Wheels Colide

The days following the sponsor meeting felt like a slow crawl through uncertainty. Y/N had done all she could to present her case, but the outcome was now out of her hands. Every night, she replayed the meeting in her mind, dissecting each word and gesture, wondering if it would be enough to convince them to cut ties with Laura. But the waiting gnawed at her, feeding the growing tension that had been festering since the season began.

Fabio remained her constant source of support, but even he couldn’t shield her from the realities of the sport. Despite his efforts to distract her with training and lighthearted banter, the weight of Laura’s looming presence was impossible to ignore.

On the morning of the next race weekend, Y/N received an unexpected call from her mother. It had been weeks since they had last spoken—her family had always been supportive, but the strain of Y/N’s intense MotoGP career had created distance between them. Her mother’s voice, however, sounded unusually strained.

“Y/N, we need to talk,” her mother said, skipping pleasantries.

Y/N frowned, her heart skipping a beat. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s your father,” her mother said after a pause. “He’s been hearing things from people in the industry—about Laura, about what’s been happening with you. He’s... upset, and he thinks it might be time for you to reconsider this career path.”

Y/N’s stomach dropped. Her father had always been her biggest fan, pushing her to follow her dreams. But his protective side had grown more pronounced over the years, especially as the stakes got higher. And now, it seemed, the stress of watching her struggle against Laura’s games was starting to get to him.

“Mom, I’m not quitting,” Y/N said firmly. “I’ve worked too hard to let Laura—or anyone—scare me off the track.”

Her mother’s sigh crackled through the phone. “I know, sweetheart. But your father doesn’t see it that way. He’s worried. You’ve been under so much pressure, and with everything Laura is doing... He’s afraid it’s going to break you.”

“I’m not broken,” Y/N snapped, her frustration boiling over. “I can handle this. I don’t need Dad to swoop in and tell me how to live my life.”

Her mother’s voice softened. “I know you can handle it, but sometimes it’s hard for parents to watch their child go through something like this. Just... try to understand where he’s coming from, okay?”

Y/N gritted her teeth, fighting the urge to lash out. She knew her parents meant well, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. With Laura breathing down her neck and the sponsorship situation still unresolved, the last thing she needed was her family questioning her decisions.

“I’ll talk to him,” Y/N said finally, though her voice was tight. “But I’m not backing down. Not now.”

---

That evening, Y/N found herself walking the paddock, trying to clear her mind. The usual pre-race buzz filled the air, but her thoughts were miles away. She hadn’t had the chance to speak to her father yet—she wasn’t ready for that conversation—but the weight of his disapproval hung over her like a dark cloud.

As she walked, she spotted Charles near the F1 paddock, leaning against one of the garages, his easy smile faltering when he saw her. He quickly pushed off the wall and approached, concern etched on his face.

“You look like you’ve been through the wringer,” Charles said, his tone light but laced with genuine worry.

Y/N managed a weak smile. “It’s been a rough day.”

Charles motioned for her to sit on a nearby bench, away from the bustling crowd. Once they were seated, he turned to her, his expression serious. “What’s going on? And don’t say it’s nothing. I know when something’s bothering you.”