VIPER || Oscar Piastri

Chapter 63

[POV: Narrator]
[The next day — RACE DAY!]

Oscar and Andi had found a quiet spot in one of the canteen areas; a small table to themselves, tucked away. While he was picking at his breakfast, absentmindedly dismantling a slice of toast — bit by bit, crust to centre — Andi was admiring the view, leaning back in her chair with a wide grin, greatly enjoying herself.

To clarify, the view wasn't of the paddock.

It was of the reactions.

People were still avoiding her.

The active, genuine, wide-berth fear was laughable, and it made for golden entertainment.

She'd already started making use of it— walking just slightly faster when she spotted drivers up ahead to make them sweat, standing silently behind them for a while before coughing loudly to make them jump, or pretending to reach for something near them just to watch them panic.

It wasn't exactly mature, but it was funny.

None of them dared push their luck— none interacted with her the entire morning. Tsunoda mumbled a hello to Oscar but bolted before she even looked up, speed-walking out of range.

The only person who did was Charles.

A nod and a half-smile when they crossed paths earlier. No fear, no theatrics—just the usual vague amusement.

And then there was Lando. Poor, unfortunate, Lando. Who, after receiving a well-earned verbal slapdown from her the day before, now physically jumped any time anyone said her name within earshot.

"It's too funny," she muttered, giggling, before going back to concentrate on her food.

Andi knew how to handle self-deprecating rumours.

She'd been misunderstood before. Reptilian nicknames didn't just invent themselves. It wasn't like any of this was particularly new—she was always aware of the space she took up, the way people treated her, especially when they perceived her based on word of mouth. It came as standard with the 'Viper' nickname. And, now, with the territory of being Oscar's girlfriend.

But, admittedly, she didn't appreciate being turned into some kind of over-aggressive psycho by a guy who absolutely deserved to get yelled at. That part grated. Even if it was really, really, funny seeing him scared.

Oscar started to say something casually, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you—I bought—"

"They forgot my ketchup," Andi said abruptly, standing. "Be right back."

Oscar blinked. "Can you grab me—"

"Mayo. Yep," she was already halfway to the condiment bar. Oscar watched her go, then looked back down at his food, poking half-heartedly at what was left on his plate, when—

"PSSST."

He frowned, glanced over his shoulder. Probably just some pit crew thing—air hose? He shrugged and turned back to his food.

"PSSSSSSSST."

He turned again—quicker this time, straight toward where the noise definitely came from—and glared toward a potted plant near the far side of the room.