Red past | Charles Leclerc

Conversations

Qualifying went well, I ended up P2 which brought a slight sense of joy through me. I enjoyed getting good results in quali, In my opinion the Saturday is always more important than the Sunday. Kelly and P waited in the garage for me after the session, both of them pulling me into a hug the second I reached them.

Max was preparing for his practice session in his drivers room leaving his girlfriend and her daughter to watch my car fly around the track.

"You did really well, I told you that you could do it," Kelly smiled, a light giggle escaped Penelope's lips as she listened to us.

"Yeah well, the weekend isn't over yet," I sighed. "I promised Arthur I'd meet him in the hospitality, I'll see you both later."

I got changed out of my drivers suit and headed down to the eating area in which the brunette boy already occupied a table.

"Hey," I announced my presence to him, his head moving to face the direction of the sound.

"You did well out there," He has a huge grin on his face, his hand held his phone firmly in his grip.

I didn't need to say anything, my face alone was able to ask the question of "why?"

"Would you believe me if I said that it was Paul or Oscar?"

"Not a chance," I knew exactly who it was, but watching him try and come up with an excuse to cover it up brought a largely satisfied smile to my face.

He let out a defeated sigh, placing his phone into the pocket of his jeans. He rolled his eyes at the satisfaction plastered on my face.

"Yes. It's Julia, happy?"

"Very."

~

The formula 1 practice session went quite well, majority of the drivers seemed happy with the level the cars were on.

Just 20 minutes after the session ended the brother of my best friend walked through the doors of the hospitality, making his way directly towards us.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. I've go to go sort something out so Charles is here to keep you company,"  he winked at me before getting up from his seat, giving his brother a hug as he walked past him.

He had a soft expression on his face, a small glow radiating from his eyes. His dimples showing when he smiled at me, clearly noticing me looking at him.

"Comme ce que tu vois? (Like what you see?)" He sat down in the chair that was previously occupied by his brother.

"What's got you in such a good mood?"

"Honestly, I have no idea," His smile is brighter than the sun itself, it's one of the many things I missed when I didn't have him in my life.

Just looking at his face filled with so muck joy, it made me feel a small sense of regret, I missed seeing him smile like that. For so long I had avoided him, but if I had just tried to talk to him, maybe things would have been different.

"What? Why are you smiling and staring at me like?" He has a smug grin on his face.

"I'm not staring at you, who would ever want to stare at you?"

I was staring at him, the whole room knows I was staring at him but will I ever admit it. No, definitely not.

"You clearly are," I couldn't help but laugh at his inability to hide his amusement.

I gave him a death glare that was met with him sticking his hands up in surrender.

"You did good out there today," his gaze was stuck on the rings that he continued to twist around his finger.

"Thanks, I mean you did quite well even though it was just practice, probably the best car out there," I couldn't help but want to meet his gaze.

"Don't let Max here you say that he will think you've betrayed him," he let out a small chuckle.

"Well, he will just have to deal with it," everything suddenly fell silent and awkward.

I couldn't stand it, looking at the boy I once loved and no words formed in my mouth, I had never felt incapable of speaking to him not even on the days that followed a large argument.

"I should probably go find Max," Not only did I have to congratulate my brother on a good session but I also wanted an excuse to escape the situation.

As I got up and started walking to the door, a hand grabbed mine to prevent any further distance separating us, the familiar sensation of his touch burning against my skin brought a comforting feeling through my body.

"Tonight.... Do you want to do something?" Unlike when we were sat down his gaze remained on me, his nervousness was very clear within his mousy smile.

The idea of spending time with him, just the two of us made me feel many conflicting emotions.

"Sure, yeah. Just text me the details," I gave him a wide smile that didn't nearly show my delight.

~

Max was sat talking to Lando and Daniel, although their conversation was soon discarded the second the three boys saw me.

Each of them were still wearing their race suits, clearly neither of them were bothered that they hadn't got changed.

"Have fun with Charles?" Max asked, a smug expression all over his face.

"How'd you know?" I hadn't seen Max when I was talking to the Ferrari driver.

"Arthur told me."

Lando and Daniel looked at me suspiciously, their faces pleading to know what he was talking about.

"Your like teenage girls wanting the gossip," I jokingly yelled sitting down next the the British boy.

"What were you guys talking about?" The second I asked their conversation returned to normal.