No Going Back (Nyck de Vries X OC)

Too much faith?

It has been a couple of hours since the race and for some reason, the team principal has decided to put on a celebration for the team. I mean there was a lot of hard work that went into that race. It also helps that we are going out as a team since I owe Kai a drink after the nightmare that was the race. Right now Nyck and I are getting ready. The thing is I know I will not take too long as I haven't packed much in the way of fancy clothes and I am not bothered about make-up.

"Are you ready?" Nyck checks on me.

"Yeah. I just need the car keys," I responded. With that Nyck skilfully tosses the car keys in my direction. Thankfully I was able to catch them. Yes, I am being the designated driver for tonight. Nyck and I soon make it to the lobby where we meet with Kai and Nyck's lead engineer. They are joining us as it will be easier for them.

"Over here," Nyck's lead engineer calls out. With that, we join him and Kai.

"Hey, Kai, drinks are on me tonight. I owe you for helping me in the race," I announce. He seems happy about that.

"Look I was just doing my job but if you insist," Kai is being modest for some reason. The thing is I would never have been able to win that race without him helping. Sure I would have gotten over the start/finish line but the car would have been slow as a snail. The thought makes me giggle as we walk towards the car. I soon realised that this would give me a good chance to unwind. It is something that I urgently need to do after all the last three weeks have had way too much drama for me. Well, it has been a problem for a while. We soon get comfortable in the car. After twenty minutes of driving, we made it to the restaurant. I soon spot the tables that our team is using. We must be early as only a few of the spots have been filled.

"Do you mind if I join you, Ian?" I ask since there is a free seat next to him

"Go for it," He replies. To my surprise, the rest of the team soon shows up. It doesn't take long for an interesting conversation to break out. Some of the mechanics are discussing the chances of me winning the championship on my first try. For some reason I find myself eavesdropping even though it is not a good thing. I mean most of the comments are positive so it is not the worst idea. It's just that they are putting too much faith in me and I am not sure how I feel about that.

"Look I just don't think that Jess will come first. Second maybe but not first," Nyck's lead engineer is insistent.

"Yeah but you forget that she has my team behind her and you know I will do everything in my power to make sure Jess gets across the line in Berlin as the champion," Kristy jumps in.

"Unfortunately I agree with Marcus. I am only a rookie," I add. Sure I am at the top of the standings but it won't last long. The veterans have a chance at clawing victory back. I shrug the thought off as there is nothing I can do about that right now.

"Jess, stop selling yourself short," now Nyck jumps in. Oh great this debate has reached a new level. I will be glad when it ends. It's mainly due to the fact that it reminds me of a conversation that I had with my brother after I found out that I was on my way to Formula 4. Thankfully my wish comes true as the food comes. With that most of the conversations comes to an end as everyone tucks in. I find myself tucking in tentatively as I have something on my mind. The last time someone had faith in me it was ruined. I guess I will have to hope that no one will ruin my championship campaign.

"Hey, Jess are you alright?" Kai asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just feel like the team is putting too much faith in me," I reply. I just pray that I can deliver.

"Look, Jess. You don't see it but you and Nyck work well on track as well as off it," Kai retorts. He has a point. When I do well Nyck has my back but when I am not, I have his back. Still, I don't deserve to have faith put in me just yet. It doesn't take me long to have my fill of food. It was nice yet I still have a lot on my mind. I am quick to excuse myself as I need some time alone. There is no way that I will win the championship and I am troubled by the fact that I might not deliver.

There is something weighing on my mind. I am close to securing my first sponsor however the guy has given me an ultimatum. I have to win the latest race but there is a problem. They are favouring someone else. He goes by the name of Mick Junior. The thing is we all know that he is Mick Schumacher the son of Micheal Schumacher. Anyone can see that but I know for a fact that I am going to treat him like any other driver. It will be interesting to see if he has his dad's talent.

"Hey, Jess just remember you need to be careful going into turn one," Jules gives me one last reminder. This is the last race before he moves to Formula 4.

"I know," I responded. I have a reason to avoid being stupid.

"Just making sure," He replies with a good luck pat on the shoulder. The race soon starts and I immediately find myself coming up against some issues. Dammit. I get to work on pushing through the issues as I need to get the sponsor on my side. I soon find myself in a battle with Charles. I try my best to get past but disaster strikes. I lost control and hit the barrier. So much for getting my first sponsor. The good thing is I was not hurt by the accident. I am quick to rescue myself from the kart. I soon make it to the garage where I am met by the person that was supposed to sponsor me. I quickly try to work out what the look on his face says but it isn't giving me any clues so I turn my attention to the race. At least Jules is having some luck. After ten minutes of watching the race has come to an end.

"Jess I would like to talk to you," The man that wants to sponsor me remarks.

"Sure," I say. I am curious to see what he has to say. We soon head to the hospitality area where I notice Jules. I reckon that he is ready to jump in if I need defending.

"Jess, I am going to sponsor you," He announces.

"But I didn't complete your challenge," I retort.

"But you tried and that's all that matters," He responded. The thing is he is right. I tried my best with rubbish circumstances. With that, the man leaves and Jules joins me.

"Jess, you need to stop selling yourself short," Jules remarks. He is right but I can't help it. I do not fit the profile of a typical driver and that is a problem. The thing is I have no idea when I am just as good as the rest of the drivers. Oh well, at least someone can vouch for my skills.

"Jess, are you sure that you are alright," This time it is Nyck who is asking.

"The truth is the team puts their faith in me and it is unfounded. It scares me because I am not sure how the team will react to me failing," I retort. I can feel his arm wrap around my shoulders. I immediately find some comfort in the gesture.

"Umm, how many times do I have to tell you? you are not a failure if you were you would have given up," Nyck retorts.

"You are really starting to sound like Jules," I say as I pull him into a hug. The truth is I am glad that he has my back even though I am beyond scared of what would happen if I were to lose him. The truth is I just need to get through the next race. It should be fun as it will be the first time that Formula E is using the full Monaco circuit. I am looking forward to the challenge that comes with that.