young enough - c.l

thirtyone.

Charles

Did I tell Aurora that my plane would land at around the same time as hers? Yes.
Did I land three hours before her? Yes.
Did I do it so that the team actually made it able for me to get a car? Yes.

Also a perfect opportunity to gather all the things needed for our date.
Does Aurora know about this date? No.
Will she be mad that I rented us an apartment for the week? Instead of staying at a hotel where fans will be camping outside? I don't think so.

I believe we both need some time for ourselves and get some sleep - just re-energize for the weekends ahead of us.

~~~

Aurora

As I was making my way through the airport I couldn't help but feel nervous.

Nervous why? Because I haven't met Charles for a while and I am going on a car ride.
I do feel very safe knowing that it's him that's going to drive, he does it for a living - he's good at it.
Also it's McLaren weekend for me - and I've been completely ignoring Lando.
I know I promised Charles I wouldn't watch the accident - but if it's my boyfriend and my best friend going at it on track I need to know what the fuck happened.
And Lando did turn into Charles.
So it will be awkward spending time there, maybe I'll just focus on Oscar? At least he's not trying to kill my boyfriend out on track.

"Aurora!" I turned my head around to try and figure out where my name had been called. I also couldn't really pinpoint whose voice it was either.
" Aurora Richards? As in F1 photographer Aurora?" Two girls were now standing infront of me - if I were to guess I'd say that they're around 14-15 years old?
"Hello hi yes- Aurora that's me" I chuckled softly.
"Oh my god I've been following your account since it was called 'simply-me' and it's so crazy that you're an actual formula one photographer nowadays!"
I was stunned - what does one answer to that?
"Thank you so much! That- feels like a lifetime ago, man that makes me feel extremely honored. I appreciate it."
They gave me a quick hug, took a picture and then left - so I walked towards the parking lot outside the airport.
That's where Charles said he'd be. And he was: surrounded by a bunch of fans taking pictures and wanting their merch signed. He looked up from the group of people standing in front of him - to search for me. A smile came onto his lips once our eyes met - and I couldn't help but smile either.
"Excuse me-" was what I could see his mouth say to the people around him before he squeezed past to make his way towards me. Somehow his smile managed to grow wider as he got closer and he embraced me in a hug once he was close enough.
"Heyy mi perle" he held me close, whispering in my ear. I couldn't help but feel relief to be in his arms again.
"Hey Charlie" I hugged him back.
"Come on let's get into the car" he grabbed my hand and pulled me with him past the fans that had surrounded his car by now.
"Sorry guys- we need to get going thank you for saying hi" he opened the door for me.

Oh fancy car.

I thanked him and got in.

Oh god.

He walked around to get into the drivers seat - are the people around the car gonna back away?

Oh my god, I'm in a car.

He got in and grabbed my hand, which I didn't notice was shaking by now.

"Hey you're okay, they're going to move out of our way and if you ever want me to stop the car; just let me know and I'll stop it right away" Charles squeezed my hand as he talked.
"Also let me know when you want me to start the car, we can sit in here for a bit as well." He added.

"Won't they think it's weird that we're just sitting in the car?" I turned to him and gave him a chuckle.
A nervous chuckle.

"Well if they do I'll let them know that it's much more to the story than us just sitting in here"

I took a deep breath.

"Okay, I think we go for it." I nod at him.

He smiles.

"Yeah?" His eyes light up.

"Hell yeah, let's do this"

He started the car and the fans around it started to step away. His hand on my thigh - slowly caressing it to make sure I was okay. Then he drove off.

"Hey don't forget to breathe baby"

My head turned to him and I let go of the biggest breath ever. When I look around it looked like we had been driving for a little while but for me it felt like we just left the parking lot.

"Do you want me to pull over so we can take a second? I think you're doing amazing by the way" His hand hadn't left my thigh - he squeezed it.
I shake my head, grabbing his hand with mine.
"No- no this is okay" I smile at him reassuringly.
"Do you want to listen to some music? Will that help a little bit?"
I nod and he pretty much immediately turned the radio on. 

The Adults Are Talking - The Strokes.

"It's your favorite song" My lips formed a smile as my head slowly started to bop along to the song.
"How'd you know that?" His hand was tapping along to the rhythm softly as well - he chuckled lightly.
"I mean- when we were out on the yacht this song played and you literally yelled 'I LOVE THIS SONG' and Carlos judged you for it" I can't help but laugh as the memory appeared in my mind. Charles joined in on the laugher.
"Oh right!! Right! He said that it was a boring favorite song- and then you went 'isn't smooth operator yours? I don't think you're allowed to judge Charles' ."

We kept on laughing as we talked about the days on the waters. Like when I fell off board or when he'd stuff his mouth with pancakes.

"And we're here."

Charles had parked the car.

"You did it!"

"I did it! It wasn't that bad! You're also- a very good driver, and I actually had a lot of fun"

He leaned over and kissed my cheek softly.

"I'm so proud of you"

"That- means a lot to me Charles thank you so much"

I kissed him.

I could go for car rides with him, anytime.
I've never felt more safe.

~~~