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[Friday, weekend of the Monaco Grand Prix]

Violet Morales

Day 2/4 in the Monaco F1 paddock. I'm so excited for today. We finally get to see cars on track and going in today wasn't nearly as nerve racking as the day before. Once again I meet Riley at the paddock entrance. This time, at an earlier time of 9am.

We settle in seats above the Ferrari pit garage to watch the cars go out for practice. I can't help but snap as many pictures as I can but also try to take it all in at the same time. It's just so surreal. I can't believe I normally just watch from the tv.
Charles is doing really well in the current practice session and I'm so proud of him. I'm always proud but seeing him in person at his home race makes it so much more special.
It's hard to believe there could be chance I can watch him all the time. I've tried to push the sort of interview I had yesterday out of my mind and focus on everything else that is going on around me. But I can't. It's such a big deal and unfortunately I know I can't get my hopes up.

Practice 1 ends as quickly as it began and Charles is soon back with us having food. There's a 2 hour window between Practice 1 and 2 so there's time to spare.
Riley suddenly announces that she is going home for an hour or so but she promises to be back for the next session. "What? Why Ri? What am I supposed to do if Charles leaves?" I exclaim as she abruptly stands.
"It's fine Violet. I'm only going so I'll be around for a parcel delivery. I totally forgot it was coming today as I had no idea that I would be here. I've just had the email. You'll be fine, tell her Charles!" She looks expectantly at him to reassure me before disappearing out the door. I sigh. Sometimes it's hard being best friends with her.

"I promise I'm not going anywhere until I'm actually needed" Charles pulls me into a side hug and kisses the top of my head. I relax. His arms have been a place of comfort for many years and I hope that never changes.
I'm sort of thankful that it's just me with Charles now. If it had been me leaving to get a parcel, I would be cautious about leaving Charles with Riley for a lengthy period of time. They are great friends but knowing the way I think Riley feels about Charles, there's no telling in how she'd be. Or what I'd come back to.

We finish our lunch and decide on taking a walk around the paddock. There is so much I haven't seen yet and would love to see.
As we walk down the pit lane, before me extends the teams garages. Different people running in and out, drivers catching up with each other. Then there's just me and Charles. He waves to a couple of people as we round the corner and leave through a side gate. I still haven't got used to the luxury bustle of the F1 paddock. Maybe it's something I will have to get used to though.
As we walk through the lines of F1 lorries and vehicles, Charles brings up the interview. "Do you think you'll take it, if they offer?"
I eye him with a smirk on my face. "Why do you know something?" My eyebrows raise in amusement. He shakes his head as chuckles. "No I'm just wondering whether I should prepare myself for seeing you everyday or not."
"And that's something you need to prepare for? I thought you'd be glad" I playfully nudge him in the arm as we walk around a corner.

It suddenly occurs to me that we are at the other end of the paddock. It's a lot further then it looks. "Oh damn" Charles mutter from beside me. I look at him, his eyebrows are knitted together in a frown as looks at his phone. "What is it?" I ask.
"Xavier wants me to go to the garage" he sounds concerned and maybe even a bit annoyed.
"The car?" I can't think what else it would be. He nods before looking at me with an apologetic smile on his face. "I'm going to have to go, but I'll be back. You still don't know your way around as of yet so wait here. I shouldn't be too long." I nod and offer him a small sympathetic smile. "And be nice if people try to talk to you" he smirks and he turns to leave. "Aren't I always?" I respond chuckling.
"Miss you already V" he shouts before disappearing out of sight. And now I wait.

I feel like I've been stood in this spot forever. Truth is, it's been half an hour and there's still no sign of Charles. Practice 2 starts in 45 minutes and if he doesn't show up soon either I'll miss practice by waiting or he'll be dangerously close to not going out if he comes and gets me now. To be honest if I'm being realistic, I don't think Charles is coming back any time soon. He hasn't messaged me, but the signal around the circuit is horrendous anyway. So even if he had, I don't think I would've got it.
I decide to walk in the direction I know Charles left me and see if I can work out which way he went to get back. Only problem is, he probably can walk in places that I can't in the paddock. Special driver's privileges and all that. Like sneaking through other teams garages.

I look down every corner, behind the lorries where I think Charles went. None of them seem to lead to anything that looks like it's remotely accessible to the paddock and garages. How the heck did he get back?
I continue to look for Charles in case he has decided to come and get me or any sign of the Ferrari motor home rather distinctive red colour. I look behind me to see if I have missed anything that looks remotely familiar. Thump. Straight into something solid.

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Authors notes: 📝

Hello

It's been quite a while since I updated.
How is everyone?

I can't believe Charles just left poor Violet.

And I'm going to be honest, I completely forgot that I was writing from the perspective that they were in Monaco.

I hope you enjoyed this update. More coming soon...
Sorry about the long absence.

Don't forget to comment your thoughts and leave a vote!

Hannah X