Rise Up

Chapter 2: Old Friends, New World

"Yes mom, don't worry. Yes, I'm okay. I'm alright. Yes, I slept, like a baby actually. No- I'm not being sarcastic, I'm deadly serious. Yeah, I'm still wearing my knee brace, don't worry." Uff... "ok, now I really need to go, I'm in the paddock. I'll call you later, say hi to dad and please, please mom, keep calm, okay? If you're relaxed, I'll be too. Love you. Bye.".

Mothers... 

"Good morning Kiara, how are you feeling?". 

I was about to enter my room when I heard this new voice behind me. 

"Oh, hey Pierre, good morning. Ehm, I don't know, I think I'm okay." 

"Just okay? C'mon! I don't believe you." 

"Well, yeah, I'm pretty excited. It's been a few months now that I don't touch a car, but I'm really looking forward to it." 

"I knew it! Listen, ehm, I actually wanted to apologise for my behaviour yesterday. I have nothing against you, it's just a bit strange having a new teammate like this." 

"What do you mean with "like this?""

 I just heard my voice rising, without any good reason at all. I'm not screaming or what, but this conversation is ending very bad. 

"Oh, hey, slow down your feminism! I have nothing against you, both as a driver and as a woman. I meant that my teammate has just disappeared without saying a word- that's it." 

Oh, very good first impression Kiara. High five! 

"Oh, sorry, I'm such an idiot. It's just that I was announced as reserve driver for the weekend just this morning and I've already read many negative comments and heard enough voices around the paddock. I'm so sorry Pierre, it wasn't my intention to attack you like this." 

"Hey, don't worry, I can just imagine what you're going through and also what you lived in these past years." He smiled at me and I did the same. After all he seemed a good guy, a very good-looking guy— ok, I'll stop it.

"You know- he told me a lot about you, he was really proud of you." 

I didn't expect this conversation turning out like this, talking about our common friend Anthoine.  

"He did the same about you, believed me. He was cheering for you every time..." 

"Ehm, let's push away this sadness ok? You seem a good person Kiara, I wish you the best. So if you need anything, just ask me straight away- whatever you need!" I thanked him with a side hug and walked finally in my room.

I changed my daily clothes into my suit, I looked at myself in the mirror next to the door and I feel so proud of myself. I adjust my knee brace over the suit, feeling a bit the bruise under it, before going straight to garage, with the biggest smile ever.

I had a quick and healthy lunch with Suz and Mike- my personal trainer that just came here this morning- and decided to go for a walk through the paddock, just to breathe a bit before going back to the car for the qualifying- I'm not nervous but just so electrified!

I was on my way to the garage alone but then I realised that I didn't remember on which side was my destination. I stopped on my tracks, trying to spot a familiar face or sign but nothing. Maybe I was a bit lost and late.

"Hey, you ok? You look a bit lost." I heard these words with a small chuckled so I turned around and face the British driver in front of me.

"Ehm, hi. Actually I don't remember how to reach the garage".

He looked at me a bit surprised. 

"Oh, fool me! You must be the new reserve driver Max talked me about. Ehm, Kira right?".