love at first sight?

first steps forward

*Ivy*

The race was going great for Charles. After 20 laps he was still on first position. It was very interesting to hear what Charles and his strategist and engineer were talking about during a race. I didn't know that they were almost in constant touch with each other. My dad smiled from ear to ear the whole time. I could tell he loved being there. It made me smile too.
In lap 26 Charles went to box and get his tyres changed. It took a little longer because something went wrong which cost Charles many positions. He was on P16 now. I could tell he was frustrated from the way he was speaking. „Guys, what happened", he said angrily. „Mistake with the tyres, Charles. Apologies", his engineer answered. I felt tense building up in the garage. Carlos was still on old tyres but would box any second. For him everything went good. Luckily Charles could gain some positions and was on P7 now. He was fighting with Lewis for P6 and it was so exciting. They almost touched as Charles overtook him. There were only 5 laps left now. I was hoping that Charles could fight his way back to first position but the battle between him and Max, who was first now, would be a tough one.
Carlos was a little slower than Charles so the team decided to change positions of the two cars. Charles was P2 now. Fighting against Max for the win. „Xavi, give Ivy the headset please. I want to talk to her", he suddenly said. Almost everybody was staring at me now. Dad gave me a confused look. His engineer called me to him and I got the headset. It all happened so fast. Why did he wanted me to talk to him? I felt a little overwhelmed by the situation. „Charles, it's Ivy. Do you copy?", I asked and felt the gaze of the people around on me. „Ivy, I can't overtake him. He's too fast" I looked at his engineer and he nodded. So technically it wasn't possible for him to overtake Max. I decided not to tell him this fact. He probably knew it himself. Instead I tried to motivate him because I really believed in him. I knew he is a good driver. Otherwise he wouldn't drive for Ferrari. „Charles, listen", I started even though I felt watched and a little embarrassed everyone could hear me now. Including my dad. „I know you can do this. You just need to believe in yourself. Take a deep breath and then try to get a little faster in the straight. Maybe you get DRS then", I said hoping he could hear everything I was telling him. Also I hoped what I told him was right technically. I knew there was something like DRS and that you would get it if you're under a second behind the car in front of you. „You're an amazing emotional support, Ivy", I heard Charles say. „We can talk about this later, Charles. Focus on the race now", I spoke in a matter of fact. I felt too embarrassed to talk with him about some more private things. Literally the whole garage was listening right now. „Alright. Let's overtake this douchebag then", Charles said. I think he was still a little jealous Max talked to me. Mentioning it could give him a wave of motivation to overtake him but everybody would hear me say it to him. However, I really wanted him to win. „Just fuck it", I thought. „Think about what you felt when you saw Max talking to me", I told him a few second later. I turned around to see shocked and confused faces, including my dad. I didn't care because it seemed like it had an effect on Charles. I watched him getting faster with his car on the tv in the garage. „Yes! You can do it", I shouted a little excited into the microphone. He was next to Max now. The last lap began. Their tyres almost touched. Then I saw the red car overtaking. Everybody was clapping and jumping around happily. „You did it Charles!", I screamed excitedly. „Yes. Ivy, you're great! Thank you!", he shouted back to me. „Now win this thing", I said before taking off the headset and giving it back to the engineer. I knew he would win this now.
„Charles Leclerc wins the Monaco Grand Prix!", the commentator shouted through the speakers. Everybody in the garage was hugging each other. Dad came to me with a big grin on his face. "You were amazing, princess", he said as he was hugging me tightly, "now go and celebrate with him" I smiled at him and then ran to the place where the first three drivers parked their cars with the Ferrari team. Carlos ended up on P3. It was a great day for the Ferrari team.
I was standing in the front row waiting for Charles and Carlos to come and celebrate with their team. After they got out of their car they ran over to us and jumped into the crowd. "I did it, Ivy", he screamed as he reached me. He hugged me tightly and hold onto me for a few seconds. This hug was different than the one he gave me to greet me. This one was full of emotion. "I know, Charles. Congratulations!", I said and faced him. I didn't know why but I really wanted to kiss him in this moment. It probably was the adrenaline but deep down I knew that I liked him. A lot. I hugged him again. "I couldn't have done it without you, Ivy", he said softly into my ear, "you know I won this for you" I smiled at him. He made me happy. In this moment I felt pure happiness. Unfortunately he had to leave then to get weighed and then get ready for the podium. I quickly congratulated Carlos before he had to leave too. Then I watched the three go into the building. Max ended up on P2. I guessed him and Charles weren't on good terms right now. They looked at each other angrily.