Rivalry

Capter XII

                       Malia's POV

It's was already Wednesday, and i couldn't bear to pack for the next race. My flight was in three hours.

These past few days have been exhausting mentally. I have been all over the place, and the fact that my father would be back in the paddock this weekend was stressing me out. He hasn't come to any race since Silverstone.

I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling with clothes all over the floor and by my suitcases. I sighed and forced myself up to finally pack.

As i was putting the final things in my suit case, i saw the blue sweater Norris left, hanging on my vanity chair. I chew the inside of my lip and make my way to grab it. It still smells like his cologne,a blend of crisp citrus and deep, grounding earthiness. I folded it neatly to fit with the rest of my packed belongings.

Maybe he wants it back.

______________________________________

Thursday rolled around pretty quickly. Media day was going by in a blur. I needed this weekend to go as fast as today.

I entered the media pen, and my PR manager directed me to one of the interviewers. The one right next to the british boy. This is the first time i'd seen him since this weekend. He was in the middle of an interview, his hands spread out, leaning on the fence that separated the drivers from the interviewers. I approached the microphone and leaned on the fence the same way he did, but i accidentally touched his hand in the process, which sent a shock through my arm. "Sorry." i wispered, trying not to disturb his interview. He stops speaking, looks at me a moment, and takes a deep breath before continuing his interview.

After a few more interviews, the day at the paddock was wrapped up. This weekend was in Singapore, a night race, so i was trying my very best to stay awake so it wouldn't be too hard on my body for the race. I decided to meet up with Charles for an early dinner.

When we made our way back into the hotel, Max yelled out Charles' name for him to keep the elevator door open. He jogged into the elevator with Norris. Our eyes crossed paths as Max and Charles greeted each other. As the elevator went up, the boys started chatting, and i quietly leaned against the wall, not really paying attention. Max furrowed his brows at me and glanced at my rival and back to me while they we're talking about last weekend. I immediately shifted my gaze elsewhere.

A few moments later, Max pulled out his phone, looked at me with a mischievous grin, and asked, "Are you guys up for a game of paddle later?i want to book it now" The two boys hapily nodded in agreement. I was still thinking about last weekend. Why am i overthinking? It clearly meant nothing to him. "Mal? How about you?" Max said, nudging me. "I-uh yeah, sorry, i was thinking about something." I said, shaking my head.

The elevator doors open to my floor, and i head out, Max follows. "Are you on this floor too?" i questioned him "yep" he said. I waited until the doors closed and pushed him with my shoulder and said, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" I said, giving him a dirty look. "Mal, it doesn't take an idiot to see something happened between the both of you. You're quiet, and he avoids eye contact with you." he snaped back.

Was it that obvious? I haven't even told my best friend about this, and i don't think I will. But i need to talk about it .My head was going to blow up.

I chew on my lip for a moment. "We had sex." i blurt out, surprised by my own words. Max halted mid-step, his eyes widening in shock, trying to put pieces together. "Is that why you left the club together?" He said. "Well, that wasn't why we left, i wanted to go home, and he insisted on walking me back because im a girl. And then it just happened." I spit, panicked they all saw us. "I'm the only one who saw you two leave. i didn't tell anyone." Max said, placing his hand on my shoulder, reassuring me. "Please don't tell him i told you. I just don't know what to do. Everything is weird. And now, thanks to you, i have to be around him for a few hours." I said, irritation in my voice. "I won't say anything. Trust me, he's told me many things i wouldn't repeat." Said Max, winking at me as he opened the door to his room. "See you in a bit, Mal.