Eli returned home after a day spent exploring the picturesque village with Lando, the memories still fresh in her mind. She couldn't help but smile at the good day and time they shared. As she stepped through her door, her phone chimed with an incoming call. And her screen lit up with Charles's name flashing. Answering, she was greeted by his familiar voice. "So?" he inquired eagerly. It suddenly struck her—this was part of Charles's scheme all along. He was the "friend" Lando mentioned, the one who cancelled their plans last minute. "Are you some sort of mastermind now?" she asked. Charles chuckled in response, "Well, I am a senior guardian angel." As she delved into the topic of her guardian angel duties, and how the bracelet remained the same with only two pearls darkened, she couldn't hide her disappointment. "What if he isn't the one?" she pondered aloud. "Then we'll keep looking," he comforted before continuing, "but other than that, how was the date?" his voiced teasing her, and with a playful protest of "Okay, goodnight!" Eli attempted to end the conversation. However, before she could hang up, Charles asked, "But you'll still come to the race this weekend, right?" Eli hesitated, silently considering her inevitable encounter with Lando and how she's going to have to come up with some sort of explanation for being there. "Pleaaaseee," Charles pleaded. "Fine," she relented with a sigh.
The race weekend in Monaco transformed the city into a bustling hub of excitement. Everywhere Eli looked, there were vivid displays of team colours and banners fluttering in the breeze. The streets were alive with the hum of eager fans, each step radiating an electric buzz of anticipation. The air itself seemed charged with the thrill of the upcoming race. Monaco was no longer just the serene city she had grown accustomed to—it was a vibrant, animated metropolis. The energy was infectious, captivating even those who were just casual onlookers. The city had transformed, and the Grand Prix had worked its magic, turning Monaco into a pulsating centre of Formula One passion. Eli found herself standing outside the prestigious Grand Prix paddock and a woman in a striking red Ferrari uniform caught sight of her.
"Marie-Elise?" the woman called out, a warm smile accompanying the inquiry.
"You can call me Eli," she introduced herself.
"Well, Eli, welcome to the Monaco Grand Prix!", she exclaimed as she handed her the lanyard. They scanned their passes, and the woman led the way through the paddock entrance. As they strolled down the pit building, Eli took in the sight of the entrances to the garages, each emblazoned with team logos. The intensity of the scene, the crew members in various team uniforms darting about to finalise preparations, left her in awe. Eventually, they reached the Ferrari hospitality area. Through the glass walls, Eli glimpsed Charles seated at a table, sipping a cup of coffee. As she stepped inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the hum of conversations among team members. The familiar scarlet hue of the Ferrari branding surrounded her. Charles looked up, a smile forming as he recognised Eli. He got up to give her a quick hug to greet her, "Hey! Ready for your first taste of Formula One?". She returned the hug before taking a seat across him, and he explained what today entailed— it was qualifying day, which was essentially a three-stage "knockout" system, before tomorrow's big race.
Charles glanced at his watch, realising the time. "I've got to get ready for Q1," he mentioned, a sense of urgency creeping into his tone. "Feel free to stay here, or pop by the garage. I'll catch up with you later, Eli." With a quick nod, Charles disappeared into the labyrinth of paddock pathways, leaving Eli to navigate through the bustling energy alone. She glanced around, feeling a touch overwhelmed by the racing spectacle before her. It was a world entirely alien yet intriguing, vibrant with anticipation and energy. As she wandered around, absorbed in the flurry of activity, Eli collided with someone draped vivid orange racing suit— none other than Lando himself. He looked every bit the professional racer, exuding an air of confidence and determination. "Eli?", he questioned, clearly surprised. She offered a hesitant smile, awkwardly waving, "Hi." Questions tumbled out of Lando's mouth about what she was doing there. Attempting to come up with some sort of explanation, Eli stumbled over her words. In a very timely entrance, Charles appeared from behind her, now donned in his red racing gear, providing a much needed rescue. "Garage is this way," he pointed ahead, turning his attention to Eli. The exchange between the Ferrari driver and Eli left Lando even more bewildered, his eyes darting between them. He wanted to ask questions, but a crew member urgently called out his name, forcing him to depart, leaving him riddled with unanswered questions.
As Charles whisked off to prepare for the qualifying session, Eli found herself trailing alongside him, taking in the familiar atmosphere of the Formula 1 paddock. Charles entered the Ferrari garage, and Eli observed the flurry of activity: mechanics and engineers bustling around the cars, perfecting every detail with a precision that bordered on obsession. Standing in the heart of the garage, the air thick with the scent of rubber and fuel, Eli felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration. The cars roared to life, their engines producing a symphony that echoed through the confined space. She found herself hypnotised by the sight of cars darting in and out of the garages as the first qualifying session began, the screech of tires on asphalt, and the electrifying buzz of the crowd. It was an entirely new experience, overwhelming yet captivating. Through the various screens around the garage, Eli watched the sleek cars race down the track, the vibrant colours blurring as they zipped by, each driver trying to clock the best lap time they could. Each turn, each acceleration, felt like a spectacle. Amidst the controlled chaos, Charles's car streaked into the pit lane, marking the end of his initial laps for Q1.
Emerging from the cockpit, he removed his helmet, and the sweat of intense focus glistened on his brow. He exchanged a few words with his race engineer, swiftly analysing the performance before striding toward Eli. "How's your first F1 experience so far?" Charles inquired, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "It's incredible! The energy, the precision, everything!" Eli couldn't contain her excitement, a wide grin spreading across her face. Charles chuckled, pleased by her enthusiasm.
As the qualifying sessions progressed, the tension heightened. Each round was a thrilling display of skill and speed, with cars darted around the narrow streets of Monaco, pushing faster, gripping harder, as the drivers sought to shave off those crucial milliseconds. Although Eli was stood in the Ferrari garage, her eyes glued to the screens, following Charles's progress with vested interest, she couldn't help but keep an eye on a certain McLaren driver too. Just the last session began and Charles was about to attempt his best lap time, a mechanical fault forced Charles to retire his car and return to the garage. A frustrated sigh escaped him as he removed his helmet and balaclava. Eli, standing close by, noticed the disappointment etched on his face— she knew how important tomorrow's race was for him given that it was his home race and qualifying in a good grid position would have been helpful, especially on a circuit like Monaco's.
Yet, in the midst of their disappointment, Eli's eyes caught something unusual on the track as cars sped by—a loose drain cover at the hairpin turn. She nudged Charles, urgency in her voice as she pointed it out. Charles glanced over, realisation dawning. They both knew the danger such a hazard could pose, especially at those speeds. "Lando," her voice heavy with worry. He was the last driver on the track trying to clock a time. Ignoring the curious glances from onlookers, Charles and Eli rushed towards McLaren's pit wall, the red of Charles' racing suit stark against the sea of orange. They urgently signalled to Lando's crew trying to catch their attention, and warn them of the grave hazard ahead. Thankfully, his race engineer caught on and Lando, focused on the track, received the team's radio message. His instincts kicked in as he swerved slightly, sacrificing precious lap time but avoiding the treacherous drain cover, safely navigating the turn. Breathless from the tension, Eli and Charles watched on, their hearts pounding in unison. And then, the bracelet on Eli's wrist pulsed with energy. A third pearl darkened before their eyes. In a moment of silent acknowledgment, they exchanged a resolute glance.
"It's him," Eli whispered, her voice a mix of realisation and determination.
YOU ARE READING
Thread of Destiny | Lando Norris
Fanfiction"Why isn't there some sort of 'How to be a Guardian Angel 101' manual for this?" Eli groaned in frustration as she slumped down in her chair. -- In the tranquil embrace of Monaco's pre-season calm, an unexpected encounter between a girl lost in her...
