Right On Track

Chapter 64

"Okay...Three more laps to go,Ki."
"Alright,"Kiara told Santiago."What are the gaps?"
"Max is still only a few seconds behind."Santiago said."There aren't many concerns at the moment."
"Who's in third?"Kiara asked.
"Carlos is in third."
She smiled a little to herself at that.
If he could just hold on a little longer,they could be on that podium together.
Feeling more determined to just finish it,she went through the next three laps more quickly,setting the fastest lap along with it.
When she passed the checkered flag,Santiago."And that's the race win,Kiara!You did it.Well done."
"Haha,"Kiara loosed a long breath and a whoop."Let's go!"
"Awesome job,Ki."Christian also said on the radio."Well done."
"Thanks,guys."Kiara said with a grin,waving to the grandstands as she finished up the cooldown lap.She hadn't expected to win the Austin Grand Prix,in fact.So,she became even more excited as she brought her car into parc ferme.
"Nice one."Max said as he clapped her on the back when they got out of their cars.
Kiara clasped hands with him."A one-two for the team."
A moment later,though,she yelped as hands grabbed onto her waist and picked her up.
"Carlos!"She laughed as he held her up,his hands holding onto her waist.
She laughed again,shaking her head as she looked down at him,then waved to the surrounding crowd who cheered her on for the win.
"Esa es mi chica."Carlos said as he slowly set her down again."Finally,we're on podium together."
She smiled,though he wouldn't see it because of her helmet.They shared a hug,Kiara playfully hitting the side of his helmet before running off to the team as they waited at the barrier nearby.
Later on at the podium celebration,Kiara grinned from where she stood on the P1 spot.She looked to her left,seeing Carlos there in third.He met her gaze,then winked.
She nodded down at the crowd below,her grin bright as the trophy was handed to her after the anthems played.
And once it was time for the champagne celebration,she didnt waste any time.
Kiara grabbed her bottle of champagne and popped it open,immediately spraying Carlos in the face before he could do it to her.He said something,but she didnt hear it.
Max sprayed them from behind,a sneaky look on his face.
Kiara poured some champagne onto his head,causing the crowd below to laugh and cheer more.
Carlos hugged her from behind,his smiled so bright and filled with excitement.Then,he grabbed her by the collar of her racing suit and poured the remaining champagne down her back.
Kiara yelped,quickly jumping away and hiding behind Max,who was just trying to chug from the large bottle in his hands.
Carlos chased after Kiara and accidentally hit Max,all three drivers laughing.
It slowly came to an end after a few moments,the champagne almost finished.
They soon stood together and in line for the picture,Carlos putting a hand on her back as he kissed her on the cheek.

Sitting in her drivers room by herself after post-race interviews,Kiara sat back and sighed happily.She dragged a hand through her loose hair,savoring the silence for a few moments.After changing back into her Red Bull shirt and leggings,she just sat on the couch in the drivers room for a while,looking at the trophy on the nearby desk.
After a few minutes,though,her phone rang.
Kiara looked at the caller ID,then picked up with a smile,saying."Mom?"
"Hello."Her mother said."Congratulations on the win,Kiara.You did really well."
"Thanks."Kiara said."Were you guys watching or...?"
"We got back from the karting track just in time to see it."She said."It really made the day better,to be honest."
Kiara paused for a second,remembering something.
Elijah had a race today as well.One where he was supposed to start on pole.
"Wait,how did Elijah's race go?"Kiara quickly asked,directing the topic away from herself.
"Uhh,"Her mother sighed."That's partly what I called for.
"Is something wrong?"Kiara asked,frowning.
"He crashed out,Ki."She said."Some kid knocked him off."
"Oh..."Kiara sighed."Shit."
"That's not even all."She sighed again."They fought after the race."
Kiara clenched her jaw."Is Elijah-"
"He's fine,thankfully.Just a bruise on his arm."Her mother told her."But...He won't leave his room,Ki.He won't even eat or talk.I don't know what that other child told him,but it seems bad."
Kiara muttered a curse under her breath in German,pinching the bridge of her nose.It sounded bad.
"Mom...I can fly down to Spielberg tomorrow."Kiara said."Please,just-"
"No."Her mother said."You have another race week.And another after that."
"Elijah is more-"
"Kiara,you'll get too tired of all those flights."She firmly added."Come after the Brazilian Grand Prix."
Kiara sighed,shaking her head.She really wanted to go home and see Elijah as soon as possible...But that was kind of hard at the moment.After all,she had to leave for Mexico on Tuesday.She couldn't exactly catch flights from two continents that easily,as much as she could just throw around the orders with her pilot.
"I didn't mean to make you worry so much."Her mother said."I just thought that you and Alora should know."
"Okay,"Kiara pursed her lips."Just...Try to cheer him up."
"I will."She sighed."Bye."
"Bye."Kiara said,then hung up.
She just hoped that Elijah wasn't going through the same thing that she had when karting...
Lydia walked into the room moments later,seeming as though she had rushed over.
"Kiara,"She pursed her lips."Christian wants to discuss your Red Bull contract at tonight's meeting."