Lights Out

Pole Position

Thursday 25th March.
I watched him walk away, his hoodie draped over my hands as my palms scrunched the material. He turned back, showing the smile still on his face and I failed to suppress my own smile that was growing. I turned around, walking back to my hotel. I was so caught up in my subconscious that I didn't even process getting into the elevator and pressing the button to the floor. I pulled on the hoodie, which was a big too big for me, and breathed in the scent of it. It smelt like the garage and bergamot and vanilla. I walked out of the elevator and, to my disdain, found George outside of Lando's room. There was no other way to my room but past them, which was unfortunate. Should I take the hoodie off? But I just put it on.
"Jessie, you're out late," I heard George say, and I looked up to see him looking back at me, with Lando's head poking out the door seconds later. George frowned.
"Why are you wearing an Alpha Tauri hoodie?"
"It's one of my old ones," I said, walking towards them to get to my room. Lando had a smirk on his face, and I glared at him.
"Is that... Dior Sauvage?" George asked after I walked past him.
"Where were you, Jessie?" Lando asked, already knowing the answer.
"Out for a walk."
"With who?"
"Myself."
"Why do you have men's cologne on your hoodie? And why is it completely too big for you. I thought you had hoodies fitted to you." George was suspicious, and Lando was smug.
"It's because it's not hers," he muttered, causing George's head to snap to him.
"Pierre!" he almost shouted.
"No! God no. Someone else."
"Who?"
"The mechanic," Lando said.
"What mechan-, OH SHIT!"
"Just shut up," I sighed, rolling my eyes.
"Did you sort it all out with him," Lando asked, being genuine.
"Yeah. We met up by the Ice Cream place and he was like, so happy," I beamed.
"Make sure you use protection, Jess," George joked.
"Shut up! Anyway, I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
"Sweet dreams," George called mockingly.
"Don't miss Harry too much!"
"Shut up, Lando!"

Friday 26th March.
My alarm woke me up at six and I snoozed until half past, finally rolling myself out of bed and into the bathroom where I went to the toilet and brushed my teeth. I wiped my face with my skincare wipes and dotted some concealer under my eyes, dabbing on some mascara afterwards. I went back into my bedroom, putting on some clean underwear, a sports bra, a team shirt, a pair of leggings, and a team hoodie. I saw Harry's one still hanging up where I put it last night and smiled to myself. I braided my hair, securing any loose strands with hairspray before grabbing my bag and mask and heading out. I opened the door, stopping when a bouquet of flowers on the floor caught my eye. It was right outside my door. I picked them up, reading the note attached.
'To Jessie,' it read. 'Have a great practice today, I'll be cheering for you x.'
I felt heat creeping up my face I smiled lightly. I wandered back into my room, taking a cup from the bathroom and filling it up with water before I placed the bouquet inside.
Nick had walked ahead of me to give me some time to listen to my music as I scanned my pass at the Paddock turnstiles. I hadn't told him yet, and I realised that I hadn't told dad yet either. To be honest, it was probably better not to tell them until things progressed a bit more and I felt a bit more comfortable with the situation I was in. At present, I was far from comfortable. Sure, his charm was nice, but so was Julien's. Although, thinking back, Julien's charm was more sexual, Harry was just sweet. I shook myself out of my thoughts, focussing back and sinking myself into my music. I noticed was listening to 'Breathe' by Russ and changed the song; I wasn't a big fan of it. The playlist played 'Je Te Laisserai Des Mots' by Patrick Watson. It was a beautiful song, especially if you could understand the French being said, which obviously, I could. My mind was bought back into focus once again when I walked through the doors of the Red Bull hospitality, having subconsciously made my way there. I was looking forward to today, to seeing how the car would fare out on track, and to seeing my number on the side of a Red Bull permanently. We were quick this season, I knew that from testing, and I was excited to show everyone just how much we wanted the Constructors and the Drivers Championship this year. It was over for Mercedes now, the hunters were going to become the hunted this season. We were coming for them.