Back in the States

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The flight was horrible with lots of turbulence and our lay-over in Atlanta got hectic due to our delayed first flight. But in the end we made it back home safe. The Uber ride home from the airport was the worst part, as all of us seemed to realize our trip has ended and all excitement of the last few days will turn into the old habits of our basic lives the next day. Which it already was as I got dropped off at 1:15AM.

I opened my apartment doors and breathed in the smell of it. I adored my apartment. But I had no courage to do anything else but brush my teeth and go to sleep. I did not unpack nor did I water my plants, even if they looked really thirsty. I hate to go straight to bed without showering after a plane or train ride but I simply had no energy left. Plus, I am sure the longer I would stay awake the more I would think about the last moments of the trip.

After George was swallowed by the elevator for good my thoughts went crazy. It took me all my energy to get back to our room. I knocked as I already brought back the room cards of course and Naomi opened. Just as I predicted she looked me up and down my face and immediately knew something happened. "If you hadn't slept next to me and made me feel bad for packing for so long I would have guessed you just came home from the night." She looked me in the eyes. I tried to look as strucked by her words as my current state of mind would allow me fake it. A smile grew on her face and turned into a naughty grin. "I know a walk of shame when I see one. Spit it out."

"I don't know what you are talking about." I said but my voice gave it away and I could not control my face anymore. Within a second I wore the same big grin as Naomi. "He is asking me out to dinner in Montreal. Of course I have to figure it out with work first, but I think I might actually go. He is –"

" – yah yah, you can tell me later, but I want to know what happened not what he said."

"You are unbelievable, Omi! Give me a bit of privacy!" I said and said it extra harsh to hopefully get rid of her. I really wanted to enter this door finally. I tried to squeeze past her.

She stepped in my way and whispered threatening: "You know there is no such thing with me. Spit it out now or I will harass you with it the whole flight. Both flights, actually. Your choice, baby girl." She fake smiled nearly as cute as Elsa.

"We kissed. In the elevator. Believe me when I say I can't put it in words. I would do it for you, but I can't." I whispered back. Not because I did not want the others to know, but I felt naughty. I sighted, stepped back and asked in normal volume: "So, are you satisfied now? Am I allowed entry?"

She giggled. "I am, but are you?" She burst out in laugher while finally letting me past her.

I had to smile thinking back to it. She really was the best even if her teasing went overline sometimes. I realized that I was thinking about the trip and George again and commanded myself to stop. I opened my phone one last time while already cuddled into my pillows and duvet. I haven't removed airplane mode and I decided I won't until tomorrow. I highly doubted he has texted. But if he has it would take me another hour to fall asleep and I was tired as if I had never slept in my existence. I put in an alarm for 6:15AM and nearly cried as I realized I have less then 5 hours to go before I had to get up for work. Maybe I should just quit and it would be for the better. At least, then I would not have to worry about making it to Montreal.

It took me moments to understand where I was and what's the matter with the alarm the next morning. It physically hurt to wake up, but there was no choice. So I did what I always did when I was this tired. Without hesitation, I put my feet of the corner of the bed and just stood up. I went into the bathroom before I decided otherwise, and immediately turned on the shower for it to get hot. Steaming hot showers are often the solution, I thought to myself. I got into the shower and just stood there for a few minutes to get my hair soaking and to allow myself a few thoughts. I needed to put my phone out of airplane mode. But I was scared. Probably he hasn't texted, but I know I would feel disappointed if no message shows. I don't think I should put meaning into this and maybe he also wanted that I text him first? He said "Text me" and he is the kind of guy to give space and mean it. I put shampoo into my hair and massaged my scalp. But if he hasn't texted, because he wants me to text - shall I do it now? I kind of want to. Just asking if he flew home as well or where he would prepare for the next race. But I guessed he's not a big texter and proably would also not have time for such texts? I don't know. But I didn't want to text him a message with out hard content and then risk to never get a response. Or to wait for one and be aware of the wait. i rinsed my hair and hold the breath as I put my whole head under the water. I will not look at my phone every other minute to see if I have gotten a response just now. No I won't. I gasped for air and wrong out my hair to put in conditioner. I decided to not text him for now and wait until I have spoken to Oliver - my boss. Then I will text him, if I got the go for Montreal. I doubted Oliver would let me take off from Wednesday til Monday again, but maybe Friday? Or just Monday? I will see. I planned out how I would start the conversation with my boss while I finished up in the shower. I blow dried my roots only, as my straight and unfortunately thin hair was drying easily and got dressed. It was 6:51AM by the time and I had to leave at 7:20 to make it by 7:45 to prepare for my first patient. It was actually enough time that I took the courage to reset the airplane mode now. I sat on the edge of my bed and watched it connect to the service and Wi-Fi. I got a texted from my service that I am back in the states and a message from my dad. Typical dad move to answer my photo with Mick and his voice message just now. Ha asked how I got to meet him. Ufff, I can't say through George Russell. I did not tell my parents that we actually went through contacts and stayed in the Ferrari garage. He must have thought we just payed seats. Now of course he is wondering, why I got a picture of Mick Schumacher, where you clearly see that we are in the Mercedes garage from the background.

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