When we first met [Charles Leclerc]

6 - Charles

"Dude, let me guess: you haven't even talked to Pierre about the track walk you just invited Care and Vic to, right?" I tried to avoid Daniels look because he was right. But I just wanted to see Caroline again, preferably without people wondering why we are hanging out.
"Well, you might have a point there but that's nothing a small phone call can't fix. And besides nobody can say no to my charm" I blinked a couple of times to prove my point but Daniel being Daniel just burst into laughter. I let out a huge sigh.
"Don't worry, mate. He's your best friend but if he bails on you I'd be more than happy to help ya out."
"Oh don't act like you're doing this out of pure kindness. We both know that you're doing this because you wanna see Victoria. If you want you can come along anyways. We'd be a fun group, just hope that Max won't go crazy on us" a small laugh came from the aussies mouth before he nodded and disappeared into his hotel room.
I liked the idea of us doing our track walk all together but I knew our teams would hate this. In the end formula one is one of the most competitive sports and its always good to have an advantage on your rivals even if its just a bump you know about but the others don't.

I made my way to my room and called Pierre. We've met years ago during our karting days and our families became quite close. We even went on vacations together. I always valued what Pierre and me got because its so rare in our business. To be completely honest i hated that everything was so cold and distant between us drivers, so I really liked that I somehow became closer with Daniel.

"Charles, its the middle of the night, I hope this is urgent" I had to call Pierre for three times before he finally picked up. That should have been the sign to just stop trying him and go to bed but I needed this to be done.
"Sorry I woke you up, I did right? Well that is besides the point now. I need us to do our track walk together tomorrow. I will tell you all the details later but this is really important to me" silence followed. i could hear Pierre thinking trough the phone. This was never a good sign. I was just about to start bagging but he was faster than me.
"Yeah, sure, why not. we haven't done that in a long time. So lets do this, for old times sake" I was so relived that I could've hugged him trough the phone. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to sleep. You did indeed wake me up" with that he hung up the phone.
This was a good thing but I knew hat he would not be to amused if I told him the actual reason why we had to do this.

It was a short and restless night. My mind just didn't stop thinking about Caroline and the day we had. Even though we only met a couple of days ago and nothing but a few kisses happened between us, it felt like I knew her. And I wanted to get to know her even better. At this point I was almost sure that I didn't just like her because I wanted to forget about Charlotte. I had to admit that that was the reason I started talking to her in the first place. I gotta be honest, the way Charlotte betrayed me hurt, a lot. But no need in looking back to that.
Eventually I got out of bed and made myself a coffee. Luckily the team always put us in hotels with coffee machines in the rooms, otherwise they would have to deal with a very grumpy version of me. Just when I wanted to sit down, my phone rang. It was Pierre.
"Thanks for waking me up, I had a shit night. But I already talked to my team and we're good to go. I just hope she's worth it, Charles. You know, I always have your back but please don't rush this just to get over Charlotte."
This was the exact reason why he was my best friend. I never told him what exactly happened between Charlotte and me, but he knew I was struggling. I could always count on him.
"Don't worry, mate, I just want to get to know Caroline without the media telling their own story. Besides that I miss doing our track walk together, it's been ages"
"I get it, the press is always looking for some drama, especially now that they don't know that you and Charlotte are over and you're seen with another woman"
I let out a sigh because my best friend has been way too understanding and supportive for what was about to come next.
"Okay, so... there's more" I could hear Pierre mumbling something I wasn't supposed to hear. "Maybe Daniel Ricciardo is also joining us and so is Max' sister Victoria. I will explain this mess later but for now just trust me"
I knew this was a lot on Pierre and could seriously cause problems but for once I had to put myself first.
"Charles, you are lucky that I like you. Meet me at the paddock at 2 and don't be late!"

Daniel Ricciardo

Talked to Pierre, we're good to go!
Meet us in the paddock at 2. Caroline
texted me earlier, that she and
Victoria will also be there, so you
better be on your best behavior!

You're a lifesaver, mate! Maybe I will
let you pass me in the race for that.
Where exactly are we meeting?

Cute of you to assume that you'll be
in front of me. Rather think about a
slipstream in quali.
Since Pierre suggested to meet
in the paddock I guess the Alpha
Tauri garage.

That is part one of mission track walk complete. Now the track walk it self has to go great without Pierre feeling like he's third or fifth wheeling.

"Good morning chérie, no time for big speeches. Meet me at the AlphaTauri garage at 2 and make sure to bring Victoria, see you later!"
I hung up immediately without waiting for an answer from Caroline. The thought of seeing her again got a big smile on my face. I loved the stage we're in. Getting to know each other, figuring out who the other person was, the good and the bad things, every little detail.

I was lost in my thoughts when my phone rang and Caroline's name appeared on my screen. That girl would be the death to me...
"Hey, dumbass, don't you dare hanging up on me like that ever again. That's not how you treat a lady, chérie. what was that all about?"
The smirk on my face just got bigger and bigger.
"Just the track walk. We're good on that. Maybe tell Victoria to look extra nice later. I got a little surprise for her, chérie." And with that i hung up again, the biggest smile on my lips, kinda getting nervous for what was about to come later that day. Normally i liked my race weekends chill without a lot of things going on but i welcomed the change to my schedule.

A/N: this bitch is back with writing after what feels like forever. Maybe its because the void is creeping in with the season being almost done, maybe its because I'm just procrastinating, maybe its both. No one will ever know.