Rivalry

The rest of my break and recovery went pretty smoothly. Alex and Charles came to check on me from time to time, and we obviously hung out. Even Max V came around. By the end of it, i was almost fully healed, just some minor aches here and there, but nothing i couldn't handle. The scar on my ankle wasn't one you could miss, though. The scar was a dark red, jagged streak running diagonally from my foot to right above my ankle. It wasn't going away anytime soon.

I was ready to get back into the swing of things and finish off the season, with a very hopeful high. What i wasn't ready for was the blue-eyed british boy that consumed my every thought.

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After spending a few days in Brazil before the race to get adjusted to the time zone, it was finally the race weekend. I've missed racing, I've done practically nothing my whole break. It was about time for some action.

I arrived with Charles and Arthur, who tagged along this race for media day. I'm really glad they were with me because the first thing i saw after entering the paddock was Lando and Oscar by their hospitality. As soon as i heard his laugh, my head snapped to him. I silently watched them while Charles and Arthur were bickering about some video game they got into. The sun reflected on him just right. He was tanned and glowing. He looked happy.

I felt a hand grab my shoulder as we got closer to them, which snapped me out of my thoughts. It was my father who i hadn't seen or heard of since Singapore. He gave me a soft smile and squeezed me tight as we passed the Mclaren boys. I guess we were back to the usual, pretending like nothing has happened. Like i didn't almost die or that we had a fight.

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As expected, most of the questions i received from the press were if i was okay or if i could drive or anything to do with my injuries. These questions got really old by my third interview of the day. I didn't really have a choice but to answer them.

After lunch, Max V wanted me to meet his sister, Victoria. We talked about her coming to Brazil when he came over during our break. It only now occurred to us that I'd never actually met her in person. With that in mind, we decided we would meet in front of the redbull hospitality.

"Hey Mal," Max said with his hand pointing to his sister as i arrived. "This is Victoria." He said with a smile. "Hi! I'm Malia." i said in a peppy voice "Hi how are you, i feel like I've known you for years. This is so odd." she said, laughing and extending her arm for a hug, which i returned

We chatted about anything and everything for about ten minutes. We made plans to have dinner that night with Max as well. While they were discussing where to eat, i looked across the way at the Mclaren Hospitality. I saw Lando coming out of the building with a tall blonde girl. He checked his watch, gave her a soft smile, and hugged her tight before parting ways with her to go to what i can only assume was his next interview.

I guess i had my answer.

I watched him go down the stairs when our eyes locked into each others. His mouth opened slightly as his eyes met mine while he walked down. His head snapped back at the girl and back to me. "Earth to Malia." Max said, waving his hands across my eye line. I peeled my eyes off of him, feeling anger rising in my body. "Do you like steak? Is this restaurant okay? " He added, shoving his phone in my face. I barely even glanced at his phone and nodded "yeah thats fine, I'll catch you later. i've got to go. Text me the details." i said, not letting either of them say another word as i ran off to my hospitality.

I was fuming. He could've at least had the decency to tell me instead of ghosting me.

As i got into my drivers office, i slammed the door and sat down at my desk and put my head in my hands. My throat was tight, and my eyes were burning. I guess my father was right after all.

"You alright, Malia?" I hear a shy voice say from across the room. It was Fred, my trainer. I sighed, trying to make my voice sound normal. "Yeah, my head just hurts." I said. "Have you had water today?" He said in his best authoritarian voice. I'm usually pretty good about hydration, but i just realized i barely had any water today.

After i stayed silent for a moment, i heard the thud of my water bottle in front of me. I opened it up and started chugging the anger away.

I needed to focus on this weekend and not some stupid boy drama that i never needed in the first place.

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When i was finished having some sort of angry meltdown in front of my trainer, i headed downstairs where Charles and i would finish our media duties for the day together. i figured it was a miracle my Father was nowhere to be found. I'm glad, though, he would've been angry with me for "being in a mood" or something along those lines.

We played a few games and made some videos with our PR team. I felt bad for Charles. i barely talked to him the whole afternoon apart from when we were filming. My head was foggy i just wanted to lay down. That's when i remembered i agreed to dinner with Max and Victoria tonight. My face twisted in disappointment.

"You alright?" said Charles, watching me from the other side of the sofa. "Yeah, sorry, i just dont feel well." i said, keeping my answer short. "Is your rib bothering you?" He said concer riddled in his voice. "No, I'm just exhausted. My head hurts." i said, pinching the bridge of my nose. His brows furrowed, his eyes flickered between me and my cup of coffee on the table in front of us. "No more coffee for you, then this is at least your third of the day" he said, leaning to grab my cup. I shot him a menacing look as he ran to the kitchen in the next room.

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Today felt like the longest day of my life. Media day was finally over, so i headed back to the hotel. I entered the elevator to go up to my hotel room and pressed my shoulder against the wall. For the first time today, i looked at my phone. As i was looking through the overwhelming amount of notifications on my phone. A hand stopped the elevator doors from closing. The last person i wanted to see today walked in, followed by Max laughing at him.

As soon as he stepped into the elevator and saw me already inside, he quickly averted his gaze, his jaw tightening as he stared intently at the floor. I followed his every move until he leaned against the wall with anger in my gaze. Max, surprised i was inside the elevator, shifted his eyes between the Mclaren driver and i, a smirk forming on his lips. "You don't have to say your every thought out loud, Max." i said, annoyed, scrolling through my phone. "Rude." He snapped back sarcastically.

The elevator went silent until we reached the 14th floor. Lando shook Max's hand and stepped out quickly, not even glancing back at me. I watched him just as when he walked in. I could feel the Dutchman's gaze lingering on me, so I glanced his way. He narrowed his eyes, his brows knitted together, and asked, "Are you two worst enemies again?" I looked aside for a moment and shrugged my shoulders. "What's happened then?" He questioned. And with perfect timing, the elevator doors opened to my floor.

Bless the elevator gods for this. I do not want to talk to anyone about this.

"I guess my father was right. Boys are nothing but distractions from my goals." i said nonchalantly as i stepped out of the elevator. "See you in a bit, Max, don't be late!"

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As soon as i closed the door to my hotel room, i felt the exhaustion weigh me down. I didn't let myself lay down because i knew if i did, i wouldn't go to dinner tonight.

I blasted some music and took a shower. My thoughts spiraling out of control. I had to get out of the shower. I threw some clothes on and started pacing. With each step, my breath became heavier.

Did he lie to me the whole time?

Did he do it just to try and have an advantage in the championship?

He couldn't have. He's not like that.

But i barely know him.

I replayed every conversation I've had with him in my head.

What if my father was right?

I felt like I couldn't breathe.

I couldn't breathe.

Last time, i felt like this was when my mother died.

I was having a panic attack.