Bittersweet Honey

20. Off to the Races

Toni.

"And we're off to the races
Places, set, the gate is down
And now we're going in."

- Lana del Rey

     My alarm goes off and I immediately sit up on the bed. I'm surprised it actually woke me up, because at the same time that I was so exhausted, when I'm anxious or excited about something I'm usually up earlier than the alarm. I can't believe it's race day. My first race day!

     Without a second thought, I get up and start getting ready. Good thing I prepared my outfit since yesterday, black pants, my white and green Aston Martin Racing Team tee, designed by Ren of course, and some white sneakers because I'll be on my feet most of the day according to my schedule. I curl the ends of my hair for a more polished look and I put on my usual makeup.

     The race starts exactly at 4:00, but we have a meeting downstairs at 9:30 before we all head to the circuit. I'm ready by 8:15, so I text Ren and Alex in our group chat that I'm heading to the lobby to get some breakfast, so they can join me. I haven't really thought about Daniel until I reach the elevator and it's just me, I hear his laugh in my mind, but I have to shut it down quickly because today I'm already a bundle of nerves, and I can't think of the man with the lovely smile and nice lips right now.

     I reach the lobby and head to the conference room where a breakfast buffet is being served for the team, and we will have the meeting right there when we're done eating. I grab a plate and get some sliced fruit, yogurt, a granola bar and two slices of toast, but then I regret it because they only have Vegemite instead of jam. I find a spare table and take a seat. I barely take a bite of my plain toast when I'm startled by Ren and Alex.

     "Well good morning sunshine! How was your little beach getaway Mystery Girl?" Alex asks with a sing-song tone.

     He sits down beside me with a similar plate to mine, and a big cup of coffee, and Ren sits down across the table with a plate full of pancakes and bacon.

     "Tell us everything! Did you make up your freaking mind already?" Ren asks as she digs in, and I know how much this intrigues them both.

     "Well...I mean, I had an amazing time but I'm still...torn between wanting to keep this causal or...keep going until I crash." I confess, because that's exactly how I feel at the moment.

     "Okay, but we want to hear details." Alex dismisses my previous comment almost.

     "Fine, do you want to hear about the part where I got mad at him for almost drowning me in the ocean, the part where we kissed, or the part where I had lunch with his entire family!?" I explode. I didn't mean for it to come out as loud, I feel some eyes on me from other tables but I try to keep my cool. They both stare at me completely in shock and silence, their mouths agape.

     "Just...tell me this, Antonia." Ren starts with an unusual and unexpected calm tone. "When's the part where you're supposed to keep it casual?!"

     And I just give up, I put my head in my hands in frustration, because she's absolutely right.

     "I don't know! I don't know, okay?!"

     "Wait, you kissed?" Alex cuts in. Then we fall silent for a few moments. I regain my composure, but at the same time I can't erase this stupid smile from my face.

     "Yeah...we kissed." I repeat. And with that, they burst out in cheers and Alex even hugs me. People are definitely staring right now.

     "Okay! Okay! But relax, we have a very important day, we're too busy to discuss cheesy lovely things." I calm them down.