Chasing Our Dreams [f.a]

Grand Prix du Canada, Montreal

~ AGE 19 ~

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

At the end of the Season 2000, Schumacher was champion with 108 points, Häkkinen and Coulhard were second and third, both in Newey's cars, Barrichello fourth with 62, Ralf fifth with 24 and Fisichella sixth with 18. In the Constructors, Ferrari won with 170 points, McLaren were second with 152, and Williams were third with 36.

Over the years, Minardi Team was known for not using pay drivers, they finished Season 2000 in tenth place, with no points scored. They were the first and most important step in one boy's career. They were as well as important for his best friend.

I strongly believed that next season was about to change everything. Even though Fernando was entering through one of the worsts teams on the grid, he had a lot of people holding his back. One of them was the Flavio Briattore, who was able to make all of our dreams come true, and the other was was me, who was prepared to put everything on hold and be with her best friend.

Shane Battier took me on our first on November 25th, 2000. Duke Blue Devils played against Army Black Knights and won 91 over 48. They were on the winning strike, five games in the row. Season 2000-2001 was about to be one of the greatest in our University history. After years of absence, National title was coming back to Durham.

I waited up for him in front of Cameron Indoor Stadium, place where he felt like home. Crowd was going crazy, we were all proud of our boy. I was nervous, it was my first official date ever. And for the first date in my life, I picked up the star of my school's basketball team - a guy that most of the girls from Duke University were drooling about. Next to him was Jay Williams, one nice gentleman, hell of a basketball player - a guy my best girlfriend and room mate, Rosalinda Fernandes was crazy about.

Shane took me to a cozy and warm pizza place down town, he pulled my chair and made me feel like a lady. It was one perfect first date. He held my hand and took me back to my dorm room. He hugged me thigtly and kissed my cheek before he said 'good night'. He promised he'd call.

''How was he?'' there was Rosalinda, not even waiting for me to close the door, wanting to know every single detail.

''He is a gentleman.'' I simply answered.

''He called. Fernando.''

''I know.'' I replied. ''He tried my cell. I didn't answer.'' Fernando called me twice during my date. I never picked up. For some strange reason I wanted to keep Shane for myself. I wasn't sure where our thing was going, and I didn't want to mess Fernando with it. He had enough things going around.

''Why are you keeping it from him?'' Rosalinda asked the questing even I didn't have answer to.

''I'm gonna go call him.I have no idea what time is it there, but I'm going to try.'' I avoided the answer and picked up my phone.

Fernando answered in the blink of an eye.

''Where were you, I was worried...'' he sighed.

''I... I was out, with Rosalinda. We went to see the game, Devils won - again.'' I lied.

''Si, por supuesto. Me olvide de juego. Sorry. I was just worried cause you didn't answer your phone.'' he sounded bit jealous.

''I didn't hear it, all the noise, you know? You've been there, you know how it is. How are you, amigo? Everything fine?'' I needed to change the subject.

''I know it's way too early, and the season just finished, but are you going to be with me in Australia next year?'' he asked.

''For God's sake, Fernando, why do you even need to ask something like that?! You know I'm going to be there. I not going home this Christmas, again. It was enough for me during the Summer, even too much. Thank God for you and that you had me for some time, I would have gone crazy with my folks and Dublin. And I've been saving all this time for your first race, I wouldn't miss it for the world.''