Chapter 1
The plane journey was along and tiring one, you would of thought I'd be used to journeys like this by now with travelling to different countries all year,every year. I had awoken from my short sleep and looked out the window; Australia was only a few minutes away now. I always turned up after Formula 1's practise; I never thought much for the practise.I always preferred the Qualifying and the race as that's when the points are made or lost, well in my opinion anyway.
The plane touched down in Melbourne Airport after a long 21 hour flight. Finally. I picked up my suitcase and went into the main lobby; I smiled as I saw my brother Jenson waiting for me. I never doubted him; he's always been there for me ever since I was 1 year old, with us going through our parents' divorce, we were now inseparable. I hugged him then we made our way to the car. On the way back to the track, I just had to ask....
'Where's Seb? I noticed he's not here, again, like Korea, Brazil and Abu Dhabi last year.....' I trailed off. Jenson sighed at this question, but he knew he had to answer.
'I've not seen him Sofia, not since the end of practise yesterday' Atleast he was honest with me as always. I just looked out of the car window,something wasn't right with Sebastian, it hadn't been since Korea last year, but I couldn't put my finger on what. Sebastian was quieter than normal, and I mean a lot quieter, He's not the Sebastian I knew 4 years ago, and I just didn't know why.
Jenson and I eventually got to the track at Albert Park, it was a quiet 30 minute journey,Jenson knew I was thinking things through. Jenson got my things out of the car and he told me to go on ahead to see everybody as I'd not seen everybody since November at Abu Dhabi. I decided against this, atleast for now anyway, I needed more time to clear my head and think things through.
'I'll be there soon Jenson, don't worry, I'll be fine, and tell everybody the same for me please?' I told Jenson as I walked towards the exit for the park and lake. I loved the park, it was so peaceful.
I went to my usual spot under a tree near the water, it relaxed me, I always came here before the big races on Sundays, to calm my nerves before I went onto the grid. As I neared, I saw someone sat there. Only 3 people knew this was where my favourite spot was. Sat there was Sebastian. We had not been here on our own for quite a while, this was first place we had our first kiss, after he had a rubbish race day on the Sunday in 2008. I smiled at the memory. The time's when things were absolutely fine between us. I sat next to him and looked out to the lake, it was so calm.
I felt him put his arm around my shoulders and pull me towards him so I laid on my side and put my head on his lap, it surprised me after how he had been acting lately but I didn't mind, as it felt like old times. But it was still bugging me to why he had been acting strangely. I felt the need to ask but did I dare? I pondered with this thought for a few minutes then I decided to ask.....
'Where have you been Seb? Jenson said he'd not seen you around since practise.....' I looked up at him, the wind was blowing his soft brown hair, but his face expression never changed. It seemed like an eternity before he answered me.....
'I've been busy Sofia, that's all, it's nothing to worry about, just racing things with Christian, you know, the usual stuff....' His answer was plain and simple, his face expression still did not change,.
'Ok Seb, you know I get worried that's all' I replied back to his answer. I decided it was time to go and see everybody, afterall I did say to Jenson I wouldn't be long. I got up, as did Sebastian. We walked back to the track, but not once, did he go for my hand to hold or anything.Something was wrong, I just knew it, one of those gut feelings, if you know what I mean.
We decided to part our separate ways, atleast for now I suppose, Sebastian pecked me on the lips and then went. I thought nothing of this, I was more concerned about seeing everybody at this point. I walked into the McLaren Motorhome, and still everybody was there, well nearly everybody anyway. Mark wasn't there so I'm guessing Christian had wanted him as Qualifying was tomorrow afterall. But Nico and Michael were there. Jenson and Lewis must of gone somewhere as they were nowhere to be seen, not that I minded. Lewis hugged me as I entered, and apologized as he had to go somewhere, I nodded and he went.
I noticed a bottle of champagne on the side, so I grabbed a glass and sat with Nico and Michael, getting a one-arm hug off them both, along with a peck of the cheek from Nico, as always.
'How have you been Sofia? You look well....' Michael's voice rang in the quiet Motorhome.
'I've been ok thanks Michael, just missing everyone more than anything, you know what I'm like....' I replied short and sweet. Out the corner of my eye, I could see Nico wasn't convinced by my answer, but I shrugged it off.
'That's good, how's Sebastian doing? Not seen him since practise, everything ok with you two?' Typical Michael. He always asked how me and Seb were, but I suppose he's just been a good friend in asking, as he always liked to see me happy.
'Yeah, we are fine thanks Michael, he's doing alright too, still trying to get the whole World Champion thing to sink in I think....' I answered him,obviously covering up what my real thoughts were, but I couldn't let anybody know, only Jenson knew.
'That's excellent,yeah, I know that feeling, I was the same, but he will be fine'Phew. Atleast I fooled Michael into believing that everything was alright, Nico on the other hand, still did not look convinced. He knew me way too well, afterall, I'd near enough grow up with him,I'd know him since I was 10 and he was 12.
It was now getting quite late, and with Qualifying tomorrow, Nico and Michael needed their rest. Michael hugged me and said his goodbyes. Nico followed,doing the same as Michael but with a peck on the cheek, and headed to the door, but stopped before he went. He turned to me.....
'Sofia, are you sure your alright?' He asked me straight. Thanks Nico....
'Yeah, why do you ask?' My 2nd try at convincing him. Would it work?
'You look like something is troubling you and alot, are you sure you and Seb are alright?' He asked me straight again, looking straight at me for any change in my body language or facial expression. That would be a no at the convincing him.
'Yeah, sure they are,why wouldn't they be?' Please be convinced Nico. I did my best to hide the truth, but could he see through it I wonder?
'Aslong as your sure Sofia, you know I don't like to see you upset or hurt... I'll see you tomorrow sometime' And with that Nico went. I couldn't make my mind up whether he believed me in the end or not. I decided not to think much more of it, so I grabbed my phone, txted Sebastian goodnight, and txted Jenson saying 'see you in the morning' and got ready for bed. I looked out of the bedroom window for one last time at the clear sky, letting my thoughts slip into the night. And with that, I climbed into bed, and fell asleep.
Qualifying tomorrow –I wonder what it would bring, I'm sure it would bring many surprises, as always. I'm sure Seb was looking forward to it....he always did......
