Off the Tracks

Chapter 64- First, he stole his girlfriend

Riley was stood in the Alpha Tauri garage moments before Qualifying started, watching Liam pull out of the garage. Julia was next to her with a headset on while they looked at the screen in-front of them that was showing quali as it started. And as usual, Riley grew nervous when everyone took the tracks, never knowing what could happen if something went wrong.

Riley watched the screen as everyone's first lap times were logged, seeing that Liam was in the top 10 she smiled widely.

"That's better than last week" She told Julia quietly with a smile. They watched together as Q1 went on, and Liam's name slowly fell to the elimination zone before jumping back up to the top ten.

"You're so winning that bet" Julia told her while Riley's hand went nervously to her arm.

As the last lap was being completed, Liam's name was back to the bottom of the board, being listed as 'The driver at risk'. Riley stood there nervously while the cars raced by on the screen, some already finishing while others like Liam, continued.

Everyone erupted in cheers when Liam qualified in P4, just before Lance Stroll crashed and a red flag was drawn.

"I was not expecting P4" Julia with disbelief, looking at the car that was being taken into the garage that held Liam.

"If he keeps up the pace he's totally making it to Q3" Riley said with a smile, keeping her eyes on the screen. She watched for what felt like 20 minutes but was most likely less, different replays of qualifying and a small interview with Oscar, only to be followed by Logan; who she wanted to go see but she refused to accidentally miss the start of Q2.

Riley's heart breaks a little when she sees Logan visibly upset over his results. Watching as he struggles to search for an explanation to why he did so poorly.

"I should probably see him after this" Riley whispered to Julia while she nodded, hearing what she was saying but being focused on the screen.

Soon enough Q2 started, and Liam's first lap was complete. He was P11, in the elimination zone for a few minutes before dropping down to P13. Right around when Daniel decided to join Julia and Riley watching qualifying.

"Hey do you know what's up with Max" Daniel asked Riley quietly. "Everyone over at Red Bull is freaking out"

"I haven't got a clue" Riley said shrugging, she hasn't talked to Max since her run in with him at Charles house, and she was hoping to keep it that way for a bit longer, but knowing that they were now in the same friend group, she might find that to become difficult.

"I know what it is" Julia said turning to face Danny who was stood behind her with a large smile. "Riles and Liam got into his head"

Riley laughed lightly while Julia and Daniel both nudged her, all of them turning their attention back to the screen. They watched as the clock ticked down, going just under 5 minutes and Max was the driver at risk. But Liam was still in the elimination zone.

Riley grew nervous when the clock got under 2 minutes and Liam's name hadn't moved up, but she had hope, there was still time. Everyone next to her that was watching the screen went completely silent. Just waiting to see the out come of Q2.

The clock read 0:00, and everyone was completing their last lap. And as Liam crossed the line, his name replaced Max's. Everyone in the garage started yelling as Crofty's commentary rang through the headsets everyone was wearing.