Life Changes » Marcus Armstrong

Fourteen.

It was Monday, a few minutes before half-past ten, time to go. Jane was walking off the stairs, making her way to the street. She just received a message that Marcus was waiting for her outside. She checked her bag for the last time; Marcus said she had to dress casual and bring an extra pair of clothes in case of.

Jane was as good as recovered from the hangover, there was just a small bit of pain left, but that felt more like a slight pressure. She couldn't handle the alcohol really well. After a few drinks, she started to feel it, and the hangovers were the worst, but she had fun. You have to compromise stuff to have fun.

The brown door closed, and Jane looked around her to spot Marcus' car. Someone in another car waved at Jane; it was someone unfamiliar, but it seemed like he waved at Jane. She waved back and walked towards the car.

"Buon giorno," Marcus greeted Jane when she opened the backseat door. He was sitting in the backseat and moved to the middle seat. The car was filled with more people; carpooling.

"Hey, hey," she greeted back and sat down next to him. She looked around, only to see one familiar face, and that was Callum - he was driving. "Hi, I'm Jane," she introduced herself to the guy who was sitting next to Marcus on the backseat.

"I'm Robert, nice to meet you," the guy named Robert smiled.

"Hey, Jane," Callum said and looked at her via the mirror.

The girl who sat in front of Jane, next to Callum, turned around. "Hello, I'm Cate," the woman introduced herself. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Nice to meet you both too," Jane friendly smiled and fastened the seatbelt. "And hi, Callum."

Callum drove away.

Marcus looked at Jane. "I like your hair like this," he complimented her. The brown hair of Jane was put back in two, loose Dutch braids and was connected to each other with a low bun.

"Thank you," she replied, and a shy smile curved on her lips. "How was your weekend?"

"It was good, didn't do much," Marcus replied. "You?"

"Apart from a visit of mister Hangover, my weekend was good," Jane nodded.

"Partied too hard?" Marcus smirked.

Jane took a deep breath. "Yeah, you could say that... But the party was fun, just not the day after that." She pressed a smile on her face.

"Everybody hates mister hangover," he smirked. "But, are you looking forward to today?"

"Yes?" She carefully and softly said.

Cate began to laugh. "What did you tell that poor girl?" She looked behind her at Marcus. "It is like she's scared to kart."

Marcus straightened his face and looked slightly unsatisfied at Cate.

"Well, I mean, we have to race against professionals..." Jane worriedly said and also looked at Cate with round eyes.

"Charles Leclerc will be there. And Daniel Ricciardo and Sebastian Vettel," Cate said in the same tone.

Jane her lips parted for a few seconds, and she blinked a few times. "That's what I mean," she panicked.

"Might just quit right away," Cate dramatically said.

A laugh rolled over Jane's lips, and she nodded. "Exactly!"

"Great spirit," Robert sarcastically said.

"Are there any more girlfriends?" Jane curiously asked. "Or friends? Non-racers?" Yes, she was in the same group chat as everybody who would be there, but she didn't know everyone, and not everyone send messages in the chat.