VIPER || Oscar Piastri

Chapter 41

[POV: Andreanna Saunterre]

The Monaco GP was Andi Saunterre's favourite race for one specific reason: It was the only race in the entire Formula One calendar where she was at home.

Having practically grown up in the place — thanks to that (former) best friend of hers who happens to live there — Andi felt more at home in Monaco than anywhere else, even though, technically speaking, her real home was a few minutes away in Nice.

Typically, the week of the Grand Prix would go something like this...

Andi would arrive in Nice, rush to the family home to discard of her unneeded belongings and then rush out to Monaco immediately. First, she'd head to one of the many ice cream parlours that were scattered around and order her usual; A double tub of cookie dough and chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and a flake.

Then, she'd dawdle through the streets for a while as she ate it, looking through the windows of high-end clothing brands and travel agencies that didn't even display the prices of properties.

Once her ice cream had been completely cleared, she'd head to the Larvotto Beach.

This is where Charles would meet her.

The two would chat, gossip and catch up as they walked a few lengths of the golden strip of sand and then one of them, most commonly Charles, would say something mean or rude or nasty and would end up being dunked into the ocean.

Never, not once, did either of them leave the beach completely dry.

After that, they'd hit the bars. Obviously, this was a fairly new arrangement since before they were eighteen they'd go back to Charles' house and play video games instead. But nonetheless, it was a always a good night out.

Inevitably though, Andi would have to go home at some point. Charles would often beg to come back to her house instead of his in fear of his family catching him drunk. Sometimes she'd even agree.

But that couldn't happen this time.

In fact, none of that could happen this time.

This time, for the first time in her life, Andi would get off of the plane in Nice, drive home, and stay home.

There would be no ice cream parlous or high-street parades, no double tubs of cookie dough and chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and a flake. There'd be no beach, chit-chatting, gossiping or dunking. There'd be no clubbing, or video games for that matter. There'd be no begging to come back to her house instead of his. All because there was no 'his' anymore; There was no Charles, so there was no Monaco.

It was a relief to be home, no doubt. Especially after everything that had been happening for the passed few months. It always was a relief to come back to Nice.

But it felt different.

From the second Andi left the plane, she could feel a change. It was no longer a constant thing, a consistent, never-changing, ever-green thing. Coming home was no longer familiar.

How could it be?

There were still pictures of him on the walls of her family home; reminders of the years they'd spent being inseparable from one another. Andi knew where they were situated. She knew which walls and at which heights the photos were located, but she didn't dare look at any of them.

If she did, she might miss it.

And she didn't want that.

Because for once, for once in a very long time, there was hope. Andi felt hopeful. Her plans with Oscar were being set in motion, and she was sure they'd work. There was no room for failure, anyway.

So, if she started to feel... bad again — like how she felt in the summer — she might ruin whatever hope was left through rash decisions or silly mistakes.

Being in Monaco — being in the very place the bond between the two of them formed, where Andi was never without Charles and Charles was never without Andi — it was almost like an indication that something was bound to happen. If Andi played her cards right, Charles was bound to see her again. Properly.

One way or another, Andi was going to make progress.

So, there was only one thing for it.

Once she'd unpacked, Andi picked up her phone and began to type.

"Just arrived home. When do you want to meet?" She asked, placing her phone down momentarily, not expecting it to ping mere seconds after she'd sent the message.

"I can do 6?" The reply read.

Andi looked towards the digital clock she had perched on her bedside cabinet.
4:15.

"How about 5?" She responded, biting her nails.

"Sure. 5 it is. Where do you want to meet?"

"I'll pick you up."

The response took a few moments longer than expected.

"Shouldn't it be the guy picking up the girl?"

Andi smirked, not bothering to answer the remark. Instead, she went into her contacts, found the phone number she'd just been texting and changed it's title.

Now, whenever she'd receive a phone call or text, her screen would light up with the name 'Oskah 🫶🏻' on it. It was a slim chance anyone but her would see it, but to Andi, every detail counted if she wanted this ordeal to work.

And besides, the two of them were actually starting to get along well.

So, what's the harm?

        _____________________

LMAO U GUYS DEFO HATE ME BUT HERE I AM 🎉🎉🎉

(i am actually very sorry this is so late i had a bit of a slump eek)