chapter 9: milk powder theory

                                    

                                          
Ollie's POV
"Surprise!"
Turning around from talking to my engineer, my smile grows tenfold as I meet her eyes before dropping instantly as I see what's in her hands.
"Well okay I thought you'd be happier to have-"
"I can't have it before a drive", I huff. "My trainer will kill me".
She looks down at the two cups of oakberry in her hands before giving me a sheepish grin.
"Yea sorry should have thought about that. I just saw it and immediately knew I had to get it for you because I know it's your favorite and-", Alivia pauses for a moment as she realises she's starting to ramble. "I can put yours in the fridge?"
"It's going to be all melted by the time I'm done".
"Well then I'll buy you another one later".
"No. You are not spending any more of your money on me."
She laughs slightly as I feel every ounce of hesitation melt away.
"Well how the tables have turned~" She jokes, as I'm usually the one buying her everything, even when she tells me not to. Take her new teddy bear for instance.
"I'm buying you another one. And I'll do it before you get out of the car so you have no time to protest".
"You wouldn't dare", I warn teasingly.
"Try me..."
♡ 
"I still don't understand how you like that stuff".
"What? The powder?"
"Yes the powder! Who puts something so grainy on their açaí?"
"I do. It tastes okay and-"
"'Okay', but not 'amazing'. That doesn't justify why you put yourself through something so torturous".
"My trainer says it's good too, compared to other toppings. It has calcium and Vitamin A and-"
"Can't you lash out and get something better occasionally? Like kiwi fruit or passionfruit pulp or I don't know...matcha chia pudding?"
I chuckle.
"Matcha chia pudding?"
"What? It's a new option", she shrugs.
"I'm used to it now. It goes with my order. Besides it can just be like our own personal 'olive theory'".
"Our what?"
"You don't know about the 'olive theory'?" 
I never thought I'd see the day where I was more knowledgeable on current trends and concepts than Alivia Walker.
She shook her head. 
"It's like a compatibility test. One person likes olives and the other doesn't so they complement each other. In this case, I like milk powder and you don't".
"Oh...I see. Like how I love truffle and you don't?"
"Exactly! I still think it's foul you can consume such a-"
"That's me when you eat milk powder!"
We both laugh, looking out into the F3 paddock as I take another spoonful of my açaí.
As she does the same, I notice one of my teammates approach.
"Hi Arthur", Via calls and the grip on my cup gets a little tighter.
Arthur has become one of my closest friends in a short time frame. Not only are we teammates, but both part of the FDA. We seemed to click after spending so much time training together. And since Alivia and I are basically attached at the hip, and Ferrari runs in her blood, he took a liking to her too. 
A 'liking' that everyone knows is more than friendly.
They begin speaking in french as I finish my açaí, which was nearly all melted due to our tendency to yap a lot. Playing with the final strawberry in my cup, I listen closely to the way Alivia speaks. 
Do I understand anything? No.
But her accent was one of the prettiest sounds I've heard.
"You know, we don't talk in Italian when you're around so you know what we are talking about", I mumble, annoyed that I can't keep up with their conversation.
"Awww mon ours en peluche préféré, ne fais pas la moue". (Awww my favorite teddy bear, don't pout).
I scrunched my face confused looking at the both of them for a translation that never comes. But judging from Alivia's joyful expression and Arthur's slight falter of his smile, I assumed it was good for me.
"I've improved in my Italian too you know! My father has been teaching me".
"Really? Can he give us lessons too?" Arthur jokes and I agree.
"I think your brother is better than him though", she jokes back. Everyone knew Charles was insanely good at speaking Italian. 
He's who I looked up to.
Surprise right?
"I guess that's true", he stated. "Maybe you guys could come over some time when he's free and he can give us all lessons instead?" Arthur suggests to us, but keeps his gaze mainly on Alivia. 
"Yes please!" She beams.
"Yea, that would be really cool".
"Okay, I'll ask".
It goes silent between us all a little, prompting Alivia to stare at the ground awkwardly.
"Well I should get ready for qualifying but...I'll see you later then Liv?"
Later? 
"Mhm. Good luck for qualifying", she smiles sweetly as I wave. "Oh Arthur! One more question, do you like milk powder on your oakberry?" Alivia inquires.
"Milk powder? I haven't tried it...but it sounds disgusting".
She nods and waves him goodbye as I lean down to her ear.
"Not compatible". 
And I walk off to get ready too.