Are You Fast Enough? (F1:MV)

Chapter 9

There was a few weeks break until Spa, but Max went to Belgium anyway, to spend time with his family. So as he was settling down at home, having just come back from the airport, he was surprised to find a text from Cara.

Are you in Belgium? Xx

Max smiled. He shrugged. He guessed he could tell her his plans.

Yep. I'm spending time with my family.

Cara replied almost instantly.

Oh, I see. I'll let you get on with it xx

Oh dear. Why did he always mess these things up? Max had already pushed Cara away from the kiss, and now he was pushing her further. He didn't mean to do it; Max was just inexperienced in relationships. He didn't know how to react when Cara wanted more. He wanted to spend time with her, but he always somehow ruined everything.

Max sighed. He had a think about all that was planned for the next few weeks. He got an idea.

Actually, I do need a favour...

Max grinned as Cara replied.

Go on xx

Well, I'm doing an interview on Friday. You can come along if you want.

Sure! I would love to! xx

Great! Xx
Max replied, adding two kisses. He was starting to copy Cara now. Even if it was small things, like kisses on texts, the changes were noticeable. Max texted the details to her while he finished unpacking his luggage.

The next few days passed by slowly. Max was happy to be spending time with his mother and sister, but he missed Cara, and was desperately looking forward to the interview. It made him realise how much he was falling for her. He felt a tinge of excitement as he saw her on Friday morning, standing outside the Belgian TV studio. She smiled sweetly at him as he approached.

'Wow, you're looking cool!' She beamed. Max blushed. He was dressed in a smart, white shirt and blazer, with long trousers and polished shoes.
'Thank you, my dad picked it out for me,' Max replied. Cara grinned.
'Can I make a few adjustments?'
Max hesitated. 'Um, I suppose you can..'
Cara nodded as she grabbed hold of Max's red tie, and carefully loosened it.
'This tie is on too tight, it's almost strangling you.' She murmured. Max stayed quiet.
Cara unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt. 'Relax. You're going to a TV interview, not the Sydney opera house.'
Max giggled. He secretly wished that she would unbutton more than that...
'Take your shirt out of your pants,' She chimed and Max did so.
'One last touch..' Cara whispered as she ruffled Max's hair. She wasn't being too strong, but she got rid of the slicked back smart look for a more casual hairstyle. She fixed each streak into place.
'There, you're ready now.'
'I'm still nervous.' He muttered.
'Don't be. I'm here for you.' Cara kissed him lightly.
Max smiled. 'I know, but what if I say the wrong thing?'
'Don't worry. I have an idea.' Cara reached into her handbag and pulled out a strange ear clip.
'What's that?'
'This is a Bluetooth phone set. It's like a hands free phone. You put it on your ear and I can tell you what to do.'
'Will it work?'
'Of course. It's very discreet, you can hardly see it. And only you can hear what I say.'
'Okay. I'll...I'll give it a go.'
'Great!' Cara cheered. She gave Max another kiss before they entered the studio. Max signed in at the reception, and he and Cara were led to the green room. After a quick drink, the TV manager approached.

'You ready, Max?' He said with a false grin. Max nodded.
'Yeah, I'm ready.'
'Ok, good. We're filming in five.'
'Good.'
The manager paid no attention to Cara. It was as if he didn't even notice her. Soon, Max was led out to the set where the interview was going to take place. Cara crept away and hid in the women's toilets. She pulled out her phone, and connected to the ear phone. She was able to hear everything.

'So Max, I would like to welcome you to the show.'
'Pleasure.'
'My first question is, what did you think when you heard you were going to be the youngest ever F1 driver?'
Cara whispered in his ear. Max repeated what she said.
'Well, I didn't think much of it really. Age is just a number. It doesn't matter how old you are, the important thing is whether you win or not.'
'I see. Who has been your biggest inspiration in F1?'
Cara scowled. She shouted down the phone. 'Whatever you do, don't say your dad! Say Senna instead. Or even Schumacher. Just not your dad!'
'Um... When I was growing up, I used to watch Michael Schumacher drive around the track, and I wanted to be him. I also watch Ayrton Senna's races, even though he was before my time.'
The interviewer nodded. 'And what about Schumacher's teammate, when he was with Benetton? What do you think of him?'
Cara face-palmed. 'Damn, they got you. Just be honest for this one.' She whispered.
Max grinned. 'Oh, you mean my dad? Of course my dad is my idol. I have always looked up to him, even now. Without my dad, I wouldn't be here right now.'
Cara laughed. 'No shit, Sherlock.'
'People have been saying,' the interviewer continued. 'That it is too soon for a 17 year old to be in F1. Indeed, we all doubted whether you were ready when you crashed in Monaco.'
Cara buzzed in his ear.
'I think that's a little unfair, no? Everyone makes mistakes. I think it was good that I crashed, because I learned from it. That's what counts. Some drivers make many mistakes, but never learn from them. Maybe they're not ready for F1.'
The interviewer laughed. 'You mean Pastor, don't you?'
'Yes.'
'Mr Maldonado had a lot to say about your Monaco crash.'
'Let me guess, he wanted me to do a flip?'
'No, but good one. Let's move on to the final question- what will you be when you grow up?'
Max sighed. 'Oh haha, very funny. Haven't heard that one before...'
The interviewer laughed loudly. 'But seriously, do you think it's a little early to be an F1 driver? Some people your age have no idea what career they will have. How can you be sure you have made the right choice?'
Max grew red with anger. Cara whispered down the phone. Max was quiet.
'Come on Max! Do it.' Cara shouted.
Max gritted his teeth before replying to the interviewer.
'Listen here! I may be young, but I know what I'm doing! Since I was 4 I have dreamt of being an F1 driver! It's all I ever wanted!'
'You mean, it's all your dad wanted.'
Max had had enough. He was trembling with rage. Cara murmured bluntly to him.
'Do it.'
Max picked up the glass of water by his side, and splashed the contents on the interviewer, who spluttered, shocked. Max smashed the glass on the ground, and ran off.
'Cut!' was shouted, but Max was gone.

He found Cara loitering outside, hands in her pockets. He took the ear piece out and gave it back to her.
'That was too much.'
'No, it wasn't.'
'I've ruined everything!' Max cried, but Cara hugged him and stroked his back.
'You haven't. This is good, people will like you now.'
'How? I was a rude, awful person.'
'Exactly. You're a bad boy.'
Max crossed his arms. 'I'm not a bad boy.'
'You are now. And now everyone knows... Mad Max.'
Max smirked. He couldn't help laughing at what he'd done. But it was over now. It did feel good though, Max thought, to show that man that he was serious. He was just so sick of being undermined and treated like a child. He would show them. Spa was drawing near. He would show them he meant business.