As if | Max Verstappen

50

it had been two weeks since I had driven in Silverstone and the two races after had gone much easier and I had not had any more panic attacks and I dared to attack the others more. Today Max had decided to ask me out on a date. I had made sure that I didn't need a luxury restaurant or anything, but that a cozy cafe was enough.

Max would pick me up in two hours so I would have time to shower, get dressed and get ready. Mango was sleeping in my bed while I went to the bathroom and took a shower. I felt and looked like a zombie so I turned on the coldest water which woke me up.

when I was done, I took out the hair dryer and started drying my hair, which made Mango wake up. no one had said that cats, or yes my cat would follow me like a shadow wherever I went. I heard him yowling as loud as he could from the other side of the door and I thought for a second that my neighbors would hear. I turned off my hair dryer and opened the door so he could come in and give him the snuggle he needed.

after two hours I heard a knock on the door. I shouted that the door was open and that Max could come in. the door opened and he was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a white thick sweater. there was something about max and white clothes that made me fall harder and harder every time he wore it.

"are you ready?" Max asked with a small smile.

"of course I am" I said and welcomed him with a hug.

we went out to Max's car and he told me to plug in my cell phone so I could play music before he drove off. after we spent every free time together he knew I needed to listen to music for almost everything I did. Music was like therapy for me and Max had learned that.

we had become comfortable being with each other so now we had reduced our stealth when we were out among people and it was a wonder that no one had taken lots of pictures of us together. after a drive later we arrived at a cozy cafe that we had been to before.

We got out of the car and went into the cafe. It was the kind of place where the atmosphere felt like a warm hug, with soft sofas, dim lighting and the smell of freshly baked bread and freshly brewed coffee. Max opened the door for me and we stepped in, hand in hand. We ordered our favorite drinks, a large latte for me and a black coffee for Max,

We found a cozy corner of the patio, where we could be a little secluded but still enjoy the people passing by. There was a little nook at the back that we had somehow made our own. We always sat there when we were here, a place where we could be ourselves and talk about everything and nothing.

"Max"

"mmm" he said after he put his coffee down.

"put on your hood"

"why" he said raising one eyebrow.

"some people have been staring at us for several minutes now"