SHIRT, charles leclerc (REWRITING)

SIX, lights out & away we go!

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CHAPTER SIX,
lights out & away we go!

It was Race Day. Juliette sat cross-legged on the floor of her driver's room, stretching her hamstrings while Leo, her fitness coach, watched with a bemused expression. The soft hum of activity outside filtered through the closed door—pit crews shouting, tools clinking, engines revving. Inside, the air was calmer but thick with Juliette's nervous energy.

The Australian man leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, his sharp blue eyes studying her every movement. "Alright, spill. What's wrong?"

Juliette blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Huh? Nothing," she said quickly, a little too quickly. "I'm totally not sitting here contemplating every single life decision that led me to this day."

Leo raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at his lips. "Ah, so just a normal day in the life of Juliette Bianchi, then?"

She groaned, running her hands down her face. "Yes...no...I don't know! Mio Dio, Leo, I'm excited and nervous and absolutely nervous all at the same time. Is this normal?"

To note, Juliette was not scared or anything. No driver in motorsport could afford being scared — although she was buzzing with nerves, something most drivers would feel.

Leo chuckled, crouching down to grab the resistance bands beside her. "Completely. Though for the record, you're much more dramatic about it than most." He handed her the band and motioned for her to stand. "Quad stretch. C'mon."

As she stood, wobbling slightly while balancing on one leg, Leo gave her a thoughtful look. "You know, you remind me a lot of Jules," he said softly, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his face.

Juliette's eyes widened, her expression instantly softening. ". . . Really? Elaborate," she pressed gently, switching legs.

Leo paused, his voice taking on a gentler tone. "He used to act just like this before a race—fidgety, overthinking, trying to play it cool but secretly freaking out inside. Not that he'd ever admit it." He chuckled quietly. "He'd joke around, too, just like you do, trying to convince himself he wasn't nervous."

Juliette's lips twitched into a small smile as she tilted her head. "I don't remember that. Jules always seemed so...calm. Invincible, you know? I just remember him being so exhilarated before every race, like he belonged out there."

Leo looked down, the hint of a wistful smile on his face. "That's because he loved it, kid. It was his escape. But he wasn't invincible—not to his own nerves, anyway. He just learned to turn them into fuel."

The room grew quiet for a moment, the sound of Juliette's breathing filling the space. She looked at Leo, suddenly feeling a pang of gratitude for his presence.

He was her brother's former fitness instructor. He'd been there for Jules, through the highs and lows, and now he was here for her. It felt like a small piece of her brother was still with her.

Leo, spoke at her brothers funeral. She'd remember that vividly as his sentimental, yet grave words stuck to her forever.

"Leo?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever—" She hesitated, biting her lip. "Do you ever think about how things would've been if Jules were still here?"

Leo sighed, leaning back against the wall again, his gaze distant. "All the time," he admitted. "But if there's one thing I know, it's that he'd be damn proud of you. He'd be out there right now, making sure everyone knew exactly who his little sister was and what she's capable of."