There's Twice as Many Stars as Usual| L.S

5.5

Logan

The morning of qualifying dawned bright and early, the golden sunlight streaming through my hotel window. I shook off the remnants of sleep, my mind already racing with thoughts of the day ahead. After a quick shower and a light breakfast, I pulled on my Williams team gear and headed to the paddock. The familiar buzz of activity greeted me as I arrived, the hum of engines and the chatter of team members filling the air. This was my domain, my sanctuary, and today, I was determined to give it my all.

the day began like any other qualifying day—thrumming with energy and anticipation. The Baku circuit, with its sharp turns and long straights, promised a thrilling challenge. I was focused, ready to give my best performance, but the sight of a familiar figure in the distance jolted me out of my single-minded concentration.

There she was, Charlotte, walking briskly toward the Mercedes garage. Her sudden appearance stirred up a whirlwind of memories and emotions that I had long tried to suppress. I saw her eyes meet mine for a fleeting second before she quickened her pace and disappeared into the Mercedes garage. My heart pounded, the unexpected encounter throwing me off balance.

Shaking off the distraction, I forced myself to refocus on the task at hand. Qualifying was crucial, and there was no room for distraction. The team was counting on me, and I couldn't afford to let my mind wander.

As the session began, I pushed the car to its limits, navigating the tight corners and narrow streets of Baku with precision. The adrenaline coursed through me as I fought to secure a competitive time. The leaderboard was constantly shifting, each lap bringing new challenges and opportunities.

Throughout the session, I couldn't help but wonder how Charlotte was coping with being back in this world. The memories of our shared past were a constant undercurrent, but I knew I had to stay focused. This was my chance to prove myself, and I wasn't going to let anything—or anyone—distract me from that goal.

As the session drew to a close, I managed to secure a respectable 15th position on the grid. Relief and a sense of accomplishment washed over me, but the encounter with Charlotte lingered in the back of my mind.

After the session, as I walked back to the garage, I caught sight of her again, this time with Mick Schumacher by her side. They seemed close, sharing quiet conversations and supportive gestures. A pang of something—jealousy, regret, longing—struck me, but I pushed it aside. There was no time for personal feelings in this high-stakes environment.

The day had been a whirlwind of emotions and high-speed action, but as night fell over the Baku paddock, I knew I had done my best. Tomorrow would bring the race, another opportunity to prove myself. And maybe, just maybe, a chance to confront the unresolved feelings that seeing Charlotte had stirred up.

As I settled into bed, the anticipation of race day mingled with the lingering thoughts of Charlotte, making for a restless night.