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

25

Charlotte

I wake up to the sunlight streaming through the windows of my hotel room. With a quick stretch, I slip out of bed and change into something suitable for the hot weather outside.

The atmosphere in the paddock is buzzing with anticipation as teams prepare for qualifying. Mick is already deep in discussions with the engineers when I arrive, his focus on the data screens and strategy sessions evident. I take a moment to absorb the energy around me, the sound of engines revving in the background heightening the excitement.

"Hey Charlotte, good morning!" Mick greets me with a quick smile before returning to the conversation at hand. I nod in acknowledgment, slipping into the rhythm of the team's activities. The air is filled with a mix of tension and determination, each member of the Mercedes crew poised for the challenges ahead.

As the qualifying session progresses, I move between observing the team's operations and catching glimpses of other drivers preparing for their runs. The sun beats down relentlessly, casting long shadows across the paddock, but the focus remains unwavering. Mick occasionally updates me on their progress, pointing out key moments and strategies they're employing to optimize performance.

After a series of intense laps, Mick finishes his stint in the garage, checking the data one last time before joining me outside. "Looks promising," he remarks, wiping sweat from his brow. "Let's hope it holds up for the race tomorrow."

After wrapping things up at the track, we return to the hotel. Instead of heading straight to our room, I decide to go up to Logan's to see if he's up for hanging out.

"Hey, Char, come in," he greets me warmly as I knock on his door.

I step inside and settle onto his hotel bed, and he joins me, his expression slightly serious.

"Can I ask you something?" he says suddenly, catching me off guard.

My heart skips a beat, but I manage a nod, curious about what he wants to say.

"Do you want to watch the race from the Williams garage tomorrow?" he asks, his voice carrying a mix of sincerity and anticipation.

I feel a rush of excitement and surprise at his invitation. "Yes, definitely," I reply eagerly, a smile spreading across my face.

"Great," he says with a grin. "It'll be awesome having you there."

We chat for a while longer, discussing plans for the next day and enjoying each other's company in the quiet comfort of his room. The evening feels easy and relaxed, our conversation flowing effortlessly as we share stories and laughs.

As the night progresses, I begin to feel the weight of fatigue settling in.

"I think I should head back to my room," I say with a yawn, standing up and moving towards the door.

Logan nods in understanding. "Sure, Char," he replies, getting up to give me a warm hug goodbye.

"Oh, wait," I add with a light giggle, "do you have a Williams hat I could borrow? It wouldn't feel right showing up in the garage wearing Mercedes gear."

He nods again, retrieving a hat from his bag. It's one with his driver's number on it, which brings a smile to my face as I accept it graciously.

"Thanks, Logan," I say gratefully before heading out of his room and making my way to mine.

As I walk into the room, Mick glances up and notices the hat in my hands.

"Do you mind if I watch the race from Williams tomorrow?" I ask him, holding up the hat.

He shakes his head with a smile. "No, I assumed that's why you have the hat anyway," he replies knowingly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I exclaim, crossing over to hug him tightly.

"Of course, I'm happy that you two are growing close again, maybe closer," he says, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.

I chuckle at his teasing. "We'll see," I say with a grin. "It's nice to spend time together, though."

Mick nods in agreement. "Just enjoy it, Char," he advises warmly. "Now, tell me about your day. How was it with Logan?"

I settle down beside him, recounting the evening spent with Logan and our plans for tomorrow's race. Mick listens attentively, offering his insights and occasional quips that lighten the mood. As we chat, I feel grateful for his understanding and support, knowing that whatever happens, I have a friend who genuinely cares about me.

After chatting with Mick about Logan and our plans for the race day, I start to feel the fatigue of the day catching up with me. Despite the excitement, my eyelids grow heavy, and a yawn escapes me involuntarily.

"I think I'm going to crash," I admit, stifling another yawn.

Mick chuckles softly. "Go on, get some rest. You've got a big day ahead tomorrow."

I nod sleepily, feeling grateful for Mick's reassurance. "Thanks, Mick," I murmur as I stretch out on the bed, already feeling the pull of sleep.

"Anytime, Char," he replies warmly, his voice a comforting presence in the quiet room.

With that, I close my eyes, thoughts of Logan and the upcoming race day drifting through my mind as sleep swiftly claims me.