Letters - George Russell

𝑐𝘩𝛼𝜌𝜏𝜀𝑟 𝜏𝘩𝑟𝜀𝜀

♫ ♪ • Oh, snap, this is the industry. Where it ain't how big you are, it's how big you seem • ♪ ♫

Audrey's pov

Seeing George and Ivy again brought back so many good memories. I had often imagined what it would be like to see them after all these years; Ivy had been my best friend for years.

In the days before the Grand Prix, I had stressed about it; knowing for sure that George was going to be on the grid, I could only think of the worst possible reactions from them; that way, the official meeting could only be better.

The apartment door clicks open, and the familiar creak sounds like a true welcome. I step inside, rolling my suitcase quietly over the hardwood floor.

"Audrey, you're back!" My roommate, Anna, jumps up from the couch and hugs me. "I've been dying to hear all about it. And, damn, you've tanned really well."

I laugh, "It was such a good weekend. You wouldn't believe it if I told you."

"Try me," Anna says, grabbing my suitcase and dragging it to the side. She motions for me to sit on the couch.

I plop down, "Where do I even start? It was incredible. Abu Dhabi is a whole experience like nothing I had ever dared to imagine."

"And did you actually get to do some software engineering? Or was it all just observing?"

"A bit of both, actually," I say and smile. I worked with the FIA's data and software engineering team, analyzing data in real-time as the cars from F3, F2, and F1 sped by. It really was surreal."

"You are absolutely glowing, babe."

"I am glowing! I even met George and Ivy again."

"No way! It's been ages since you've last seen them, right?"

I nod, "Five years. Just before I came here to study, and now... Now it's just all paperwork, and then I am graduated."

"I can't believe you're graduating already," Anna sighs. "You have to tell me more about it, but how about I whip up something to eat while you start from the beginning."

"I can't wait for it to be over," I admit. "I'm done with studying and ready to just... work."

Anna laughs, "Who are you, and what did you do with Audrey?"

I roll my eyes and let go of her. "I'm going to unpack, and then I will help you in the kitchen."

Anna stands up from the couch and helps me up, too, "Sounds like a plan."

I head to my room to unpack as Anna goes to the kitchen. I unzip my suitcase and start pulling out my clothes, throwing them in the laundry basket. And lastly, the letter.

I sit down on the edge of my bed, staring at the envelope, my fingers running softly over the edges. A lot of questions ran through my mind, most importantly about addressing my name.

Without any further hesitation, I shove the letter into the bottom of one of my drawers, covering it with a stack of old notebooks and a sweater. I'll deal with it later when I have more time to think about it. For now, I ignore it and go back down to the kitchen.

"Anything I can help with?" I ask, rolling up my sleeves.

Anna glances up from her chopping board, "You know how much I hate chopping unions. Can you do that for me?"

I smile and nod, "Come here."

She hands me the board, knife, and onion, "So, the working world. Are you sure you're ready to dive into it?"

"Yes, completely. I am so done with studying, exams, and internships. I want to actually work."

Anna nods, "Any specific places? We can go job hunting together."

"I'd love to work in Motorsports. I tried multiple categories during my internship, and each had its own charm." I hand over the diced onion and wait for Anna to be done with the lasagna sauce. "Formula E really caught my interest, but so did Formula One, and honestly, I wouldn't mind starting in a lower category to grow to the top."

Anna puts the lasagna in the oven and then grabs her phone, scrolling until she turns her screen to me, "Aston Martin is looking for a junior software engineer."

I read through the listing, "It's an option for sure."

"Williams has an option for a graduate software engineer."

"That might be more up my lane since I am a graduate," I say laughingly as I read through the vacancy again. "Can you send me those two? I need to write cover letters and all."

"Consider that done! Prema Racing is looking for a data engineer in F3, and ART Grand Prix in F2 is looking for a software developer. I will send you those, too."

"Thank you, An," I say and sigh with a smile. "I really appreciate your help."

"Of course. I am here for you, and I want to see you grow and live the life you're dreaming of!"

I give her a hug, "I'm so grateful for you."

"You better get your ass here next year to help me with job hunting," she continues scrolling. "Oh, look here. Jaguar TCS Racing is looking for a data engineer. That's Formula E!"

"Lots of options, huh?" I grab my own phone and start to seek opportunities myself. "I guess that is what the end of a season does to teams."

Anna laughs, "It only is optimistic for you, no?"

"It sure is. And I might have an advantage since I'm graduating in the middle of a year."

"Well, go write your applications, and I will finish up here and call you when the lasagna is done." 

I turn to leave the kitchen, "Thank you. Don't clean up too much; I have to repay the favor of your cooking and job-hunting skills."

"Sure thing, love."

I go back to my room, feeling the fatigue from the trip. But I wasn't going to let a jetlag get to me. I needed to push through for just a few more hours. I'm well into my second application when Anna shouts that dinner is ready.

"Coming!" I yell back and minimize the tabs; my eyes momentarily go to the drawer where I hid the letter in, but I quickly shake my head.

That is a concern for later.

• • •