Formula 1 | One Shots

Forever Young | Oscar Piastri

Authors Note: First Oscar story, sorry 😅

Done in Oscar's POV
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As I entered into the lobby of my apartment building, I remembered to stop by the mailroom to collect any mail I might have missed while I was gone for two weeks. I just got back from the Canadian GP and had a nice week off before needing to report to headquarters. 

There were only a few pieces of mail, so I grabbed it and headed upstairs. The first thing I wanted to do was shower after a long flight back home. I placed the mail on the counter and headed to my bedroom. I unpacked and organized all my dirty things aside to put in the wash. 

After a much needed long shower, I started a load of laundry and decided to catch up on some emails. I had a few PR engagements during this week off, so I made sure to respond to the important emails. I got a text from my girlfriend letting me know she would be landing in Nice tomorrow afternoon. I confirmed with her that I'd be there to pick her up. She wasn't able to attend the Canadian GP, so I was excited to see her after 3 weeks. 

After an hour, I headed into the kitchen to put something together for myself. Before I opened the fridge, I got distracted by the pile of mail sitting on the counter. I quickly sifted through the envelopes, trying to pick out anything important, one in particular catching my eye. It was from Jessica Scott, addressed to Ozzy, her old nickname for me. I didn't think I'd hear from her at all, it's been so many years. More importantly, how did she get my new address in Monaco? 

Jessi was my high school girlfriend, we dated for three years before we both moved on. She was the first girl I ever fell in love with, definitely a core memory for me. We were each others firsts. She went on to college abroad, while I advanced through Formula 2. 

We never spoke again after we broke up. Despite it being a mutual breakup, she cut off all communication or attempts of friendship, so I respected her wishes. At the time it hurt, but it's always hard to stay friends after a breakup. Curious, I ripped own the envelope to see multiple pages of what looked like a handwritten letter. 

'Ozzy, don't ask me how I got your address, as I'm sure you're already wondering. There's so many things I want to write to you about, so many things left unsaid. 

Firstly, congratulations on making your dreams come true, I am so so proud of you. I always knew you would make it to Formula 1, I never stopped cheering for you. Although we ended things, you were always my friend and for that I'll always love you.

Secondly, I want to tell you that I'm sorry. I took the cowards way out when we ended things. You said you wanted to be friends, but cutting you out of my life completely was what I thought made sense for me at the time. I figured since you'd be traveling the world, there was no need to try to keep you in my life, sounds stupid- right? I guess you can say I wish I held onto our friendship, maybe things could have been different. 

Thirdly, I am so happy for you. You and your girlfriend look great together. She's beautiful. You look happy, you truly do. I hope you always get what you deserve and continue to have a smile on your face. I hope you're in love.

Lastly, I want to thank you. You showed me what love was at such a young age. You made me feel seen, heard. I still remember our first kiss, do you remember? Us under Mrs. Bellington's apple tree? You said some cheesy line and proceeded to bump your head into mine, attempting to pull me into a kiss. It wasn't perfect by any means, but in a sense it was perfect for us.

I'm sorry this is how you find out. I made my parents promise not to reach out to you, hell we haven't spoken to each other in five years. I asked my sister to send this letter out. So if you are in fact receiving this letter, then I'm gone. Life's weird, isn't it? When I first heard about this rare disease I was suddenly diagnosed with, I was devastated. Freshly 24 years old and I had a year to live, if I was lucky. 

I spent that first month sulking, and rightfully so. I was angry at everyone and everything. Why me? Didn't I deserve to live? My parents were still hopeful for a miracle, but you know me...always the realist. After exactly 30 days, I turned my life around. I realized life is so fragile and despite being given a shitty hand, I was going to make the most of the time I had left. I began creating a bucket list, things I wanted to do before I was gone. 

I swam with dolphins in Bali, attempted to surf in Portugal, safari'ed in Kenya, learned to make pasta in Italy, slept with hot French men, had sushi in Tokyo.. Oh and I dropped acid in Ibiza, 0/10 don't recommend. I swear to god I saw the sun explode into Skittles during my acid trip. But fuck it, I was gonna die anyways, so I thought why the hell not try it?

I took pictures everywhere I went, mainly for my parents. I knew how hard this was on them, and I wanted to leave them with nothing but good memories. My parents knew I'd likely not make it to my 25th birthday, so we baked a cake together and celebrated it at home. I of course had to make red velvet, you know even after all these years, it's still my favorite. 

Funny thing was, there was only one thing on my list I hesitated about, watching an F1 race live. Previous to this, I really wanted to come support you in person, but it didn't feel right. I decided it was time and I really tried to make it to Imola. By the time I had gotten to the end of my list, I was already bound to my hospital bed, too weak to travel. 

I'm not writing this letter to you for you to be sad, the opposite actually. The purpose of this letter was to show you how much you meant to me and how much you have indirectly impacted my life. Ozzy, I wish you all the best in the world, I pray all your hopes and dreams come true. I only ask you one thing. Don't forget me. I know how selfish this sounds, but I want my memory to live on...the good ones. Remember me when it rains. Remember me when you see peonies blooming. Remember me when that Avicii song we loved comes on the radio. Remember me when you're eating mint ice cream (which I still think is horrible). Remember me when you win your first F1 race. 

I'm curious what life will be like once I'm gone. I think thats the scariest part. I'm not scared for me, but those around me. I pray my parents move on and can be happy again one day. I hope grief doesn't cloud my family. I secretly arranged for them to get a dog, a golden retriever. I hope my sister grows up to fulfill all her dreams. I hope she falls in love, gets married, has kids. I hope my memory lives on through them, I know it will. 

Thank you Ozzy. You'll always mean the world to me. Please don't have pity or cry for me, I lived 24 years of life to the fullest, with no regrets. Who knows, maybe if I'm lucky, I will make it to my 25th birthday in a few weeks.

Love Always, Jessica Donna Scott

Before I could even process what I read, a photo fell from the one of pages of her letter. I picked it off the ground, almost laughing through the tears at a photo of us from a high school party. I remembered that was the night we first told each other we loved each other. I was so nervous to tell her, only for her to blurt it out right before I was about to confess. I can't believe she kept it after all these years. 

I was processing multiple feelings. Anger, guilt, regret, sadness, love. I didn't know how to feel. But I did know one thing, I'd always remember her. 

"I'll never forget you Jessi," I whispered to myself, tears rolling down my cheek. I smiled, picking up the photo of us again, placing it inside the back of my phone case. I quickly opened up Instagram searching Jessi's sister. Thankfully she was public. 

The most recent post I saw was 4 days before what would have been Jessi's 25th birthday, it was a tribute post. My heart clenched reading the beautiful words she had for her sister, before realizing she never made it to her 25th.

She was going to be 24, forever.