Until My Final Breath - Max Verstappen (I)

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Max's POV:

I was really happy that Joy wasn't mad at me anymore. I missed her cute laugh filling my ears every minute of the day. She means everything to me, you know. I love her so much but I'm afraid that she doesn't love me. And yes, I hear you already thinking this. 

But yes, I'm in love with her. 

I only don't know how to tell her. Should I even tell her? I mean, if she doesn't love me back, our friendship will probably be ruined. But my mom always told me that I should be honest with people, and always tell how I feel. In Dutch there is a saying that says 'wie niet waagt niet wint'. Literally translated it means 'who doesn't dare doesn't win', and I think that's true. But I'm so scared for her reaction. Scared that she thinks that everything I've done for her was only to make her fall in love with me, which is not true. 

Somewhere, I even would accept it when she would say that she doesn't love me in a romantic way. But when I see her with Lando, I don't know. Why does she have to choose Lando out of a 20 person grid? If she wants a racing driver, I'm completely fine with that. But why does she want him, and not another one? What does he have more than me? I mean, she's even taller than him I believe. Why doesn't she fall in love with, I don't know, George? Or Mick? Or one of those F2 or F3 guys? Or even with me? No, she wants fucking Lando Norris. 

We were sitting in the car in a comfortable silence. We still had 2 hours left to drive, so maybe I could tell her now? I mean, what's the worst that can go wrong?

"Euhm Joy, I have to tell you something." I said, with an unsure tone in my voice. She turned herself towards me with a concerned look in her eyes, as if she knew what I was going to say. "Tell me, is everything ok Max? You look like you're about to tell me that the world will end tomorrow." she said. "Let's hope not" I said, trying to keep it funny. 

"You know you can tell me anything, right? I'll never get angry for you and I'll be on your side no matter what. Even if you've killed someone, I'll even help you hiding the body!" she said, and I smiled. "Okay but you have to promise me that you'll still trust me after this" I said, and I saw her getting even more confused. "Pinky promise!" she said while grabbing my pink. Oh god, she's so cute.

After a few seconds, I still had no clue how to tell her. It would be a bit weird to just say "I've been in love with you since we were 6 years old and I didn't wanna tell you because I didn't want to ruin or friendship but now I see you like Lando I'm like super-duper jealous and I want you to be my girlfriend and stay by my side for the rest of my life and forget about Lando. I also want to marry you and have kids with you and I want you to travel to all races with me.". I mean, that's an option, but she would be a bit overwhelmed I think. 

"Max, if you don't know how to say it just do the first thing that pops up in your head." she said, and that gave me and idea. What if I just kiss her? 

She'll probably pull away, but that's the quickest way to make it clear that I'm in love with her. Max, you can do this. Just kiss her. Fuck it. 

And then, I did it. I pulled her into a gentle kiss. I felt that she was surprised, but she didn't pull away. She placed her hand on my lap and I grabbed it. With my other hand I cupped her cheek. The feeling I felt was indescribable. It felt like the planets were aligning. After a few moments I pulled away.

"Sorry that I do this so unexpectedly Joy, but I had to do this. I've been in love with you since we were little kids and I felt that I was going to loose you, so I had to. I love you, Joy. With all I have."

She was visibly surprised, but if I was in her position, I'd be too. She smiled at me with the most beaming smile I've ever seen. 

"I thought you'd never admit, Max. What the hell took you so damn long?" she said, and we both bursted out laughing. 

It felt like I won her back for myself. 

A/N: The story is not over yet, and do I feel some drama on the way...?

I'm also going to the Belgian Grand Prix this year!! I'm so excited, anybody else who I'll see there? :)