One Shots - Formula 1 [REQUESTS CLOSED]

39. - Lance Stroll

A request from xkimisliefx :)

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You were watching the race from the paddock. It had taken you years to save money for this, but finally you made it.

The first lap was a disaster. On the first corner, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton collided, and several cars behind crashed either against the red Ferrari or the silver Mercedes in the middle of the track. All the drivers were doing fine and most of them could continue the race, just having to stop in the garages to change pieces on the cars.

But not Lance Stroll. His car was too damage for him to continue, so he just left it there, getting out of his car and jumping on a motorcycle without even looking at his Williams.

The following laps were alright. Kimi Raikkonen was leading the race and you were still startled by theses loud fast cars running before you. It was even better than you had imagined it, and definitely worth the money you spent on it.

You were sad you didn't have anyone to share this with, though. When you looked around you, there were kids with their parents, couples, friends, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, colleagues. And you stood there, on your own. You didn't know anyone who liked Formula 1. You weren't close to your family and you had many friends but not one great friend you did everything with. At that moment, you just felt alone.

As Kimi Raikkonen was passing before you for the 15th time, your eyes watered. You tried to calm yourself to be able to focus on the track, but you couldn't. You were crying and you couldn't stop. You didn't even know why you were crying, really. You just were.

You ran inside the paddock to isolate yourself. There was no need for everyone to see you like this. You found a hidden corner and just sat there, your knees against your chest and your head lied down on your knees, in a foetal position.

"Are you alright?" You jumped in surprise and raised your head, startled by the voice that interrupted you. You nodded, to show you were fine, but really you couldn't even see clearly through your tears. "Mind if I sit?"

You made room for him and started to calm yourself. Somehow the man's presence and his gentle voice helped comfort you.

"What's going on with you?"

"Honestly, I don't even know."

"Come on, there has to be something." The man put a comforting hand on your back and you took a breath, finally stopping the tears to fall down your face.

"I just feel alone, I guess. Coming here, that was my dream. But I don't have anyone to share it with. So it made me sad. I wish I could comment the race with someone, you know, argue about who's going to win and who has the best strategy. And because I'm such a cry baby I couldn't help but cry without being able to stop it.

"It's okay not to be okay." The man shrugged and you finally raised your eyes on him. Oh, dear God. You were facing Lance Stroll.

"I'm so egoistic! You're comforting me when I'm crying for nothing, really. I should be the one comforting you after your crappy race."

"To be honest, I don't even want to think about it." He chuckled and shook his head. He had a nice laugh. "I'd rather talk with you to take my mind off things."

"Are you even alright? It was a pretty bad crash."

"Unfortunately it wasn't my first crash! I'm fine, just pissed off."

"Luck will come around, you know." Your voice was gentle, just like his was with you when you needed comfort.

"Yeah well, it would be about time." He paused. "I don't even want to face the journalists right now."

"And I don't want to face the other spectators, being there as a family or friends. It just makes me feel even more alone."

"Let's leave, then." Lance was staring at you with some kind of challenging look. "I could use some comfort food."

"Shake Shack?"

"Shake Shack! But don't tell my trainer."

Lance stood up and handed you his hand to help you up. You took it and smiled when you were facing him. This day took an unexpected turn!

You spent the whole afternoon in the fast food, eating burgers and stealing each other's fries. You talked about the race and about Formula 1 in general and, for the first time, you had someone to share your passion with. Lance talked to you about his struggles, his father, his change of car next season. You would have never imagined all of that about him, just watching him drive a car on TV.

The next race, you spent it in his garage, with his sister, cheering for him when he unexpectedly crossed the finish line 7th. Together stronger, they say.