Rise Up

Chapter 42: Attempt

Saying that I was excited to go to Miami for the next GP was an understatement. 

I love the States, moreover after I lived an entire semester there. Adding the fact that this will be the very first race in the city, the excitement was basically unbelievable!

Five days before leaving, I was in my cosy apartment in Florence, packing everything I will need, not only for the race weekend, but also for some more days I will spend there with a few old friends, the same ones I got the flower tattoo back in the days I was attending school there, in a small college in New York.

I've always loved NYC, it's always been my favorite city in the world. Since I was little I've always been dreaming to live there, at least for a while. When I got the opportunity of a school exchange program for a few months, I literally cried like a baby for an hour, unable to stop smiling. That big city, in all his chaos, has something special for me, something that make me wish to be there and feel like a drop in the ocean.

The little break there with my friends was literally everything I needed right now, above all to get over the mess I was living- or not- with the Lando-gate. 

Speaking of him, I didn't hear neither a word from him since the last argument we had at the media pen at the post race interviews. Obviously our back-and-forth didn't pass unnoticed, over all on Instagram and Twitter where many fans were guessing that something more happened that day, or maybe that was happening between us in general.

The speculations, the rumours, the being spotted everywhere every time, the gossip articles about us were increasing everyday in these past days, making also my anxiety grow bigger. We had to be the first ones to be opened about it, above all with the teams, but maybe, for how the situation was at the moment, we didn't need to worry anymore.

Grabbing another bounce of chips from the pack on the kitchen counter, I read once again the list of all the things I needed in my sport-bag, as the toilet-bag was ready and in the luggage already. While closing some last zips, humming to my favorite song playing in the background thanks to Alexa, my phone pinged.

I quickly cleaned my hands on the leggings I was wearing, before looking for the device, hidden under thousand of purses and clothes, spread all over the room.

I almost choked on the last bite of chips when I read the text sent by Max Fewtrell, one of Lando's best friend. As we didn't have each other's phone number, he texted me on Instagram, so I opened the app to check it, full of curiosity.

@maxfewtrell: hey Kiara, I'm Max, one of Lando's friend, I hope you remember me...

@maxfewtrell: sorry to bump in your DM's, I was wondering if you were up to a quick call. I know it's none of my business, but I know how an ass Lando can be, and I'm also seeing how bad he is at the moment. As far as I remember you're usually not the one to make the first step and apologize (ps. I'm not assuming you're the one wrong or anything) but you're for sure the more mature

I read and reread the texts a few times, staring at the screen in my hands, when I spotted the little grey dots moving in the chat, signaling that he was writing again.

@maxfewtrell: think about it, I don't want to put pressure on you at all... it's just that I feel so sorry right now, maybe even a bit guilty, mostly because I was the one to bring her over

His friend was trying to apologize to me, while  my supposed-to-be boyfriend was avoiding me... how weird, absurd, nonsense the world is.

@_bianchichiara_: hey Max, of course I remember you, you silly! Listen, I'm sorry for all this situation as well, I just want you to know that it's not your fault, you shouldn't feel guilty for anything, really.