Living in someone's shadow is difficult and majority of people know what it's like but not many people learn from their neglection. I went from driving my brothers old kart during the weekends to the first ever female driver in F2 and hopefully one...
We were officially in Montreal, I had never driven there before. The year prior, I had engine problems and had to retire the car just after the formation lap. I was excited to drive on the track, I hadn't really gotten a good grasp of it during the very vague qualifying session and I was prepared to take the weekend with everything I had. Just after the seat fit on the Wednesday, I had decided to tag along with Max and Kelly on their walk. The whole time, P sat on Max's shoulders completely blown away by the cars and scenery, occasionally shouting "Maxie look at the car," which brought a smile to my face.
I've always admired how good Max was with kids, with P and our nephew he consistently treats them like they are the center of the universe and nothing else matters when he is with them.
"Are you looking forward to the race?"He asked, P's hands resting on his hair as she smiled.
"Yeah, of course. I'm determined to do the best I can," I replied getting a light chuckle from Max as if to say he didn't expect any different.
"I have confidence you'll win," Kelly grinned at me before looking at her daughter. "Is Nika going to win this weekend, P?"
"Yeah," was all she said, too invested on her surroundings instead of conversation.
A light chuckles escaped Max's mouth as he shared a look with his girlfriend, both his hands were holding P's ankles to hold her steady on his shoulders.
"I don't know what that is supposed to mean," I sigh pointing between the two of them, "And I really don't want to know."
~
By the time we got back to the paddock it was almost sunset, Arthur had apparently been waiting for me because he didn't want to leave me here. The monegasque driver sat just next to the garage, Oscar sat by his side, them both talking amongst themselves is a conversation that didn't seem very interesting.
"Oscar's car has an issue so I offered to take him back to the hotel," He admitted walking straight by me, not giving me any time to say my farewells to Max, Kelly or P.
Arthur walked ahead of us, an obvious amount of irritation in his posture. When Arthur is angry it's like a red glow radiates of him like he wants people to be aware of his feelings before they even utter a single word in his direction.
"Why is he so Pissed?" I asked the Australian boy beside me who's gaze was set on his friend.
"I have absolutely no idea, all I know is that me, him and Paul went go get some food, he was consistently laughing and checking his phone but then the second we got back to the paddock he started like getting all annoyed," He explained a wave of concern flooding his face.
"Do you know why he was consistently checking his phone?"
"Yeah, he was texting this girl, I didn't see the name but every time he got a message from her he want bright red."
I knew instantly who I needed to talk to.
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The ride to the hotel was filled with complete and utter silence, I think that Oscar would rather walk 6 miles than go back in that car.
I gave Arthur a tiny smile but all I got in return was him rolling his eyes at me. I didn't know what made him so frustrated but all I learnt in that moment was that I never want to see this side of Arthur again. Where my enthusiastic, Jokey best friend disappeared to, I didn't know.
The second we walked into the confinement of out hotel room I asked him because mopey Arthur was insufferable.
"What's up with you?" I had a slight bit of anger within my words, I didn't want it there but I couldn't help it.
"I'm not in the mood Nika," He sighed collapsing onto the sofa, dragging his hand through his hair.
"And I'm not in the mood for a pissed of Arthur, it reminds me of that phase you went through in our teenage years of being consistently angry all the time."
"You know what, fine I'll tell you," He groaned getting back to his feet and walking over to me, "It's been two fucking years and I'm still in the same place I was, consistently getting the same results and never doing better, Fred pulled me aside today and showed me how I've not improved, the so called 'fans' are saying that I only have me seat 'Cause of Charles and I'm starting to think they are right."
I could see the pain in his eyes, it was clearly affecting him and to be honest I knew how he felt, everyone saying your not good enough and that the only reason you are where you are is because of your name.
I stretched my arms out, pulling him into a hug. He wrapped his arms around me in reciprocation.
"I'm sorry, I know that it's hard but you are a good diver, don't let anyone tell you different. You deserve your seat and even if Charles wasn't an F1 driver, you would still be where you are today because you are here because of your talents," I whispered.
He let out a gentil chuckle, pulling his head from mine to meet my eyes.
"Thank you," he had the glint of happiness that rested in his emerald eyes .
"What are friends for?" Majority of the time, his happiness determines my emotions because I can't bring myself to find joy when Arthur is hurting.
"Do you want to watch something?"
I nodded at his simple question, us both settling on the unusually comfortable sofa a blanket covering us as we drifted off to sleep.
