Y/n knew it would be hard to be seen and heard, without a main team backing her. But she's made it and hitting the paddock in Melbourne. First time for f2 to be here and she is nervous. She knew all eyes would be on her. And rightly so.
Her crazy curls and dimples, she'd be a sure winner to Grace the pages of a magazine and make most girls question themselves and if they trusted their man. But her priority is purely becoming rookie of the year and cinching the title. Not the compliments on her looks. But she knows she has to show her heart and passion for the sport.
Doesn't help that the F1 roster has other ideas and point out her beauty where they can. Sliding into her DM's one in particular doesn't understand her declining him.
But of course he makes an instant beeline for her. Smiling at her. "Hiya..." she says to him, hoping it'll stump him but it doesn't.
"Hey.. can I get a quick photo with you?" Nodding her head at him, hoping that Lando will just get it over and done with.
"You smell so good..." she smiles at him looking at his phone.
"I wasn't expecting you to smell so good." Y/n starts to laugh. "What? You've been dreaming of how I'll smell? It's a £200 perfume, so I'd expect it to get compliments." Lando grins at her.
"I know. Just wanted you to talk to me. Since you like leaving me on read." Nodding her head, y/n giggles.
"I do. But you don't take the hint. I'm here for the driving not the, well you." Lando's eyes pop.
"Well don't beat around the bush.." Y/n smiles at him. "Sorry.. your attractive to most females.. you don't need me drooling over you too. See you around."
She walks away knowing she is being watched by him. As there has been talk about her joining a junior team, it feels like every eye is on her, walking around.
Even as she sits with her team in Carlin. Most people are stopping and staring.
"Your causing quite the stir.." Trevor laughs. "There is a ball tomorrow that everyone is invited too. I hope you've got your fancy dress with you." Y/n shakes her head.
"I don't really do parties.. no matter how fancy they are."
Trevor sighs, it's her chance to be seen by some or the biggest sponsors, but she just isn't interested.
Even at her first sprint race, she is gunning for the win. She needs to make her mark shown, right from the first race.
But her and the other rookies are vying for that place and title.
In the end it ends up Drugovich, y/n and Novolak in the top 3.
Y/n talks with them about the race before she stands on the podium.
As she walks back to her truck, she wasn't expecting to be stopped by none other than Charles.
"What's this I hear your trying to get out of the ball tomorrow night. Do you have something to wear? Do I need to pick something out for you?" Y/n nods her head.
"How's Arthur after his spin into the wall?" Y/n asks him.
"Baby... I thought we spoke about this? I need you at the balls and after parties. I can't keep being down here.. looking for you." Y/n smiles.
"Yeah I know. But I also said this isn't on your terms Leclerc. I need stability and support. Not hiding by the trucks like some loved up teen." She grins as Charles answers back in French. "I know roughly what you said.. stop being mad. I'm not a love struck child.. I told you this."
Charles rolls his eyes. Thinking of how he can convince her that she needs to be at the ball. Surrounded by the big names, the influential people of F1.
He gets one of his friends to run out and grab her an outfit.
Even stands out watching the F2 feature race before his own kicks off.
Watching her on the podium again, alongside his brother this time.
Charles getting full on jealousy pangs, that Arthur can hug her, congratulate her in public and full view of everyone.
Watching them joke around and be hyped up about their race together. Charles looks at y/n. Hoping she can read his mind. But she can't.
As she makes her way to the truck, he tries to keep his distance but gets annoyed by everyone stopping her. Eventually he grabs her hand and pulls her into his room.
"I have an outfit for you.. it'll be in your room. You need to go back and change for tonight. Yes?" She nods her head.
"So what do I not even get a congratulations kiss now? Mr all on his terms." Charles laughs nodding his head.
"You know what I want to do.. but my race is just as important as yours.. you know." He bends down and kisses y/n. "Proud of you baby. You know that, yeah? Now I need to get ready and make you proud."
Locking eyes when her, Charles can't help but smile. Getting all the first signs of falling in love makes him giddy again.
"I just wish we could be like this out there.. no one would care." He whispers to her. But she shakes her head.
"No: I got here by my own hard work. Not by fucking you." He winces at how she puts it. But they met whilst he was in London for New Year's Eve. Never did he expect to be feeling like this about her.
