Crashed

XXV

Zoë 

"So ehm yeah, I got a new job. You'll see me a lot less now... I travel with the team to all races." "It's not like you have been visiting us a lot lately." My mother says, shining through her disappointment. A depressed feeling fills my body. "I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you. I had my testday yesterday and both the team and I decided to start right away." "Is this because of that boy?" My father splurts out and the Verstappens turn around, trying to not listen to this conversation but I know they are. Sophie nudges Max that shakes his head and raises his shoulders, the corner of my eyes reveal. "I... No- boy?" I stammer but my father has had enough of me "Yes Zo, boy. The one you spend most of summer with and you smile at when texting." Shit. "Well, it's complicated." I try to say. The sadness in their eyes that I didn't mention him or this job transfer, not even a single time, is killing me. "I am so sorry, I really wanted to say something but it was all a big secret. It still is a secret. I am not going to introduce you to him yet, I am so so sorry." I see a colleague waving me over and I look at my watch. "I ehm, I have to get to work." I say as I leave them standing. What a shitshow of a day already, and it's not even 10 am yet.

Luckily the rest of the morning working goes well. At lunch I try to call Lando but I guess he's still in some sort of meeting since he's not answering his phone. I get a text from Max "Oh my god, friends for a day and I screwed up, twice! I am so sorry, I thought they would be happy for you... But from now on you need to tell me everything before I do something dumb again! Good luck on your first hectic day as race engineer! x"  I smile a little to my phone, he again meant no harm. I will look for them after the race, and I will bring Lando to the dinner tomorrow. They deserve to know him, how wonderfull he is, how happy he makes me. And he deserves that even more than this negativity.

My phone rings. Lando. "Hello there babe." I hear him smiling as I answer. "Hi love." "How has your day been so far?" I sigh, but I don't want to bother him with everything that has happened so far. "Yeah, working has been great I think, almost race time, you ready?" he starts to say how proud he already is of me and can't wait to celebrate this evening. A smile takes over and I feel blood rushing to color my cheeks. "Oh babe I got to go already. I wish you were here to give me a kiss." "I do too, and I seceretely hope you win. I love you and drive safe." I whisper before he returns the words.

Max

Shit, she didn't look that happy with my surprise, neither did her parrents. But how was I supposed to know she never told them anything. She always did tell them everything, or well almost everything, somehow my mom and sister knew everything. But she didnt tell them this time either, my mom was surprised when I told her about Zoës new job. And that didn't reflect well. How can I fuck this friendship up twice,  in not even 24 hours. The way she looked desperately over her parents shoulders to me, the sadness and fear, but also anger they radiated. Her dad raises his voice and we can clearly hear "that boy". My mom turns to me and nudges to make eyecontact, but I just shake my head. I can't look her in the eye and tell her I know nothing, she will see within a second, and I can't fuck up another time.

Zoë leaves and vaguely smiles at me as she disappears. Her father shakes his head. "Unbelievable, she just stood there lying to our faces. She just disappeared with a boy we don't even know all summer, and dares to lie to us about him. And she didn't tell us about this job. It's like I don't even recognize my own daughter. This boy will not set one foot in our house. After this weekend we will take her home, find a proper job for her so that she can stay close. I am done with this bullshit and childish running away behaviour." It is completely silent, even my mother says nothing. "I think this job is good for her and her confidince, I mean she's so happy and glowing. Forcing her to go back home will make things only worse" I hear my own voice without even realizing I just spoke up. Fuck. All heads turn my way, her fathers eyes radiating the rage he's feeling. "What did you say boy?" I want to open my mouth as I hear my mother fill in "Max is trying to say to just let her try this for a while. He's right, she is very happy to be here, you can see that from a mile away. Just give her a chance Harrold." It's fully silent again when I get called over to get ready. Thank fucking god.