One Shots | Formula 1

MV♥

"I wanted to hear it from you."

The gentle hum of the boat's engine provided a soothing background to the sun-drenched day. 

The wind tousled my hair as I stood on the deck, watching the playful banter of the Formula 1 drivers, their WAGs, and a few friends. Max Verstappen, my close friend, seemed a bit distant today, lost in the sea of laughter and joy. As the boat sailed through azure waters, I couldn't help but notice his thoughtful gaze, his eyes flickering with a hint of melancholy.

Curiosity tugged at me, and I exchanged a quick glance with Lando Norris, another driver and our friend on this group excursion. We decided to concoct some mojitos for everyone, hoping to lift the spirits of the already high-spirited group. Lando flashed me a mischievous grin, and we embarked on our cocktail-making mission. Crushed mint leaves, a splash of lime, a generous pour of rum, and a drizzle of simple syrup later, the mojitos were ready to weave their magic.

As we prepared the drinks, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Max was deliberately avoiding the crowd. Perhaps it was the weight of his thoughts or a private struggle he didn't want to share. Determined to be there for him, I grabbed a couple of glasses and made my way towards him, weaving through the sea of people.

Max stood at the edge of the boat, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The soft rustle of the waves against the hull provided a calming backdrop to our silent encounter. I held out a mojito to him, the condensation on the glass a testament to the refreshing concoction within.

"Hey Max, care for a pick-me-up?" I offered, trying to infuse a lightness into my voice. He glanced at me, a half-smile playing on his lips, but his eyes remained guarded.

"Thanks," he replied, taking the drink from my hand. We clinked glasses, and I searched his eyes for any hint of what might be bothering him. "Everything okay?" I ventured, my concern etched on my face.

Max sighed, his gaze drifting away. "Yeah, just one of those days, you know?"

I nodded, not wanting to press further if he wasn't ready to share. Instead, we leaned against the railing, the rhythmic rocking of the boat mirroring the ebb and flow of our conversation. We talked about everything and nothing – the racing season, our favorite moments, and the beauty of the open sea.

As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the boat, Max's shoulders seemed to relax. The weight on his chest appeared to lift, if only for a moment. Perhaps the simple act of reaching out, mojito in hand, had broken through the invisible walls he'd erected around himself.

The sun dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a canvas of twilight hues as the boat docked. Our group disembarked, laughter and shared stories echoing in the air. As we made our way back to the hotel, the anticipation of the night ahead filled the atmosphere. Lily, Alex, Lando, and I were in our hotel room, getting ready for an evening of festivities.

Amid the chatter and laughter, Lily fixed me with a curious look. "So spill, what was going on with Max earlier? He seemed a bit off."

I exchanged a glance with Lando, who raised an eyebrow in encouragement. I took a moment before replying, "I'm not sure. He didn't say much, and I didn't want to push him."

Alex, sitting on the bed, joined the conversation. "Come on, you two are practically inseparable. You can't pretend you don't notice when something's up."

I sighed, realizing my friends weren't going to let the matter drop. "Okay, fine. He just seemed a bit lost, you know? Like he had a lot on his mind."