OUT OF THE WOODS ━ lando norris. ²

[ 009 ] It May Concern

   

   

   

( ACT I. ── The Calm )
chapter nine / It May Concern
( tw: emetophobia )

   

   

    

   

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Annika and Mick parted ways leaving Switzerland, with Annika headed to the UK and Mick headed to France, both to finish preparations for a new chapter of their lives.

There was very little time now until Bahrain. Two days in Milton Keynes, a night and a day back home in Monaco, and then off to pre-season testing, where she would at last take a seat in the car that would dictate the next year of her life. Apprehension twisted her stomach.

Shielded away from the rest of the plane by the dividers around her seat, Annika tucked a heat pack against her stomach, unable to sleep from a mix of anxiety and cramps. She listened to the deep silence that emanated from her headphones. Staring at her reflection in the blank TV screen. Sickened by her worry.

It hadn't caused her this much turmoil throughout all of winter break. Only now was she making herself ill over it.

A constant repetition: did I make the right choice?

She shifted her legs and readjusted herself in the seat, attempting to ease the pain in her abdomen, but it only got worse with movement, and she sighed angrily. Of course she'd make herself ill with worry right before the start of the season. Of course.

She landed in Milton Keynes and checked into her hotel. This was around where she had lived with Ciaran when they first moved in together, so young and in love and making plans for something called 'forever'. Now she was living on the opposite side of Europe, traveling here for work, barely thinking of him, and he was married with a baby on the way.

Little does anybody ever really know.

At the Red Bull factory, she first met with Leah, her race engineer for the indefinite future, in the meeting room, and they shared a brief embrace.

"You look pale," Leah said in concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, just," Annika shook her head, embarrassed, "on my period."

"Do you want some midol? I have some in my bag."

"No, thank you."

Others were starting to file in, including Annika's strategy and engineering team, so Leah had to oblige the rejection and sit with her peers. Yuki and his pit crew also joined the meeting, and he sat beside Annika. She tried not to let anyone see that she was uncomfortable and pained.