Jolie Nana - [Pierre Gasly]

Treinta y uno

Farah's parents were leaving on the 28th of December. They were going to the Bahamas for New Years and suggested Farah came along after she told them that she left Pierre and Milan. She was hesitating, but there was a strong feeling that she shouldn't go with them, so she didn't. She spent the Christmas with her parents here in New York, and they had a good time. They went out for dinner, Farah received some gorgeous jewelry as a gift, even though they agreed on not buying each other presents. Rebecca had sent her a Sephora gift card, and on Boxing Day, Farah spent time with her mother in the endless malls and stores New York has to offer. She was happy to be with her family, it took her mind off the feeling that was gnawing at her guts with each step she took. Farah had called the nail salon she usually went to, and luckily the nail technician was able to book her and her mother in. They had some coffee at Starbucks and then headed towards their appointment. Farah went to the hairdresser before Christmas, getting a decent rinse and the ends trimmed.

She liked working on her appearance, but nothing of her brightness was reflected on the inside at the moment. Farah hated how she felt. She hadn't been to the gym since she came back to New York, while she normally craved working out to fix her mindset. She was happy to see Pierre being with his family in Switzerland, and she hoped that he was moving on. She constantly reminded herself of why she left, because she thought it's the best decision, and she decided it with confidence. Did she really, though? Farah shook her head at herself, throwing her empty Starbucks cup in the bin and sitting down in the seat the nail technician appointed for her. Her mother sat next to her. "What's keeping you in New York, Farah?" Her mother hummed, leaning her head in her hands while looking at Farah's nails being cleaned and trimmed before the nail technician started to prepare the acrylics. "New York is keeping me in New York," Farah chuckled, looking at the way the acrylic was molded into the shape of the nail Farah had chosen at the start. "Manhattan's always going to be here, darling," Mary Hensley told her daughter.

"What if you're just afraid to leave?" Mary continued. "You seemed to love that boy." Farah felt her eyes becoming watery, and she swallowed hard. "I did. I do," she corrected. "But I've been wanted to finish this study ever since the pandemic started, we're finally heading to better times. I'm desperate to get my degree and I don't want to postpone it," Farah sighed. "I can't get on a higher level once I'm done here, mom," she added. "But now you're heading into the last semester of your study with that F1 driver on your mind. Will that work out?" Mary asked, moving her hand through her long, onyx hair, which looked nearly identical to her daughter's. Farah's shoulder slumped a little. "I'll work it out. I'm only twenty-one. There's enough time to get a boyfriend," she mumbled. "And there's enough time to study," her mother nudged her arm. "I just want you to be happy, Farah. I don't think you're happy now," she said, moving some hair out of Farah's face. Farah was quiet as she watched the nail technician shape the nail after the acrylic had hardened. "I'm trying to be," Farah said.

"I mean, you went to Milan, and it was the best experience of your life. Which you did out of the blue. Don't you think you should step out of your comfort zone again and see wherever you end up?" Farah groaned at what her mother said. "Mom, you're telling me what I want to hear at the moment," she whined, making both the nail technician and her mother laugh. "I just think you should do what makes you happy. And that boy made you happy, being in Milan made you happy. Why don't you try to finish your study there? And else, fuck New York, fuck whatever they're saying at the FIT. Start a new life in Milan with the person that makes you feel like you again," Mary told her daughter, and honestly, she could slap that quote under an inspirational social media post. "Okay, I'll think about it. I just need to clear my head a little," Farah said. "Can we talk about something else now?" She asked, and her mother smiled at her with a nod. Farah looked at her nails again, as they were currently being painted with purple polish. The nail artist had made a swirl pattern with pink and blue, and it looked gorgeous.

Her mother was meanwhile looking for the nails she wanted, and she could take Farah's spot when she was done. Farah sent a picture of her nails to Rebecca, who was currently in Sweden with her boyfriend Tom. Her friend loved the nails and told Farah to treat herself, because she deserved it. It made Farah smile, and her heart swell in her chest at knowing that she's loved by her friends and family. Farah sat back in her chair, and her mother started to tell about the resort they had booked in the Bahamas. A befriended couple which they got to know through her dad's job came along with them. They had booked a charter on a yacht with four of them, but her mother emphasized that they could book her in if she wanted to come along and not spent New Years alone. Farah huffed, she wasn't going to spend New Years alone. Right? Oh well, it actually looked like she was. Farah listened to her mother continuing about some plans on their holiday, which Farah adored. They recalled something from previous family holidays. Farah and her mother left the salon after Farah paid for it, and they decided to head to the Upper East Side to get some lunch.

Farah picked a restaurant she often went to after her classes, and was happy to introduce her mother to the great atmosphere she loved so much. Her mother was going to the restroom while Farah sipped on her cup of coffee, watching the busy streets of New York, and thinking about what her mother told her.

A day after, Farah's parents left to the airport. They were briefly going back to Atlanta, and on the 31st of December, they were flying to the Bahamas to start their charter. Farah gave herself one day of rest and eating Nutella on her couch while watching romantic movies, and the next day, she woke up early. She started her day with a protein smoothie for once, feeling like she could use some healthy food after Christmas, and she got dressed in some leggings and a sweater. She pushed a beanie over her head and threw a bottle of water, her headphones and her Gym card into a bag. There was a snow storm headed for the tri-states, and the wind was picking up since last night. Farah pulled the zipper of her coat up to her chin and went all the levels of the building down to the first floor. The streets were quiet, apart from the early people heading to work, and the sun wasn't even up yet. The cold wind was cutting into her cheeks, but it felt refreshing, and gave her day some extra purpose.

She entered the gym that was just around the corner, and she scanned her pass for access. Farah dropped her bag in one of the lockers in the ladies' changing rooms and put her headphones on her head. She selected a random playlist and headed to the treadmill to warm up first. She took a fifteen-minute walk and then did some mobility exercises to be somewhat prepared for her first work out in what felt like ages. Farah was glad she decided to get up at an ungodly hour this morning, because she already felt better now she was busy and working on herself again. She dropped her phone and her towel on the floor, starting some overhead presses in the free weights sector. Only two or three others were here, and she could work out without being disturbed or other people wanting to work in. Farah looked at her reflection in the mirror, she was actually focussed. She continued with some reps of other exercises, and she felt her limbs becoming stiff already after not training for so long. Farah laid back to do a few sets of bench presses, and sat up again after to drink some water.

She cursed as her bracelet got tagged on something, and it fell next to her phone on the floor. Farah was about to reach for it, realizing it was the wish bracelet that fell off. Pierre had given it to her in Ibiza.

"You still have that bracelet?" Pierre spoke up, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah," Farah smiled, moving the sleeve of her shirt out of the way to take a look at the worn-out wish bracelet that was around her wrist since he gave it to her in Ibiza. "I thought it would fall off sooner, but it's still quite solid, actually," Farah said. When the bracelet falls off, her wish comes true. "What did you wish for?" Pierre asked. "If you want to share," he added. Farah gnawed at her bottom lip. "I wished for us to stay together after Ibiza."

Her phone lit up at the same time.

[Pierre]: I miss you

Farah felt the tears welling in the corners of her eyes, and she got her stuff and left the gym immediately. She rushed to get home, her feet couldn't carry her across the street fast enough. She didn't even finish her work out, and she couldn't care less. Farah threw her jacket on the coat rack, her bag dropped under it. She reached for her laptop and started it up to book a flight. She didn't check the European time zone, but after guessing he texted her, he was awake no matter what the time was. She dialed his number before she could change his mind.

"Farah?"

"I'm coming to Milan, Pierre."

A/N: All will be good <3