FAST AND FUTURE - George Russell

21

George felt a sting of jealousy as he watched Max hug Daniella after the qualifying session and both walked away together. Daniella was clearly not in a good mood, feeling disappointed after qualifying P4 and Max was trying to encourage and make her feel better. For some unknown reason, George feels like it should have been him holding Daniella and talking her out of her sour mood like he has been doing for the past few days.

Daniella huffed and rolled her eyes when she noticed dozens of cameras around her and Max, and even heard a reporter, who is none other than Kevin, saying how the recent tragedy affected her performance and she failed to get pole.

"How much trouble will I be in if I beat that reporter with his own mic?" Daniella grumpily asked.

"I think it will be best if you beat him up when no one is around," Max joked. "You know, so there are no witnesses."

Daniella let out a laugh, making Max smile.

After exchanging a few more words they reached the Mercedes garage where Toto stood glaring daggers at Max.

"He still doesn't like me huh?" Max looked a bit nervous.

"And I never will," Toto replied glaring at the Red Bull driver, but then shifted his eyes to Daniella and gave her a smile. "Come on, the team is waiting for you to discuss the race and George is getting impatient."

Toto looked at George who was inside the garage and looked at the interaction. Max and Daniella followed Toto's gaze too and George immediately looked away.

"I will see you later," Max smiled and gave Daniella a quick hug.

"Bye," Daniella waved and smiled before following Toto.

"I don't like him," Toto voiced his displeasure and shot Daniella a look.

"He doesn't like you either," she replied bluntly.

***

George sighed the moment he got inside his car, ready to go back to the hotel, but his mind was racing with many thoughts and all off them were related to his teammate.

He was about to start the car when the passenger door suddenly opened and Daniella got in and sat in the seat.

He gave her a confused look.

"Nate took my car, so it's either you or Philip and I really don't want to be near him right now," Daniella explained.

"What about Max or Charles?" George asked as he started driving.

"Max is busy and Charles is filming some challenge," she replied.

"So I am your last choice?" George shifted his eyes to Daniella for a split second before looking back at the road.

"Yes..." she lied as she rested her head back and looked out the window.

George let out a chuckle, recognizing her lie.

***

Even though Daniella started fourth she drove amazingly and managed to win the race. She didn't cheer when she crossed the chequered flag like she does usually, instead she was silent, feeling overwhelmed.

"Good job Dani," Nate told her, able to understand how she is feeling. "Your dad would have been proud."

"Yeah..." she managed to not sound overwhelmed and had her voice intact, not wanting to voice her emotions on the radio. "This win is for him."

She got out of the car and pointed at the sky, remembering her father.

George, who managed to finish third went over to his teammate and gave her a hug. He was about to say something before getting interrupted by Max.

He politely stepped back and let Daniella and Max have their moment before he went over to his team.

After celebrating with her team, Daniella went over to George again, gently hitting his arm to get his attention.

"You were about to say something."

"Umm.." George looked at her and blinked a few times. "I forgot...it was nothing important," he lied.

"Well then," she smiled. "Come on, we have to go up to the podium."

***********

A/N: Anyone else finding this story boring? Cause I am.

George or Max?