Number Seven

004

The morning of the race, Barcelona's streets buzzed with excitement. The sun had barely risen, but the air was already thick with anticipation. Fans from all over the world filled the stands, waving flags and wearing their team's colors. It was a sight Sophia had witnessed many times before, but today, it felt different. Today, she was no longer just a spectator.

Sophia stood in front of the mirror in her hotel room, adjusting her outfit for the race. She chose a simple white dress, comfortable yet stylish, knowing she'd be moving around a lot throughout the day. Her hair was down in soft waves, and she added a pair of sunglasses to complete the look. She glanced at her phone, checking for messages, but her thoughts were interrupted by the loud knock at the door.

"Ready, Soph?" Romeo's voice rang through the door.

"Give me a minute!" she called back, grabbing her bag and making sure everything was set. She didn't want to forget anything.

A few minutes later, Romeo, still half-dressed in his casual race day outfit, walked in, looking a bit disheveled. "I don't know if I can do this today," he said with a grin, adjusting his shirt. "Too many people. It's exhausting."

Sophia raised an eyebrow, amused. "You're going to be fine. You always are."

Romeo smirked. "Yeah, but I'm only here for the food and the company."

"Oh, please," Sophia teased, rolling her eyes as she zipped up her jacket. "You're here for the adrenaline."

"True," he admitted, giving her a playful nudge. "Let's go, then. I think Mason's already out there."

Mason. The name alone made her heart skip a beat. She hadn't seen him since the night of qualifying, and even though she had been trying to push the thoughts of him from her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if today would change everything.

"Let's meet up with Lando first, yeah?" Romeo said, sensing the shift in the mood between them. "We can catch up with Mason later."

Sophia nodded, feeling a bit relieved. Seeing Mason would be exciting, but she wasn't sure if she was ready to dive into that just yet. She needed to enjoy the day without overthinking things.

The walk to the paddock was a whirlwind. Fans surrounded them on all sides, calling out for autographs and selfies. Sophia smiled, waving occasionally, but she was already getting used to the chaos. It was part of the lifestyle. It was part of being a Beckham.

As they entered the exclusive area near the pit lane, the noise of the crowd became muffled, replaced by the sound of engines revving and the hurried voices of teams prepping for the race. Lando Norris was the first to spot them.

"Hey!" Lando called out, waving enthusiastically as he approached. "You guys ready for this?"

"Absolutely," Romeo answered, giving Lando a fist bump. "Let's just hope we make it through without getting run over by an F1 car."

Sophia laughed, knowing full well that their group's presence was always noticed. The drivers and their entourages were used to the attention, but for the rest of them, it was still a bit surreal.

As they all headed toward the paddock to find their spots, Sophia caught a glimpse of Mason standing with his team, talking to a few people. Her stomach fluttered involuntarily. She tried not to look too long, but it was hard not to notice the way he carried himself with confidence, his relaxed demeanor making him stand out in a crowd.

Romeo noticed her glance and leaned in. "Don't worry. I've got your back if you need it."

Sophia nodded, appreciating her brother's constant protection, but she knew she needed to handle this herself. She wasn't a child anymore, and it was time to let herself experience whatever this was with Mason—if that was even possible.