Starstruck - Max Verstappen

20

LEYLA'S POINT OF VIEW

Days passed by so quickly as we met everyday with Max, Lando, Daniel and Charles after they finished their trainings. I really started to miss Max whenever he was too busy with his training, even though I knew I was going to see him later that day. We even tried to make our meetings as lowkey as possible so that I won't end up with Max on the cover of a cheap tabloid again. But that was it, today is the day of the Monaco Grand Prix.

"Leyla, it's way too early!" Jasmine whined as she buried her head in the pillows.

"I can't sleep anymore, Jass! I'm way too nervous about today." I answered leaning towards the window being able to see the track. "I really hope Max wins." I sighed.

"Don't worry. We've seen the qualifications... He's got the pole." Jasmine stood up rubbing her eyes trying to wake up just to calm me down. "You are literally so lovesick." She smiled letting out a small chuckle.

"Stop reminding me!" I threw e pillow in her direction as she stood up heading towards the bathroom to get ready for the day.

After we were all done, we left straight for the race, arriving into a literal madness as there were so many people all around the city. I couldn't stop checking how I looked in the mirror of my car before meeting him. Jasmine had to assure me for the hundredth time I looked good.

Max and the boys were waiting for us right in front of the paddock. As I was walking towards him, I could already feel my heart pounding inside my chest like I was seeing him for the first time. I sighed getting a hold of myself trying to put on a soft smile. Max was already throwing his hands in the air wanting to take me into his arms.

"So here is like the backstage of Formula 1." I looked around before jumping to hug Max as he raised me up in the air doing a spin with me.

"Wait, you're missing something." Max said placing around my neck an ID with "VIP access" and lastly a Red Bull Racing cap with the number 1 written on it on my head. "Perfect." He smirked looking down at me.

"So everyone's supporting only Max?" Lando asked making a puppy face as he looked at all of us.

"Leyla is clearly supporting me now!" Max laughed pulling me closer to him, his arm placed around my neck.

"We're supporting all of you!" MacKenzie smiled comforting Lando.

"Watch your backs, you're gonna see a Ferrari fly right past you on my way to finally win my home race!" Charles chuckled bumping Lando with his elbow.

"In your dreams!" Daniel quickly defended his teammate. "Hope you enjoy the Mclaren rear end!"

After the others got their IDs, we followed the boys as they showed us their garages and cars. I felt like constantly blushing as Max was holding me really close, not letting go of me. He gave me such a feeling of protection I've never felt before.

MacKenzie, Jasmine and Zane stayed a little longer with Lando and Daniel at the Mclaren garage while Max took me to the Red Bull garage. I shyly walked in with him as I felt all of the mechanics' eyes looking at us.

"Hope you bring a victory today, Max!" A man called making us turn and look behind.

"Obviously I am!" Max replied to the man shaking his hand before giving him a warm hug tapping his shoulder. "This is Leyla. She is my lucky charm so I want you to take good care of her while I'm on track."

"Hello, Leyla!" The man greeted me with a wide smile. "Welcome to Red Bull Racing! I'm Christian."

"Hello, it's nice to meet you!" I shyly replied smiling back.

"Well, that's one of a kind lucky charm! Don't worry, Max! She's in good hands." Christian assured tapping Max's shoulder. "Get ready, you'll have to get inside the car in 5."

"Alright. Come with me, Leyla." Max said grabbing my hand and making me follow him to his driver's room. He grabbed a bottle of water from a table and took a couple of sips. He was obviously nervous about the race. "This is my room. Nobody is allowed here except you. After the race I'll have to do some interviews, so wait for me here."

"Sure. Max... I know you can win today!" I smiled trying to make him feel better as he pulled me closer in a hug.

"Max!" Christian called from the garage.

"It's time." Max said still pressing me tightly against his chest.

"Good luck, champ." I pressed my lips on his cheek cupping his face with my hand making him give me a surprised, yet satisfied look.

"It'll sure be now." He smiled as we got out of the room.

I stayed behind as Max put on his helmet and got inside the car surrounded by mechanics. Christian walked towards me giving me a set of headphones.

"You can watch the race here." He said indicating a room full of TVs. "Use these to hear what's going on out there with Max."

"Thank you!" I smiled before I noticed MacKenzie, Jasmine and Zane storming inside after me.

"The boys are out on track and lights are ready to go out!" MacKenzie excitedly exclaimed as the whole garage looked at her.

We rushed to the other room where we could watch the race. Max was on pole and Lewis right behind him. I placed my hands together praying for Max as the red lights started lightning one by one. Lights were out and Max got away perfectly leaving Lewis behind.

"Don't worry, your boyfriend is gonna win today!" Zane laughed making me push him for calling Max my boyfriend.

The race went away well, except for the fact that Lewis tried cutting Max off many times, but luckily it didn't work. Lando really gave us chills as he almost crashed into a turn. Charles also lost his car into a turn almost crashing into Daniel, but he saved it well with lightning speed. Finally, Max passed the checkered flag first followed by Lewis and Checo. Charles let out a heavy sigh on the radio as he's finished only fourth.

I screamed jumping off my chair and throwing my hands in the air of happiness. Christian came to get me to go alongside him to watch Max on the podium. I was right in the first row cheering for him when he jumped out of the car. My heart skipped a beat as Max gave me a tight hug over the fence after high-fiving the mechanics. The cameras were all over us capturing every move, but in that moment of joy I couldn't care less. I applauded screaming from the top of my lungs when Max raised the trophy before spraying champagne all over the podium.

"Leyla, Hamilton is watching you." Jasmine said making me look in his direction noticing his sight all over me.

"Let's go!" I tuned my back at the podium as Max got off it and walked away followed by the others. All I wanted to do was disappear from Lewis' sight as soon as possible.

"I can't wait to get home!" MacKenzie said as soon as we got back in the paddock.

"You guys go, I promised Max I'll wait for him in his driver's room." I explained making all of them give me a couple of grins and smirks.

"Alright, go congratulate your..." Zane attempted to speak.

"Shut up!" I interrupted him as all of them started laughing at the way I acted. But I couldn't help it. What if somebody heard them?

They all went separate ways as I walked back towards the Red Bull motorhome. Entering, I closed the door before me and unconsciously looked at my wrist noticing my bracelet was gone. "Oh god!" I whined quickly turning around and violently slamming the door open as I ran out of it. A groan scared me realizing I hit someone with it. My eyes widened observing a suit with Petronas written in capitals.

"You really enjoy doing that, don't you?" None other than Lewis Hamilton sarcastically questioned.