Breaking the Grid

Karaoke

I woke up with a pounding headache, the kind that made it feel like my skull was two sizes too small. It took me a moment to remember where I was—Leah's place. The couch cushions beneath me were surprisingly comfortable, even though my head throbbed with every beat of my heart. I groaned softly and pressed my palms against my temples, trying to soothe the ache.

The memories of last night started to filter back in, and despite the pain, I couldn't help but smile. The laughter, the dancing, the warmth of Leah's friends—especially Kyra—flashed through my mind. It had been a good night, better than I'd expected. I didn't even remember the girls leaving. The last thing I recalled was a chaotic karaoke session where everyone sang off-key, but no one cared because we were all too busy having fun.

As I slowly sat up, a delicious smell wafted through the air—something sweet and warm, like freshly baked waffles. My stomach rumbled in response, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since last night. I stood, albeit a bit shakily, and made my way toward the kitchen, following the scent.

Leah was standing by the stove, her hair pulled into a messy bun, wearing a relaxed outfit that screamed comfort. She was humming softly as she flipped waffles on the griddle, the kitchen filled with the mouthwatering aroma of breakfast. There was a plate of fresh fruit on the counter, ready to be served.

"Morning," I mumbled, my voice scratchy from sleep.

Leah turned to me with a bright smile and immediately wrapped me in a warm hug. "Morning, Blair! How are you feeling?"

I laughed weakly, leaning into her hug. "Like I got run over by a bus. How did I even end up on the couch?"

"You passed out during karaoke," she said, still grinning. "I didn't have the heart to wake you, so I just covered you with a blanket. You were out like a light."

I shook my head, half embarrassed, half amused. "Of course I was. Drinking always does this to me, even when it's just a bit. My head is killing me."

Without missing a beat, Leah turned and grabbed a glass of water and a small pill from the counter, placing them in front of me. "Here, take this. It'll help."

"Thanks," I said, swallowing the pill gratefully. As I set the glass down, she placed a tall glass of something green and healthy-looking beside it.

"What's this?" I asked, eyeing the smoothie with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"Hangover cure," Leah replied with a wink. "Spinach, kale, banana, and a bit of ginger. Trust me, it works."

I took a cautious sip, surprised to find that it actually tasted good—refreshing and a bit tangy. "You're a lifesaver."

"I know," she said, mockingly flipping her hair. Then she turned back to the waffles, carefully placing a fresh batch onto a plate and topping them with a colorful assortment of berries and a drizzle of syrup. "Breakfast is almost ready. Hope you're hungry."

"Starving," I admitted, my headache already easing up a bit from the smoothie and meds.

Leah handed me a plate, and we sat down at the kitchen island together. I took a bite of the waffle and nearly melted. It was perfect—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with just the right amount of sweetness from the fruit.

"So," Leah started, glancing at me with a playful look, "last night was fun, huh?"

I chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, it was. I didn't expect to have that much fun. I mean, it's been a while since I've let loose like that."

Leah grinned. "You needed it. Everyone did. It's been a long season for all of us, and sometimes it's good to just... unwind, you know?"

"Definitely," I agreed, taking another bite of the waffle. "Your friends are great, by the way. I didn't get to say goodbye to them properly."

"They liked you," Leah said with a smile. "Especially Kyra."

I paused, the mention of Kyra making my heart skip a beat. "Oh?"

"Yeah," Leah continued, her tone casual but knowing. "She was asking about you after you fell asleep. Just, you know, curious."

I tried to play it cool, but my cheeks warmed slightly. "She's sweet. I liked talking to her."

Leah nodded, her expression softening. "She is. I think you two would get along really well."

As we ate, my phone buzzed on the counter. I glanced at it to see a message from Kimi, my best friend and a constant source of support.

Andrea: "Good morning! Heard you survived the karaoke—barely, I'm guessing. Let's catch up soon; I want to hear all about your McLaren debut."

I grinned and showed Leah the message. "Looks like Antonelli's checking up on me."

Leah laughed. "Ah, Antonelli. Always the caring best friend. I've heard he's quite the character."

"Yeah, he's been my rock through everything," I said. "He's been there from the start and knows how to make me laugh, even when I'm stressed."

Just then, my phone buzzed again, this time with a message from my old manager, Mark.

Mark: "Congrats again on the McLaren deal! Hope you're enjoying the new chapter. Also, remember to stay on top of your fitness regime—F1 isn't all fun and games!"

I shook my head, smiling at Mark's well-meaning advice. "And there's Mark reminding me to stay fit. Never a dull moment."

Leah laughed and finished up the dishes while I finished my breakfast. I felt a wave of gratitude as the headache continued to fade and the warmth of Leah's friendship settled in. It wasn't often that I felt this comfortable, this at ease, especially after the pressure cooker that is Formula 1. But Leah had this way of making everything feel lighter, like the world wasn't quite so heavy.

"Thanks for this," I said, gesturing to the breakfast and the pills. "I really needed it."

Leah waved a hand dismissively, smiling. "Anytime, Blair. You know you're always welcome here."

I nodded, a small smile on my lips. "I appreciate it. Really."

As we sat there, enjoying the calm after the storm of last night, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, this new chapter in my life was going to be alright. The messages from Kimi and Mark, the laughter with Leah, and the warmth of new friendships were making this transition feel a little less daunting and a lot more hopeful.