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Song of the Chapter
Song Title: S&M
Song By: Rihanna
Features: N/A
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Unlocking my hotel room, I sigh in relief as I am finally by myself once again. I'm hoping this weekend goes well as normally after every qualifying race and official race everyone goes out and parties but in groups at different exclusive events. I decided to just stay in my room and get a good nights sleep on qualifying night...although a drink or two wouldn't hurt me. I get everything unpacked and got ready for the day at the track.
Let's hope it goes smoothly as it is practice 1 and 2. Tomorrow will be even bigger as it is qualifying. I get dressed and walk downstairs with my purse in hand. I rummage around to see if I remembered my keycard and zipped up my purse after finding it. As I walk out the door I heard a car honk. I look to see one of my best friends George Russell who was waving me over. In the passenger seat sat another friend of mine Lando Norris and in the back was Max Verstappen. I smile and make my way over to the car. I hop into the back seat with Max and shut the door behind me.
"Now we got a troublesome group of people," I chuckle as George starts driving. "We do gotta keep you on your toes. You are the mom of the group," Lando teases. "And before you intervene and protest, you are coming with us after qualifying and we are partying no matter what," Max said as he wraps his arm around me in a brotherly kind of way. I see all this guys like brothers and nothing else.
I groan and roll my eyes. "I guess I'll be watching after your asses like every other time," I said with a soft smile. "No no, we are being your wingmen and we will get you a man," George said happily. "Really? You guys are being my wingmen? Do you even remember what happened last time you tried this?" I ask and Lando looks at George goofily. "She has a point," He said. "We did end up fighting those three guys. The one with the lazy eye was complete crackhead. He was not a good fighter," Max gossips.
"How did I ever become friends with you guys?" I laugh softly.
•••
It is finally the qualifying race. I was doing last minute prepping on the car. Pierre walks by and I quickly stand up from my squatting position. "Gasly," I call out as he walks up beside me with his helmet already on. He gets in and looks at me. "You better do your best out there because I swear if you don't I'll kick your ass all the way to Timbuktu. I mean it," I said to him. No one does pep talks quite like me. I could see him smirk.
"No promises sweetheart," He winks as we all back away from the vehicles. I flip him the finger discreetly by rubbing my nose with my middle finger. I hated when he called me that and he knows that. He shakes his head angrily and I knew I got him. He hates when I flip him the finger but he hates it even more when I don't do what he tells me to do.
I have this nagging feeling...fuck. I started internally panicking. I almost forgot that his best mate had past away almost 3 years ago in this Grand Prix. He was part of Formula 2.
The cars set off and everyone runs back to the pit. I run behind all my coworkers. My heart pounding and my head racing. How could I be so stupid? But would he want to get his mind off it? Or would he want to talk about it? Obviously he'd want to talk about all the good times he had with Anthoine.
I sit down with the other crew members that had the same job as me if not similar. I took off my helmet and put my head in my hands. I always remember about this Grand Prix and how Pierre felt about it. Why did I forget about it this year? I always respected Pierre's boundaries and wouldn't cross them unless it's life or death.
I take my head out of my hands and look out of the garage door. A camera zooms in on my obvious red and tear eyed face. I listen in on the commentary.
"And it looks like one of our favourite pit crew members Madison Ricciardo who sits with her crew down at AlphaTauri looking rather distressed. What do you think the cause could be?" Alex Jacques asks his co-commentator who I really don't know or care about.
"It could be very possible that nerves are very high and affecting her harder than normal. Could it be because they are considering upping her pay raise?" The co-commentator conspires.
"I would think she'd be in a better mood. But, I know this track holds a deviating hold as a few years ago Anthoine tragically died from an accident. She could very well still be dealing with his loss," Alex explains. The thing was, I never really knew Anthoine. I mean I've hung out with him plenty of time but I don't really know anything about him.
They go on for a minute longer about why I might be looking the way I am before going back to the race. We got the info that Yuki is coming in for new tyres. I put on my helmet and get ready to do my job. As soon as his car come to a stop I speed run my tyre and a few seconds later Yuki races off.
We get everything out away and situated before sitting down again. I run my hands through my hair stressfully. I don't know how much time has past but before I knew it they were saying my name again.
"Now that Q1 is finished Madison still looks to be sitting in that same spot. There's Yuki walking up to her-" Alex said and I felt a hand on my shoulder. I still flinch slightly and look up at him. "You okay? You don't look so good!" He said with evidence of concern on his face and in his voice.
"Yea yea, I'm fine. Just not feeling so hot at the moment," I said. "You sure? You know you can ask to go back to the hotel. They'd rather you be on your A game tomorrow then today," He said with a gentle smile. "I'm okay Yuki. Really I am," I said as I made eye contact with Pierre who was looking at me while talking to some coworkers. "I'm getting some air. I'll be back," I tell Yuki who just nods.
I grab my pack of cigarettes and a lighter before walking behind the garage. I barely ever smoke. Maybe 3 times a year. I only do it if I'm really needing a quick break to collect myself which is rare. I pull on out of the box and shoved it into my pocket. I put the cigarette between my lips and lit it with my lighter. I take a drag as I put my lighter away. I hear footsteps walk up to me as I take the cigarette out of my mouth and blow the smoke out of my mouth.
"You know those are bad for you," Gasly said. "You don't have to worry about me," I said. He leans against the wall beside me. "Someone has to worry about you on this team besides Yuki," Pierre says. From the tone of his voice, I could tell he was slightly jealous of the fact that Yuki and I talk. I mean, he's cute but isn't my type. Plus my brother Daniel would do anything to find me the perfect guy.
"I'm sorry," I said after a few seconds of silence. "About what?" He asks. "Everything so far this weekend. I know it's difficult for you to be here and I'm not making it any better by bickering with you," I said as I take another drag. "Quite the opposite actually," he said as he checks his watch. "What do you mean?" I ask looking at him. "It's fun bickering with you like an old married couple," he said.
I chuckle softly. "You're starting to sound a lot like the people in the garage. Plus..." I trail off remembering he has a girlfriend. "What?" He asks. "You should be doing that sort of stuff with your girlfriend," I said softly. "We don't do that. It's not that kind of relationship," he said. "Shit it's that serious huh?" I ask as I drop my cigarette and stomp it out. "No it's not serious serious," he argues. "Oh come on. You've totally told her you love her. Don't you big boy?" I ask while passing him. I gave him a wink.
Everyone gets ready for Q2. Yuki ended up in 16th place so he was sitting out. Q2 goes by in the blink of an eye. Pierre ended up in 10th place. People slowly leave and go relax for the rest of the day but I stayed behind and was checking on the cars to make sure it was all okay for tomorrow. I don't know how long I was there.
"Oi," I heard my brother call out as he walks up to me. I smile and looked at him. "What?" I asked. "I'm dragging your stupid ass out of here and we are grabbing a drink before tomorrow," He said. "What about-" before I could continue Daniel hushes me. "Just close up and come on. I don't wanna miss anything," He pouts. "Okay," I said and close everything.
He links arms with me and walks towards the car. "You know I'm still in uniform," I said to him. "Whatever. It's fine," he tells me. I shake my head and smile. "Let's go party, I really need it," I said.
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