Racing Against the Wind
Chapter One
Chase MacInnes stared at the school with a tired expression. An hour ago she'd stepped off the plane, been stuffed into a car and driven here.
Here was Japan; here happened to be Tokyo, Japan; at one of the foremost schools in the country.
Here was not where she wanted to be.
"Cheer up, will you?"
Chase glanced to her side; Ricki Orlando was taller than Chase, with long deep red hair and perfect golden skin. Her crystal blue eyes were sharp and perfect shade of blue. Her long, lean body was often seen in brand-name tailored track suits. Even though Ricki was far from being an athlete. She said it made her feel more connected to her clients.
"How can I cheer up?" Chase waved her hand to the building in front of them. "We're in a foreign country with no sleep and no idea where the hell we're supposed to be."
Ricki stared at her, "You're a moron. This is the opportunity of a life time, Chase. Need I remind you that over 3000 people wanted this scholarship?"
"No, you don't need to tell me, you've been telling me that since I was short-listed."
Chase stared at the glistening building; the grounds were impeccable, the air was warm and the entire area had a sense of order and perfection to it. She'd never been to a school like this before. No school was supposed to be this organized this quiet. Where were all the late arrivals? Where was the chaos that associated school?
"Check it, we have company." Ricki nodded her head, drawing Chase's attention to the school entrance.
Sure enough; three people were coming at them. They were all in perfect suits and had a serious feel to them.
Chase leaned in to Ricki, "Which are the teachers?"
"I'm not sure." She whispered.
They approached, stopped a polite distance and bowed. Ricki gave a stiff bend of her head. One of the four approached and offered a card as he bowed again.
"Welcome to our school. I am Toyo." He spoke in smooth English. "I will be your liaison between the school and the team. We have one of our top students here to welcome you."
Ricki accepted the card and gave a stiff head bow. "Thank you."
He turned to Chase, "I apologize for the hurried rush of things. We have little time before the press conference. Please, there is a tour we must take you on, you have practice tomorrow morning."
Ricki frowned, "But tomorrow is Sunday."
"Yes, and?" He looked at her quizzically.
"Nothing, I guess." Ricki glanced at Chase, "This is Chase, the scholarship winner."
"I know." He said and gave a polite head bow.
Chase did her best to bow, he handed her a card, imitating the motion. She accepted it. As she bowed a second time, her gaze fell on the people behind them. One of them was a beautifully tall blonde with rich blue eyes; he had to be the cutest boy she'd ever seen.
Too bad, she thought and focused on Toyo.
"Allow me to introduce you to the principle of the school," Toyo directed them to the two people behind them.
Chase wasn't listening now, her focus was on the distant sight of the track. She wanted to run; that's what she was here for, not this bowing and card-exchanging stuff. That was Ricki's job.
Speaking of which, Ricki elbowed Chase and brought her focus back to the present.
"We will now go on a tour of the school." Toyo waved them ahead and they followed behind the tall blonde boy. As they walked someone's cell phone went off. A moment later Toyo's voice came across the air.
"Ah, Miss Orlando?" Toyo asked gently, "May I have a moment?"
"Sure," Ricki left the group and Chase glanced back.
Chase kept up with the group and they entered the school. She forgot about Ricki the instant she saw the first hallway. This was like no school she'd ever been in. The halls were clean, the mirror-like finish was flawless. The lockers were smooth and all the same color; there were no dents, no graffiti and this was like no school she'd ever seen.
"I've never seen a school like this before." Chase muttered.
"You do speak Japanese." The boy murmured gently.
Chase paused and realized she'd just spoken the language. Damn, she ignored looking at the boy as they walked.
"How many other secrets do you keep behind those sun-set eyes?"
Chase snapped her head around and stared into his dark blue eyes. Sun-set eyes, that's what her father used to call them.
She frowned for a moment and had to take a deep breath, to keep from saying something nasty.
"Whatever," She muttered and ignored him. She could still feel him watching her for a few seconds.
They continued on in silence; walking down more glossy halls and clean lockers. Chase was rubbing her face as they turned down yet another hall. She was exhausted and this hall of mirrors routine was wearing her out even more.
Chase realized they'd come to a stop and had to focus.
"This is the girl's locker room, which you can see later." The boy waved a casual hand toward the sparkling surface. "Right now, I think you want to see the track."
Chase glanced at him and was struck again at how lovely he was. "Yes, the track would be nice."
The track and field outside training area was close the change rooms; which was nice. Most of them were far away from where you needed them to be.
The air outside was warm and sunny; it was a gorgeous time of year. There was no one here, which was her favourite time to be on the track. When it was empty she could run as fast and as long as she wanted, no one could tell her to stop or do something else. She could run and run and run.
"You like it?"
Chase blinked and realized her guide was still there. "Yes. It's fantastic. I've never seen a track this well maintained."
He chuckled, "Welcome to Japan."
She would definitely have to come here after the press conference. She had to feel this place on her own terms; perhaps she would run for a few hours. Not train, but run. Just for the sake of running.
"You look happy all of a sudden." He caught her eye, "See something you like?"
She smiled and then stopped herself, she didn't smile at boys, or anyone else for that matter. She was famous for being totally anti-social. Her trainer said she was in danger of being a hermit. She didn't see that as a bad thing.
"Chase!"
She turned and saw Ricki waving to her from across the field. She sighed.
"Looks like they need you." Her guide said gently and started back across the field.
He looked back a moment later. Chase was struck at the way the light fell across his face; he was stunning! For an instant she wondered how those lips would feel on her own. She shook her head and clenched a fist, the feeling faded away.
"Come on," He said, "This is the quickest way back."
"Who says I want the quickest way back?" She muttered and realized he was watching her. "What?"
"You love running, but you don't love everything else."
She nodded, "I suppose that's a way of putting it."
They fell quiet. The field kept shrinking and the exit was getting closer. Chase could see Ricki talking on her cell phone and wondered who it would be; probably her boyfriend.
Chase wanted to have someone too, but not as a permanent attachment. Just as a casual type. She wasn't big into committing herself to one person; it was a terrifying thought. She'd seen what happened to people who stayed together too long. That was not happening to her, ever. But still, she wanted someone...someone....
Her guide interrupted her gloomy thoughts. "So how many people competed for this scholarship?"
Chase blinked and had to think for a second, "Ricki says that close to 3000 people entered."
"And you won, because?"
She glanced at the young man, he probably didn't read American newspapers. "I'm the best."
"If you're the best, then you'll probably be here after the press conference, practicing."
She stared at him; he laughed and it was a strong sound. Chase found herself studying his neck-tie and wondered why he was her guide. Before she could ask, they were at the fence.
Ricki glanced up from her phone and waved her hand back and forth. She pointed to a waiting car and waved them toward it. Chase shrugged and headed toward the car; her guide followed silently. As she reached for the door, a slim, golden hand stopped her. The hand rested gently against the handle where her hand sat.
The touch was electric; she stopped instantly and looked into those blue eyes. Why did this boy appeal so much? She didn't look at boys.
Jet leg, she thought and pulled her hand away from his.
"I thought you Japanese people were all polite and stuff?"
He smiled and chuckled softly, "We are, that's I why didn't ask you for dinner."
Chase arched a brow at him and crossed her arms over her chest. "Let's clarify something. I don't date men. Never have, never will. So don't ask."
He smiled and something flickered through his eyes, "Good. Then I don't have to worry about competition."
"Huh?"
"Chase! We have to go, get in!" Ricki rushed over and climbed into the car on the opposite sides. "Come on!"
The golden boy opened her door and she climbed into the car. He closed the door before she could speak and the car took off. She glanced back but he was already walking into the school; his back to the car.
"This is one strange country." She muttered.