002 ⸺ monte carlo madness.

Evangeline doesn't bother to fight the grin that appears on her face when she is engulfed by the many arms of her best friends. After the three pull apart, Evangeline is greeted by the warm embrace of her older sister, Clementine.

"You look even more beautiful than I remember!" Fernanda Marisol beams, feeling extremely grateful to see her best friend after two years.

"Fern!" Evangeline pouts, hugging the brunette once again.

"Je suis tellement contente que tu sois de retour!" Stephanie sighs in content.
[I'm so happy you're back!]

"Je sais, moi aussi. Vous m'avez tous manqué!"
[I know, me too. I've missed you all!]

The five girls make their way out of the Monte Carlo airport and guide Evangeline to the car. The crisp, warm air tingles upon Evie's shoulders and she fights back happy tears, wondering why she ever left this beautiful place she can call home.

The drive to the Blanchard's residence is jam-packed with conversation and curious questions about Evangeline's life in Aix-en-Provence, France.

Evangeline grins softly as she takes in the scenery that she's missed ever so much over the last three years. Before her flight departed, it was decided that Lewis Hamilton would meet the five girls back at the Blanchard's family home.

"Are you excited to see Lewis after so long? And maman!" Clementine questions her sisters, their doe eyes locking through the rearview mirror.

Evangeline nods with a smile. "It's been too long, and I feel awful for abandoning you all like that. I truly am sorry."

The atmosphere quietens as the four others take in how much stronger her accent has gotten from living in France for three years.

"Evie, chéri. You have nothing to apologise for. We understand why you did what you did, and we respect that. I promise there is no grudge whatsoever held towards you."
[darling]

Evangeline's bottom lip quivers at the reassuring words from Stevie Stoddart-Wolff. "Merci, Stevie"
[Thank you, Stevie]

Stephanie only reaches out and squeezes the girl's shoulder encouragingly before resting her head on Aurelia's shoulder.

"Coucou, maman, regardez qui J'ai trouvé!" Clementine grins, stepping aside to reveal her younger sister to the older woman.
[Hi, mum, look who I found!]

Genevive Blanchard gasps, her eyes filling with tears immediately. "Ma petite fille!"
[My little girl!]

"Hi, mommy," Evangeline waves shyly.

The older curly-haired woman wastes no time in gaping at the return of her youngest child, as she engulfs her in a warm hug. Evangeline chokes out a sob, giggling at how silly she probably looks.

Clementine, Stephanie, Fernanda, and Aurelia smile softly at the sight, knowing the motherly hug was exactly what Evangeline has needed over the last few years.

"Est-ce pour cela que Lewis m'a 'supris' il y a une heure?' Genevive thinks aloud.
[Is this why Lewis 'surprised' me an hour ago?]

"Peut-être"
[perhaps]

"Ah, my girl!" Genevive sighs contently, embracing her daughter once again.

"I thought I heard that adorable voice," a British accent states from behind Evangeline.

Evangeline hums as she swiftly spins around. "Lewis!"

Lewis Hamilton giggles quietly at her accent, a thing the two have always done, as he wraps his arms over her shoulders.

"Welcome home, Evie," Lewis smiles politely, rubbing the girl's forearms in an attempt to not overwhelm her.

"Thanks, Lew. Thank you all, I'm so happy to be back."

A chorus of "aww" came from the rest of the group before Evangeline was squashed in the middle of a group hug.

"So, race day tomorrow. You excited?" Evangeline peers over her sunglasses, awaiting the man's response.

"I dunno, Evie. The car is so hard to drive, I qualified P8." Lewis sighs.

Evangeline frowns, placing a comforting hand on Lewis' shoulder. "I understand. What has Toto said?"

Lewis shrugs, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Well, back in Japan he said he knew it was shit and for me to drive it anyway."

"Ah," Evangeline nods.

"Have you heard from the other drivers since you've returned?" Lewis changes the subject.

"You mean in the last five hours? No. I don't think anyone knows yet," Evangeline furrows her eyebrows.

Lewis nods. "Do you want them to know, or let them find out tomorrow?"

"I mean, I don't want to announce it publicly 'til Sunday, but if they see me around, I wouldn't mind catching up," the curly-haired Monagasque replies.

"That's a fair argument. I support that," Lewis beams.

The duo sit in silence, basking in the Monte Carlo sun in the quiet of Evangeline's back garden.

"Have you thought about, um, Charles?"

Evangeline's eyes widen as she nearly breaks her neck to face Lewis. "What about him?"

"I mean, you guys were best friends, man. And I'm not saying you're in the wrong here but— you just left him in the dust, Evie..."

Evangeline feels her ears begin to ring and her breathing turns shallow as she recalls the last events on the track spent with the Monagasque man.

"Shit. Evie, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to," Lewis sighs sadly as he rubs a comforting hand up and down her back, cradling the girl.

"No, don't be sorry. It's my fault for still not being over it," she chuckles sourly.

Lewis shakes his head. "It's okay to feel the way you do, Evie. Closure comes at its own pace, remember that."

Evangeline nods, feeling less tense than before. "Thank you."

"Anytime."

(🎡) MAL SPEAKS,

in honour of my baby charles' first home win,
here is chapter deux 😋

wait til the next chapter and you will lowk be
gagged, bc why did i literally write today's win
into existence 🤣😂🗣️🙄 (#spoiler)

okay that's all for me, i have to go edit my stats
assignment that is due in an hour! ciaoooooo

xoxo,
mal :))