everything has changed ➺ charles leclerc

four - angeli

— angeli

WHEN I WAKE UP from my dream, Charles is gone from the room. Mick is the one brushing through my hair and rubbing my back as I recover from reliving the night of the crash, the night I thought I lost Charles.

A few days passed and Charles still didn't return. Mick had left to go to the next race, which is to be held in Barcelona. My mother bought me a phone, seeing as my phone from before the accident was extremely outdated. I spoke with Mick over FaceTime multiple times, asking him about the race and the sights in Barcelona. I had asked him to give Charles my number, just in case he wanted to reach out. I assumed that he didn't return to the hospital because he was called over for team duties, and he didn't contact me because he had no means to. I wanted to give Charles the benefit of the doubt, because thinking about his sudden disappearance as something intentional made it hurt.

"Okay, Miss Schumacher, I am pleased to inform you that you can now be discharged from the hospital later this afternoon." Doctor Shepherd announces, walking into my hospital room. I smile as he continues. "We are happy with the results of your tests and the progress of your mobility. If you continue to attend your Physical Therapy sessions, you may be cleared to walk without assistance in as early as four months due to your rigorous regimen."

"That's wonderful!" I cheer, excited to finally be out of the hospital and back to regaining a sense of normality in my life.

"However, we do advise that you come in bi-monthly for some check-ups. A case like yours where the recovery rate is nothing but positive is extremely rare. We need to continue monitoring your health and keep a watch out for any complications that may arise." He speaks as I make a mental note to write everything down once I had the time.

"I understand Doc. Thank you for everything." I smile as my mother enters the room, a wide smile on her face. "You're welcome, Miss Schumacher." He returns.

"Mum! I'm out of here!" I yell, throwing myself into her arms. "I still believe you should stay longer." She tuts, giving Doctor Shepherd a warning look.

"Doctor Schumacher, her progress is extremely noteworthy, and we believe that she can continue the rest of her recovery journey somewhere she feels more comfortable." I nod along full of hope. "Yeah! Listen to hot doctor!" I cheer again, throwing my hands in the air. Doctor Shepherd laughs as my mom shakes her head, holding in a laugh.

"Maybe she'll have more space in her own bed for all the boys that come in and sleep with her all the time too." He teases, smirking as I turn red. My mom raises an eyebrow at the comment. "Boys, huh Angeli?"

"Just Charles and Mick!" I defend, putting my hands up.

IT'S NOW SUNDAY and Charles still hasn't reached out to me. I spoke with Mick briefly on the phone this morning to wish him luck for the race today. I could've sworn I heard Charles in the background, but instead chalked it up to missing him. We had never been apart for this long before, we were always inseparable.

A knock sounds through the front door of my apartment, startling me. I pick up my crutches and slowly walk towards the door to answer it, thinking it's just my mother. Upon opening the door, my eyes meet unfamiliar brown ones. The woman standing in front of me is definitely not my mother. She has light brown hair and stands a little bit taller than me. My brows furrowed at the unfamiliar woman and wait for her to speak before closing my door.

"Bonjour! Wait, how do I say this in French..." I hear her mumble to herself as she scrambles to open Google Translate on her phone.

"No worries about that, I speak English." I speak up and meet her eyes again, startling her as she almost drops her phone. She smiles at me once she collects herself.