TOO CUTE TO LOSE

Midnight, in the parking lot at the foot of the pass. I pull in with the top down, and every street racer hanging around turns to look. "Cute girl. Can you even drive?" they laugh. They've already decided cute girls can't drive. Still, I answer the way I always do, sweet and polite: "Yes, I can. Thank you so much for your concern." They all crack up. Inside, I'm absolutely fuming, but I flash them a smile anyway.

"Show us what that car can do," they say. "Oh, a night drive! How lovely," I reply with a smile. Under that smile, though, it's already game on. In the cold night wind, I rest my fingers lightly on the paddle shifters and wave them all ahead. My little wave says it all: after you. From behind them, I'll get a much better look at how they drive. Watching their taillights wind up the hill, I feel all that anger turn to heat, and something deep in my chest snaps awake. Who'd have thought a sweet, well-behaved girl like me had fangs like these? I should still be mad, but now I just can't wait.

Two red taillights at the hairpin ahead. Peekaboo! I'm filling your whole mirror, aren't I? Every corner, you're always the one who brakes first. While you're on the brakes, I cut to the inside, and just like that, you're the one in my mirror. I can't see the shock on your face as I pass, but I know it's there. Just picturing it is a thrill, and before I know it, I'm hunting for the next pair of taillights. So, who's next?

With the engine revved to redline, its growl buzzes right down to my bones, and I can smell burning brakes from the car ahead. But my hands stay perfectly steady on the wheel. This feels like a stroll around the block. I haven't even gotten serious yet. The faster I go, the more fun it gets, and I'm laughing so hard my eyes are watering. Back there, I smiled along with everyone, but I'm the one who laughs last. Hey, do you still think I'm just a cute girl? That's fine. I love it. Keep underestimating me. Bye-bye, I'll be waiting at the top.

In the parking lot at the top of the pass, I wait alone, listening to my engine tick as it cools. Finally, their small headlights come creeping up the hill. Once everyone pulls in, I give them my sweetest smile and, just to rub it in, say it again: "Yes, I can drive. Thank you so much for your concern. I've never had such a fun night drive in my life! ...Oh? Were we racing, by any chance?"