𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮; oscar piastri ✔

PART TWENTY ONE

HECK YEAH THREE CHAPTERS IN ONE NIGHT

Word count; 2,219

Addison

— September 1st, 2023. Monza, Italy.

My head lolled back and forth, eyes flickering against the light of the morning. Oscar moved around the bedroom frantically, having changed into a McLaren jumper and a pair of basketball shorts. I couldn't remember when I fell asleep, just that he was next to me for a while, and I hadn't slept so soundly in a long, long time.

"Sorry, Addison, I didn't mean to wake you up. Go back to sleep."

I rolled over to face the doorway, watching Oscar head for it. Except, he stopped and turned.

"I'll call you later, okay?"

I nodded, and with the sound of the front door shutting, fell back asleep. Hours passed until I woke up again, the pain in my head gone, alongside the laxity in my legs. For a while, I allowed myself to lie in his bed, the sheets still smelling like him, the pillows holding the fragrance of the honeycomb shampoo he used. Then I showered, washing away the grime of the day before, using the same shampoo, reviving the part of me I had lost. I got changed, I had lunch, I watched TV, waiting for Oscar to call.

My heart thudded against my ribcage as I answered it, "Hello?"

"Hello." Oscar said. "I'm on my way back."

"Okay."

"Do you want to go somewhere?"

"Okay."

"Wait outside, I'll be there in ten."

"See you then."

The call ended. I stood up from his bed and did as he said, finding my way to the reception of the hotel. Outside, the setting sun beamed down with just as much scorn as the days before, sorching roads, burning plant beds. I sought shade under the thick bough of a tree, watching the road in front of the hotel for one of the cars passing by to come to a stop. A knot formed in my stomach, only tightening as I glanced down the street.

A door opened and closed, the car driving off in haste. I waved discreetly, as did Oscar, and soon we were side by side, strolling down the sidewalk in silence, as always.

"How was work?" I asked awkwardly.

"Uh," He examined the ground. "Eleventh in P1. Fourth in P2."

"Really?" I smiled genuinely.

"Yeah." He nodded. "The upgrades over the summer have really helped."

I bobbed my head. We drifted off into the same quietude again.

"What did you do today?" He reflected.

"Not a lot. Showered and watched some movies. I need to rebook my flight, but..."

He nodded, releasing a sigh. All of the sudden, he came to a halt, and I rotated to face him.

"I'm just going to come clean," He explained. "I can't pretend anymore."

My lips tilted a little, recalling the very first time he said he liked me. I just can't pretend like I don't feel it anymore.

"Everything you said last night... you meant it? Nothing's changed?"

I shook my head.

"I need to hear you say it."