⌞ the chain ⌝

⌞ nine : mirrors ⌝

"You are the only one that can make that choice."

_

I looked at my clothes and realized that none of them would do. I had worn all of these before. If not to other races, then just around the city. I would have to go shopping. I thought about inviting Seb with me. He had never gone with me. It had been something Jules and I did. Lewis and Nico had gotten the chance to but that was about it.

I closed the doors to my closet and walked into the sitting room. Seb was sitting at the bar, sipping on a cup of coffee. He looked up as I walked in, offering me a smile and tea.

"I need to go shopping for something to wear this weekend, would you want to come with?"

"Am I buying?"

I was shocked at the question and shook my head. "Oh, no. I was just inviting you, I wasn't asking-"

"I am messing, little racer. I would love to come with you."

"Perfect, let me grab my wallet and then head out. All the shops are close enough to walk so we don't have to worry about driving."

Seb had parked his car in the garage last night and I told him he could leave it there for the weekend. It was easier for both of us. I didn't have to look at the Ferrari and he didn't have to worry about people following him to the house.

It was close enough to Jules's Ferrari that it brought back too many memories. I didn't want to have to look at it, ride in it, or anything of the sort. If it sat in the garage, it couldn't hurt me. A childish way of thinking but something about the red was a trigger for my mind. I didn't have the heart to deal with it yet. I would be forced to this weekend. Monaco was everything to the Ferrari drivers, as it was to almost every driver but the sea of red would be hard to miss all weekend.

_

The alarm was what woke me up. I knew Seb had already left the house. It was quali day and I didn't feel like waking up that early to watch it. I would be there with enough time to say hi to everyone and still watch enough of it. I loved quali days but I was putting off the interaction of being Eilulia Leclerc for as long as I could.

The grid fathers, as I had dubbed them, would treat me the same, but everyone else... that's what I was worried about. And these people didn't know me enough for me to care what they thought of me. But after almost two years of not dealing with this world other than the grid fathers. I couldn't ask anyone to be that for me or do that. I was strong enough to push past all the condolences and other bullshit that would come from being the 'Bianchi heir' as everyone was liking to dub me.

I touched the crest that hung from my neck, hoping it would offer some comfort as I finished. I had gone with Seb, picking out a soft white blouse and fitted navy dress pants. The new Dior bag matched well enough and the dark heels would settle everything. I pinned my hair back with some silver clasps and did a light dusting of makeup.

The mirror reflected a ghost. It had been so long since I dressed in my tax bracket. Seb had practically shoved his card in my hand when I was buying everything. I think it was because he saw how much I hesitated to use the money Jules left me. It was stupid but everything that had to do with him left me feeling uneasy. I didn't do anything to deserve the house, the cars, the money, etc. But it sat there, in my name.

I turned away from the mirror and walked down the stairs. The track wasn't too far away but I didn't mind walking. The fresh air would give me time to clear my mind.

"Miss Bianchi!"

I looked up from my phone to see Roman. I gasped and ran over to him, throwing my arms around him for a hug. He looked a little taken aback but hugged me after a moment. Once the hug was done, I took a few steps back.

"Lewis and Nico were right, you've grown. And still look as beautiful as ever."

"Merci, Monsieur." I smiled, happy to see my old friend. "But what are you doing here?"

"Ah, Mr. Wolff sent the car for you."

He opened the door and I got in with a thank you. We drove off and chatted about life. I hadn't realized how much I missed this until I sat here, being reminded of the world I grew up in. The drive there was short but it was not long enough for me to prepare for it all. Thankfully, Roman parked in the driver area and it gave me a straight shot to the entrance. The cameras were there but I was prepared enough for that.

My glasses slid over my eyes as the door opened and I looked straight ahead. The reporters called out my name but I just kept walking. I was no longer that girl. I grew. I was a woman now and I knew exactly where I was going.

The Mercedes garage came up in front of me and I could see Lewis talking with Toto. I wouldn't interrupt them, not when I didn't even get a chance because I was picked up from behind and spun around.

"Nico! Put me down!"

He smiled, putting me back on my feet and pulling me into a hug. I hugged him back, thankful for the familiar smell of his cologne to ground me. I was doing my best to ignore the Ferrari red that was down the paddock a bit more but I would have to brave it when it came time to see Kimi and Seb.

"You look beautiful, darling."

"And you're acting like a father."

"You are my daughter, if not by blood than by heart."

I rolled my eyes at the comment but it stuck with me. All of them did, any time the drivers commented to remind me that they cared about me. I was never going to get used to it.

"Oh, the hospitality room is down a bit that way, closer to the Redbull garage. Can you go grab me some fruit? I am starved and Toto won't let me leave."

"Oh my god, fine."

"Thank you!"

I flipped him off which earned me a laugh as I walked to the hospitality room. I said my hello's to the people I knew and chatted with those who were close to me in line. I had forgotten about how much of this was involved in my life. It felt right to be back here. But I ignored that feeling. This wasn't for me. Not that thought and not know.

"You seem to be a familiar face around here but I haven't met you."

I turned around to see a slightly taller boy than me. He couldn't have been more than a few years older and his hair was a dirty blond, cut close to his head. He was in a racing suit, the familiar navy of Redbull glaring back at me.

"You're Max Verstappen."

"At your service. But you... you, I do not know."

"Eilulia Leclerc, or Bianchi. Whichever you've heard."

He raised an eyebrow. "Charlie's sister."

I wanted to punch him right then and there. I thought I had moved past that stupid title. But as I looked at him, I realized he wasn't saying that to hold that over my head but because he knew my brother. And my brother only ever referred to me as his sister. I gave a polite nod.

"You do not like Eilulia?"

"I do not like being referred to as someone else's. I am my own person."

"I see. And what should you like to be called?"

I thought for a second. There was what the grid knew me as there was what my racing buddies knew me as. But for a second, I thought neither of those fit.

"Lula, Lula Bianchi."

"Well, Lula. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

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a/n: seb, nico AND max? god, i am treating you all so good. and it's a long chapter??? you guys are so lucky. i am being silly, i love writing these for you. and you all have been asking about max. he was going to be there. and now, he's here. told you i had a surprise. but as always, love it or don't :p