second chances ~ ollie bearman (2)

part 87

1 light...
2 lights...
3 lights...
4 lights...
5 lights...

light out...

i press my foot down on the acceleration, and swerve in between the cars ahead of me, gaining positions by time we reach the first corner, whilst avoiding contact from the cars surrounding me.

"p3 angel, that is p3." jules says a few corners later.

okay, okay. that's good, that's good. i did a good start, now i guess just don't fuck it up.

who are you kidding? you fuck everything up, just like your going to do with this race.

"shut the fuck up." i mutter quietly.

"what was that?" jules says.

"nothing, nothing." i reply.

the race was going well, i was finally into p2 by time we came into the second half of the race, and that was with a pit stop included. now, there was a 4.284 second gap between me and the leading car ahead, which was lando driving his mclaren car.

"okay angel, let's try to close this gap, we are going for the win."

"understood." i reply, pressing my foot down whilst making sure my next laps were my best ones yet.

you really think you can win? come on, don't lie to yourself. your terrible, your a girl. you shouldn't be here, there are plenty of people who deserve this. pre than you. i know it, you know, and they know it too. it's just a matter of time... before they kick you out like your nothing. you are nothing.

the negative thoughts in my head were only getting louder, more dominant over the other thoughts. but i wasn't giving into them, i won't give into them. i wasn't going to prove myself, i was going to win this race, and prove it. not just to myself, but to everyone around the world watching.

just because im a girl, doesn't make me any worse. i've worked hard for this seat, i deserve it more than anyone.

"that's it angel, keep it up, come on. 1.736 gap to lando now." jules says, 10 laps later.

there was only 10 laps left, and i still had a gap to close, i still had an overtake to perform. i needed to try harder.

"how are his tires?" i ask, trying to speed up.

"he's loosing grip, this is your chance angel. he pitted too early."

"and whose behind?"

"hamilton, bearman battling him for position."

"that's my boy." i say, smiling to myself.

"i'll keep you updated, just keep this up." jules says.

i felt more motivated, i knew what i needed to do, and i was going to do it.

"you are now in drs."

lando was mere metres ahead of me, 0.475 second gap and still decreasing, but the laps were decreasing as well. 4 laps left, 4 laps to overtake lando, who is an amazing driver. far better than me anyday.

"you can do this angel, don't give up now. drs zone coming up." jules says.

as we both go round turn 13, my front wing was alongside his rear wing. we were side by side going round turn 14, and i open the rear wing.

i look across, and i was ahead. i was further ahead than lando.

i knew i was ahead of him, when the crowd erupt in cheers, i could hear them chanting my name. i was almost distracted for a second, but one i regained focus, i kept the lead and defended my position of lando.

"that's it angel, that's it. you keep that position, you stay there. your doing great, amazing even. keep it up. it's the final lap now. bring it home kid, you deserve this." jules says, urging me on.

as the number of corners left turned into the single digits, then lower than five, than the last one, the crowds got louder and louder.

"angelina giulia antonelli, my what a few weeks she's had. she's retired from the last race, she had surgery, her appendix taken out. but it doesn't stop her, she's unstoppable. THE ITALIAN ASTON MARTIN DRIVER FINISHES THE RACE IN P1, CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY LANDO NORRIS, AND TO FINISH OFF THE PODIUM, OLIVER BEARMAN. what a race! what a result! what. a. finish. i bet the newly- engaged couple are happy, or will be once they find out."

"congrats kid, that is p1. enjoy it, you deserve it. " jules says, after i cross the finish line.

"what a day huh." i reply, waving at the cheering crowds of fans.

"this- this is good. thank you everyone, thank you to the team, my god i love you all. but thank you, thank you jules. i know i couldn't be here today without you."

"thank you kid, now hurry up and get back here." he says.

"woah, woah, chill your boots old man. where did ollie finish?"

"well, i think you will be happy. but ill let you find out yourself."

i couldn't help but smile to myself. yeah, of course i was proud of ollie, i always would be. but i was proud of myself. i proved myself wrong.

i stopped the car ahead of the number 1 sign, and climbed out. i stood on top of the car, people chanting "bow" so obviously, i had too. give the people what they want right?

i jumped off the car, and ran over to ollie, putting my arms around him. but, we both had our helmets on, so our helmets were resting against each other.

"well done baby." he says, shouting over the noise of the crowds.

"you stuck to your promise."

"so did you." he replies.

"what a comeback eh?"

"well, i think after everything you've been through, you deserve it. i'm being called over, ill see you in the cool down room?" he says, being shouted over by the fia.

i head over to my team, and jules, who were all cheering my name, happy to have a win one again, or to even be back on the podium.

"let's try this again in two weeks time yeah?" i say  to jules.

"100%." jules says, patting me on the shoulder before walking over with me to the weigh in.

|| authors note ~ hope you enjoy! 🫶🏼