Chapter 1
It was a warm summer evening when Mapi Leon, a biker in town, decided to stop by a local bar called The Rusty Chain. With her leather jacket hugging her figure and her hair slicked back in her signature bun, she exuded confidence and charisma. As she entered the bar, the lively music pulsed through her veins, and she felt alive.
Seated at a corner table, a group of friends was laughing and sharing stories. Among them, Ingrid Engen, a shy librarian with auburn hair and round glasses, caught Mapi’s eye. Ingrid was the kind of girl who blended into the background, her beauty often overshadowed by her quiet demeanor. But tonight, her laughter rang out, and for Mapi, it was like music.
Mapi’s heart raced.“Who is that?” She asked her friend, captivated. She leaned against the bar, trying to play it cool while stealing glances at Ingri d.The moment felt electric, and Mapi knew she had to find a way to meet her.
“ That's Ingrid Engen, she works at the local library, why do you ask? “ Alexia responded confused.
“ Because she is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen,” Mapi said like it was obvious.
“ Don’t get too attached to Mapi. I heard she is rhy,” Alexia commented while ordering another drink.
“ I don’t care if she is shy, I think that makes her cuter,” Mapi said, still staring at Ingrid.
“Whatever,” Alexia said, rolling her eyes.
After that fateful night at The Rusty Chain, Mapi found herself drawn to the local library more often than she ever anticipated. With each visit, she would walk through the aisles, pretending to browse the shelves, but her eyes were always searching for Ingrid.
Ingrid, oblivious to Mapi’s intentions, was busy organizing books and helping patrons. Yet, each time Mapi came in, a flutter of excitement danced in her chest. Mapi would approach Ingrid, their conversations starting simple—about books, authors, and the weather. But for Mapi, every word exchanged felt like a step closer to something more.
One afternoon, Mapi found herself standing at the front desk, her heart pounding.“Hey, do you have any recommendations for a good read?” she asked, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.
Ingrid looked up, her cheeks tinged pink.“What do you like?” she replied, pushing her glasses up her nose and trying to hide her nervousness.
“Anything with adventure and a bit of romance,” Mapi winked, causing Ingrid to blush even more.
“ Well I have a few suggestions for you then if you would like to follow me” Ingrid replied quietly.
Lead the way, princess.” The nickname caught Ingrid off guard making her face go even redder if that was possible.
“ So this book is one of my favorites to read,” Ingrid said handing Mapi the book “ It's about a singer falling in love with a fan it's a good read”
“ If it's your favorite it must be good I will check this one out th,” Mapi said reading the back of the book trying not to stare at Ingrid as she played with her ponytail.
“ Perfect, let's get you checked out then” They both walked over to the counter.
“ I need your name for the computer,” Ingrid asked looking up and seeing Mapi staring at her smiling.
“ Mapi Leon”
“ That's a pretty name,” she said.
“ Thank you it's short for Maria” Mapi smiled back “ Now that you know mine I need to know yours,” Mapi said, acting like she didn’t already know.
“ Ingrid Enge,n,” She said, sticking her hand out for her to shake.
“ Nice to meet you, Ingrid thank you for the book.” With that Mapi left, leaving a blushing Ingrid behind. Ingrid didn’t know why but she felt drawn to her.
But all good things have to come to an end. Ingrid’s friends— Aitana, Vicky, and Ana—had all developed crushes on Mapi after their first night at The Rusty Chain too. They had seen the way Mapi carried herself, the way she made heads turn. Their admiration soon turned into a competition, each one trying to catch Mapi’s attention during their library visits.
“Did you see her? She’s so cool!” Aitana exclaimed one day while they were having coffee after their library hangout.
“I know!I think I’ll ask her if she rides motorcycles,” Vicky chimed in, her eyes sparkling with determination.
Ana, always the bold one, smirked.“I’m going to ask her to show me her bike. She can’t resist that!”
Ingrid listened, her heart sinking with each passing comment. She could see her friends vying for Mapi’s attention, and it made her anxious. Would they overshadow her chances? Why would Mapi want her over them? She thought about getting sad thinking about what would happen if one of her friends started hitting on Mapi.
“ She must have a crush on one of us because she is always at the library now after we saw her at the bar.”Ana pointed out.
“ That's so true she always stops now who could she like” Vicky questioned trying to think.
They spent the rest of the lunch fighting about who Mapi was coming to see at the library as Ingrid just sat there thinking of all the times Mapi had come in when she was working.
One Saturday, Mapi decided to host a small bike show at The Rusty Chain, inviting all her friends, She had worked hard polishing her bike. She had everything done. She just needed to invite one more person so she headed to the library.
When she walked in she spotted Ingrid the the corner all alone but before she could walk over there she was stopped by Ingrid's friends “ Hey Mapi” Ana said “What brings you by”
“ Well I am hosting a bike show and was coming to invite you guys” She lied the only person she wanted to invite was Ingrid.
“ That's so cool,” Vicky said “ We are in”
“ Ok perfect see you guys tonight,” she said walking toward the shelves trying to lose them. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw the group pack up their things and leave. Now it was just Ingrid and her.
“ Hey princess, what are you reading?” Mapi said, scaring Ingrid who thought she was alone.
“It's a long story about overcoming challenges” she replied, “ What brings you by?”
Sitting down next to Ingrid she said “ I came by because I'm planning a bike night and was wondering if you would come.”
“ I don’t know bikes aren't my thing” Ingrid responded a little confused about why Mapi wanted her there.
“ Please I want you to come I can show you around and drinks are on me” She pleads.
“ Well that seems like a good deal I get to hang out with you and get free drinks” Ingrid joked “I'm in”
“YAY” Mapi screamed, pulling Ingrid into a hug “You're going to have to trust me”. With that Mapi wrote down the address and time then left having to get things ready still.
As the sun began to set, the bar was buzzing with excitement, and Mapi felt a surge of confidence as she pulled into the parking lot. When she spotted Ingrid her heart leaped.
"Hey, Ingrid!" Mapi called out, striding over with a grin.
Ingrid looked surprised but pleased.“Hi, Mapi! This is amazing!” she said, her eyes wide as she admired her motorcycle.
Mapi took a deep breath.“You should take a ride with me sometime,” she suggested, her voice low and inviting.
Ingrid’s heart raced.“I’d love that,” she replied, feeling a spark of hope. But the moment was interrupted as Ana approached, all too eager to showcase Mapi’s bike to the others.
“Look at how shiny it is! Mapi, you should take me for a ride!” she called out, oblivious to the tension building in Ingrid’s heart.
“Maybe,” Mapi said with a tight lip smile walking away to get a drink pulling Ingrid.
“So what's your drink of choice princess?” She asked to pull out her wallet.
“ You don’t have to buy me drinks,” Ingrid said, grabbing money from her purse till she felt a soft hand stop her.
“I said I would and I keep my promises besides you my guest” She replied shrugging.
After getting drinks Mapi of course sticks with Pop having to drive home. They partied all night till Ingrid's friends got tired and wanted to leave. “Hey, Ingrid we have to go,” Frido said getting all the girls ready as she was the DD.
“Hey Ingrid why don’t you stay longer I can give you a ride home” Mapi offered, wanting to spend more time with her.
“ Fine, I will stay” Ingrid accepted “Your good Frido I will text you when I get home.”
After her friends leave, Mapi invites her to dance. Ingrid had so much fun, Mapi was amazing.
The night was perfect till it was time to leave. “ I got an extra helmet in the bike seat here,” Mapi said, handing Ingrid the helmet and getting scared looking back.
“ I have never ridden one before,” She told Mapi, scared.
“ It's ok all you have to do is hold on and I will do the rest, don't worry I will take it easy.” Mapi smiled, pulling Ingrid on the bike. “ Just wrap your arms around my waist.”
“ Ok” Ingrid wrapped her arms around loosely scared to press against Mapi till she started driving then she held on to Mapi for dear life. As they drove Ingrid started to enjoy it like the wind in her hair. “ So what did you think?” Mapi asked as she parked the bike helping Ingrid off taking the helmet back.
“At first I was scared but I started to enjoy it by the end.” She answers
“ So what I'm hearing is that there will be a next time?” Mapi said, making Ingrid blush.
“ I would love to go for another ride on a different night. Thank you, Mapi, for the ride; it was fun.” She thanked her.
“ No problem princess I will see you later,” Mapi said leaning in and kissing Ingirds cheek winking at her before she started the bike driving away. Leaving Ingrid standing there in shock.