One Shots | Formula 1

CL☁︎

"This life is all I know."- Inspired by Pray for Me by TheWeeknd ft. Kendrick Lamar

I waited at the paddock, my heart thudding with anticipation as the crowd around me buzzed with excitement. The race had ended, and I spotted Charles' red Ferrari making its way back to the pit lane. I could tell from the grim set of his jaw and the lack of the usual triumphant wave to the fans that today hadn't gone well. My heart sank.

"Hey, babe," I called out softly, catching his eye as he climbed out of the car. His face was a mask of frustration and fatigue, a stark contrast to the warm and affectionate Charles I knew. I stepped forward, hoping to offer some comfort, but he brushed past me without a word, heading straight to his team.

I followed him, determined not to be deterred. "Charles, I'm sorry about the race. You drove really well, it just wasn't your day," I said, trying to catch his attention. He glanced at me, but his eyes were cold and distant, not the usual sparkling green that made my heart flutter.

"Just stop, okay?" he snapped, his voice sharp. "I don't need you bothering me right now."

I blinked, taken aback by the harshness in his tone. Charles had his moments of moodiness after a bad race, but this felt different, more intense. The sting of his words lingered, and I took a step back, my chest tightening. "I just wanted to help," I murmured.

He didn't respond, turning his attention back to his team, discussing what had gone wrong. I stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of his dismissal. The noise of the paddock, once an exhilarating background symphony, now felt overwhelming and oppressive.

With a heavy heart, I turned and made my way back towards the hotel. Each step felt like a mile, the excitement of the day draining away. My mind raced, trying to make sense of his behavior. Our relationship had always been full of warmth and affection; Charles was usually the one to pull me into his arms, whispering sweet words into my ear. But today, he was a stranger, his coldness like a barrier between us.

As I walked through the bustling streets, the realization hit me with the force of a speeding car. Our relationship's highs and lows seemed to hinge on Charles' performance on the track. When he did well, he was the loving, attentive boyfriend I adored. But on days like today, when things didn't go his way, he pushed me away, his frustration manifesting in distance and coldness.

I reached the hotel, the opulent lobby feeling emptier than usual. I made my way to our room, collapsing onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Was this the price of being with someone so driven, so consumed by their passion? The thought of confronting Charles about it made my stomach twist. I loved him, but I couldn't continue to be his emotional punching bag, a victim of his racing results.

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I thought about our future. I wanted to support him, to be there through the good times and the bad. But I also needed him to understand that I had my limits. I wasn't just a prop in his world of speed and competition.

I sat on the edge of the bed, the dim light of the hotel room casting long shadows on the walls. My mind was a storm of thoughts and emotions, swirling in a chaotic dance. Charles' cold dismissal at the paddock replayed in my head, each word a sharp sting. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was just an accessory in his life, only valued when things went well for him. The realization was painful, but it brought a strange clarity.

I glanced around the room, the familiar sight of our shared space now feeling suffocating. My gaze landed on my suitcase in the corner, half-unpacked from our arrival. The decision formed in my mind with startling clarity. I wasn't going to be treated like this anymore. I deserved more than being an afterthought, a convenient shoulder to lean on only when it suited him.