Pole position // Charles Leclerc

51

Mias POV:
Charles left, as promised, and I fell asleep pretty quickly without him, due to being so tired.

Yet, I woke up at around 5am. I'd not done that since I was a kid. I rolled over, slightly deflated that he'd not gone against his word and slept with me, and picked up my phone, skimming over my notifications.

I unplugged it and climbed out of bed, grabbing my key and walking to Charles's room without even a second thought. I needed to be with him right now.

I walked down the hall as quietly as I could, knocking softly on his door. I could see the light was on under the door, but I didn't expect him to open it almost instantly, looking down at me and sighing heavily.

'You haven't slept have you?' I asked, softly.

'I can't without you.'

'I mean, we have a few hours until we need to get up.' I said, allowing him to pull me into a hug, picking me up and carrying me to his room.

'I was hoping that's what you'd say.' He mumbled, placing me softly down and pulling the duvet open for himself.

It felt as if he wasn't sure if he should touch me, laying besides me but not wanting to reach out incase I pushed him away. I rolled towards him and reached for his arm, pulling it around me.

'Daniel told me that your family flew out last night, to watch the race.' He whispered.

'They did.'

'Have you been to see them yet?' He asked, speaking into the crook of my neck.

'No.'

'Why?'

'I've been busy.' I shrugged.

'You're scared of what they'll say, aren't you?' He asked, hitting the nail on the head.

I sighed.

'We're not official yet, everything theydve heard would be rumours. Tell them it's fake, shut it down if you want to.' He said softly.

'You wouldn't mind me doing that?'

'If it brings you peace of mind for a few more weeks, yes.' He responded, running a soft finger along my arm.

'I don't know what I'm going to say yet.' I admitted.

It wasn't that I didn't want to date Charles. I just knew how my parents would react. Pierre was bad for me, and they knew how it effected me loving and caring for Danny and Lando, stressing as they raced each week.

I knew they'd worry about me if they found out I was falling for another boy on the grid. I drifted into a deep sleep without even realising. The comforting hold of Charles and my dancing thoughts keeping me under until at least 11am, where I woke up alone, a note on my pillow.

I didn't want to wake you my love, you looked so peaceful and you needed to sleep in.
Race is at 1, don't miss it, I wanna see you out there in red.
Love, Charles

Hanging up on the door of his bedroom was a red Ferrari shirt, his name written across the back of it. I rolled my eyes with a smile, climbing from bed and allowing myself to take the fabric in my hands, smiling at the thought.

There had been plenty of rumours that we were dating, and many more that we'd broken up, and I knew that this was his subtle way of staking his claim without having to say a word.

I got ready, slipping into my Ferrari shirt and looking down at my phone. I'd agreed to meet my parents before the race, but had told my mum that I had to film during, my way of escaping her awkward questioning.

I met them down at the bar, smiling when I saw my mum in a flowy red dress.

'Hey mama.' I smiled, squeezing her shoulder, watching as she turned to pull me into a hug.

'Oh my pretty girl! Joe! Get over here!' My mum shouted, rocking me back and forth.

My father, who was ordering a drink, spun to look at me, a smile spreading across his face as he hugged me softly.

'My girl, how have you been?' He asked.

'I've been good. I'm really enjoying it.' I smiled.

'We've watched every single video. You really do work magic, Mia.' My mum smiled.

'It's hard work but I really enjoy it.'

'They'll be keeping you on next year for sure. I've been comparing the statistics and the main f1 channel, and the teams individual channels have never hit so many views.' My dad interrupted.

'Of course you have, dad.' I laughed.

'Truly, you're doing so good, Mia.' My mum said, squeezing my hand.

'I see you're wearing red today though, darling, he must be special to you if you've switched out your yellow tshirt.' My dad pointed out.

There it was.

'We're good friends, dad.' I insisted.

'Charles Leclerc. I've heard of him.' My mum interrupted.

'Yes. He is rather famous.' I sighed.

'I just want you to be happy love, you can't do that if you're worrying about a man out there.' She said softly.

'I worry about every single one of them, no matter who they are to me. They're all my friends.' I argued, looking at my watch.

'You should go, angel.' My mum said calmly, reaching for my hands and giving them a squeeze.

I was thankful that she'd realised she was making me uncomfortable. I loved her to bits, but she still treated me like a child on occasions. Now was one of them.

'Enjoy the race.' I said, allowing my father another hug before grabbing my phone and shoving it into my pocket.

'We'll see you later love!' My mum called after me.

I headed to the Mclaren garage, Danny and Lando leaning against the wall in hushed conversation, stopping when I noticed them.

'You ready?' I asked, hugging them both together.

'Always ready.' Lando smiled.

'Anyone hungover?' I teased.

'I do feel a little sick.' Daniel nudged me.

'So. A Ferrari shirt huh?' Lando asked, reaching out to grab the fabric.

'Charles left it for me, it would be rude not to wear it.' I responded.

'I know you've just lied to mum and dad, you don't need to lie to us. I'm so happy for you, Mia.' Daniel said, squeezing my hand.

'You are?' I sighed, heavily.

'So happy.'

'Lando?' I asked, looking at my friend who had been stood in silence.

'I'll love him until you don't.' He shrugged, giving me a reassuring yet warning smile.

I'd seen this one before. Dickhead Lando was on reserve again, ready to jump out the second that Charles stepped out of line again.

'I'll see you guys after, okay?' I asked.

'Yeah, go and see your boyfriend before he cries.' Daniel shouted, heading off into the garage to get into his car.

I flipped him off, but did as he said, heading into the Ferrari garage and sighing heavily when I saw that Charles was yet to get into his car. He noticed me out of the corner of his eye, not breaking eye contact as he zipped up his racing suit.

'You came.'

'Why wouldn't I?' I frowned, taking a few steps towards him to break the distance.

'I don't know.' Charles sighed, wrapping his arms protectively around me, hiding my face from the cameras as he hugged me securely.

'I'm in your shirt, right?' I responded.

'Too fucking right.'