray sniffed loudly, raising his nose toward the line of steaming grills. “Yeah, we can do that,” he responded, before laughing.
    I laughed too.
    The old school music was blasting. People were drinking and playing cards and dominos. People represented their clubs with all manner of T-shirts, leather jackets, and outfits.
    â€œI thought we were the only ones that partied like this,” I told Ray as we stood in line, waiting for our chance to sample the ribs.
    â€œI know,” he agreed. “People reppin’ like they in gangs or something.”
    â€œRight. We do it, and we’re troublemakers. They do it, and it’s a BLAST!”
    I laughed out loud but closed my mouth when I saw several ladies, wearing pink shirts with “Diva Ryders” spelled out in black letters spread out across their chests, frowning at me in disapproval. If they hadn’t looked like they hung out with my mom, I would have said something to them. Instead, I turned my attention toward Ray.
    â€œI feel like I’m in a nightmare school with a classroom full of teachers,” I whispered in his ear.
    Ray looked at me and grinned. “You need to behave, Cristal, or I’m going to start thinking I can’t take you out anywhere.”
    â€œIs that a threat?” I asked playfully.
    â€œYou mean, like when you tell me you’re revoking my pass?” he asked.
    â€œNow you’re being naughty.”
    â€œAlways.”
    Ray piled up his plate with ribs, pork and beans, mac and cheese, and bread.
    â€œWho all are you trying to feed?” I asked him as I filled my own plate.
    â€œI need some energy for later on,” he replied, giving me a lust-filled look that I understood perfectly.
    â€œAnd you’re telling me to behave,” I said playfully.
    Just as we were about to sit down, I saw something that almost made me drop my plate. I gasped and shook my head, my eyes unwilling to believe what was walking toward me. Mrs. Phillips, my prim and proper English teacher, was decked out in tight dark jeans and a tight black top. Her glasses had disappeared and her