Cropped out - an Oscar Piastri x OC fic

Chapter 19- Invite

Eliana:
Another week went by before I knew it, and now I'm in sunny Miami. I've been to America a few times, but Miami has a whole new vibe. My heart races at what Vegas is going to be like later on in the season. The flight was as boring as ever, but i kept thinking back to Oscar and how he was, I don't know, trying to be funny with me? Was that what he was doing? He was less hostile than he usually is, which is confusing me more than I would like to admit. The worst thing is, I don't hate it. I don't hate that we're not at each other's throats, that we're not searing holes into each other, but I can't deny there's something still there. Something that I'm scared might fester into something else if we're not careful.

We haven't messaged since last Sunday, for why would we? But I check my phone, out of curiosity, every so often. It's not that I want him to message, but I wouldn't mind the way he makes my blood boil from his stupid words. Maybe I'm just off my rocker. Crazy in the brain, or whatever.

The thought of him ebbs away as the Miami sun warms my skin, sending a light kiss of heat along my body as I step out of my hotel and onto the busy promenade. I don't know how I'm ever going to go back to London, with its dreary grey skies and even drearier people, but it's a problem for another day, too focused now on the clear sky expanse above my head. I've needed this reprieve from my room, having been locked up there with a busier schedule than i'd expected. With the first race in America for the season, my job has been crazily busy. All about how we need to 'expand the demographic', which basically means they want more money for the sport and so need more advertising in America, hence my busy schedule.

I'm accompanied, again, by Liv, who didn't have to be asked twice if she wanted to come to Miami. Oddly enough, she's also never been to Miami, which shocked me beyond belief when she told me. The past few days have been good, shooting some content for Lando with his Miami helmet, and practice and quali were okay, I guess. It's so difficult knowing what to expect, especially for me, because I don't know what their car was like last season, but I do know that it's complete and utter shit this season. So I'm hoping that it improves soon, as much for the team's sanity as it is for mine. The Miami Grand Prix promises to be a spectacle unlike any other, and i'm determined to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch for Lando and the team.

—
Arriving at the circuit that was already crowded with excited crowds, me and Liv had to practically barge our way through. Walking along the paddock was a whole other story, as not only were there many people, but there were many celebrities. Liv obviously recognised a few people, much to my regret, and she stopped us a few times to talk to them. But after a while I had to drag her away towards the McLaren garage, stopping her from talking to anyone else.

"You are a nightmare, do you know that?" I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Ohhh you love it!" She smiles at me.

—
The race is due to start in a hour or so, and the garage is all hustle and bustle, everyone ensuring that the cars are prepped and ready to go onto the grid. I'm stood on Lando's side of the garage, waiting for him to turn up so I can get some content. I'm just people watching, not really paying attention to anyone or anything in particular, when my eyes snag on a fluffy brown head of hair that walks in. He walks down the side of his car and my eyes snag to his waist, where his race suit is tied loosely around it. It's hardly fair how he can look so good with his tight black fireproofs that cling to his muscles- muscles that I'm totally not staring at right now.

"What are you looking at?"

I jump out of my skin, turning around to look at the culprit, practically shouting at him "JESUS CHRIST LANDO!! Don't do that. Ever."

"Sorry. You must've been away with the fairies." He flutters his hands in front of me, making me roll my eyes.

"Yeah yeah."