Heartbeat (Im Nayeon X Male Reader)

Corners

I watch the others racing with a heavy heart. The sunset paints the small track in yellow colours. I have been working here for three months now, trying to earn some money. Since I'm a minor without any parents, staying in another country isn't easy. I probably have to move soon.
The last group of people on the cart track are just finishing their race. I keep cleaning the carts in the small garage, while waiting for everyone to go home.
"Good night."
The cute girl from the counter waves at me, before she leaves as well. I don't speak much Thai, so it is very hard for me to communicate with the people here, when they don't speak English. She and the owner of this track are the only ones here, who speak at least a little.
Watching her walk off, I clean the last cart and put more fuel in it. But it's not the owners fuel. I bought it on my own.
Pushing the cart towards the track, I realize, that I haven't changed the tyres yet. The owner is a nice guy and he said I'm allowed to practice, when everyone is gone. But I have to use my own fuel and I can't damage his tyres.
Once I get the new one's off, I walk behind the garage. A rather big pile of used up tyres is filling the yard. I don't know if he is ever going to throw them out. A small pile to my left is made of tyres, which are too damaged to use. I already drove with them.
I try to find the set, which is in the best shape, and put it onto my cart. I always use this one, because I like the colour and I have a better feeling in this one than the others.
It's black with a golden lion on it. The number on the front shows, that it's cart number 13. Since I don't own a helmet and the owner didn't offer me one, I drive without it. I know Gahyeon would kill me if she found out, but first, she would have to find me.
I chuckle as I remember how nervous she was for her first audition. After she watched my race on that day, the two of us walked to the SM building. Since our parents were usually busy, the two of us did everything together.
I took her trembling hand as the girl before her left the practice room.
"It's okay, noona. Just have fun."
"H-How am I gonna have fun? This an audition. Not a game."
She always acts cute unintentionally, when she is angry or nervous.
"Just be yourself and enjoy it. That's what I do. Do you think I'm not nervous, when I race?"
"I'm more scared of your driving than you."
I chuckled at Gahyeon's response, but at least she seemed to relax a little.
"Imagine yourself singing in the shower, like you do at home. And everything will be fine."
"Hey! What are you talking about? I never do that."
Gahyeon crossed her arms and tried to pretend like she was angry.
"You sing so loud, that everyone in our street can hear you."
"Stop it!"
She can look scary sometimes, but at least her mind wasn't focused on the pressure so much.

When I drive through the first turn, I feel the first raindrop hit my nose. I sigh as I keep driving, before more drops hit me. In just a matter of seconds, it starts to pour. I'm soaked almost immediately. My loose shirt and pants are completely drenched. As the sun disappears, it becomes darker. And colder. I feel myself shivering as I go deep into the next corner. My ability to see becomes worse due to the rain and the decreasing sunlight.
Although I do feel cold and wet, I barely pay attention to it. My mind is too focused on staying on the road. I drove in the wet in Korea as well, but not like this. My tyres' shape is not good and I can't see much. I begin to slide a little through one or two corners as I keep trying to beat my own time.
Crossing the line on the main straight, I can barely see the watch around my wrist. How long was that? A minute ten?

"Scenario 27. Scenario 27. Give 'em hell."
I hear Mike over the radio.
"A-firm."
I answer wit a grin on my face. As a team, we have a lot of different strategies and ideas for races. Some are made for keeping your position at all costs and others are for going all in aggression. Go big or go home. My favorite.
"The two of you are closing in on Yuki. Magnussen 2.2 ahead."
I adjust my brake balance once more, before adjusting some of the settings on the wheel. It is really hard to do for drivers, because you can't look down at what you are doing. People who crash, because they look at their steering wheels look stupid.
I practice these hand movements always everyday. It has started to become part of my morning routine. I can do it with closed eyed, while Gahyeon is singing in the shower and SuA is chasing after Yoohyeon, because she called her a baby, when she drank hot chocolate and Shiyeon hitting high notes while making breakfast and listening to her new favorite boy group "Underground".
There is no greater distraction than that. Not even racing itself.
I now move my braking points for almost all of the corners mentally further back. It requires a lot more focus and control and is very risky. But when done right, it makes up a lot of time.
The first couple of corners work really well, before I almost clip the wall, going through the first corner. I try to keep calm as I feel myself getting closer to the Haas. I know I can make it, as long as I stay in complete control.

Perspective: Gahyeon

"We are now on lap 16 of this Azerbaijan Grand Prix! He has been trying to catch up to the Haas for a couple of laps now! But he is finally close enough! The gap is now at 0.8 seconds as the two go into turn seven!"
"Finally."
Jiu looks happy as (y/n) seems to be catching up. It took him just two or three laps to get really close.
"Lee goes down the inside of turn eight! The two are close! Very close! But Lee doesn't have enough space! He has to drop back a little, to not make contact with the Haas, or the wall!"
I bite my lip as I see how close it is. When even the commentator thinks it's close, then it really is. (Y/n) told me that I overreact, but I did watch a video of formula one's worst crashes. And I don't want (y/n) to be in that video in the future.
"Lee is glued to Magnussen's rear wing, coming out of the chicane! Its a short run, down to turn 13! This might be the chance! But it's so close!"
(Y/n) almost hits the wall with his wheel, for a second, I think he really crashed, but then, he keeps on driving.
"Lee takes the inside line! He is now so much faster through the corners! It's almost like last year as he now slowly moves up into 12th place! A great overtake by (y/n) Lee through turn 15!"