Mark smiled as he rode past the beach on his rollerblades. It looked like fun but he wasn't really in the mood. Plus, he had been challenged to a race and wasn't gonna miss it. He was tempted to just stride to the race but didn't want to waste the charge. Plus, he wanted to save his energy for if he needed it during the race.

Hs slid to a stop at the corner in front of the book store to see his friendly rival. "Nate Brook." he greeted with a grin and a handshake. "Ready to lose this race?"

"Mark O'Dess." Nate laughed. returning the handshake. "Ted told me about your stride. Off-limits in the race. I won't use my epithet either."

Mark laughed. "Sounds like Ted. Can't keep his mouth shut about something awesome. Well, as long as we agree and both stick to the rules, it's fair."

Mark didn't have any problems with Nate. They just never agreed on anything. They got along well enough with Ted as a mutual friend but they always remained in a friendly rivalry that never got better or worse.

Ted arrived while the pair were talking about the only thing they found they could agree on, other than speed, which was how happy they were that school was over. Nate had seen his history teacher at the supermarket when his mom had sent him up to grab a few last-minute ingredients for a stew she had wanted to make a couple of nights prior. They both found it a bit weird.

"Wow, you're talking about something and not arguing." Ted joked.

Both racers rolled their eyes.

Ted chuckled. "Alright, so, the rules are simple. The first one to make three laps around the block wins. The winner gets to choose something from the loser's closet to take or force the loser to wear next Saturday to the mall. Stick to the main roads, no back alleys. Am I missing anything?"

"No epithets." Mark and Nate replied together.

Ted froze for a second as he thought. "Yeah, that makes sense." He pulled out a piece of chalk and drew a starting line and a finish line. "Are you ready?" he asked as he pulled out his drone. "I'll be able to keep an eye on you both to make sure the race is going smoothly. Also, each person you run into or shove out of your way adds a second on your time. It's not just about being the fastest, it's about control with the speed."

Mark and Nate both readied themselves at the starting line. Mark, of course, wore his rollerblades. Nate, on the other hand, had a longboard he had built specifically for higher speeds. Ted stood in front of them both, holding a green handkerchief to use as a flag. A few people were beginning to crowd around the portable TV station Ted had somehow built to watch the race.

With a wave of the handkerchief, Mark and Nate were off. With control over the drone, and a slow-mo camera set up at the finish line, Ted was sure he would find out who was faster. The race had begun.

Both racers were fast in their rights, though each also had their specialties. Mark could take the tighter turns a lot faster than Nate, which is where he normally passed him. Nate, on the other hand, could usually catch up to, and usually pass Mark, on the straights and wider turns.

The first lap was more of a hassle than the other two. Both boys were constantly warning people in front of them to get out of the way. Neither went the first lap with less than 3 people adding seconds to their times. Ted kept track.

The second lap was a lot smoother, though they each still ran into a person. Again, Ted kept track. But this lap also had more place swapping.

The third and final lap had everyone jumping out of their way long before they passed, making a clear path. It was clean, with neither using their epithets. They still fought for first a lot.

As the passed the finish line, they both whooped in joy. Both thought they had won. Ted was glad he had gotten the slow-mo camera.

The audience that had gathered waited with bated breath as Ted reviewed the tape and tallied the total of run-ins. As Ted worked, both racers argued, though not angrily, about who had won. They each had good things to say about the other but had thought they won.

"And the winner is..." Ted began as he stood to walk towards them, "by one less run-in, than his opponent," he looked back and forth between the pair, holding both hands, "Mark O'Dess!" He raised Mark's hand high as the crowd cheered.

Nate nodded and congratulated Mark on his win with a small smile. "I'll just have to win next time."

Then the cops showed up. "Move along, folks," they said as they approached the trio. The male cop looked grumpy as if he didn't want to be there while the female looked like she didn't want to ruin the fun of the kids. "You boys do know this is technically illegal."

All three of them froze. The crowd dispersed. The officers looked up towards the boys.

The female cop jumped in before they could run. "We'll let you off with a warning this time but we do have to put your names in the system. The next officers that catch you might not be so nice."

It only took 10 minutes for the boys to give their names and addresses to the officers and be entered in, which none of them were happy about.

"Next time," the male cop sighed, "I suggest using one of the trails or parks. They're safer for you and for the pedestrians. Plus, it's never a good idea to draw a crowd."

The boys decided to spend the next couple of hours until lunch at Ted's house. Neither Mark or Nate could agree on movies or video games to play. Ted was usually the deciding factor.