Shadows Between Us - Max Verstappen

three - the british grand prix

Amelia was sitting on a stool next to Kika in the Alpine's garage. It was an exciting experience for Amelia, she had never been this close to the action. She had clear vision to Pierre's car when he boxed and she was truly mesmerized by how quickly these people worked. It was an impressive sport.

When Amelia confirmed that she would come to Silverstone, Kika was thrilled. She said she would ask if Pierre could get Amelia a pass so that they could stay together. Amelia made a mental note to thank Pierre, since she hasn't seen him yet. Today was qualifying day, so the drivers were busy. She didn't have a chance to see Charles either.

When the qualifying ended, Pierre was going to start tomorrows race in the 10th position and Charles was 4th. Leaving the pole position to Max. Amelia wasn't necessarily avoiding Max, she just hasn't seen him yet. And she wasn't exactly looking for him.

Since that night where they texted for most of it, they haven't really talked to each other. Amelia picked up her phone many times to text him, but she lost courage, as she didn't know what to say to him. She didn't get any text from him either, but what she didn't know was that Max wasn't courageous either.

She walked out of the garage, telling Kika she was going to walk around a little, see if she could spot Charles. Kika didn't believe that, since Amelia didn't turn in the direction of the Ferrari's garage, but in the direction of the podium where Max and the McLaren boys were at the moment.

She stayed behind all the people that were there to see the drivers. She spotted Max talking to Lando, who she also met briefly at that party in Monaco. She continued to observe him, as he took pictures and right before he started to leave, he finally saw her. He had to look twice to make sure it was her, since she didn't tell him she was coming. She smiled when he waved at her. He said something to someone from his team and then started walking in her direction.

She felt nervous then. She wasn't expecting him to talk to her, she just wanted to maybe say hi from a distance and that was it.

"I didn't know you were coming," Max says when he reaches her.

"Kika invited me, I'm staying at the Alpine's." She didn't really knew why she was giving so much detail, when she could of just said something else.

He didn't say anything for a moment, just stared at her. He looks so beautiful, Amelia thought and immediately wanted to slap that thought away.

"I haven't heard from you in a while," He finally said.

"I didn't want to bother you, I know you have a busy life," Amelia said, which wasn't a lie.

"You could never bother me," Max said shaking his head. She didn't know what to say to that, so she shrugged her shoulders and smiled at him.

"Max!" Someone called out.

"I have to go. You're coming tomorrow?" He asked, putting his hands on his jackets pockets.

"Yes," She said.

"See you then, princess," Max said, and left. She realized then how fast her heart was beating and how, even though she hated the fact that she was a princess, she loved how he called her that.

The next day, it rained a lot. Amelia felt stressed the entire race. It was scary watching those cars fly in the strong rain. Pierre, unfortunately, had to retire from the race due to a collision. As she secretly was hopping, but would never admit to anyone or herself, Max won the race.

Amelia felt a strange sense of pride for this boy. She didn't know why, she barely knew him, except for some things they talked that night. There was this strange connection between them, like they understood each other.

She didn't stay to talk to Max this time. Pierre and Kika dropped her in her hotel and went their way, not without Amelia making Kika promise to go visit her in Monaco soon. Amelia was going to London the next day, stay for a night and then fly back to Monaco.

When she got to her hotel room, she quickly took off her shoes and laid in bed for a little. She was really tired and her clothes were damp. After laying down for 5 more minutes, she got up and drew herself a bath where she stayed for half an hour until the water started to get cold. She put on her pajamas and snuggled under the bed covers, looking at the rain hitting the window.

She tried to fall asleep, even though it was only 10 something, but she couldn't stop thinking about Max. She couldn't help it. She wanted to text him to congratulate him for his win. She picked up her phone and looked at his contact. Somehow, a wave of bravery hit her and instead of texting, she decided to call.

Amelia really thought he wouldn't answer and when she was about to give up, a voice sounded from the other side.

"Princess," He said, making her smile.

"Were you sleeping?" She asked, putting the phone on speaker and laying it beside her.

"Not yet, I'm just laying here," He answered, but she didn't know if she believed him because he really sounded like she had waked him up.

"Well, I just wanted to say congratulations for your win today. You did really good, despite the conditions," She said, not a hint of lie. She really thought he was a great driver.

"Thank you, it was hard keeping the place with that rain," Max said and Amelia nodded as if he could see her.

"I can't imagine what it's like, sometimes I can't see in the rain on a normal car. I wouldn't last long in a Formula 1 car," Amelia said, making Max laugh. She laughed too and when they stopped, no one said anything for a moment.

"When are you going back to Monaco?" He finally said.

"Day after tomorrow. My father is making me do something on Wednesday, so I have to be back by then."

"Do you not like doing those things?" Max asked, a bit of hesitation in his voice.

"Not really. You can't tell anyone, but my family and I don't get along very well," She let out.

"Can I ask why?"

"They think I'm a big disappointment because I don't live my life the way they wanted me too," Amelia said, letting out a big breath.

"I see," Max says. "I understand that. For a long time I was a disappointment to my father too."

"It's not a nice feeling," Amelia whispered, as her sleep started to become too heavy.

"We only have 2 races left before summer break," He said and her only answer was a 'mmhmm'.

"I'm going to be in Monaco for a while. We should hang out," Max said, but quickly added, "If you want, of course."

"I would love that," Amelia said, not even trying to control what she was saying anymore. She was starting to doze off, her eyes getting heavier.

"I'm going too let you sleep now. Goodnight, princess."

"Goodnight, Max."

And she fell asleep with a warm feeling in her heart.