CHAPTER TWO – ACCIDENT

Stella sat on the bench outside her house, her brow furrowed in frustration as she tapped away on her phone. She was listing out various excuses for Musa's tardiness, hoping to spare her friend from a scolding. Just as Stella was absorbed in her task, a red Vespa pulled up in front of her.

Musa's voice chimed in, teasing and light-hearted. "Ah, Stella darling."

Stella scoffed, rising from the bench, but not missing a beat in her mock annoyance. "Shut up," she retorted. "Where the hell have you been? And I was thinking I'm late. How am I supposed to be on time to something after my ride is late?"

Musa couldn't help but suppress a laugh at Stella's exaggerated exasperation. Stella waved her phone at Musa, a visual indication that Musa should pick an excuse from the list.

"My phone died so I had to wait a little until it powered on. Having an iPhone, you know how it is," Musa offered, pretending to be innocent.

"That's not an excuse, pick one from the list," Stella shot back, still holding her phone out to Musa. Laughter bubbled between them, but they quickly sobered up, realizing the lateness of the hour.

"Tecna is going to kill us. You keep that list for yourself," Musa suggested, bringing them back to the present.

Stella nodded, her throat feeling dry. She forgot Tecna. She couldn't possibly be early even if she tried. Musa's chronic tardiness was an established fact, and she was the chosen transport to school. Despite having her own dream Jeep, she preferred the companionship of her friends on the Vespa. She might be popular for beauty and intelligence, but she would never want the popularity that comes from money and stuff she owned. Also, she loves speed. The area she lives in would not allow speed at all. So losing her driver's license is a no for her.

"Come on!" Stella heard Musa saying, she was still standing next to Vespa, deep in thoughts. "You can think whatever you want to think on the way to school princess."

"Wow, what's going on here?"

Stella and Musa turned to see a scene of a terrible accident. Their eyes widened, and their expressions turned serious. The roadway was littered with debris, a burnt bike, and a helmet with the initial 'R' lying on the ground.

"Oh my god, this looks terrible. Should we call someone?" Stella's voice wavered, her eyes darting around the grim scene. Musa's thoughts seemed distant, lost in the sight before her. Stella knelt beside her, concerned and unsure of what to do.

"Muse?" Stella's voice was gentle, yet filled with worry. Musa's gaze remained fixated on the helmet. Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. "I know this helmet. I mean I know who it belongs to."

Stella's brow furrowed in confusion. "Is it someone you're close with?" she asked softly, realizing that whoever this helmet belonged to held great significance for Musa. Stella was looking at it also but she was sure she never saw it before. Thinking they share everything with each other Stella got more confused now. 'Who's is this?'

"Close? No, no, I wouldn't say so. But... I don't know," Musa murmured, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Stella helped Musa to sit on the Vespa, concern etched on her face. She offered Musa water, and they decided to call the police. The scene was too chaotic and confusing to comprehend without professional assistance.

As they waited for the authorities, Musa struggled with her emotions. Stella, sensing her friend's turmoil, urged her to call the owner of the helmet, to ensure he or she, whoever this helmet belonged to, was safe.

"I don't know, Stell," Musa whispered, her voice fragile.

'What's not to know?' Stella thought. She obviously cares but why is she holding back from making sure that this person is safe and healthy? Stella, determined to dispel Musa's fears, encouraged her. "We called the police and now we are waiting. To shut your bad thoughts down, you have to try it. Besides, who on earth is this 'R'? I don't remember you mentioning anyone."

Musa hesitated, her gaze averted. "He is a guy I once met." A guy she met and never told us?

Stella's eyes narrowed, her foot tapping with impatience. "A guy?" That she never told them.

"Don't look at me like that. He is a guy I know from the bike races," Musa explained, her voice barely above a whisper. Stella narrowed her eyes at her, "Why don't I remember him than? We always went there together." Musa wasn't facing Stella, which told Stella that she was hiding something. "That's because I met him the last time I went there. Alone."

Stella's frustration flared. "You went there? Again?" She couldn't help but be protective, worried about her friend's safety. Despite their shared love for races, every visit seemed to end in disaster. They always went there as a group, Bloom, Flora and Tecna not really interested in such things barely joined them. But Aisha, Musa and Stella went there every single race.

"Just once. I mean once after we promised each other we won't," Musa confessed, her voice laden with regret.

Stella's expression softened. "I'm sorry, Stell. I really am."

Despite her anger, Stella knew there was no point dwelling on what had already transpired. Musa needed her support now, and she needed to be a good friend.

"If you feel sorry, I don't have to push you anymore right now. Tell me about this guy. What is he to you?" Stella inquired, her tone gentler.

Musa was about to respond when the wail of sirens reached their ears. Stella knew they'd revisit this conversation later, once Musa felt ready to share.

The Winx girls waited anxiously in the parking lot. They'd spoken to Stella and Musa on the phone, worried sick about their well-being. Tecna deleted the list of excuses she'd prepared. At that moment, all she cared about was knowing her friends were safe.

When Stella and Musa finally arrived, both looked drained and exhausted. Musa sank onto a bench, staring blankly at her phone, while Stella recounted the events to the girls, carefully omitting any mention of 'R' and the race. She knew there was more to the story, and Musa would decide whether or not to share in her own time.