Left Behind

Call

The Bahrain evening stretched outside the window, casting a warm glow across the room where Max and Daniel found themselves engaged in easy banter. The hum of the F1 circus outside was momentarily replaced by the comforting rhythms of their conversation.

Daniel: "So, Max, got any plans for the night? Dinner, maybe a stroll under the Bahraini stars?"

Max chuckled, glancing out of the window at the darkening sky.

Max: "I think I'll pass on the romantic stroll. Maybe grab some dinner, though. Got any suggestions?"

Daniel: "Ah, a man of refined taste. I heard there's a great spot near the track. We should check it out. But hey, speaking of romantic strolls, you have an guardian angel in Monaco recently, did you know?"

Max arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

Max: "Guardian angel? What are you on about?"

Daniel leaned back, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

Daniel: "Come on, mate. Charles. You remember him, right? The guy we used to share the paddock with, or was it something more for you maybe?"

Max's eyes widened, his mind racing to process the unexpected mention of Charles fucking Leclerc.

Max: "Charles? What about him?"

Daniel chuckled, thoroughly enjoying the effect of his teasing on Max.

Daniel: "Well, your dear friend Charles gave me a call after he saw Kelly at the club. Seems like there's some drama in Monaco."

Max's brows furrowed as he processed the information. Kelly, Monaco, and Charles – the pieces of the puzzle clicked into place.

Max: "Wait, he called you? Why would Charles call you about that?"

Daniel leaned forward, savoring the moment of revelation.

Daniel: "Oh, you know, just some friendly concern. He wanted to know what was going on with you and Kelly. I guess he saw something that got him worried."

Max's expression shifted, a blend of surprise and amusement.

Max: "Worried? What did he see?"

Daniel leaned in, lowering his voice in mock secrecy.

Daniel: "Well, it seems like our boy Charles figured you and Kelly broke up. He wanted the inside scoop."

Max chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

Max: "Charles cares about that stuff? I mean, after our last conversation I thought he'd moved on."

Daniel: "Mate, emotions don't have pit stops. They linger around the track like tire rubber. But seriously, why didn't you tell him about the breakup?"

Max sighed, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Max: "Honestly, I didn't think it was a big deal. It's not like we were planning a grand announcement. And I don't owe him anything, he left when I finally saw him again, he didn't let me talk."

Daniel: "Fair point. But you know Charles – he's got a knack for picking up on these things. Maybe you should give him a call. Clear the air, mate."

Max considered Daniel's suggestion, realizing that the untangled web of emotions involving Charles needed some resolution.

Max: "Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll give him a call later. Thanks for the heads up, mate."

Daniel grinned, a satisfied glint in his eyes.

Daniel: "No problem, Max. Just looking out for you. Now, about that dinner spot near the track..."

As the evening unfolded, the chatter between Max and Daniel seamlessly shifted back to the lighthearted banter that defined their friendship. Little did Max know that a simple mention of Charles had subtly nudged him toward the uncharted territories of his past, prompting him to contemplate the intricacies of friendships and emotions amidst the vibrant backdrop of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

_______________

Max Verstappen found himself in a contemplative silence, the soft hum of the hotel air conditioning providing a rhythmic backdrop to his thoughts. His hotel room in Bahrain was bathed in a gentle glow from the bedside lamp, creating a cocoon of solitude where decisions weighed heavily on his mind.

The screen of his phone illuminated with Charles' contact, a digital portal to a shared history that echoed in the recesses of Max's thoughts. He had been sitting on the edge of the bed for what felt like an eternity, grappling with the complexities of what to do next. The room seemed to hold its breath, caught in the liminal space between past and present.

Should I call him?

The question hung in the air, its implications reverberating through the silent room. Max's thumb hesitated above the screen, a moment frozen in indecision. The passage of time had etched a tapestry of shared victories and defeats, creating a connection that transcended the boundaries of a racetrack.

The history between Max and Charles was a kaleidoscope of emotions – camaraderie, rivalry, unspoken feelings lingering like echoes in the wind. A recent revelation, courtesy of Daniel, had added a layer of intrigue to the already intricate dance of their friendship. It wasn't just about the breakup with Kelly; it was about untangling the emotions that had remained entwined for too long.

What do I want from this call?

The question echoed in the silence, forcing Max to confront the uncharted territories of his emotions. The room seemed to hold the echoes of laughter, shared dreams, and the unspoken yearning that had lingered beneath the surface. It was a crossroads, and the decision he made would shape the contours of their relationship.

The glow from the phone screen cast a soft radiance on Max's face as he made his decision. With a deep breath, he pressed the call button, the familiar ringing sound connecting him to a world where racing and emotions intertwined.

"Hello?"

The voice on the other end carried the weight of familiarity and the unspoken. In that moment, the room transformed into a conduit for their shared history, bridging the gap between the physical distance that separated them. The air crackled with anticipation, as if the room itself held its breath, awaiting the conversation that would unfold.

"Hey, Charles. It's Max. I heard you were checking in. Thought we could catch up."

The simplicity of Max's words belied the complexity of the emotions that lurked beneath the surface. The call became a bridge, spanning the distance between them, as Max and Charles embarked on a journey into the uncharted territories of their evolving friendship, where the only certainty was the shared history that bound them together.

1000 words.