Rivalry

Chapter V

                       Lando's POV

The doors close behind her. I was left standing there in the middle of the corridor, confused. Was she crying? Did i make her cry? What do i care anyway? She hates me, and so do i. I shake my head and my thoughts away. I originally came back here to grab my phone that i had forgotten in the cool down room.

I had just won the race i dreamed of winning as a boy. I still couldn't believe it. I felt like i was on a cloud.

I eventually made my way back to the hotel, where most of the drivers were staying at this weekend. Today felt surreal. After getting out of the back of the car and swinging my bag over my shoulder, i saw Malia signing hats and taking pictures with fans, who crouded the front of the hotel. I dont know how long i was watching her. Her hair was down tucked behind her ears. She wore a baby blue long sleeved shirt and jeans. Blue was definitely her color. Not that it mattered. I had to get back to my room to get ready. I felt someone's gaze on me, which snapped me back to reality.

It was her father sizing me up from where the fans were. I knew it was him because Malia and i have been racing one another since our karting days. We never really disliked each other until F1. We weren't really rivals until then anyway. She taps the tall blond man's shoulder to get his attention and motions to go inside with her head. Her green eyes flicker toward me, shadowed by a wave of sadness or disappointment as she turns to make her way inside.

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I had dinner plans to celebrate my home win tonight with some friends and family. I won my home race. I still can't believe it it actually happened, I don't think i ever will.

I was fixing up my hair as i heard a knock at the door. It was my best friend Max, i told him to meet me here when he was ready so we could leave together. "Oi pal, what's taking you so long?" He said, walking into my room."Sorry mate, i got back here later than i planned" i returning to the bathroom to finish getting ready. I wasn't even dressed yet.

I fixed my hair again. "Mate, your hair looks fine, relax, you've been at it for a century and a half" said Max " i think i made her cry mate" i blurted out not listening to what he just said. He looked at me puzzled. "Malia." i explained."No, i know, go on, mate." He urged me to keep explaining, his gaze steady. I started recounting what happened after the race, describing how she seemed deeply upset. "Mate, this was also her home race. Of course, she's upset, you would've been too if you didn't win." He said, trying to reassure me. "I dunno mate. She's usually never visibly hurt when she doesn't win, especially if i beat her." i sigh, putting on my shirt and fixing my watch. "Why do you care so much anyway?" His gaze on me, as if he were holding back something he wanted to say. "I don't. She's your friend, though. You should probably care." I said sternly."we're not all that close anymore. You know that." He returned with the same tone."Yeah, wonder why that is." i said, rolling up the sleeves of my shirt. "Ready mate?" I said with a twinge of sarcasm. "All thanks to you, pal." He spoke in an irritated tone, then stood up.

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I stayed in England the week after the grandprix since we were on summer break. I spent some much needed time with my family as well.

I streamed with Max quite a bit after i flew back to Monaco. We played a ton off stream, too. I don't have much time to play with him and our other friends, it was refreshing to laugh as much as we did. I needed the rest after this first half of the season. It's been very demanding, so i didn't travel much. I just worked out a lot. I completely disconnected from my racing world, except for a few emails and sponsor duties i had to do.

The next race was Zanvoort, Max Verstappen's home race. He texted me during the break that he was going to have a small party at his house before the season picked up again. Im not one to pass on a nice night, so i was definitely going to go.

I liked the Netherlands. I decided i was going to spend the week there and visit more.since i didn't really do much the first two weeks of the break. I never have the time to when im racing. I booked a nice hotel in Amsterdam for the week. I visited as much as i could, and my friend Martin was also in town. He showed me all the good local spots.

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It was around 7PM when i started getting ready for Max's party. I showered and messed with my hair. I really needed a haircut. I usually didn't care about what i wore to go out, but i couldn't for the life of me figure out what to wear tonight. I eventually put on a white shirt with an open green button-down dress shirt paired with white shorts. I threw on a green cap as well. After what felt like ages, I took one last look in the mirror, grabbed my things, and finally headed out the door.

Max told me it was a small get-together kind of thing. Silly me, i forgot he knows half the planet. When i arrived at his house, it was already packed with people.

I saw quite a few familiar faces. The first few hours went by quickly with all the chatting i did. I eventually decided to go make myself a drink, so i headed to the kitchen where there were snacks and a variety of alcohol and other sorts of drinks.

Just as I began to pour myself a drink, a sweet, floral scent washes over me, like a field of wildflowers in full bloom. A hand reaches out, slipping past me to grab the bottle of tequila sitting just within my reach. "Sorry, i just need this for my drink." She said softly. I turn to face her, half leaning on the counter. It was Malia. She was wearing a blue dress with white flowers on it, she also had a small white cardigan. He hair was down, she curled it this time. I tilt my head and say "You smell nice." she puts the bottle down after pouring some in her cup and looks at me with a puzzled look for a moment. Charles' girlfriend, i can't remember her name, calls for her while walking towards us. "Mal! Arthur is here!" She says with a heavy french accent. "Where?" Says the british girl, her face lighting up with excitement as she runs toawrds him. My jaw tightens. "Leave her be will you" says her friend, watching me seriously. "She came over here. I didn't do anything." i say defensive."Your eyes tell a different story" she pauses for just a moment " She might be blind when it comes to guys fancying her, but i'm not, leave her alone" she demanded and stormed off.

What was that about? I don't even like her. We hate each other. Why would she even think that. Whatever. I finished pouring my drink and pathed my way to the backyard. I found Max, Danny, and Oscar by one of the sofas and sat with them. We began catching up, talking about our holidays and the upcoming race. Charles joined us after a while. His group seemed to have moved outside as well. I let out a sigh louder than i intended it to be. "What's wrong with you, mate?" Charles said with a half laugh. "He's got a crush." Oscar sang, in a teasing manner. "What? No, i don't!" i said, sinking down into my seat. My eyes shifted to Malia, laughing with her friends. Oscar watched me intently, "Sure, you don't mate." he said sarcastically. What is it with everyone thinking i like her? "Im just tired, Charles. It's been a long week." i said, annoyed at Oscar.

We carried on the conversation about less interesting subjects, i wasn't really paying much attention. I thought to myself. I don't understand why people are assuming things about me. I know myself. I would know if i had a silly little crush on someone. Even more if it was Her. She's my rival, I couldn't. I did have one ages ago, back in our karting days, but times have changed, she's the enemy now.

Danny, Charles, and Oscar wandered off to their little group they seemed to have formed during this summer's break. I saw them post on Instagram. They all went to greece together, with their respective girlfriends and Malia. I glanced at them. Arthur made her laugh. I bit the inside of my cheek. Max was still sat next to me, though. "So Oscar was right, you do have a crush!" he said, surprised. "I don't!" I snap back "Yeah mate, i totally didn't watch you get jealous just a second ago. Im imagining things." he says, matching my tone. I bring my hands to my face and rubbed my eyes, leaning back in the sofa. He taps my thigh and said " i think you need another drink, mate. I'll go grab you one"

My head is spinning. I look back at her group and search for her. Once i find her , her beautiful green eyes meet mine. I feel my cheeks burn. She tilts her head a bit. I don't know if it is the alcohol making me see things. It is definitely the alcohol.

She smiles at me.