𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗗, oscar piastri

𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣 𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡, out of comfort zones

          BY THE TIME AZERBAIJAN rolled around, Stella was just barely recovered. A week before, she'd given up on trying to be "independent" and temporarily moved back into her childhood bedroom in her father's house, letting him and Brittny take care of her. Finally, after a few more days of cough syrup deliveries from her father, motherly pampering from Brittny, and visits from Oscar, Addie, and even Logan, she was all better. But she still decided against going to Azerbaijan.

The only thing making her feel sicker than the flu was how much ballet rehearsal she had been missing. So, she decided to take the Azerbaijan race weekend to catch up, staying in the studio with her director for nine hours each day Oscar was gone. When he came back, she was still on her self inflicted "grind", too busy to see him or anyone.

The plan was put on an indefinite hold. Finally, after two weeks of straight ballet and nothing else, Stella decided she was caught up on everything she had missed during her bedrest. She figured there would be no harm in accepting Oscar's offer of Miami Grand Prix tickets. Plus, her director, Joana, was practically begging for a few days off.

Stella flew to Miami with Oscar, carpooling (or planepooling, rather) with a few other drivers in Lewis's private jet. It had been an interesting experience to say the least. Seeing Lewis and George fighting over Uno while Alex slept on George's shoulder and Lando and Oscar quite literally giggled over something on Lando's phone was certainly was something. Stella had taken a seat with Lily and Carmen, who she had never really spoken to before, and she wasn't sure why. Aside from a slight mishap where they had been convinced that Stella was Oscar's girlfriend, they were some of the sweetest girls Stella had ever spoken to. By the time the flight was over, a new group chat had been made, new followers had been accepted on spam Instagrams, and days worth of future plans had been made.

"Stella, you should spend the day with us when we land!" Lily suggested, her legs sprawled across a vacant plane seat as she munched on crackers.

"Yes!" Carmen agreed, nodding from next to Stella. "We were thinking of walking around Miami a bit, seeing the sights and stuff."

Stella smiled, joyous at being invited. "I would love t–"

"No she wouldn't!" Oscar interrupted from his seat next to Lando, making Stella jump. She hadn't realized he'd been listening in. "We have plans."

Stella furrowed her eyebrows. She was not aware of such plans. "We do?"

"Yes," Oscar nodded, his lips twitching into a smile that made Stella think he had something planned. "we do."

"And what are these plans?"

"I can't tell you."

"Okay..." Stella tilted her head, confused. She turned back to Carmen and Lily with a shrug. "then I guess I'm busy."

Lily let out a laugh, sharing a knowing glance with Carmen. But whatever they knew, Stella wasn't sure.

"What about Thursday then?" Lily asked. "It's media day so Oscar should be busy. We'll just be hanging around, maybe meet up with some of the other girls. Alexandra and Kika, maybe others. I think Laila should be there as well. Not sure who else is coming this weekend."

"Sure, that sounds great." Stella agreed, peering out the airplane window. Heights weren't really for her, but she could certainly appreciate the view. She had done a lot to get over fears over the years, she'd even be able to rock climb recently. They barely sent a shiver down her spine anymore, and she'd been considering a helicopter tour if she ever went somewhere cool, but still. It was only a consideration. The memories of her childhood fear lingered too heavily in the back of her mind.