Winning You

Five

Amara

I woke up feeling buzzed. I was about to join my dream team and I was about to be as close as can be to the cars that I'd fantasized over since I was a young girl. I had called Grams last night and told her the exciting news. She was of course delighted and knew that if my Grandad had been here he would have been over the moon. There was a sliver of sadness, but I had to move forward and do the best by what was handed to me. I had been loved my whole life and the support that the love gave me mad me into the woman that I was now.
The team had gone above and beyond and had sent a courier to give me team merchandise and passes to tomorrow's event and the following day. I was going to be part of the team that worked behind the scenes, tweaking engines and working on new improvements as opposed to being there doing actual car repairs. I was thankful for that because those guys were quick and I admired what they did and how effortlessly they made it. But it was part of my job description now to join the team that did look for car weaknesses and tweak it in the lab to see if any improvements could be made for next year's cars. In a pinch, I'd do for mechanic work between travel sets too.

I knew I wanted to observe and learn the team dynamic when I first came in. Decked out in Mercedes gear, I made my way to the track for the American Grand Prix. When I arrived there, I made my way to the designated entrance for crew and backstage personnel. I was simply in awe and taking it all in. Looking around, I still could not believe that what I had been watching on television was right in front of me. I walked past the bays and saw the cars in there getting checked last minute before they went on for their qualifying rounds. As I passed by the Ferrari bay I wondered if Maxim Vincent was there. I don't know why the thought of him makes me feel nervous. Clearly, I don't stand a chance with a man like him who was used to the top models of the world.I laugh to myself as I move several bays down to my team.

"Hey, welcome! You must be Amara," A woman greets me. She looks to be around my age and has headphones on.
"Yes, that's me. Where do I go and what do I do? Who are you by the way?" I asked all in rapid fire as I extended my hand to her with a smile. She gave me one back and I couldn't help but feel like I'd made a friend. She was breathtaking with rich,deep brown skin and hair so luscious the sun gleamed on it as she walked me back. She honestly looked like a model, as she was taller than my measly 5'6".
"Sorry, I get a little excited. I'm Jane by the way. Let me introduce you to the team and we'll head out back and I'll show you where you get to stay for these things," she finished. She had a thick French accent that made whatever she said that much more enjoyable to hear and she was just so graceful with how she moved. Like she said, she introduced me to people on the team that weren't busy in passing. I quickly learned that the team was thankfully diverse and although mostly male dominated, enough women were present not for it to feel as though it was just me and these guys. Before ducking in a room, I saw Collin DeLuen, one of the drivers for our team. He had been racing well lately and it was a known fact that he and Maxim Vincent were good friends and loved goading each other through the races. Most of the time it was always a mix of the two of them on the podium when the races were done.
Focusing on the room, I gasped seeing an enclosed balcony with glass walls overlooking the race track and monitors lined on the walls, displaying our car dashes, pits, and bay. There were a couple men seated already with headsets on. Before taking a seat, I was introduced to the team and passed a headset.
"Alright. Everyone quiet. The prelims are about to start." With that we all settled, Jane beside me and everyone else as focused on the screen as we were. Qualifications were about to begin.