Right On Track

Chapter 54

Kiara sped ahead,keeping her focus on getting this podium.She was currently in third,Max catching up to Carlos ahead.
"Alora behind."Santiago said."She's at four and half seconds behind.Keep trying to extend the gap."
"Okay."Kiara replied,pushing forward.
The next few laps went fine and she actually managedto get further away from Alora.
But after some time,Santiago said."And that's Max taking the lead ahead.You're now chasing Sainz."
Kiara frowned to herself thinking about what she had just heard.Max had overtaken Carlos.
After thinking that he would actually win it for himself here this weekend,she was proved wrong as her teammate swiped the lead.
The checkered flag was finally raised and Kiara crossed the line at third.
"Good job out there."Santiago said."Now,go  enjoy that podium."
Kiara didn't know at first why he said it like that,but she just shrugged it off and brought her car up to the position for third in parc fermé.
She started to get out of her car,seeing Carlos do the same nearby.
Kiara watched as Max ran into the arms of the team,all cheering for him.She waited a little for that to die down.Then,she went over to the barriers and high-fived a few of them,receiving pats on the back.
She went over to the nearby stand with her Pirelli cap and took off her helmet and balaclava,glancing back at Carlos in the process.She watched as he and Max shared a hug,then came over to get their caps.
"Good job."Kiara said to Max as he was now beside her.She tried not to look to her left either,where Carlos stood.
"Thanks."Max said,both clasping hands.
Kiara suddenly felt a little feeling of regret as she saw all the Ferrari fans on the grand stands nearby,waving their flags and still cheering for Carlos even as he didn't win the race.But second was still good.A good result for Ferrari.
Kiara held back a sigh,then finally turned to look at Carlos.
"Well done."She said,not meeting his gaze as he pulled off his balaclava and set his helmet on the short table stand.
"Thanks."He said,seeming a little surprised as he heard the words.
She quickly turned away again,back to Max.
Later on,at the podium,Kiara walked on first,being at P3.
She waved to the fans all below,almost the whole crowd being supportive of Ferrari,waving huge flags and all.
She had to really look hard to see the Red Bull fans below.
Carlos came onto the podium next,standing on the spot for second.
He glanced to his left,at her.Then,he smiled.
She felt her cheeks heat and she looked away,back at the crowd as Max finally came onto the podium.
And as the anthems played,the crowd cheering soon after as the trophies were brought out,Kiara realised that this was the first podium this season that she and Carlos were on together.

Kiara jumped up from the couch in her hotel room,getting a surprise as someone knocked a few times on her door.
"Kiara,open up!"Ivy knocked continuously on the hotel room door.
Kiara opened the door with a frown."What are you-"
Ivy immediately came in,pacing the floor and pinching the bridge of her nose.
"What?"Kiara frowned,closing the door and turning to face Ivy.
"Why are you not replying?"
"To?"
"To him." Ivy said.
Kiara frowned."I never-"
Ivy groaned,running over to Kiara's bedroom.
"Ivy?!"Kiara ran after her,entering the room only to see her grabbing the phone from the nightstand.
"What are you doing with my phone?"Kiara frowned.
"Thankfully,I know your password."Ivy said,opening up Kiara's phone and going into her notifications.
"Ivy,what the hell-"
"Aha!"She exclaimed,holding the phone up and displaying messages from a certain person.
"Give me that!"Kiara snatched her phone back.
But she soon paused before looking down at it again."Hey,how did you know about him texting me?"
"Uh...Well,you see,Lando and I umm..."Ivy gave a nervous laugh.
"How does Lando know that Carlos texted me?!" Kiara demanded,eyes going wide.
"Umm."Ivy said."I...Uh...I have to go."
"What?"Kiara frowned.
Ivy quickly ran out of the bedroom and even as Kiara turned to go after her,she heard the hotel room door shut.Ivy was gone.
Kiara frowned to herself.What were those idiots up to?
She sighed,finally looking down at her phone and seeing the texts from Carlos.
She waited a moment,then opened them.

Carlos: Hi,sorry to bother.
I don't know if Lydia told you,but there's a party hosted by the team.A lot of the other drivers are coming.But I didn't know if you were.So,just asking?