Behind walls

chapter eight

Charles POV

The past week went by pretty fast spending time with my friends. I haven't felt that much joy in a few weeks so I'm very thankful for them. Especially for Julie. The past week she always made sure I had fun and wasn't thinking about Charlotte. And I really didn't. Not even once I thought about her. Julie and I got a lot closer and are now very good friends.
I'm currently lying in my hotel bed. It's friday night. Tomorrows qualifying. I feel amazing and I think tomorow we'll get good results. 
"Hey Charles want to watch a movie with me?", Julie asks coming into my room.
"How did you get in here?", I ask. 
"I stole your second card so I can come inside whenever I want to annoy you", she says smiling and laying down next to me.
"You little thief", I say trying to sound outraged.
"Ouch", she says sarcastically.
"Do you want to watch a movie now or not?"
"Of course I want to", I say and turn the TV on.
We search for a movie before we decide to start a series together since we're always watching TV together. We start watching the walking dead even though I'm not a big fan of zombies but if she likes it then it's okay with me. We watch the first few episodes until she falls asleep next to me. I pause the TV and pull the blanket over her a little more. She has a small smile and a strand of hair in her face. I put the strad behind her ear and get up to get ready for tomorrow. I like to pack my things in the evening because I tend to forget everything in the morning. After I finished packing I go to the bathroom and brush my teeth. I wash my face really quick and go to bed.
I lay next to Julie. I hope she doesn't mind but I can't sleep on the floor.
I lay there for about twenty minutes thinking if I wether should go sleep on the floor or stay in the bed. I decide to sleep on the floor. I take a blanket and a pillow and lay down on the ground.
I just closed my eyes when I hear her sleepy voice.
"It's okay. Come back up and sleep on the bed. I don't mind."
I take the pillow and the blanket and get up on the bed and lay down. It's silent again before she says: "Do you mind?"
"No"

Julie POV

I wake up when Charles' alarm goes off.
He pretends to not hear it and this annoying tone keeps ringin in my ears.
"Charles turn it off", I say a little harsh.
I hear an annoyed sigh and feel him get up when the bed rises.
I fall in a light sleep again and sometimes wake up and hear him packing.
"Don't sleep too long. I want to see you before qualifying. Oh, and I left something here for you.", he says before leaving. I just drift off to sleep again.

I wake up about two hours later. I was just about to head back to my room when I see one of his hats with his number on laying there. It's the same I wore two weeks ago. I knew it was his when he first gave it to me so I assumed he wanted it back but I guess not. Looks like I'm a ferrari fan again today. I take the keycard and go to my room. 
I get ready there and leave to the paddock. 

When I arrive there I first say good morning to my brother.
I greet the people in the AlphaTauri garage before going to his driver room.
I knock on the door.
"Come in"
"Why so grumpy?", I ask him. He's sitting there on the floor with headphones in.
"Oh I'm sorry I thought you were someone else trying to talk to me about the race. I know it's my job but sometimes the pressure ist so heavy."
"It's okay brotherheart don't worry"
I take him in to a big hug.
"Thank you I needed that", he says and finally smiles at me.
"A Charles fan again I see", he says and points to my hat.
"Oh yes Charles gave it to me again", I say and grin a little.
"I know that grin Juliette". He's suddenly very serious.
"Charles and I are just friends don't worry"
"I know it was just a joke. But really I know that grin but I'm not going to say anything about it. You and Charles are good for eachother"
"Yeah we are". I chuckle a little about what Pierre said.
I continue sitting there until about an hour before quali starts. I say goodbye to him before I head to the ferrari garage to wish Charles and Carlos much luck.
"Julie", Charles almost shouts and hugs me.
"Hey Charles. Got a good feeling today?", I ask him.
"Yes actually. I feel like this could be a great weekend."
"That's nice to hear.", I say and smile.
"You're wearing my hat again I see", he says and a grin forms on his face,
"Of course I do. I'll always will". I look to the ground shily.
"Are you watching quali here today?"
"I can but the race tomorrow I'm going to watch at alpha tauris garage if that's okay"
"Yes sure I mean Pierre's still your brother right"
We both laugh and talk to eachother until it's time for qualifying.
"Don't be nervouse. You got that right?", I say.
"Yes"
"Now go and show them that you're better than Max come on"
"I can see him smiling under the helmet before he gets in to the car. I take a seat and put on the headphones and start watching.
Q1 and Q2 go by good for Charles. Lando though is out in Q2 and on position eleven. Pierre's very fast and still in the game for Q3.
I see Charles getting into the car again before he has to fight for pole. I give him two thumbs up and he gets inside. 
Q3 is very tight but Charles manages to drive faster than the others and gets pole position. My brother also gets a great result and drives onto P6. Overall a good saturday if you ask me.
I watch Charles, Sergio and Max drive up for their interviews. They get out of the car and congratulate eachother before Max does his interview. After some time it's Charles' turn.

Charles POV

"Amazing time today how do you feel?", she asks me.
"I feel great. The car and everything feels amazing and I have a good feeling for tomorrow", I answer.
"So you are ready for tomorrow?"
"Yes absolutely"
"Thank you then and good luck for tomorrow"
"Thank you", I say before waving at the fans and walking away.
Walking back to the ferrari garage I see Pierre.
"Congratulations bro good drive", Pierre says.
"Congratulations to you too", I say and give him a hug.
We continue talking a little to eachother and eventually Lando, Max and Carlos join us.
After some time we both head back to the garage and I run to Julie to give her a hug.
"I did it Julie"
"I never doubted you"
"Do you want to eat dinner with me?", I ask her.
"Like a date?", she asks me. Is it a date? Should it be a date? I don't know. I haven't even thought about it like that.
"No but if you want it to be a date it can be one", I say.
"Let's not let it be a date just dinner together", she says.
"Fine by me"
We smile at eachother before she says: "I'm sorry but I have to see Pierre now after the good result"
"No problem go. I'll pick you up in the lobby at seven if that's okay"
"Yeah sure perfect. See you", she says and leaves.
I turn around and see Carlos standing there.
"Mate that was your chance to get a date with her", he says.
"But we're just friends", I say.
"And? Just ask her out already everyone knows something is going on between you two"
"No there isn't and I'm sorry to leave you alone now but I have to get ready for a not-date", I say and walk away.
I quickly change in my driver room before trying to get to my car. I stop all the time to take photos with my fans and give autographs. After some time I actually make it to my car and head back to the hotel where I get ready. 
While getting ready I have to think about this non-date. Do I want it to be a date or not?
I realize it's almost seven and head down to the lobby to wait for her.
She comes out of the elevator after about two minutes later and we head to the restaurant.
We order our food and start talking about random things again. We laugh a lot. Her laugh is so soft but still so full of passion. Maybe I do want this to be a date.

Julie POV

Pierre, Charles and Carlos get away very well in the start. the ferraris are fighting the redbulls once again when suddenly Carlos drives out. It looks like somethings wrong with the car. Shit. Let's hope for the best. Now Charles is battleing Max and Sergio. When he starts leading the race I can't even stay seated still. 
"No what the fuck", I say as I look on the monitor. This can't be happening. Charles is just leading the race when his engine stops working. I look at the monitor a little shocked about that. Both of them out due to problems on the car is a disaster.
I continue watching the race for my brother but can't stop thinking about their dissapointment.

Charles POV

I'm just sitting on the floor in the garage. I don't want to talk to them. As I'm about to lead the race my engine stops working and causes me to retire early. What the actual fuck. 
"Mate don't think about it that much next time it's going to be better", Carlos says trying to calm me a little.
"Yeah sure", I snap at him and continue looking to the ground.
"I'm sorry", I add as he walks away.
He turns around and says: "Don't worry", before walking away.
How could this happen?
I see on the monitor that the race is finished and redbull won once again. Now I'm even more mad.
"Hey how are you?". It's Julie.
"What does it look like?", I snap at her.
"Hey no need to be rude. I'm trying to cheer you up so don't be mean okay? I know it's hard but talk to me about it alright?"
"I don't want to talk right now can we just be quiet", I say looking at her.
She nods and points at her shoulder. I lean my head on it and close my eyes. To be honest it really calms me down a little.
After about ten minutes she asks me: "Do you want to talk about it now?".
"It's so annoying", I start but stop.
"Continue. I'm listening.", she says and smiles at me.
"I was leading the race Julie. I really had chances to win but they just fuck it up again. I love this team but sometimes it's a disaster. How can it be that Carlos' and my car fails. It just doesn't make sense. Maybe someting just keeps me from winning"
"And that would be?"
"What?", I ask confused.
"The thing that keeps you from winning. What is it?", she asks.
"I don't know"
"Yeah because there is nothing. Your time will come Charles don't worry there are better and worse days. Now do you want to be the in self-pitty drowning Charles or the one that gives his fans a smile and hope?", she says and gives me a comforting smile again.
I get up from the floor and help her to get up too before I give her a big hug.
"Thank you you're the best", I say and leave for the interviews. 
Let's be the person everyone wants me to be. Let's be the person I want to be.