Are You Fast Enough? (F1:MV)

Chapter 6

The next day Max woke up, his eyes strained by the sunlight filtering through the hotel curtains. He sat up in his bed, and looked to his right to find his dad snoring away in the other bed, still very much asleep. He dreaded his dad's reaction later when he would have to tell him about Cara. Max had to do it, he needed Cara with him to support him. But Jos was very paranoid about Max dating. He forced him not to date, and told him to focus on his career, rather than 'that girl's rack'. Therefore, Max was worried that his dad would really freak out, and tighten his control, so he may never see Cara again.

He crept silently out of bed, padding over to his suitcase to pull out some clothes before tiptoeing to the bathroom to change. He needed to make as little noise as possible. He didn't want to wake his dad. After washing up and getting changed, he escaped the hotel room, and went out to go shopping with Cara.

On the way he picked up a strawberry pancake for breakfast. He was supposed to keep to a strict, high protein diet, but Max broke it often. He liked to sneak out late at night, running around the streets with Carlos, and binging on ice cream. That was his guilty pleasure.

When he reached the shopping centre he checked his phone and found a text from Cara.

I'm by the fountain xx

Max grinned and spotted Cara by the water, standing shyly. He ran over, nearly crashing into her. She giggled as he stopped dead in his tracks.

'You okay there, amico?' Cara said, smiling.
'Yeah, I was just...'
'Excited to see me?'
Max laughed. 'Maybe...'
She grabbed his hand and pulled him away. 'It's time to shop!' She cried. She led him into H&M. Max looked quite confused.
'What are we doing here? My sister shops here,' He asked, looking rather embarrassed.
'There's good stuff, especially for a bad boy like you...'
'I'm not a bad boy!' Max protested, stamping his foot.
'You will be soon,' She whispered before crossing over to a clothing rack, and pulling out a pair of ripped jeans.

'This would look good on you,' She said, leaning it against his hips.
'I don't like it, it has holes and rips in it,' He replies, whining.
'That's the point, it looks cool!'
'It's not cool, it's stupid. Why would you wear damaged clothing?'
Cara sighed. 'Just try it on.'
Max nodded and went to the changing room. When he came out, he looked a little grumpy, the jeans hugging his legs tightly.
'You look great! Do a spin,' She said, her voice high. Max groaned and turned around, his arms out.
'Right, that's it, I'm buying them for you,' She squealed.
'No, I'll pay. It's only fair.'
'It's fine, honestly.' Cara replied. She reached into her handbag and grabbed out a wad of Hungarian banknotes. Max's eyes widened.
'That's a lot of money..' He whispered. 'I swear that's more money than I earn!'
Cara giggled. 'Our little secret, okay?'
Max nodded. He got changed back, and Cara bought the jeans for him. She held his hand, and carried him off to more shops.

After buying a few smart shirts and classy ties, Cara knew what Max needed to top off his look. She dragged him to a biker store. The whole store was adorned in belts and jackets. The air was saturated with the scent of leather. The oak browns and sleek blacks of the leather garments covered the shelves. Max felt intimidated and wildly out of place, as he spotted a young man with a green Mohawk behind the counter. He had so many ear piercings, Max gave up counting. The spikes on his jacket looked threatening. He grinned as he saw Cara.

'Ay, I'm looking for a jacket for my friend here.' Cara said to the man. He nodded.
'What type?' He asked.
'Black leather, but don't make it too complicated.' She leaned over to whisper to him. 'He's a bit...Soft.'
'Ah, I can see by that ugly polo neck.' He pointed to Max, who blushed and tried to hide in his shirt. It didn't matter; the man had already walked to the back of the shop, to look for a good jacket. He came back with a long sleeved black leather jacket, with small studs on the shoulders and a few pockets at the front. There was a small chain hanging from the lapels.

'How's this?' The man asked as Max tried it on. Max was quiet.
'It's alright, certainly suits him,' Cara replied.
'Do you want anything more decorated?'
'No. But do you sell any patches?'
The man nodded. 'I'll be back in a minute.' He left the room.
'What are patches?' Max asked.
'You'll see.'
'I don't like this. The spiky things are weird..'
'You look badass! And way more attractive...'
'Eh...' Max was about to continue when the man re-entered with a large file. He opened it, and it was full of many colourful fabric patches. Cara had a flick through, and she stopped on a page, gasping in delight.

'Perfect!' She said. The man carefully picked up the patch she was looking at. It was the face of a blood red bull, its teeth clenched, ready to attack. Cara took it and pressed it against Max's jacket.
'Isn't that just perfect! It's so you!' She squealed.
'It looks really scary..'
'Maybe it would look better on your arm,' Cara replied, ignoring Max's comment. She moved the patch to his left arm.
The man nodded in appreciation. 'Looks good. I'll give you 10% off if you like. And I'll sew it on for you.'
Cara laughed. 'Thank you. I'll pay up now.'
She paid for the jacket as the man carefully sewed the bull on to the left sleeve. After, Cara smiled and left, while Max awkwardly waved.

'You must Instagram a picture of your new look!' Cara said.
'Should I?'
'Yes. Now give me your phone.'
Max groaned and handed over his phone. He posed for the photo, as Cara held the camera.
'Fold your arms,' she said. Max obliged.
'Fine, whatever.'
'That's better,' she replied as she took the photo. She uploaded it to Instagram, under the caption 'Bad to the Max.'
Max took his phone back. 'Do you... Want to stay in the garage during the race?'
'Really? You'll let me watch the race in the garage?'
'Yeah, of course.'
'Oh, Thank you.'
It was time to go home. Max gave Cara a hug.
'Thanks for... Well everything.'
'No problem, Mio amico.' She kissed him on both cheeks. Max went pink.
'Ciao, bello.'
'Bye...' Max replied, holding his face, hiding his blush.
Max returned to the hotel, smiling all the way. He entered the hotel room to find his dad sitting angrily on the bed.
'Where have you been?' He roared.
'I was out with a friend...' Max whimpered.
'You're supposed to be here at three for our track talk!'
'I'm sorry dad, I lost track of time...'
'It's four! You're an hour late! Who is this friend anyway?'
'That's what I wanted to talk to you about...'
'Oh god, please don't tell me it's a girl...'
'Well..'
'Max, what are you wearing?'
'Oh this? It's a-'
'Nevermind.' Jos sighed. 'So what, you want her to have a garage pass or something?'
'Yeah! How did you know?'
'I've been down that road many a time, son. It's not a happy ending.'
'But I think she really likes me...'
'I'll give you the pass Max. If she sticks with you after the race, then you can keep her.'
'Keep her? She's not a stray dog, dad.'
'Shut up. It's time to study Hungaroring.'
'Okay.' Max sighed. He was sick of his dad ordering him about. But he couldn't do anything about it.