the connection ~ Kimi Antonelli

Chapter 11

The remainder of our holiday was a whirlwind of laughter and adventures, as Ollie and I explored the beautiful Italian streets, soaking in the culture and creating memories that would last a lifetime. We improved our Italian, surprising ourselves with our newfound language skills, and ate way too much gelato, savoring the delicious flavors that melted on our tongues.

We stumbled upon charming, hidden streets that buzzed with the infectious rhythm of music and dance, and we couldn't resist joining in the lively festivities, our hearts dancing to the beat of Italy. These impromptu moments made our trip unforgettable.

But as our Italian escapade came to a close, it was time to embark on a new journey. Ollie and I boarded a plane to Mexico, where he would be competing in FP1 for Haas, making his first F1 debut. I couldn't have been happier for him, and I eagerly looked forward to being there to witness this remarkable moment.

The night before the race, we checked into the hotel in Mexico, and I could sense Ollie's nerves permeating the air. I knew him well enough to recognize the telltale signs of his anxiety, and it worried me to see him like this.

"What's wrong, Ollie?" I asked gently, concern etched in my voice.

Ollie shook his head, his smile weak as he tried to hide his anxiousness. But I could see right through it. I couldn't let him face his fears alone, so I brought my best friend into my arms and hugged him tightly.

"You can talk to me, you know," I whispered, holding him close. "You don't have to carry this burden all by yourself."

He let out a small, relieved chuckle, his voice tinged with gratitude. "I needed to hear that, Y/n."

We pulled back slightly, but I kept my hands on his shoulders, looking into his eyes with unwavering support. "Ollie, no matter the result, you should be so incredibly proud of yourself. You've achieved so much at such a young age, and your family back home are so proud of you. We believe in you, and we know you have what it takes to make your dreams a reality."

Ollie's smile grew more genuine, and he let out a genuine laugh. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. Thank you, bee."

I squeezed his shoulders with a reassuring smile. "Anytime, pup. I'm here for you, always. Now, let's focus on tomorrow and give it your best shot. I have no doubt you'll shine out there."

With the weight of his anxiety lifted, Ollie looked more determined than ever, ready to face the challenges of the upcoming race.

The day of the race arrived, and as Ollie and I walked into the bustling paddock with Haas, I couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. The cameras flashed in our direction, and people began to yell out for Ollie, their excitement palpable. I couldn't resist a snarky whisper to him, "I didn't know you were so popular, pup. And for what? You're such an ass in real life."

He gave me a light shove, playfully rolling his eyes. "Hey, they don't know the real me."

Ollie introduced me to some of the people at Haas, who were kind enough to show me where I could stand in the garage and handed me a pair of headphones to keep up with the race commentary. As the practice race was about to start, Ollie pulled me into a hug.

I told him, "Go out there and kill it, Ollie."

He gave me a determined nod and a quick peck on the forehead before heading to his car.

The practice race was intense, and I watched with bated breath as Ollie maneuvered through the competition. He came in 15th, which was actually quite good considering the highly talented drivers he was up against in F1. When he returned to the garage, I stood back, giving him his moment to thank the jubilant Haas team for their support and hard work. They all seemed thrilled with his performance.

Once Ollie had a moment to himself, he turned to me and said, "I need to do some publicity stuff now. You're free to come with me or say hello to Frederik if you'd like."

As I approached Frederik, he looked surprised but quickly broke into a warm smile. "Y/n! What a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to see you here."

I hugged him tightly and replied, "I couldn't miss Ollie's big day, could I? Plus, I wanted to say hello to a fellow friend in the racing world."

Frederik chuckled, and we fell into an easy conversation. "Well, I'm glad you're here. It's always nice to have some familiar faces around. How's everything with you?"

I shrugged, giving him a mischievous grin. "Oh, you know, the usual. Making fun of Ollie, getting lost in strange cities, eating way too much gelato. It's all part of the adventure."

He laughed, shaking his head. "You and Ollie are quite the pair. But it's great to see that you're having fun."

We chatted about racing, the latest developments in the sport, and our favorite moments from the season. Frederik was always a pleasure to talk to, and our conversations flowed effortlessly.

As Ollie wrapped up his publicity duties, he joined us, wearing an exhausted but content expression. He grinned as he saw me with Frederik. "Having fun, Y/n?"

I nodded and gestured to Frederik. "Just catching up with an old friend."

Frederik extended a hand to Ollie, and the two racers exchanged friendly greetings. Ollie's presence only added to the camaraderie in the paddock. As the three of us continued chatting, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unique friendships I had found in the world of racing.

After returning to the apartment, I received a call from an unexpected caller. I picked it up even though I didn't know the caller ID, but to my surprise I hear Kimi's Italian accent on the other line. I was initially taken aback, wondering how he had gotten my number, so I asked, "Is this really you, Kimi? How did you get my number?"

His voice, unmistakably Kimi, came through the line, replying, "Lorenzo gave it to me."

I couldn't help but smile, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Well, it's nice to hear from you. How have you been?" I tried to contain the little umps that my stomach was doing and lay down on the hotel bed.

Kimi's response was casual but filled with a certain charm, "Lorenzo and I have been enjoying Italy. How about you?"

I smiled, the tingly feeling inside growing as we spoke. "I'm doing really well. Ollie did a fantastic job at FP1."

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Kimi spoke again, "I called to congratulate Ollie actually, is he there?"

I couldn't resist a teasing tone, "He's not actual- but if you wanted to congratulate Ollie, why would you call me?"

Kimi let out an amused exhale, caught out by my question. He confessed sheepishly, "Well, I really just wanted an excuse to talk to you. And to make sure you know that the invitation for the Silverstone race in three months is still open."

I felt a mixture of surprise and delight, a small smile playing on my lips. "That's very kind of you, Kimi. I'll definitely keep it in mind."

What started as a simple exchange turned into a two-hour conversation about life, experiences, and dreams. As the night wore on, I found myself gradually drifting to sleep, the sound of Kimi's voice serving as a comforting lullaby in the distance.