I love you, always | Charles Leclerc ✔

9

Charles's career was going so well, getting two poles on the first Grand Prix of the season at Silverstone and winning the third race of the week-end ; he also won the next week-end at Hockenheim I, and then in Spa-Francorchamps in June. Julie's never been so proud of him so far. Each time, she called him right after the race, when she knew he could answer, she called him also when he had a DNF or when he wished below then what he would have wished. And each time, Charles smiled as he saw her name on his ringing phone before picking up.

Charles had come home a few times since Silverstone and, like always, Julie ran to him as he came from the landing gates. She wore a bug smile and so did he as he spun her around, holding her tightly to his body. They just were so happy to see each other again that they wouldn't actually let go of the other for 5 good minutes.

But this time, when Charles got home from the race in Norisring, Germany, Julie's hug felt more... dull. When they separated, Charles took a good look at Julie and frowned at the fact that she was avoiding his eyes. When he went to lift her chin up, his mother called him, saying that she too deserved a hug.

When they were finally sitting in the car, while Hervé drove them home, Charles grabbed Julie's hand, making her look up at him.

« Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas Juju ? »
"What's wrong Juju ?"

« Tout va bien, pourquoi ? »
"Everything's fine, why ?"

Charles looked at her with a deadpan expression.

« Ne me mens pas Julie, ça sert à rien. Ça fait maintenant quelques années que tu es ma meilleure amie et je pense pouvoir dire que je te connais bien et donc je sais quand ça ne va pas. Et là, ça ne va pas. »
"Don't lie to me Julie, it's useless. you've been my best friend for a few years now and I think it's safe to say that I know you well and therefore I know when you're not okay. And right now, you're not okay."

Julie sighed, looking at her lap and then looked back at Charles.

« Je te dirais à la maison. »
"I'll tell you at home."

Charles nodded, confused. He could see something was wrong and he wanted now more then ever to be home. Instead, he tightened his grip on Julie's hand, offering his silent support. Julie's answer to it was a sigh and her leaning her head on his shoulder for the rest of the ride. Charles couldn't help but smile a little when he thought about Julie calling his home hers too.

When they finally got back home, they quickly went to the outdoor sofa, their spot now at the Leclerc's house, right after Charles left his luggage in his room. They both sat down and Charles rapidly took Julie's hand back in his.

« Dis moi, s'il te plaît. Je peux peut-être t'aider ? »
"Tell me, please. Maybe I could help you ?"

Julie looked at their linked hands and sniffled. Charles was alarmed but tried to stay as calm as possible, giving Julie time to express herself. When she looked back at Charles, her eyes were full of tears.

« C'est Jules... »
"It's Jules..."

Now, tears began to fill Charles's eyes too. He thought of the worse, he feared it. Still, he waited for Julie to finish, not wanting to assume.

« Son état s'est énormément dégradé depuis le mois d'Avril. Au début c'était pas grand chose, mais le mois de Juin a été affreux. Les infirmiers et médecins ont perdu espoir depuis un moment déjà et... »
"His condition has deteriorated dramatically since April. At first it wasn't anything too bad, but June has been awful. Nurses and doctors lost hope for a while now and..."

Julie started crying while Charles was frozen.

« L'infirmière qui s'occupe de lui nous a conseillé de faire nos adieux tant que nous le pouvions... »
"The nurse who's taking care of him, advised us to say our goodbyes while we still could..."

Charles didn't know what to say, he just took Julie in his arms, her face in his neck while his tears started dropping too, on the top of her head.

Now, they both had to mourn Jules, who was alive at that moment but they knew he wasn't going to make it. That has been the worst feeling they had ever felt since they were born.