Life is never easy and that isn't the case either for Anna and Max. They've both got their secrets and their scars but maybe thats what they needed to find each other amidst the chaos.
Charles' lips crashing into mine made the world stop around me, frozen in motion making Charles pull back in shock, wide eyes staring into mine making me do the same. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that, I was just so overwhelmed and....." Charles continued rambling on which I didn't seem to be able to stop since my brain still didn't seem to accept what had just happened. "Anna, are you okay?." I heard Charles ask, making me snap out of my thoughts. "Yeah, I'm here." I replied, focusing on Charles again. "Anna, we've both been hurt and I just want to give us both the opportunity to move on from the past." He explained, seeming to be able to keep extremely focused while I was spacing out about every second, confused as to how we even got into this situation. Charles and I barely knew each other once I got into F1. "What about the girl you liked so much before?." I asked him, today's conversation popping back up into my head. "Who do you think that's about?." He said almost sarcastically making me realise it was me. "But Max and I...." I started to explain but was quickly cut off. "I know about you and Max but don't you think you should start looking beyond him ?, look at how much he has hurt you, I might've not known you for that long but I've seen that sad face walking in the paddock Anna, I know what your relationship is like, I thought I had everything when I met Charlotte, everyone kept telling me how lucky I was and how I should marry her but there were so many things going on behind the scenes, 'I wasn't happy anymore and I can tell you aren't either so please give me the chance to give you something better, something you deserve." Charles finished his speech, sounding ever so sincere.
"Okay." I said quietly, possibly believing that if I kept as quiet as possible the reality of everyday life wouldn't face me. How did everything turn into such a big mes?, how are my friends and family gonna feel about this?. "Anna, you're overthinking again." Charles stirred me out of my thoughts once more, leaving me surprised by how quick he seemed to notice. "We can take it slow." He continued, grabbing my hands, holding them in his. "How about we go out, I know this fair across town, I'm sure you'll love it." He suggested, making me think about the possibility of him and I. To be honest , I never really thought of him like that but then again I might've been too caught up with Max the entire time, maybe I shouldn't see it as such a big deal and instead see this as an opportunity to clear my mind for a little bit, to not think of Max every second of the day. Only then I realised how exhausted I truly was by the entire situation. Max took up so much mental space, driving me insane. "Okay let's do it, when do you want to go?." I made my mind up, resolute in my decision to focus on anything but Max in attempt to think freely. "How about now?." "I've got to get dressed then." I explained making him blush slightly before he seemed to understand the clue, leaving the room after telling me he would be back in 15 minutes.
It didn't take me long to decide what to wear, something casual but cozy none the less so I wouldn't get too cold in the evening.
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After doing my makeup Charles had already come knocking at my door. "Come in." I shouted from the other side of the room, while checking myself out in the mirror one last time. "You're so pretty." Charles blurted out looking at the mirror from behind me. "I'm sorry, did that sound creepy?." Charles awkwardly chuckled making me laugh. "Since when are you so shy?." I raised my eyebrow, teasing him just a tiny bit. "Don't make me regret taking you out." He joked around before we made our way to the car. The entire car ride we talked about all sorts of things, mainly F1 related.
"It isn't like that, omg okay look..." Charles tried to salvage his insane story how the managed to crash in F3 without there being any reason to. We had been at the fair for a few hours when we got into one of his stories. "You can't redeem yourself sir, you fucked up." I laughed, taking a bite out of the ball of cotton candy Charles had bought for me earlier. "Want a bite?." I asked with my mouth still completely full. "What now?." He teased, pointing at his ears making me shove him to the side before taking a piece of cotton candy, lifting it to his face so he could take a bite. Just as he was about to I took the piece of candy away, making him fake a sigh. "I'm going to get you for this one." He started tickling my sides making laughter erupt from my throat. "Catch me." I dared him before taking off. I managed to take some quick strides but Charles' height diminished any chance of me getting away from him. I felt his hands wrap around my waist lifting me off the ground before putting me down again, keeping my back close to his chest before turning me around, letting me face him. Our laughing seemed to quickly die down. Getting lost in each other's eyes. I felt him leaning, making it clear to me he was about t kiss me again, making me panic. I didn't even know if I wanted to and I didn't know what Max and I were as of right now. Instead of wanting to show him I rejected him, i just tickled his sides, running to his car as he chased me down.
After a while we were back in the paddock, it was already dark as nobody was around anymore. Charles and I kept teasing each other the entire way back to the AlphaTauri motherhome. "Want me to walk you to your room?." He asked me, making me nod. In a way he made me feel safe, I felt like this night made me get to know him much better. I didn't know what I wanted yet but I did know that no matter what, the connection we had would stay there. We were still in the mid of our conversation when I quickly halted my movements. Seeing Max standing in front of my room, his head leaning against the door as his eyes were closed. "Max." I almost whispered making his eyes shot up at me. He was quick to realise I wasn't alone. "You're with Charles?."
