NIGHT CHANGES || Oscar Piastri

I Can't Unsee Him

I sighed as I laid on my back. 

Lando mumbled to himself as we arrived at the McLaren box. The car halted to a sudden stop as we both hopped out of the car, taking in the fresh and nice Bahrain air. It was officially the first round of the season, and I hoped for a better result. McLaren came fourth last year. This year, we were all hoping for third or even first. I patted down the orange t-shirt as we both entered.

"You're going to be happy," Lando started as we marched through, the crew giving us nods. "We've got a new member. Last time you weren't here, so you wouldn't be able to see him. His name's Oscar Piastri."

"He's from F2, isn't he?" I frowned as he sighed, and shoved the sunglasses onto his face. "I've heard of him - just haven't seen his face once. I'm hoping for a friendly welcome from him. Even just a 'hi' would be nice."

"You'll be fine," Lando reassured me. "Oscar's a cool guy - you'll get along with him!"

I doubted the words were true. I was usually bad with newcomers, expect for drivers with a great start to the season. I definitely got along with Carlos back in the day. We had the same kind of humour, and knew how to communicate well enough with each other. 

Daniel? Great. I understood his humour (to be honesy everyone does) and Lando was obviously quite impressed by how I couldn't stop laughing at his jokes. As he had said, Australians had that special kind of aura around them. 

"How do you feel about my first practise in Bahrain in 2023?" Lando questioned me as he tossed me the keys to my bedroom. I would sleep in a hotel same as the drivers. A five star hotel, Lando constantly reminded me. "I mean, it's been a long time since we came here."

"I was only twenty the last time I came here," I rolled my eyes as I shoved them down my pocket. "I didn't even get my degree yet. Now I'm a graduated chief with an official license. You don't have to worry about-"

"We have the hotel's cooks!" My brother exclaimed quite suddenly. "We'll be fine."

"Okay," I shrugged. "Whenever you're coming home back to England, I'll cook a hot meal for you. Just know that there'll be a nice plate of food on the table if you come to mine."

"Best sister ever," He muttered. "Out of Flo and Cisca, even Oliver."

"I miss them still being young sometimes," I sighed as I glanced at the other car parked outside of the box. "Whose car is that anyways?" 

"Oh, that must be dear old Piastri," Lando chuckled. "Come on, I'll introduce him to you."

~~

Describe Oscar Piastri, they said. I say hot. Cute. Nice accent. 

No shit sherlock, I had a thing for Australian boys. Lando had caught me by my arm as I stumbled when I saw him. His appearance looked like it was handmade from God himself. I slowly held in my breath as he introduced himself. The Aussie accent had me falling for him. 

I sensed Lando's quick smirks and silent laughs when I gripped his hand tightly. At the end, Oscar, who was completely red and flustered by meeting new people, shook my hand as my brother grinned at him, which made him more uncomfortable. I cursed quietly under my breath and rolled my eyes at him. 

"You were making him flustered," Lando admitted as he headed back inside to meet everyone. "I could see it on his face. Blushing. Oh, have you got a new crush, Ali?" 

"Shut the fuck up, Lando," I grumbled silently as we both entered back into the box. Oscar was having an intense conversation with Zak in his office, but smiled at us as we passed him. I quietly noted that he had a really friendly smile. "Shit." 

"What happened?" Lando, who had happened to be scrolling through his phone, looked up suddenly as we walked in after him, in Zak's office, waiting for him. Fortunately, Lando was invited to talk to him as soon as Oscar had left his office. Immediately, he told us to walk straight into his office after his conversation. "You look worse than ever." 

"I forgot to tell mum I'm with you!" I threw my arms in the air frustratedly. "Now she thinks I'm in my apartment, finishing the rest of Season 5 of Drive To Survive. Fucking hell, I'm so forgetful and stupid."

"Just text her back that you're in Bahrain with me," He sighed as Zak burst into his office, and we both jumped at the same time. "A quick warning next time, boss!"

"Sorry, Lando," Zak gave us a quick smile and hurriedly searched through his documents and files. "I've just had a quick conversation with Piastri about the new season. He's just excited, but not too confident."

"Well, no shit, he's new, he's just rookie who came from Formula 2 this year." I muttered under my breath. Zak didn't seem to notice my sarcasm, but Lando slapped my arm gently under the table. "What?"

"Don't be rude," He whispered into my ear. "Or you'll regret this."

"Fine," I glared at him fiercely as Zak turned back around and faced us.

"Right, Alissa, mind if you go out?" He frowned at some papers on his table. "Me and your brother... we need to have a private conversation about something. Something personal about  McLaren's... cars." I agreed, knowing this subject wasn't about me and I ought to leave. I pushed open the doors and stumbled out. 

"Looks like someone got kicked out," Oscar hung by the door, his vision focused on his phone. I sighed and glared at him, but he didn't take notice. I decided to call it a day and return to the hotel for some free food, but just then, he pulled me back. " I do know what you're thinking though, Alissa. Nope."

"Come on!" I groaned. "I just want my food. I'm so fucking hungry and angry at this point I'm about to lash out and fight you." He chuckled and placed a finger under my chin, lifting my head up so I could look at him clearly. There was a moment of silent between us before he spoke up to break it. 

"Hey, we've got four days to spend until my first practise in Bahrain!" Oscar rolled his eyes as I heard table-slamming from the office. I peered through the glass. Lando looked extremely worried as Zak had his head in his hands. "Oh crap."

"He's getting a lecture," I mumbled as papers flew out everywhere when Zak threw them on the ground. "This usually means something that Lando has done. Something really bad or he just got confused on the spot and asked too much questions."

"Come on, I'll give you a treat," Oscar urged me. "Let's go!"

"How about-"

"I've got a Driver's License," We rushed past the garages, drivers and teams staring at utterly baffled us as we fled past them. Everything seemed like a total blur. "Besides, I'm allowed to go anywhere, unless it's a club or some drug shop. Parents' rules. I'll keep you safe, I promise."

"Okay, Piastri," I smiled smugly as we got on his car, him revving the engine while I buckled up my seatbelt. "Let's see how you impress girls. Your way of impressing me. I want to see this."

"Alright," A grin crept up to his face as we left the track, the car just miles away from the highway. "I'll show you my way. Then you have to give me your number."

"If I think it's a good way," I added. "Then deal."

"Bet." Oscar chuckled as we swerved left for the highway, going about 65 MPH. 

"So confident, huh?" I gritted my teeth as I thought of Lando. "Ah, shit."

"Don't worry," He snorted as if he could read my mind. "I left a note for Lando in his car."

"But-"

"We'll just have some fun while we can," Oscar hit the brakes. "Because I'll be busy four days later, practising like crazy and trying to get my first win or podium in F1. You know I might get shouted at if I miss sim, right?" I nodded blankly. 

Way to go, Alissa.