STAY THE NIGHT || Charles Leclerc

THIRTEEN

Jules,

It's been a while, and for that I'm sorry, I've been busy training for the new season and haven't had a chance to sit down for a moment and write to you. As you would say, even if there's a break, there's always more training to do. I love it, but god is it exhausting sometimes.

Olly lost her parents at the beginning of the year, and it's been really hard for her to come to terms with it. I've tried to be there for her as much as I can, but it's hard knowing that I can't be with her every second of the day. As I write this, I'm on a plane to Maranello for a training camp. Even though Olly's sister is staying in Monaco with her, it was hard to leave her. I wanted to bring her with me, but our schedules made it impossible. However, I promised her that I would fly straight out to the UK afterwards so that I can be with her for the funeral.

I worry about her. A lot. I worry that she's going to fall back into her hole again. I worry that she'll be worse than before. I worry that I won't be able to prevent it, or that I won't be able to help her out of it. I worry that I'm not a good enough friend for her. It seems that whenever she needs me most, I can't be with her. When we were younger, it was always me and her, side by side, whatever was happening. Now that we're older, being side by side feels more virtual than physical. I feel like I see her more through my phone screen than I do in real life. Obviously it's hard for both of us, I can't always be with her because I have to race, and she can't come to every race because she has her university work.

I'm really looking forward to this season, Jules. It'll be my third year with Ferrari, and my fourth in Formula One . Honestly, the time I've spent with Ferrari has flown by. I love this team so much, and I'd do anything to stand at the top with them. I really think this is going to be the year, Jules, I really do. I know it's not good to be setting such targets before I've even tested the car, but I think we have a great package this year. I want this year to be the year that I win the championship. For us. For Anthonie. For papa. For Olly. For the tifosi. For Ferrari.

How amazing does that sound? I won the championship for Ferrari. I want to be able to write to you at the end of the year and tell you that I've done it. I know that you'll be watching me every step of the way. I want to do it for you, Jules, for everything that you've done for me. We're going to get this, together as always.

Forever thinking of you.

Charles

A/N: I never really understood voting for a chapter until I started writing... It's honestly one of the best feelings when you open the app and seeing that people have been voting for your story. If you've been voting on this story, I love you. If you prefer to stay a silent reader, that's totally cool, I was like you too.

This week, I've been having a bit of a binge read on here and making sure to vote on what I've been reading. So if you're reading this, and if you've noticed me spamming your notifications... at least you know I've been enjoying it, right?

See you guys next week
Copse x