Formula 1 | One Shots (1)

Use A Friend | Oscar Piastri

Authors Note: This storyline was requested by: PatosPRManager 

Oscar won yesterday's vote, so here it is! ❤️ 
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Autumn Smith's cheeks were bright red from the cold as she sat on the swing set, her hands gripping the old chains tightly. The park was empty at this hour, the dim streetlights the only source of light, aside from the moonlight. 

Her sobs filled the silence, every tear holding her pain. She had been there for nearly twenty minutes, but it felt like an eternity...because time felt stretched and warped by the pressure pressing on her chest.

The sound of the gate opening startled her. She froze, quickly brushing the tears from her face with her sleeve, but the puffiness of her eyes and the red blotches on her cheeks betrayed her. She looked up to see a familiar face approaching.

Oscar.

He was dressed in a hoodie and sneakers, his hair slightly messy as though he had rushed to get there. His expression was a mixture of concern and determination as he made his way across the grass, his eyes never leaving her. Without a word, he settled onto the swing next to hers.

"I talked to your mother," Oscar said gently, breaking the silence after a few minutes. "She said you ran out of the house. I had a feeling you'd be here."

Autumn let out a shaky breath, her fingers twisting against the swing's chain. She looked down, avoiding his eyes. "I just...I needed to get out of there," she whispered. Her voice cracked, and she quickly bit her lip, trying to suppress another wave of tears.

Oscar leaned closer towards her, his eyes searching her face. "What happened?" he asked.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips. "What didn't happen? Everything feels like it's falling apart. Work, home, me-" She gestured to herself, her voice rising slightly. "I don't even know who I am anymore, Oscar. I'm tired. Of failing, of disappointing everyone, of pretending I'm okay when I'm not."

Her words spilled out like in a rush, each one heavier than the last. By the time she finished, her hands were shaking and fresh tears streamed down her face. She looked at him helplessly, her vulnerability laid...exposed.

Oscar's heart clenched as he listened. He hated seeing her like this...his full of life, strong best friend reduced to a shadow of herself. He reached out, his hand hesitating for a second before gently holding hers.

"You're not a failure, Autumn," he said firmly. "You're human. You're allowed to struggle, to not have it all figured out. That doesn't make you a disappointment. It makes you real."

She sniffled, shaking her head. "You don't understand-"

"-No, I do," he interrupted. "I've seen you at your best and at your worst and I still think you're incredible. You've always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it. Let me be here for you now. Let me try to take away the pain, or at least help you deal with it."

His words seemed to cut through her despair and she looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. There was no pity there, only unwavering support and a deep, genuine care that almost broke her all over again.

"But what if I don't know how to fix this?" she whispered.

Oscar squeezed her hand. "You don't have to fix everything at once," he said. "One step at a time. And you're not alone, Autumn. I'm not going anywhere. We'll figure it out together."

The warmth in his voice brought a small smile to her lips. For the first time that night, she felt a flicker of hope...fragile, but there.

"Thank you," she said softly.