Love, Eternal

Monégasque Boxing

It was the Monday of race week. The weather had turned and was now raining and it's not what Nola liked. She hated when the weather was like this and she only prayed it would perk up by the time the weekend come round. Both Leclerc brothers were racing here in Italy this weekend, Arthur in Formula 3 and of course Charles in F1. It also meant the oldest Leclerc, Lorenzo was also here. The four of them in the same country, it made Charles and Nola very happy. Arthur would qualify and race earlier in the days of Charles in F1.

"Nola? Hello?" Nola heard her name being called and it snapped her out of her thoughts
"Sorry, what did you say?" Nola replied to Charles. Charles shook his head at Nola, she had been spaced for a couple of days and he was beginning to worry again, he repeated what he said
"I said I'm going to invite Pierre for dinner now he's arrived in Imola, if that's okay with you?" He asked
"That's fine, why wouldn't it be?"
"I just wanted to check with you"
"He's your friend Charles, you can do as you wish" Nola said to him, he nodded but gave his sister a look.

Truth is Nola had only spoken to Pierre once since seeing him, otherwise she got nothing from him. Then, over the weekend, some reports come out about him partying on a boat with friends, and he had his arm round a girl in one of the pictures, looking a bit too close for comfort, and it angered Nola. Jealousy rose inside of her. She knew she had only kissed him a few times and not a lot was actually happening, probably the fault was on Nola's behalf, that's what she thought anyway, because she was all over the place so he had probably grown frustrated and given up. But for someone to say that they've liked someone since they were kids, trying to break through the tough exterior, saying all the right things, cuddle and kiss and then go off and be so weird. Nola was just annoyed, she had driven an hour and a half to see him to try to sort things out. She knew well enough to not believe everything that the media put out there, but no matter how hard she tried, she wasn't okay about it. So the news of dinner with him annoyed her further but, he was first and foremost Charles' friend, and that's what he would remain.

"That's my point though Nola. Pierre isn't that person, I don't think it was anything sinister" Charles said breaking Nola out of her thoughts once again. Nola knew he was right, he knew Pierre better than most people, Nola thought she knew him well enough, as well.
"It didn't look that way. He got jealous about that Logan guy, and then does this?" Nola said, stabbing her fork into the watermelon on her plate. Charles was annoyed, he thought his sister knew better than to believe the media and maybe if she just spoke to Pierre it would solve the whole issue, but she was stubborn.
"Which is why we're going for dinner" he said simply, almost snapping at Nola. He didn't mean to. Nola's eyes shot up to meet his
"So you're now going to get annoyed with me?" Nola snapped back
"I'm not annoyed with you Nola, I just don't understand why you can't leave it until you actually speak to him?" He said bluntly
"Because I don't want to speak to him if I'm honest. It would be easier to just let it be. Nothing happened, we kissed a couple of times, he owes me nothing which is fine"
"You're acting like a child"
"A child?" Nola dropped her fork and stared Charles down. Charles and Nola never, ever, argued with one another, Charles didn't argue with anyone really. Nola was shocked by his words
"Yes, a child. You're scared and so the first chance you get you're running away" this was becoming very heated
"I'm not running away Charles. He ran away. What have I got to be scared about?"
Daniel and Lando were staying in the same hotel, and had walked into the restaurant of the hotel for breakfast, they had seen Nola and Charles sitting together and went to join them, although as they reached the table there was clearly an argument going on, they couldn't understand the Italian they were speaking, but it was heated.
"Scared to be happy. Scared to love someone. Scared of loving someone so much because you don't want to go though the pain again" he said, Charles was softer with his tone, he knew he had taken a step too far, and ultimately he was more worried and concerned than angry with Nola
"I went through hell. But it's okay because I do that with you every single week" Nola spat back. She was so annoyed at him, she stood quickly and was aware of Daniel and Lando standing at the table now
"Nola that wasn't fair"
"You're not being fair! I'm your sister, and you're defending him"
"Yes you're my sister but when you're being silly I'm not going to sit and agree with you"
"Whatever Charles"
"Are you guys okay?" Lando tried to break the tension. Nola pushed past them both and walked out.

Nola was so angry. She never argued with Charles, and Charles never argued with her. They were always on the same page so it was rare. Nola was just so fed up, worst of all, she knew he was right. Charles was always right, she was scared, she liked Pierre, the weeks and weeks of suppressing feelings had made them all explode to the surface and she felt hurt. It had only gotten worse, and not speaking to him made her anxious and angry. Those pictures made her sad, she was so jealous and she couldn't deal. Nola's phone rang as Lando was calling.

"Nola?" Lando's voice was full of concern
"Yes?"
"Come and talk to me"
"Why?"
"Because it won't help you to be sitting alone dwelling on it"
"Fine, I'm in the lobby" Nola answered quickly before putting the phone down.

Lando walked out of the restaurant and towards the lobby, he put his phone back in his pocket and didn't take Nola's tone to heart. She had been going through a lot recently, it had only been a couple of months but Lando knew he was quite close to her, he wanted to protect her and look out for her, he was also Charles' friend so it made sense. Nola took a deep breath when she spotted Lando coming over to her, he smiled when he saw her.
"What's wrong?"
"It was about Pierre. I'm angry" Nola said quickly
"The pictures?" He asked. Nola nodded, "you should speak to him, the media isn't nice, it's probably nothing" he continued
"You sound like Charles" Nola said
"But it's true. Speak to him first, but don't argue with your brother about it, he's just caught in the middle"
"He put himself there"
"But he knows Pierre, of course he's going to defend him, roles reversed he would be defending you the same way. But Pierre isn't that person, he really really likes you"
"He isn't showing it"
"I don't know what else to say, but I think you need to speak to Charles, and then speak to Pierre" he said, Nola sighed, and then nodded
"Fine"
"Don't be snappy with me, you're my bestie. We can't have issues" Lando said putting his arm round Nola's shoulders and pulling her to him
"You're annoying" Nola mumbled into his shoulder
"I know, but I'm also right" Nola rolled her eyes and poked Lando in the ribs. "He's still at the table" Nola was frustrated with herself and the fact that Lando was here basically telling her to get over it. Of course he was right. Nola walked over to the table where her brother was still sitting, and sulking. Charles looked up and Nola could tell he looked miserable.

"I'm sorry" they both said at the same time. They both laughed at each other and themselves
"I didn't mean what I said. I know you're right, as is Lando. You're right, im scared" Nola said to him. He took her hands on top of the table
"I know you are, there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't write him off yet, give him the benefit to explain first"
"Then why hasn't he text or called?" Nola asked, if he had done nothing wrong, what was the radio silence about
"I can't answer that, but that's why I invited him to dinner later, me you, him and Charlotte" Nola nodded
"Am I still a child?" She asked
"Of course not" Nola finished her fruit and thankfully Charles and Nola were fine. Charlotte came down a little while later and sat down with the siblings and eyed them both.
"Are we good or not?" She asked, both Nola and Charles looked at her, "Lando said and I quote 'Monégasque boxing match', watch your words'" Charles and Nola both laughed. Soon after Arthur and Lorenzo joined for breakfast as well, which was even better because Charlotte told them all about Nola and Charles arguing. None of the siblings ever argued, Nola and Arthur used to bicker when they were younger about not sharing and silly things, but otherwise they were all the perfect balance and there was never a need to argue. So Lorenzo, as the eldest gave Nola and Charles a stern word before they enjoyed the rest of their breakfast together.