Eliana is an aspiring photographer, having worked in low-level marketing and media jobs she finally found her place in f1.
That is until she meets someone and ends up on the wrong foot.
Their tension must snap at some point.
The question is when.
Emilia: The English weather was, as per usual, bipolar. I arrived a few days ago, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix having been cancelled, and the weather has been hot, cold, sunny, and rainy. It was a shame really, it's a fun track. But the unprecedented weather ruined the track, and the FIA cancelled it due to safety precautions. I'm glad they did, though. The thought of watching the drivers I've grown so close to crash into a wall, or worse, sends shivers down my spine. I know it can happen anywhere, but I try not to dwell too long on the subject, ensuring to myself that they know what they are doing. Still, it's a prevalent thought.
— I race down the roads of London in my Audi, feeling more than happy to be returned to my lovely car. This is the one thing I have missed the most. The night drives, the drives in the sun, the rumble of the engine. It's nice to drive myself around too. I think after being away for so long, you forget the small details of daily life. How odd, that I would miss driving myself.
I pull into the car parking space outside the club. It's daytime, so I'm allowed to park outside as there is no one really around, not that Reggie would stop me anyways. I grab my bag and check my watch, only 8 minutes late. It could've been worse.
I walk inside, checking my outfit in the floor to ceiling mirrors as I walk through the hallway. My loose white mini dress stark against my freshly tanned skin paired with a brown shirt (I think it might be Reggie's? But it's so cute I always wear it. And it's not buttoned, more of a short-sleeved cardigan.) I fuss with my hair, a few wavy strands whisping around my face that have escaped out of my messy bun. If Reggie could see me now, he would say something like 'Eli, no need to dress up, it's only me.' Or 'I didn't know fashion week was upon us' which...is kind of sweet in his own way, but I know he likes it when I dress up.
The lights are on, but only near where Liv and Reggie are sitting. As I walk closer I notice someone else is here, previously blocked by Liv. They all turn when they hear me and my jaw drops open. I drop my bag and run into Blake's arms. Blake Whitley is here. In front of me.
"Nice to see you too, Eli." she says, a smile warming her face.
"How the fuck are you here? I thought you were still in Asia?" I say, pushing her away so I can clearly look at her to ensure I'm not daydreaming.
"I managed to get a few weeks off." she says, eyes moving to Reggie who just nods his head. I could kiss that man. Whoa, that's weird, that's Liv's dad.
Blake and I met when we were teenagers. We both had a passion for photography, and were the only two girls in our class, which, over a few weeks, bloomed into this everlasting friendship we still harness today. We haven't seen each other in months, maybe even over a year. With my last job as a low-level photographer and Blake's job as a wildlife photographer, it was hard to convene on our off days. Blake has been all around the world, helping raise money for conservations and organisations by selling her photography, which is what partially inspired me to go for the McLaren job. So I have her to thank for that.
—
"I still can't believe you're actually here." I say, dumbfounded.
"And I can't believe you dyed your hair red!" she laughs, pointing to my hair. "Trying to copy me, are we?" She smirks, twirling her auburn hair around her finger.
"I think my shade is a little too dark to be considered copying. But for your ego, yes Blake, I want to be you!" I laugh, as she pushes me playfully.
"So...any men yet?" She raises her eyebrows.
"not really." I respond, a small blush on my cheeks.
"Not really? What the hell does that mean?"
"It's nothing. Honestly."
"She's 100% not being honest to you right now, for the record." Liv interrupts.
"Care to explain?" Blake asks, resting her head on her fist.
"There's nothing to explain!" I nearly shout, suddenly very defensive of the matter.
"Oh, come on Eli. Blake hasn't been here for your little moments. It might make you feel better to confide in someone other than me." She says, finishing her sentence with a smile, making me groan in defeat. She has a point.
"Fine."
"Okay, so long story short. Eli is completely and utterly head over heels for someone she works with, who, might I add, is such a beautiful specimen of a man that it is shocking that he is single."
"Whoa! I am not head over heels for him!"
"Um, yes you are." She remarks.
I go to open my mouth to retort but Liv smirks and says under her breath, "that kiss said otherwise."
I shut my mouth, suddenly very aware of the feeling of the table under my arms and the dryness of my lips. How does she know that? Does anyone else know? Oh fuck.
"I'm sorry?! I seem to have missed a few chapters." Blake says, confusion riddling her features.
Liv just raises her eyebrows at me. She knows that I would have never brought it up of my own volition, but she also knows I'd want to explain it myself, on my own terms. She just knows me too well, for fuck sake.
I take a deep breath, then explain the whole thing, leaving out a few details, such as how much I've been thinking of him since, and how I've itched to message him, but refrained. More often than not ending up throwing my phone across the room before I actually commit to it.
"Oh." Blake breaks the silence.
"What the fuck do you mean 'oh'?"
"I just- Look, you know I love you," I nod in response , "Immensely. And know that I am going to be brutally honest about this when I say that there is a part of you, and maybe Oscar too, that craves him." I go to open my mouth but the hand she places on top of mine halts me, "Hate is still a type of passion."
I huff out a breath I didn't know I was holding. "When did you get so fucking wise?"
She chuckles, stroking my hand a little before she retracts hers, "I've been a few places."
— Today wasn't supposed to be a day full of philosophical answers, yet here we are. My mind wanders away from Blake and Liv, and to a part of me that has been barricaded for a long while. I stand there, layers upon layers of hard rock and metal blocking my view and repeat what Blake said to me, hate is still a type of passion. The silence of my brain is broken by the small echo of cracking, and as I say the phrase again, a giant fissure splits the wall straight up the middle. I'm not ready to evaluate what it means, so I bring myself back to the here. The now. To Liv and Blake and the comforting walls of the club. I don't know what I'm going to do when I see Oscar again. Maybe kiss him again. Maybe more.
—
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Word count: 1263
Authors note: This is another filler, but I needed something to at least MENTION Emilia 😭. Anyways, I hope you like Blake?! I decided to add her because Eli and Liv need an in-between. Someone who is silly like Liv but also grounded like Eli. Can't wait to add her into the story more, though it won't be as much as Liv 💗 This is short, but I'm gonna give you a double upload 🤭 so I'll see you all in a bit
