VIPER || Oscar Piastri

Chapter 51

[POV: Narrator]

Andreanna Saunterre gripped the sink like it was the only thing keeping her tethered to sanity. She was leaning way too close to the mirror— so close that she could see every wild flicker in her eyes.

After leaving Oscar in the dust moments ago, Andi had slipped away to find the nearest bathroom. She shut herself inside; away from the noise, and the people, and from—

well.

The mirror; it was too clear. Too sharp. She didn't like the way it didn't blur at the edges or cast a glare over her the way she wanted it to. It showed her exactly as she was—shoulders tense, eyes wide in a way that made her look startled.

She bit the inside of her cheek, moving to run the tap.

The water burned— way too hot. She flinched, jerking her hands back on instinct. A sharp breath slipped through her teeth as she watched the steam curl up from the sink, fogging up the mirror. The heat of the water lingered.

And just like the heat seared her skin, an image kept burning at the back of her mind.

His hands. His arms— and, the way they had fit around her—like muscle memory. The phantom warmth of them around her waist, his chin resting against her shoulder.

She blinked rapidly, pulling her hands back from the sink, staring at the faint redness left on them. Exhaling hard, she hung her head low and let her palms push against the marble, still wet. Her fingers started to curl around the cool edges, so far that they began pressing back into her skin. Her knuckles turned white from the pressure she was applying.

It wasn't a big deal. 

Fog gone, her reflection stared back at her, unblinking. A pathetic attempt at composure.

How embarrassing, she shook her head, reaching for a paper towel to dry her damp skin. She stiffened before the door swung open, making her force a neutral expression onto her face.

It wasn't until a voice broke the silence that she realized who it was.

"Andi! Hey!"

"Oh—" she moved her hair from her face, meeting the girl's gaze. "Alex! Um, hi!" Her voice was a little too high, her attempt at sounding normal falling flat.

Alex stood at the next sink over, checking herself in the mirror as she said, "Congrats to Oscar for today! You must be proud of him," she smiled, her expression warm.

Andi's stomach dipped. She nodded quickly, "Yeah, I am. Thanks. And— you, as well! Big day for Charles," she said, her tone a little forced.

Alex smiled in acknowledgment, chuckling. "A hell of a race, though."

"Yeah," Andi laughed back, "it's been a great weekend. Monaco's always my favourite."

Alex hummed in agreement, before there was an awkward silence between them, each of them sidestepping the slight tension. Andi's eyes started flickering between her and the door as if deciding whether to stay or go.

Then, Alex— having finished touching up her makeup— reaching a hand out towards Andi's, squeezing it tight. "See you soon, yeah?" she said, her voice soft and genuine. "Enjoy the rest of the party!"