Escaping

Chapter 9: Qualifying

Charles POV:

I thought i was gonna eat with Beth, but i havn't saw her since i went into my car for practice. We were supposed to eat toghether but she send me a text saying that she was gonna eat with Kika. I didn't find it strange, but it's been a few hours, and i still have no idea where she could be. Qualifying starts soon and i wanted to see her before getting in my car. I ask a few people in the garage and it seems like she didn't even come back in all morning. I decide to call her.

OTP:

-Hello?

-Beth? We were supposed to see each other before it starts, are you okay? i havn't seen you all day.

-Yeah I'm good. Sorry, i'm a little bit far, so i don't think i can make it in time to ferrari's garage.

-Oh. 

-But good luck anyway. I gotta go, i know you're gonna crush it. Bye

-Thank y...

She hang up. What's happening with her? I feel like she's been avoiding me all day. Usually, she would always text me to tell me where she is. Did i do something wrong? 

Someone's calling me to tell me to get ready. I try to clear my head before gatting in the car. Being that distracted is not good before something as important as qualifying.

Beth POV:

Qualifying have started for a few minutes now, and i'm currently in the Alpine garage watching it. The sky is gray, but engineers said that it's not supposed to rain for another hour. So, except if there's a red flag, qualifying should by on a dry track.

-You know, if you wanna watch Charles's qualifying, you can go in the ferrari garage, you'll see him way better than here. Kika says looking at me.

-What?

-You only focus when there's a red car on the screen.

-Oh, no i'm fine here.

-You sure?

-Yep, totally fine.

-You didn't see him all day, are you two good?

-What do you mean?

-I don't want you to avoid him because of what i told you earlier.

Flashback:

-You have no idea of what being in love is, right?

I think for a while before answering.

-I do, and it does not look like that.

She looks at me with a very soft expression.

-Tell me then, what do you think love is?

-Love is doing stupid thing for another humain even though you know it's stupid. I answer without hesitation.

She laughs.

-I mean, you're not totally wrong. But this is more of a consequence of love, it's not how love manifest itself. How do you think i realized i was in love with Pierre?

-I don't know...

-You have a very negative vision of love, but you can stay rational while being in love you know. Love can be beautiful.

-I seriously doubt it. But i love your relationship with Pierre, so tell me, i'm quite curious, what is love to you?

She takes a breath before speaking.

-To me, love is wanting to spend every second in the other person's company. It's looking for their eyes in an ocean of people. It's feeling you heart beats a little bit faster when they look at you. It's craving for their touch, their attention, their presence every day you're not with them. Love is the little things you do toghether: looking at the stars, cuddling in bed, watching each other favorite movie... Love is realizing you're not alone in this world.

A silence grows between us. I had no idea love could feel like how she discribed. To me, love is hurtful, it's broken hearts, it's disapointment. If Charles really feel that way about me, i don't think i can handle it. I don't think i could just keep on living knowing i could hurt his feeling at any time. Kika may be right about how love can look like, but it's fragile. It's all i know. Love is fucking fragile.

Back to present:

-I promise you it has nothing to do with that, i just love it here. It's a different vibe.

She looks at me with a knowing look.

-If you say so girl.

Charles has been doing great for Q1 and Q2, but something seems off now, as he's way slower than most car in Q3. He ends up 9th, which means he'll have a long way to go before reaching to his target:a podium. The cars are going back in the garage, and Pierre goes out of his. He seems really surprised seeing me here while walking in my and Kika's direction.

-Beth, you're still here?  I thought you would have go see Charles at least for the end of qualifying.

-I wanted to stay with Kika actually. You did great, congrats for P8 by the way !

-Thank you, but i really think you should go comfort charles, it has not been an easy qualifying for him.

-Yeah, you right, i'm gonna go. See you later guys.

I  slowly make my way to ferrari's garage, and when i arrive, i directly spot Charles, who seems quite unhappy, speaking with his engeneers. His back is facing me right now, so i decide to wait till he finish, since it must be important. Few minutes later, he turns around and at the moment he saw me, he runs to me immediatly.

-Beth, you're finally here. I wanted to see you all day. How was your day? He asks while hugging me.

Shit, i think Kika may be right about his feelings. I quickly escape his embrace and distance myself a little from him.

-Yeah, it was awesome. And you, how are you feeling?

He frowns a bit at my actions.

-Hum, i'm fine.

An awkward silence take place between us at that sudden distance.

-I'm gonna go change. He mumbles

Within a second, he is out of sight and i slowly realize what involve my actions for both of us. I wait a little longer than usual, but in a few minutes, he is back, and we start walking toward his car without saying a word. After we got in, the ride is still as silent at it was before, but soon, he starts talking.

-Did something happened? You seem kinda off today.

-Nope, everything's good.

-Okay... Is it something that i have done then?

-Oh no at all. There's nothing really.

-Alright then.

He looks very sad, but i need to do that. It's better i cut those feeling now before they take too much place in his head. We arrive at the hotel, and again, no one tell a word. He accompanies me to my door as usual, but once we're in front of it, we don't really know how to act. We would always hug to say good night before sleep, but he saw haw i reacted earlier and probably don't wanna push it. I open my door and turn to him.

-Well, good night,i guess.

-Yeah, good night. See you tomorow.

And with that i go in my romm and he disappears behind my door.