Loud and Clear (F1 x CL16)

3. Satisfaction

I jumped off my car and ran to my team. They were yelling and cheering and welcomed me with open arms. I ended up in a Mercedes sandwich, but managed to hold on.
"Well done, Brie!" Franz Tost said to me. I gave him a high five and than walked to my little table to get rid of my helmet and gloves.
"Incredible performance, LaRue." Hamilton came walking to me.
"Thanks." I smiled at him. Right now I was just totally exhausted. I took my drinking bottle and took a big sip from my water.
A tap on my shoulder made me turn around. "Pierre!" I smiled as I saw the young man standing in front of me. He opened his arms and I fell into his hug. "I beat you in your first race with RedBull." I said jokingly.
He pulled away from the hug. "Just wait. I'll beat you next time." He rubbed his hand over my hair, making it all messy.
"Hey!" I said and slapped his hand away. "Now leave, I have a podium to stand on." I laughed as he scowled and walked away. Luckily I knew he was playing with me. Otherwise I'd be offended.

We sat in the cool-down room for a few minutes until we got called to go on the podium. I put my Perrelli cap on with the 2nd place stitched to the side. Hamilton went on first, than it was my turn.
This was my second podium ever and my best performance yet. I couldn't wait for the future. I took a deep breath and walked on the stage when my name got called. I waved as the sunlight filled my view and I had to blink away a tear.
I made my way to the platform that was meant for P2. I stood on it and watched over the crowd that was under the podium. My team was cheering and the fans were filling the track. This truly was a moment to never forget. I let my gaze go over the people standing under the podium. I met Pierre along the way and smiled as our eyes met. He smiled back, but my smile faded as I looked next to him. Leclerc was beside him. I was ready to scowl. But I wouldn't let him ruin this moment.  Our eyes met too and for some reason I held eye contact with him. I shook my head and looked over to my team. Everyone was there. The crew, engineers, Franz Tost. They were all here to celebrate with me. Even Alex showed. He raised his hands and put his thumbs up. I smiled again.
I knew that if I went to Ferrari, those feelings would be lost. I wouldn't have a teammate to smile at, or a team that would be incredibly happy with this result, because they get this result almost every race.
Bottas came on stage and shortly after his national anthem began, after that also the German one for Mercedes. I had my cap off and listened to the anthem as I processed what all just happened. Then everything went silent and I picked up the champagne. This was my favourite part of celebration. I popped the bottle and sprayed the champagne all over the Mercedes drivers. And they over me. I was completely soaked, but was smiling from ear to ear.
What. A. Day.

Two hours later and I was still in the paddock. I was in my drivers room, getting everything packed so I could go back home, to Milan. This weekend was incredible. But I could use a little me time back at home. I had a full 10 days of freedom before I had to go back racing. This time we would go to Bahrain, one of the most unbearable tracks out there. But I was excited.
My thoughts were stilled when I head a knock on the door.  "Come in." The door swept open and I looked up from my bag I was packing.
"Brigitte." Charles said. And I'm telling you, I was gaping at him.
"What are you doing here?" I said shocked.
"I just— I don't know. I wanted to congratulate you I guess." He was rubbing his hand through the back of his hair. It made it all messy and made him actually better looking . What am I gushing about?
"Uhm... thank you, I guess." I was so confused. We never had a normal conversation, let alone it being in my room. We never even spoke in the paddock.
"I should go... You're packing, so uh— yes I'll leave you to it." He was tripping over his feet as he left my room again. How did he even get in here?
I was still thinking about Charles' very short visit and completely forgot to pack further.

CHARLES
~~~~~~~~~~
I was walking through the paddock, ready to go back to the hotel to pack. But I stopped when I walked past the Toro Rosso facility, it was in the back of the paddock and close to one of the back entrances where I parked my car. I looked at the entrance and not a single thought was in my mind. I simply just walked up and asked the first person I found outside to tell me where Brigitte was. The woman I asked told me she was in her room packing. So I asked if I could go in and she opened the door for me, after that I just had to find her room. Not that difficult because the first door on the left had her name on it. I just stood in front of the door for about a minute before I knocked. Why was I here?
"Come in." Brigitte said and I pushed the door open.
Her eyes met mine and I was completely lost for words. The only thing I could say was: "Brigitte."
She confusingly looked at me. "What are you doing here?" She asked, I could see some kind of hatred flashing in her green eyes. Why she hated me? No idea. She despised me the moment we started karting together. I remember Pierre introducing me to her. It was quite an event.