𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒: 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊 | 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬

[ 022 ]

'Beer pong: the ultimate test of precision and coordination.'
- Unknown

"Do you want a drink too, Oscar?" asked Luise, who had just finished her first cup of beer.

It was the Tuesday after the Monaco Grand Prix and Max had the idea of celebrating by inviting all the drivers to a house party. Not everyone was there, but since many had brought their girlfriends, the house was quickly full. She herself had received her own invitation from Max, which she had accepted after much deliberation.

"No, thanks," he said with a smile and shook his head.

Luise didn't understand why Oscar wasn't drinking. After all, it was some kind of after-party and people usually drank alcohol there. Even Lando had a cup of beer in his hand today and occasionally sipped it.

When she thought about it for a moment, she had a suspicion.

"Oscar, please don't tell me you've never drunk alcohol before."

His lips tightened into a significant smile.

"Oscar!" she said indignantly, "You can't be serious. You've never drunk alcohol? Not even beer?"

"Well, so- It's never really occurred before," he began to stammer.

"Mate, you've never had a drink? We need to change that," said Max, who was walking towards the small group.

"Beer pong," Luise said with conviction, "We can play beer pong."

"That's a great idea. But with vodka shots. Beer is for beginners," he said, grinning all over his face.

Lily's eyes grew wide as if she knew it wouldn't end well for her boyfriend. As if she had played beer pong herself before and it had ended badly for her.

"Oh, mate," Charles, who had Charlotte half in his arms and already looked a little drunk, spoke up.

"Yes!" she said, now full of anticipation.

"You and I are a team. Oscar, you still need a partner," Max moved forward with the plan before Oscar could even agree.

He hesitated. He didn't know what to say. He had never drunk alcohol before and had certainly never been drunk. And now he was supposed to play beer pong with two people who drank alcohol every weekend if they could.

"I don't know, I don't think I should be doing this," he said doubtfully, scratching the back of his neck.

"No argument." Max shook his head and took the last sip of his beer, "What about your girlfriend?"

She smiled, but shook her head.

"Someone has to take him home," she smiled.

"Oh, I have an idea." Luise grinned mischievously and looked at Lando, "Lando plays with Oscar in a team. I've never seen you drunk either."

Max's eyes grew wide. Luise immediately saw that he liked the idea.

"That's how we'll do it. You explain the rules to them and I'll get everything ready," he said excitedly and ran off.

"Apparently they don't even ask us," said Oscar and looked helpfully at Lando, who just shrugged his shoulders.

Even if the two of them weren't convinced at first, they quickly resigned themselves to their fate. They had listened bravely as Luise had explained the rules and the procedure. Meanwhile, they had repeatedly exchanged glances with each other. And Charles had kept chuckling quietly to himself because he found it amusing.

Ten minutes later, Max had rejoined them and took them outside into the garden, where loud music was playing. The groups each stood at one end of the table, while Lily, Charles, Charlotte and Daniel stood at the side and watched.