VIPER || Oscar Piastri

Chapter 67

[POV: Narrator]

"You're literally wrong," Andi was saying, their swaying arms brushing occasionally as they walked. Then, quieter—to herself. "...and loud about it. Which makes it worse."

Oscar didn't even flinch. "I'm not wrong. You just don't understand how socks work."

Andi pushed her sunglasses up onto her head, like she needed clearer vision to stare him down. "Explain it to me, then, Oscar. Like I'm five. Explain how left socks and right socks are a real thing."

Oscar made a noise of disbelief. "Like. I. Said. Some are contoured to the shape of your foot. It's basic anatomy."

"No, it's capitalism," she shot back. "You have become a slave to capitalism. Big Sock has managed to convince you to buy twice as many socks."

Oscar glanced over at her, visibly holding back a laugh. "The sock industry isn't some conspiracy. Come on, that's ridiculous."

"Oh, but a specifically left sock isn't?!"

"I will die on this hill."

"Oh my god— what's next? Left and right shoelaces?"

"...They do have R and L printed on them sometimes..."

They rounded a corner, the McLaren garage now coming into view ahead. "Uh-oh," Andi muttered, narrowing her eyes across the paddock.

Oscar followed her gaze.

There he was. Orange cap, full McLaren kit, grinning from one ear to the other. Lando had caught sight of them, and was now abandoning whatever conversation he'd been part of. He waved. Big. Overhead.

Andi sighed. "Here we go."

Oscar didn't break stride, but squeezed her hand a little. "Let him have it," he tried, "he's really sorry."

"Oh, so he gets to destroy my car and get away with it Scot-free?" she dug her nails into Oscar's hand without need to, purely out of seething rage. "I don't think so—"

"Sooo... how'd it go??" Lando had reached them, all bouncy knees and bright eyes. "Was it fun or what!" He didn't just look smug, he radiated it; Preloaded with praise and clearly expecting some kind of hero's welcome.

Andi bared her teeth in something almost like a smile. "Yeeeah. It was REALLY fun. We had the BEST time. All thanks to you."

"Right??" Lando beamed, completely unfazed. "So do you forgive me?"

She tilted her head, holding a finger to her chin. "Remind me. For what again?"

The smugness cracked by just a slither. "Uh..." His eyes flicked to Oscar, who was busy looking everywhere but directly at anyone.

Andi waited.

"Well... y'know. For, uh..."

Oscar subtly tugged at her arm like he was trying to pull the pin out of a grenade before it exploded. She continued to tap her foot in anticipation for Lando's response.

The boy cleared his throat.

"For cr— for crashing your car," he said, the words all coming out as one breathless apology-shaped syllable.

"Riiight," she said slowly. "That."

Oscar gave her another tug. More desperate this time. Andi just smiled.