𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 | 𝐜. 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐳

18

[ BARCELONA, SPAIN ]
MAY 2021

A FEW DAYS passed, and it was now Sunday—race day.

Reina stood outside the circuit before the race to greet Sofia, who was coming to Barcelona by train.

Reina checked her phone. She would have to be back in the garage in ten minutes to continue taking pictures, and Sofia was nowhere to be seen in the enormous crowds of people.

Reina started to draft a text to Sofia asking where she was when she heard the loudest scream ever.

"REINA!" squealed Sofia, who was jumping up and down in the middle of the crowd.

Reina excitedly waved and made her way through the sea of people.

"Sofia!" Reina exclaimed, finally reaching her curly-haired friend.

"Te extrañé," said Sophia, giving Reina a hug. (I missed you)

Reina returned the squeeze. "Yo también." (Me too) But as the two girls reunited, they nearly fell over as the crowds pushed them around.

"No mames," replied Sofia, linking her arm with Reina's. "Vino toda España?" (You're kidding me. Did all of Spain come?)

Reina laughed. "Creo que sí." (I think so.)

The two girls headed into the arena and as Sofia tried to make her way to the grandstands, Reina shook her head, instead pulling out a lanyard that had VIP written across it in big letters.

Sofia's eyes widened. "Es eso para mí?" (Is this for me?)

Reina beamed, nodding.

Sofia's mouth fell open. With a thick Spanish accent, she said. "No. Fucking. Way." Sofia understood some English from what Reina taught her, and often used it for emphasis.

Reina draped the lanyard around Sofia's head. "Vamos." (Let's go)

Sofia stuttered the entire way there. "Cómo... Cómo?" was all she managed. (How... how?)

"Carlos," explained Reina. "Él me ayudó." (Carlos. He helped me.)

Sofia sighed. "Dios mío, podría besarlo." (Oh my God, I could kiss him)

"Well, we are on the way to the paddock," replied Reina. "You can kiss him after the race." Reina still hadn't told Sofia that Carlos asked Reina out.

After passing the paddock gates, Reina helped Sofia get set up in the hospitality area. After bidding her goodbye, Reina headed to the garage to start work.

She turned on her camera, tied up her hair, and started taking shots of the drivers getting ready.

"Hello, Charles," chimed Reina, as he was putting on his balaclava.

Charles gave the camera a quick wink. "Reina."

"Good luck today," said Reina while looking through the camera's viewfinder. "You will do great."

Charles nodded. "Thank you, Reina."

Reina moved around more, snapping some shots of Charles before he was instructed to get in the car. Reina then moved to see Carlos. The pressure of the home race was clearly visible in his eyes, although his face was blocked by the helmet.

"Sólo respira," said Reina, motioning a deep inhale and exhale. "Los tifosi están orgullosos de ti pase lo que pase." (Just breathe. The tifosi are proud of you no matter what)

Carlos followed Reina's lead, taking deep inhales and exhales before nodding. His eyes looked gratefully at her. Reina took a couple pictures, but not too many before dropping the camera and waving at him before he pulled away.