𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ~ | 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯

Like The Rain

~'~

"FUCK! FUCK! NO!" I slammed my hands against my steering wheel.

The car had just come to a stop. Bits of barrier fell into my lap as the dust settled. I saw the red flag being waved through the thick haze of rain.

Fucking shit!

I just had to fuck up this close to the end, didn't I? I had lost the rear trying to push harder, chasing Oscar, but now I had lost it all. It was my fault. It had been a reckless decision, especially in this heavy rain. I felt so angry. But under the anger were shame and guilt. I had let down my team and myself.

I opened my visor and rubbed my eyes with a groan. I could almost hear Max's taunting laugh as his perfectly intact Redbull waltzed past me. I scowled.

"Are you okay?" Will's voice was worried. I sighed.

"Yeah..." I replied before pulling out my steering wheel and pulling myself out of the car. Marshals were crowding around me, helping me out of the car as if I had just pulled 40 Gs. I knew I hadn't.

My head was a little dizzy, and I could feel a bruise forming on my arm, but other than that, I was okay. I shrugged someone's hand off me before pulling off my helmet and balaclava. People were already beginning to gather the broken pieces of the car.

I stood motionless, watching them. The rain soaked through my race suit. I didn't care. I didn't know what to do with myself. Finally, I was ushered away, back to the garages. I kept my head down. I didn't want to look at anyone. I saw Christian watching me from the pit wall, shaking his head sadly. I felt my face redden with shame.

I wanted to run away. Home. To my room. Anything, just away from here. I couldn't bear the stares. Bea appeared at my side, waving away the marshal who was accompanying me.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked in a hushed voice as she led me back to my trailer.

"Do you want the real answer or an 'I'm good?'" I sighed. She paused. "I'm good, Bea. How are you?" I faked a smile. She pursed her lips.

"I hate doing this to you, but I need you to do some interviews." She told me hesitantly. I didn't have the energy to protest, so I just nodded.

She waited outside with her umbrella while I went inside and changed into a loose white t-shirt and a Red Bull raincoat. I came back out, and she walked with me to the media pen, holding the umbrella above us both. A couple people stopped me to take pictures, but I was not in the mood. Of course I did, but I didn't take my time. Finally, glad to be out of the rain, I was waved over by a reporter.

"Hey, Sabrina. Sorry to see you out this close to the end. How are you feeling?" She asked. I put my water bottle down and took a small breath. I put on a smile.

"Well, not the result I wanted, let's say." I said it lightly.

"At least you're okay. I'm sure we all let out a sigh of relief." She said it kindly. "Do you know what went wrong?"

"Yes. I went wrong. I made a stupid move, and I paid the price. The team paid the price." I wanted to keep smiling, but it was hard.

"I feel like giving you a hug right now." She said it with a small, pitying smile. I laughed.

"Thank you."

"Hey, here's something that might cheer you up. The race just ended." She glanced at her phone. I raised an eyebrow. "I know you two are very close, so..." She trailed off, handing me the phone.