The Unexpected

Chapter 22: Homeland

Once my tears stopped I decided there was no point in staying in his room, so I got whatever items I had and made my way to my own hotel. When I got there I changed into some comfy clothes and hid under my sheets, falling asleep with tears in my eyes regretting everything. Maybe this all could have been avoided if I told him Eric and I used to date sooner.

When I woke up the next morning,  I knew I had to get myself together, I went to the bathroom and wiped off all the mascara and what not that had ran down my face. Then I took a shower and got dressed in my Red Bull shirt knowing I'd still have to go to work today. I was dreading having to go, I was honestly thinking about calling in, but I knew I couldn't since today was qualifying.

I skipped breakfast, not feeling like eating. When I got to work I got glances from everyone, especially from other drivers, who knows what they think of me now. I desperately wanted to turn invisible and hide, so I did. I went into my brother's driver room grateful for it and worked from there.

When I went out to get some lunch, I heard even more people than before whispering and gossiping about my "cheating" scandal with Lando.

By the time lunch was over, I was back at the Red Bull office. I marched down to the social media's team lead and told them I quit. I didn't want to walk around the paddock getting looks and stares from people that don't even know what's going on, plus all the drivers hated my guts, I found no point in staying.

"Bria I understand you want to leave but I need a weeks notice, we can put that in for you today, but you'll have to stay till the next race at least" "what if I just don't show up?" "I mean not saying you should but you'd probably be forced to pay compensation by Red Bull for leaving on short notice." "I'm fine with that, I'd rather pay if that means I can leave" "oh...ok?" I knew it seemed like a cowards way out or like an overreaction but I was done and obviously not welcome.

I gathered my belongings and left entirely, I booked the first flight possible back to Australia, and called my coaches letting them know I'll be back home. I still couldn't practice but nothing was stopping me from helping the team out.

My flight was leaving tomorrow at noon, I called my brother right before qualifying, letting him know, so he wouldn't worry when he'd find me gone and having deleted all my socials. I called my parents after Daniel and told them the news. My dad said he'd pick me up from the airport so I don't have to take a cab or anything. Daniel then responded with a quick text back letting me stay at his flat, but it'd choose to go see my parents for the first few days before going to his house.

I started packing my bags, slowly going through all my clothes, I ran into all my McLaren stuff. Unsure  of what to do with it, I decided to keep it for now, since my brother would be driving for them next season after all.

I set my alarm for 7 am and was chilling in bed, I had qualifying playing in the background on the tv, trying my hardest not to think about Lando. To be more specific a picture that was starting to go viral online of him kissing some girl from last night. I know he thinks I actually cheated but going around with some other girl not even a day after killed me I struggled to hold back tears.

At the end of quali, my brother had placed 7th and Lando 10th. I won't lie Lando not getting his around his usual P4 was a happy sight for me, he hurt me so much. I'd say even worse than when Eric and I broke up. 

I went to sleep that night trying to focus on how fun it'd be being back home, and drifted off to sleep somehow peacefully.

In the morning I woke up and left my hotel room, lugging two suitcases behind me. I went to the airport and did the usual, going through security, checking in, etc. At the boarding gate I was able to upgrade to business class, wanting some more privacy since the flight would be long.

When I finally landed in Australia, I found my dad waiting for me with a cute little sign that had my name written out on it. "Hey dad" "Hey hun, I'm happy to see you, it's been a while ya?" He pulled me in for a hug, and got my suitcase leaving me luggage free... reminding me of when Lando was the one doing this.

When we got home, my mom had made my favorite Pavlova cake, my mood instantly went from a 1 to a 10 right away. Being back home will be great, and an amazing way to forget about Lan.

These next few weeks are gonna be all about me, and my upcoming future. I need to leave the past in the past.