“Challenge me?” Her eyes narrowed in distrust.

“Let’s make it a bet. If you win, I’ll pay for everything—even your stupid emotional damages.”

Mikayla could already see the money in her pockets. She needed some extra cash to do some repairs on her bike.

“‘Stupid emotional damages’? Get ready to pay up,” Mikayla sneered. “That insult just cost you more money.

“But if you lose,” Jared crossed his arms, “you have to give me your necklace.”

Her hand reached up to cover the locket. It was the only memento she had left from her mother.

Mikayla had always believed in defining moments that determine who you are and what you were supposed to become in life. Her first defining moment had happened before she was born. Eighteen years ago, in the middle of an unusually long snow storm, her father had abandoned her pregnant mother by using the cliche excuse of going out to buy a pack of cigarettes. It must have been a defining moment for her mother as well, because seven years alter, she repeated Mikayla’s father’s disappearing act and abandoned her, leaving her with her Uncle Shiner. Mikayla always wore the locket as a reminder that no one could be trusted.

With the entire Rancho Luna gang listening in to her conversation with Jared, this was a defining moment for Mikayla. She lowered her hand from the delicate bit of jewelry and locked eyes with Jared. “Fine. What’s the challenge?”

“We’ll play a game of chicken.”

“Chicken? Like an eating contest? Oh, you’re in trouble now, Rich Boy. I eat chicken in my sleep.”

Jared shook his head in disgust. “Do you ever use your brain? I don’t mean fried chicken! We’ll use our bikes. The rider that stops closest to Gold’s Pond without going in wins.”

Mikayla cursed under her breath.

Jared noticed her anger and smiled. “Don’t tell me the rumor I heard about you being afraid of water is true.”

Mikayla’s head shot up. “Shut your mouth! I’m not afraid of anyone or anything. You want to play chicken? Fine! We’ll see who’s the weakest between the two of us. You’re on, Rich Boy. I want my guys near the pond to make sure you don’t cheat.”

“You don’t trust me?” he asked.

“Not a chance. The only thing I trust is the smell of money.”

As they both readied themselves, Mikayla took deep breaths to cool some of the anger that was burning inside her like a furnace. All she had to do was stop closer to the pond than Jared. He couldn’t be that good of a rider. Moments later, on their bikes, their engines purred in anticipation. Someone shot a pellet gun in the air and their bikes roared to life.

Mikayla pressed on the gas and leaned forward.

I will not lose this race.

I cannot lose this race.

The pond was up ahead and Mikayla stole a glance at Jared. He cursed and his bike jerked to a stop.

I just need to go a little further. Just a little further.

“Stop, you crazy-eyed idiot!” Jared shouted behind her.

Laughter bubbled up inside her. She beat him, but the cheers of jubilation quickly changed to cries of fear. She pressed on the brakes of her bike, but nothing happened. She tried again.

What’s going on?

The front wheel of her bike hit a large rock, pushing her forward. Inertia wasn’t her friend and her body was propelled forward, her bike right behind her. The cold water slapped her face and she gasped, taking in the deadly liquid that she’d never been able to conquer. She opened her eyes, the water stinging for a second before a peaceful bliss settled itself around her like a warm blanket.

Mikayla’s necklace floated upward in front of her, taunting her.

You can’t trust anyone. You’re all alone. No one will really miss you.

She closed her eyes and let the darkness consume her.

Mikayla wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but when she finally tried opening her eyes, pain gripped her in a chokehold. She squeezed her eyes shut, unsure if she was dead or alive until a woman’s voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Princess, are you alright?”

Mikayla thought she had misheard the woman. She felt a light touch on her forehead.

“Princess?”

Before she retreated back into the darkness, Mikayla couldn’t help but wonder one thing:

Did she just call me “princess”?