Chapter 308 Think You Can Stop Him?

Santiago and Amanda Lowell looked at each other helplessly.

“Because you were busy playing a video game!”

“Ahem… fine, you’re right.”

Harry remembered. That really happened. He was testing a new game Santiago had made. It was called Rogue Fighters. Another game Santiago made was Smack the Brats, code name SJ.

For a gamer like Harry, having a best friend who could design and make amazing games was like winning the lottery. He felt as if he could soar up and high-five the sun!

“So… I can only be your lucky charm. Who’s gonna let me ride shotgun?”

“Amanda, since you’re a girl, I’ll graciously take the seat next to you. No need to thank me!”

Harry struck a pose, thinking he looked cool.

“Idiot.”

Amanda tossed the word over her shoulder, hands in her pockets, and walked off. She was colder than the winter mountains. Harry froze. He felt embarrassed to be shot down by a girl, and his heart felt crushed.

“Uh… Santiago, ahem… I don’t mind being your lucky charm either…”

“Forget it. Don’t ruin my car. If you’re my lucky charm, we’ll crash before the night ends.”

Santiago shut him down, roasting Harry mercilessly, then turned to get ready. Harry was crushed. Tears ran down his face.

“Hey! You two! You can’t just gang up and roast your best friend like this!!!”

Meanwhile, Tilda arrived at the Rocky Mountains with Dane and the others.

“Tilda, are you really entering this Christmas race?”

Mystro had heard about it.

“Yeah. I want the champion’s prize.”

“But the passenger seat only has room for one… Dane, Mystro, who’s riding with me?”

Mystro and Dane’s faces instantly changed.

Mystro spoke first. “Ahem, Dane’s got a special status. Even though the track’s cleared, there’s fresh snow, and the roads are slick. Something could happen! So I should ride with you.”

River and Manfred nodded in agreement.

Dane grabbed his notebook and wrote, “I want to ride with Tilda and watch her race!!!” He even used three exclamation marks.

“Uh… Professor Kerrigan, this race is dangerous, and there’s only one seat. Let Mystro go instead.”

River didn’t want Dane in danger.

Dane scribbled, “No way!!!”

Mystro tried to persuade him. “Dane, I’m younger than you. Can’t you let me have this one?” His face was full of pleading. He figured Dane wouldn’t say no, now that he was playing the emotional card.

Dane didn’t give in. “Fine! I won’t be the eldest anymore! You can take my spot. Now let me ride with Tilda!”

Mystro was stunned speechless.

River and Manfred’s mouths twitched as they held back laughter. Dane looked exactly like a six-year-old denied candy. His whole aura screamed, "I must get in that car! I've gotta get in that car!"

River gave Manfred an uneasy glance.

Manfred silently signaled back, “Don’t look at me. I can’t handle Professor Kerrigan. Quiet as he seems, if he lost his temper, nobody could stop him. Only Tilda could calm him.”

“Alright, you two. I’m just teasing. Even though the rule says one passenger, there’s room in the back for two more. I already got the organizers‘ permission!”

Tilda looked smug. Mystro and Dane pouted.

“Tilda, that’s not cool. You kept that from us,” Mystro mumbled.

“Agreed,” Dane wrote.

Hands in pockets, Tilda grinned widely. “Can’t help it! I love watching you two fight for my attention! I’m obsessed! Wahahaha!”

Mystro and Dane froze. But since Tilda was their junior, they’d pamper her till the end.

River whispered to Manfred, “Mr. Parker, are we really letting him ride? Isn’t this too dangerous?”

Manfred shot him a look. “Think you can stop him? I know I can’t.”

River wasn’t sure what to say. Mr. Parker, don’t give up hope so fast! Waaaah!

Soon, Tilda finished registration. With Dane and Mystro, she walked to her beloved car–a custom AE86.

“When it comes to racing, nothing feels better than driving an AE86. Hop in, it’s about to start.”

“Okay!”

Dane and Mystro climbed in first.