OVERDRIVE| CHARLES LECLERC

Chapter One

The gala itself wasn't a problem, the problem was finding a dress in such short notice. Alessandra Corceiro had planned to spend the day watching the new season of Drive To Survive whilst packing her bags for the Bahrain Grand Prix that was rapidly approaching. She had missed being at races over the winter break. "You could of told me earlier." Alessandra tutted, her hands reaching into her wardrobe as she searched through every dress she owned, briefly looking over her shoulder to find Lando perched comfortably on her bed, giving his opinion when needed. "Like maybe more than 8 hours earlier at least."

Lando smiled at his bestfriend and rolled his eyes. "As if you had anything planned today anyway. I'm sure you've got at least one dress that you can wear out of the thirty you're currently looking at." He stood up, walking towards her wardrobe and reaching in to pull out a classic black dress that he'd seen her wear a couple times before. "Wear this one. I like this one."

Alessandra felt the heat run to her cheeks. Okay so maybe they weren't just friends. She couldn't exactly pinpoint when it started but if she had to give it an estimate— no, it was definitely the first time she met him. Seeing his eyes for the first time in person would be a memory that she'll never forget. How could she? A face that gorgeous.

It was mid December of 2021 and eighteen year old alessandra had just left her apartment to make her way to school. She was in her second year of college, studying marine biology at the Monaco Scientology International College, ran by Cambridge University. She had moved from Lisbon to Monaco the previous year —completely by herself— to begin her studies.

Sure, there were better schools offering marine biology back home in Portugal, but being offered a place two whole years early was something that alessandra didn't want to decline. Plus, it meant getting away from hearing all about Magui's incredible new life as a model. She was incredibly proud of her older sister, but it was suffocating having to hear about how incredible the girl was, especially when her own father couldn't even look alessandra in the eyes due to her resemblance to her mother. Monaco was good for her. If she had her way, monaco would be a place to call home forever.

Alessandra had to go to school a total of four times a week from Monday through to Thursday. The first three days of the week were considered theory days that were spent in the classroom or at the lab leaning all about the marine world. Thursdays were her favourite days, where the best of the class would be taken out on one of the colleges fancy research yachts to partake in practical work at sea.

The day she met Lando, they were going to study the dolphins. Typically, students would also be allowed to dive, though that was something she personally had never taken part in. Nothing could ever make her go scuba diving. Nonetheless, alessandra was excited for her day at sea and her last college day before the winter break. Her flight back to Portugal was booked for a weeks time and she was very excited to see her family again.

Alessandra made sure she had everything she needed before she stepped out of her apartment door, keys in hand ready to lock it, only to be met with a smack on the face by a television screen. She stumbled back, holding her nose which she was sure was now bleeding. A quick gasp was heard, and suddenly a tissue was shoved in her face.

"I am so sorry." The voice —a boy to be specific– panicked and he tried to figure out what to do to help. There goes first impressions, he thought. "Are you okay?"

Alessandra finally opened her eyes, the initial shock making way for her newfound confusion. "Did you just hit me with a-" She blinked at him, he was familiar, perhaps a boy from school. "Why on earth did you just attack me with a TV?!" She groaned in pain, tipping her head back to stop the blood from dripping down anymore than it already was.