Rivalry

Chapter III

I woke up the next morning, my head ached worse than the night before. I tossed and turned pretty much the whole night, in and out of sleep. I spent the night thinking about what happened at the club. Was i that drunk? Was he drunk? Why am i overthinking? This isn't like me.

After dreading being awake and wanting to stay in my bed all day, i found a bit of dignity in myself, and I slowly got out of my cocoon. I checked my phone to see what time it was, 7AM. Ugh. I head to the bathroom to see how much of a disaster my makeup was after not wiping it off the night before. I cleaned my face and headed for the shower.

Once i was done, i decided to go for a run. What's better for a hangover,  right? Sleep and coffee Malia thats whats better. But i just needed to clear my head. I changed into a black sports bra paired with black shorts. I grabbed my headphones, put on my running shoes, and headed outside.

I don't know how long i ran. I stopped after a going uphill a while and realized i was at the top of a small mountain overlooking Monaco. It was beautiful, the sun had just risen. I decided to take a bit of a break and sat down on a large rock. I took my headphones off and looked at the view. It was peaceful. i could hear the waves crashing down at the beaches from here.

A few minutes later, i heard footsteps, someone running. I saw a man with a white shirt, black shorts, and a black cap that he wore backwards. As he approached, i realized who it was, and i turned my head back to the view in front of me, hoping he didn't see me.

His running slows. Shit. Heavy breathing and footsteps approach. Shit. "Malia," i close my eyes and sigh. Still out of breath, he says, "Can we talk for a minute?" I take this as my sign to leave. I glance back at him unamused and say "No, i have nothing to say to you" Then i proceeded to get up and put my headphones back on and started running back towards my house down the hill. He just watched me leave, bit the inside of his cheek, without saying another word.

My dad was right. I shouldn't go out and drink during the season. The consequences aren't really worth it. I decided it was best to cancel my plans with Alex today, so i texted her to let her know I wasn't feeling well and that we should rain check for another day. Who knows when that'll be.

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When i got back to my flat, i showered again. After that, i called my dad to see if i could fly to his house and stay until we needed to leave for the next race, to which he said yes, but sounded worried. I dont often go back home to England, especially at his house, i don't have very fond memories there since my mom died when i was six.

I packed my suitcases for this weekend as well as a couple of things for the next few days after booking the next flight back home. I rang Max V and asked if he could drop me off at the airport, i didn't want to ask Alex or Charles because they would just think i didn't want to hang out today.

Max picked me up, and we were off to the airport. "Are you alright? You're quiet, that's not normal" he said with a small chuckle. "Yeah, i just have a lot on my mind, and my head hurts. Sorry i didn't want to worry you Max." I said, leaning my head on the window of the car " Wanna talk about it?" He said. I paused for a moment, thinking if i should tell him, but he's friends with the person who is making me spiral into madness. "Not really, or maybe later" i said, looking straight ahead.

After talking about everything and nothing with Max, we arrived at the airport where he dropped me off. I thanked him and hugged him goodbye. He's a good friend. He just hangs around the menace in the orange car a lot, so i have trouble trusting him sometimes.

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Once i arrived at my fathers house i went straight to my room with my suitcases. I started looking at the pictures on the walls that i had put up when i was younger. One caught my eye. It was my mother and i at a karting track hugging eachother. I remember this was taken the year she passed away. I wondered if she would have been proud of me. I couldn't help but wonder if her comfort would calm the storm in my mind right now. My thoughts are a mess. I just needed to have some girl talk with someone who wasn't in my friend group. I could talk with my stepmother, Angelina, but we aren't very close. I don't hate her. She is very good to my father. I just could never bring myself to be close to her.

After dinner with my dad and stepmother, my father and i stepped out to the garden to watch the sunset. This was a tradition we'd kept since i was a little girl.

We sat in silence for a while, watching the sunset. I felt my father's gaze, and i could feel he was itching to ask me why i came. I didn't want him to give me another lecture about going out during the season. But i knew he was going to ask me anyway.

He takes a sip of his drink and turns to me. "What's wrong, kiddo? You only come here when something isn't right." he rambled, his face etched with worry as he looked at me. I looked at him pensively, "I've just got a lot on my mind, dad." He furrowed his brows questioningly willing me to continue. I took a deep breath and said "Don't get mad at me, dad, but i went out last night with Alex and Kika. Norris just happened to be there, and i think he's playing with my head." He clenched his jaw and sighed. "Malia, I've told you many times, you need to stay focused, going out will only distract you. What's happened with Norris?"

I proceeded to explain to him what happened at the club, and he reassured me that he is just playing games. My father also believes that the british mclaren driver sees me as weak and thinks that playing mind games will give him an advantage in the championship. He told me to keep my head high and drive. I didn't win all these championships before getting into F1 for nothing.

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This race weekend was rather uneventful. There were no crashes, no safety cars, and no penalties. It was a Ferarri podium once again. Charles won, i came second, Max finished 3rd, and Norris 4th. Good, no podium for him means i extended my lead by a good amount.

The only disturbance to this perfect weekend was Norris. He kept trying to get my attention or talk to me every  chance he could. I recalled my father's words from our conversation, kept my head high, and dismissed him with quiet resolve. I wouldn’t let him stand in my way.

Charles had asked me if i wanted to play paddle with him, Oscar, and Pierre after the race. I agreed of course. We all get along pretty well.

I changed out of my team kit and put on a maroon shirt that hugged my body with black shorts. I grabbed my paddle racquet and headed towards the elevator.

The elevator opened, and i was met with tired blue eyes watching at me with a hint of surprise. I walked in and leaned on the wall, fidgeting with my raquet. "Malia ca-" "Stop it, Norris, i told you i dont want to talk, stop pushing it" i said, alredy ticked off. "You don't have to talk, just listen" he said, hopeful. i glared at him as he took a step closer to me. "What happened at the club i-" "Nothing happened" I said firmly, holding his gaze. I turned to face him and took a step closer and said "And nothing ever will" His blue eyes flickered to my lips, and back to my eyes, a slow breath escaped him just as the elevator doors opened.

I walked out proud of myself and thought for a moment. If he wants to play mind games, so will i.