RS42 the faceless driver

4

My hands trembled in my lap patiently waiting in traffic. 

"You alright?" He asked 

"Yeah"

"I know right now we are strangers but I want you to know that you can talk to me about whatever, whether it's advice on driving or anything. I know it's hard and scary when you're going to be the only woman on the grid." He reassured me, one hand on the wheel looking at me with a comforting, sympathetic look.

"Thank you, Lewis, it means a lot." There was a flat silence, neither comfortable nor uncomfortable.

"So do you know who you're sharing with?" Lewis asks looking at me for a split second.

"What? Share what?" I ask puzzled.

"You know, rooms?"

"Room?"

"Yeah hotel rooms.." He explains looking at me 

"We're sharing hotel room?! With who?" I ask baffled. Thankful he can't see my shocked expression behind my sunglasses and mask.

"Well I'm sharing with George and I know Danny is sharing with Max, Lando with Carlos. So I guess you're either sharing with Esteban, Pierre or Charles." He confirms.

"Oh I didn't know that." I try acting calm, my mind racing. I'm fine spending 2-3 months surrounded by guys but I could not survive sharing a room with a guy, I usually would be fine since I grew up with brothers nut ever since A-. Doesn't matter, Point is I don't know if Ill survive. My nails dig into my palm as I look out the window trying to collect my racing thoughts.

"Hey, don't worry they'll all respect your space nothing to worry about. However if you don't feel safe you could always just come to my room and switch with George, I'll sleep outside the room."

"Wait room? As in singular?"

"Yeah there is one bedroom. "

"Oh." Learning there is only one room made me panic.

"But I'm pretty sure they have two beds." Lewis said trying to reassure me, seeing visible how panicked I am. But it didn't help, it was sweet of him to try and mend my temporary wounds as of this moment learning I have to share a room with a guy and that there might be two beds, but he won't be able to heal a deeper wound. One I have been slowly trying to forget. One he slowly brought back to the surface without even realising.

The rest of the car ride was silent. It consisted of the radio, the blinker and Lewis sighing when we were stuck in traffic.

"The rest of the guys are probably already there." He stated.

After what seemed an eternity of uncomfortable silence, we arrived.

"Hi what can I do for you?" Asked the receptionist.

"Uh I need my room key please."

"What was your name?" I didn't know which it was under, I should play it safe.

"RS" I replied with a hint of unsureness.

"Yep here you go" She handed me the key. ROOM 203. 

I hauled my suitcases to the elevator waiting alone as Lewis already went up. DING* I stepped inside the cold lonely elevator mirrors on 3/4 walls. Another ding went off telling me I have arrived at my floor. My feet walked a steady pace, my eyes scanned each door number whilst my tired arms dragged my suitcase behind me, it hitting the back of my leg every now and then.

I finally made it to the second last door which had the number 203 engraved of the door. Scanning my key card gave me access to a luxurious hotel suit. Having a mini kitchen, lounge area and a small dining area, I wondered how it was so big but only had one room. The cold handle came in contact with my sweaty palm as I opened the door to mine and my mysterious roommates room.  I went inside seeing an already opened and unpacked suitcase on one side of the room whilst the shower was running. *How long have they been here?* I decided to unpack later and change now into some comfier clothes as the jeans were starting to itch my legs. I removed my jacket and unclasped my coset, rummaging through my suitcase to find a normal shirt. When I found one and was about to pull it over my neck I heard the click of a door opening. I turned around and turned back screeching when seeing a shirtless Charles Leclerc fresh out the shower whilst I was shirtless.

"Oh my God I am so sorry!" We both said in unison. I quickly pulled my shirt over my neck onto my body, turning around waiting for him to wear some clothes.

"You're safe now don't worry not shirtless handsome guy on the loose now." He chuckled trying to brighten the awkward mood. I awkwardly chuckled turning around and uncomfortably sitting on my bed. There was a unspoken uneasy air in the room restraining either of us from speaking.

"So are you coming to the club Tuesday night?" He asked finally breaking the silence.

"The club?" Tuesday was my birthday. (It's Wednesday)

"Yeah we are all going to just chill and get used to Las Vegas as well as getting along with each other. Did you not see the group chat?"

"Group chat?" All this information was so new to me.

"Oh right your new. You should go ask George to add you to the 'Bon Voyage' groupchat. Oh and 'Grid gang'." He suggested

"Bon voyage' is a gc with just as in it so we can text about what we are going to do/ how we feel in Las Vegas and 'Grid gang' is also owned by George where it's the whole grid and a few retired driver and we just discuss the race or rules." He further added.

"Oh yeah thanks I will." It was a great chance I wasn't.

That day just consisted of short conversations here and there, our phones, room service and sleep.