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

39

Logan

As my alarm goes off, I hear Charlotte groan beside me.

"It's too early," she whines, knowing the time.

3:00 a.m.

"We have to pack," I say, chuckling and wiping the sleep from my eyes.

She reluctantly gets up, grabbing the few things she actually wore that were folded due to being washed and shoving them back into her suitcase, grabbing a few of my hoodies in the process.

"Hey hey hey, what're you doing?" I say, laughing but continuing to pack.

"Nothing," she says, smirking.

"Uh huh," I say, laughing. "Gonna steal anything else while you're at it?"

"No," she says, grabbing two more hats.

"Charlotte," I chuckle.

"What?" she says innocently.

"We're gonna be back here in a week. Do you really need to steal everything?" I say.

"I mean, I guess not, but what if I forget to grab them when we come back?" she asks.

"You make a great point," I laugh.

We finish packing, double-checking to make sure we haven't forgotten anything. The apartment is quiet except for our soft conversation and the occasional rustle of clothing being packed away.

"Do you think we have time for a quick breakfast?" she asks, zipping up her suitcase.

"Sure, if we keep it simple," I reply, heading to the kitchen.

We toast some bread and make a quick pot of coffee, enjoying the last bit of calm before the whirlwind of travel begins. As we sit at the small kitchen table, sipping our coffee, I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation for the race in Austria.

Once we're done, we gather our bags and head out the door. The early morning air is crisp, and the city is still wrapped in a quiet slumber as we make our way to the car. I load our suitcases into the trunk, and we set off towards the airport.

The drive is peaceful, the streets nearly empty at this hour. Charlotte leans her head against the window, watching the cityscape pass by in a blur of lights. I reach over and squeeze her hand, feeling grateful for her presence.

At the airport, we check in and go through security, the process surprisingly smooth given the early hour. We find our gate and settle in to wait for our flight, the anticipation of the upcoming race weekend hanging in the air.

"Are you nervous?" Charlotte asks, leaning against my shoulder.

"A little," I admit. "But mostly excited. Austria is a great track."

She nods, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't wait to see you race."

We board the plane and find our seats, settling in for the flight. The hum of the engines and the gentle motion of the plane soon lull us into a comfortable silence. I glance over at Charlotte, already dozing off with her head resting against the window, and I can't help but smile.

The flight to Austria is uneventful, and we land smoothly, greeted by the bright morning sun. As we disembark, I feel a rush of adrenaline. This is it – the start of another race weekend.

We collect our luggage and make our way to the hotel. The city is bustling with energy, and I can feel the excitement building as we drive through the streets. Once we check in, we head to our room and drop off our bags.

"Ready to explore?" I ask, turning to Charlotte.

"Absolutely," she says with a grin.

We spend the day exploring the city, soaking in the sights and sounds. The architecture is stunning, and the atmosphere is electric with fans already gathering for the race. We stop at a café for lunch, enjoying the local cuisine and the vibrant street life.

In the afternoon, we meet up with Alex and Lily, who have also just arrived. We find a charming little bistro and settle in for dinner, the four of us catching up and sharing our excitement for the weekend.

"This is going to be an amazing race," Alex says, raising his glass.

"To an unforgettable weekend," I echo, and we all clink our glasses together.

As the night winds down, we head back to the hotel, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment. Tomorrow, the real work begins, but for now, we relish in the calm before the storm.

Back in our room, Charlotte and I get ready for bed. As we settle under the covers, I pull her close, feeling her warmth against me.

"Thanks for being here," I whisper.

"Always," she replies, her voice soft and reassuring.

With a sense of peace, I close my eyes, ready for whatever the next day brings. The journey to Austria has just begun, and with Charlotte by my side, I know it's going to be incredible.