⌞ the chain ⌝

⌞ sixteen : it started now ⌝

"I'm messing with you, kid. I had a younger brother, he's close to you in age."

_

I laughed as Lando groaned, again. The sim had become our favorite pastime this week. It had become a routine; morning runs on the track, followed by breakfast, an hour or so on the sim, he would disappear for track training and so I would read over mechanics and strategy, he would come back for lunch, endurance and weight training, another hour or so on the sim, one last run on the track.

"I don't get how you're so good at this."

I shrugged. "I don't know either."

"You just started this week, how did you pick it up so fast?"

"It's like a car, Lan. It's not that difficult to figure out."

He groaned. "It's unfair."

"At least you get actually to get on the track."

"You will be able to once your suit comes in."

I nodded. I was slightly jealous when he got to go on the track. I would watch for a bit, wondering when it would be my turn. I knew that I was going to be able to race and that there was more to being a driver than just racing. The mechanics and strategy were important but I wanted to be in the car, put my knowledge to the test.

"I know, I know."

We both turned when we heard footsteps. One of the engineers, I hadn't learned his name yet and I felt quite bad about it but then again, I hadn't been with them. Just the mechanics when I wanted to learn about the car. Strategy was something I did on my own.

"Lando, time to get on the track."

He gave me a quick smile as he got up.

"And you too, Lula. Your suit is waiting in your driver's room."

Lando looked back at me, his grin spreading across his whole face. I must have looked like a fish out of water. I was actually going to get on the track. I was going to be in the car. I was going to meet my engineer. And I was going to race.

_

I stood outside the garage. It had my name on the outside. There wasn't a picture yet, Lando said it would come later after I took pictures in my suit which is something I was supposed to do later today. But my name was on the garage and there was a car in said garage that was supposed to be mine.

"You must be Eilulia, then?"

I looked up to see a man, who must be around Lewis's age. He was smiling, headphones hanging around his neck. Tall, and lean.

"Oui, sir."

"Wonderful to meet you," He held out his hand and I shook it. "My name is Damon. I will be your engineer."

"It's a pleasure." I shook his hand.

"The pleasure is mine. But there are a few things we need to do before we can get you in the car."

I nodded. "Anything that needs to be done, I will do it."

He took out a tablet and I couldn't tell you where he grabbed it from. But it looked like he had a plan or at least a list of things that I needed to get done.

"First, your pictures will be handled before you go home. It gives you time to clean up and we can formally announce you as a driver. Second, you need to pick a number."

"A number?"

"Yes, your racing number."

I nodded. "And I can pick any number?"

"Any that you like."

I nodded again, looking down at my helmet. It was the same one I had used during the trials with Susie. The only difference was the McLaren labels and such. But there was still a blank space for a number. Part of me knew what number I wanted but I didn't know if it was right to take it. Seventeen. To have Jules with me. I don't think he would have minded me taking the number. I think he would be proud that I wanted to race under his name, under the things that tied us together. But it wasn't him I was worried about.

I didn't want Charlie to be any more upset with me than he was. He had taken sixteen. But then again that had always been his number. I hadn't had a number. My number was Jules, everything was Jules. And if I was to be doing this for myself, I couldn't worry about what others thought. They already wouldn't like me. I just had to show them why they should.

"Seventeen."

"Good choice, a solid number."

I smiled, settling into my decision. "Anything else?"

"Not at all. I think we can handle the rest of this at a later time. I think we should see how you perform on the track."

I grinned, taking the hand that he outstretched as he led me into the garage. There should have been a ceremony, some sort of excitement as I walked into the garage but there wasn't because in that moment... everything felt right. Just as it should. That this was what I was meant to be doing. Training, practicing, learning, perfecting.

Damon let go of my hand as I ran it over the car. It was beautiful, perfect even. And it was mine. The number would be placed on it and it would be mine. It was in the garage with my name on it and worked on by my mechanics. There was my pit crew and my engineers. All of it. Mine.

"Well, get in."

I didn't hesitate to climb in, adjusting to sit in the seat. "Perfect."

"Feel alright, not too tight?"

I shook my head. "It's perfect."

"Then helmet on and let's do this thing."

I chuckled as I sat up a bit, pulling everything on. I could hear the static of the radio in my ears, readjusting the seat. My feet hovered over the pedals so I knew where they were. My hands hovered over all of the buttons, forcing myself to remember what they all met.

"Alright Lula, whenever you're ready. Start her up and take her out. You'll follow the pitlane. I want this first lap to just be your way to get to know the car and the track."

"Copy."

I started the car, sitting for a second to just feel the engine. It hummed under me and I could feel my heart match the soft ups and downs. I took a breath, finding a second. Find the silence. It came soon after, holding the wheel.

"I'm clear?"

"The track is yours, Lula."

I smiled, slowly pulling out of the garage. I didn't exactly come to a stop but I waited, taking in the sight of the pitlane. It was all in front of me and I could see it. The race in front of me. I took one last breath and I came out onto the track fast enough I was sure that a penalty would have been given to me if this was an actual race.

It started now.

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a/n: shorter because i needed a filler chapter but it also holds some very important moments. hehe. the character list wil come out soon, probably after the next chapter. i want to introduce a few more people. as always, love it or don't :p