˚　 ⋆⁺₊✦⁺₊ 　 ˚　.˚  .　 ☁.　　. 　 ˚　⁺⋆₊　.˚  .　. ✦⋆⁺₊  　 ˚　. ☁ ˚　.˚　 ✩₊˚.   ☾      ⋆      ⁺₊✧  　　˚　⁺₊ . 　 ˚　.　　⁺₊✦₊　　 ☁  　˚　　 . 　⁺₊✧˚　　 . 　 ˚　⁺₊˚  .

In no time, Evie was back in the Williams garage to watch the second practice session of the Italian Grand Prix.

The garage was buzzing with energy, engineers going left and right to make plans for the drive, as well as the weekend ahead. Although, Evie knew it would be more chaotic on Sunday.

Before turning her gaze to the screens, she took her time, watching the drivers get into their racing equipment.

...Particularly Franco.

As he put his helmet over his head, Evie couldn't help but stare. Suddenly, racing helmets that she had been familiar with for years, were attractive.

Thankfully, Franco didn't notice her as he got in the cockpit of his car and got ready to drive off. She mentally told him good luck before focusing her attention on one of the screens.

ᯓᡣ𐭩

This Free Practice didn't go too well for Williams. Alex had ended thirteenth, while Franco got seventeenth place.

Still, Evie was there to congratulate Alex, the way she always did, no matter the result. She was there for the podiums, the points, the bad positions, the DNFs.

"That sucked," Alex said, as he removed his balaclava.

"It's just practice, it's fine," Evie tried to comfort him, knowing an FP result didn't matter as much as a qualifying result would.

Alex looked down to smile at her, ruffling her hair once again, in a form of affection.

"Hey," she said, feigning seriousness. "Leave my hair alone. Your teammate could be lurking."

Alex raised an eyebrow, his lips parting as he got ready to tease her. He never got the chance to, because someone interrupted him.

"Talking about me?" a new voice sounded behind Evie, almost making her jump. She closed her eyes for a second, preparing herself for yet another moment of embarrassment.

She turned, being met with Franco looking at her, a smug half smirk pulling at his lips. His hair was slightly sweaty and ruffled, a result of the car he had just been driving. Which reminded her of the state of her own hair, a product of Alex's idiocy. She ran a hand through it, attempting to smoothen it out as best as she could.

"No," Evie foolishly replied. Here she was, digging a hole for herself again. As she did, she heard Alex silently retreating, leaving her to deal with it alone.

"No? Which teammate were you talking about then?" he asked, tilting his head, the smirk never leaving his face.

"Doesn't matter. My hair is fine now. No reason for me to care about any teammate," she rambled, cursing herself for the curse she had of speaking nonsense when she was nervous.

"It's not really..." Franco trailed off, raising a hand to flatten down some flyaway strands on Evie's head.

His fingers grazed her hair softly, making her involuntarily lean into his touch. But, as soon as it started, it was over.

"There you go," he said, smiling proudly.

"Thank you." She was sure her cheeks were now pinker than the blush she wore.

"Hm, I think a simple 'thank you' won't work."

"What? I didn't ask you to fix my hair," Evie argued, crossing her arms, unsure of where this was going.

"Yes, but I nailed it. I deserve something bigger for that." He crossed his own arms, mirroring her action.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "What do you want?"

"Get breakfast with me," he stated, as calmly as one would ask about the weather.

Truthfully, Evie was taken aback. She hadn't expected him to be so straightforward, although it wasn't bad.

She liked straightforwardness. In her previous experiences, boys would be so vague, leaving her to guess what they were getting at. It was obnoxious. So, she appreciated this about Franco.

She was obviously going to accept. She would even have asked him out herself if he never got around to it. But, that didn't mean she couldn't play games first.

"Sure," she agreed, giving him a smile, his own widening in response.

"Great-"

"If," she continued, raising her voice to speak over him. His face dropped just a bit, awaiting her next words. "You finish top ten next time."

Franco's eyes lit up again, considering the challenge.

"Deal," he said. For the sake of the effect, Evie offered her hand for him to shake, which he did, as firmly as he previously had.

"You better do well when I see you again tomorrow."

"You want to go out with me so bad?" he teased, still holding her hand.

Evie simply shrugged, her previous nerves now totally dissipated. "Good luck," was all she said as she withdrew her hand, and left.

albono
so.

albona
so.

albono
JUST TELL ME EVIE

albona
TELL YOU WHAT?

albono
you're so annoying

what happened with franco after I left

albona
things

albono
such as...

albona
words were spoken

albono
you're impossible

albona
shut up

we're getting breakfast

albono
OMG

did he or did you ask?

albona
he

albona
...

did you agree instantly?

albona
who do you think i am

albono
oh poor franco

albona
if anything, i helped him

told him we can go if he finishes in top ten tomorrow

so if he gets a good result, you're welcome

albona
kinda evil

but also it'll be good for him

👍🏼

albona
i know, i'm a genius

albono
I wouldn't go that far

albona
i'm hanging up now

albono
we're not on a call

albona
can't hear you, the line disconnected

albono
why are you like this

───────

dear reader!

i have to admit, idk where this is going