A thin line - Ver x Ric

Chapter 5

The most dangerous is what's closest to you

After Daniel and I finished our breakfast, we headed to the local park for a while. We dressed up nice and warm and decided to take a soccer ball with us. The lazy asses we are decided to take the car. "So have you seen the reactions of the fans?" I asked. "Yeah, it's mainly positive although some were quite surprised I'm leaving the team." I hummed in response. I understood the fans well, it was a shock for me too. I remember the day Daniel and Christiaan told me way too well.

"Good morning!" I greeted Daniel and Christiaan when I entered the room taking a seat next to Daniel. I had no idea why I was called into this meeting but I assumed it had something to do with the next race. Turned out I was quite wrong. "Morning Max, glad you could make it." Christian greeted me. I nodded and waited for him to continue. I turned to Daniel but he didn't look at me. A weird expression plastered on his face. "Alright, so we wanted to share something with you. It's quite important for the future of the team." I still had no idea what he was talking about. "Together with Helmut and Daniel, we decided it's best to let Daniel go," Christian explained. "What do you mean to let him go? You want to make him the first driver?" I asked. "No, we mean Daniel is leaving the team at the end of the season," Christian explained calmly. My jaw dropped in shock after he had spoken those words. 

"Daniel?" I asked hoping he would tell me none of this was true. I looked at him in shock, tears pricking in my eyes. He just shook his head and left the room. Leaving me to sit there in utter confusion and shock. "Are you okay Max?" Christian asked. "Why is he leaving?" I asked him. He sighed softly. "Look, Max, I know you two are good friends, and letting someone go is never fun. But we think it's best for his future career and were looking for something fresh."

It's been two months since Christian told me Daniel was leaving Red Bull. Daniel and I spoke a lot about his decision. And even though he kept reassuring me it was a mutual choice I knew he was keeping something from me. Knowing I may have been part of the reason they let him go hurts. I tried to focus on the last race together but every time realization dawned in confronting me with the fact he was leaving. I knew he wouldn't be gone, but still too far away. 

"Max, what are you thinking about?" Daniel asked. I turned my head looking at the boy walking beside me. It must have been a good 10 minutes since I zoned out. Looking around I noticed we were walking toward a bench in front of the pond. "Just realizing you won't be with us next year," I answered truthfully. Daniel hummed in response before we sat down. Both of us looked at the little ducklings swimming in the pond. "You know I'll be a few garages down right?" Daniel spoke after a short but comfortable silence. "I know..." I sighed softly. "I don't know if I'm seeying this right but I think there's more going on than just the fact I'm leaving the time," Daniel questioned out loud. He was right, so right but I just couldn't tell him. "No, I'll just miss you." 

Daniel sighed but leaned back against the bench. His face lifted towards the last sunrays of the day with his eyes closed. His face was bathed in light, skin looking ever so beautiful. My fingers twitched wanting to touch the oh-so-soft-looking skin badly. Trying to ignore the pulling feeling I turned to face the water again. Soft rimples flowing around created by fish and ducks. It was a beautiful sight, but he couldn't focus on the beauty of nature with Daniel sitting next to him. Max stood up looking at Daniel, who still sat with his eyes closed. "We should go, I have an important phone call I forgot about." Max blurred out. He already turned his heels around starting the walk back. Second, later he heard Daniel jog beside him. "Who do you need to call?" He asked curiously. Max just shook his head. They continued the last of their walk in silence. 

Saying goodbye at their hotel rooms they both left the hallway. Max closed the door and slid down against the wall. The light of lights of the room left off and started into complete darkness. Reaching for his phone he dialed his dad's number. Only after the second ring, he answered. "I'm busy, is it important?" His dad asked in his usual cold voice. No how are you son, or so good to hear from you? "Hi dad, just wanted to ask you something," Max spoke softly. "Can it wait?" His dad asked while talking to someone who was with him in the room. "What did you say to Daniel?" Max asked scared he wouldn't have the courage later on. 

Max could hear a door being thrown shut before his dad came back to the phone. "Look, Max, I only said what needed to be said." He explained. "And that is?" A loud sigh left his dad's mouth. "I told him it was a bad moment to leave the team. You need to focus on your career and don't need to have shit going on with him changing teams." His dad said. "But dad..." Max started before his dad interrupted him. "No Max! You know what I think about your friendship. You should see him as your rival and he only keeps you from what's important." His dad spoke harshly. Max ended the call before more words could escape his father's lips. 

Dropping his phone to the ground tears started rolling down his face. It's been two nights in a row he sat crying. Both of them because of his dad. He felt sorry for Daniel, he in no way deserved those words. Max was used to it but it still hurt knowing his dad wasn't the dad he wanted him to be when growing up. His hands were starting to shake, he could feel his breath become uneven. Shakily he stood up leaving his room once again. On shaking legs he walked to Daniel's room a few doors down. Bringing his fist up to knock on the door he could feel himself slip. The feeling he couldn't breathe took over just when the door slowly opened.