The Exit - Oscar Piastri FF

8. - Let's go back home

As soon as Oscar and Max left, I immediately got up and began getting ready. I know they had told me not to get in the car today, but there was no way I'd miss it. After putting on the suit and wiping the rest of my tears, I grab my helmet and exit the room. I went straight to Christian, and luckily he didn't need much convincing to let me drive. Leaving his office, my eyes spot Max across the room, but luckily he hadn't noticed me. I just go straight to the car and get in, before he has the time to even realise that it's me. I put on my helmet, and give my team a thumbs up before waiting for the signal to get on track.

I end the last quali on pole position, after managing to completely avoid Max in between Q2 and Q3. Pulling up the car to the garage, I hear applause coming from the team while getting out of the car. I take off my helmet and wait for Max, as he pulls up shortly after, expecting some sort of scolding from him, but instead, he just pulls me into a tight hug. "You're crazy, you know that? Fucking crazy..." He mumbles, before pulling away to flash me a smile. I smile back, before looking down, fiddling with my fingers, "I'm sorry, Maxie... I just had to do it. They would have wanted me to," I apologise and he wraps an arm around me, changing the subject, "You okay to go to the media?" He asks, and I look up and him and force a smile, followed by a nod.

Apparently, word about my parents hadn't gotten out yet, as the first question I got was about what happened with the change back and forth in today's driver line-up. "Yn, can you tell us what happened in the Red Bull garage, for there to be first an announcement that you wouldn't be racing, followed shortly by one that you would after all?" I noticed a lot of eyes on me, specifically the other drivers, who all seemed to study my expressions. "What happened is, that we weren't sure if I was able to drive essentially. Right before Q2, I was called up and told some very upsetting news, so the team advised me not to drive, but what I really needed was to get out on track. Yeah, I guess you could say the track is my happy place, so to get my mind off of things, I knew I had to participate, and luckily Christian understood and let me drive after all." I say, trying to seem as professional as possible, but I'm sure I was very visibly upset.

"Are you alright?" The reporter then asked, and I felt the tears start to sting in my eyes, wanting to fall so desperately again. "Um, no. Haha. I don't think you could say that, but I'll give my all tomorrow anyway, and hopefully bring home another win." I say, before being told to move on to the next interview. Most of the questions did revolve around the sudden driver change back and forth, but I answered them all the same way, and managed to control my tears, until the moment we were out of the area and back in the garage.

The next day, the news got out, and it was all I heard about the whole day, which was quite upsetting. I saw headline after headline and kept getting asked the same questions over and over again. I knew it was going to be hard, but not like this. There was nothing to do. I knew I would feel better as soon as I got inside the car, and I did. I got in the car, I started the race in pole position and ended in P1. All to honour my parents. 

When it was time for the podium, I was feeling a little extra nervous. I had just shed a few tears in the interview right before, but it helped a lot to have Max beside me. When I walked out on the podium, I heard the roar of cheers and took my place on the highest step, in between Max and Lando. The national anthem played, and usually after that, it was time for celebration, but instead, it all became silent, and someone spoke into the mic, blasting out on the speakers. It was Christian, who took a step up, joining me in the middle. 

"This is not something we usually do, but today is a day out of the ordinary. Yesterday, as many of you know, Yn received the news that her parents tragically had passed away in a car accident. Despite the huge imprint this had had on her, she stepped up this weekend and showed mental strength out of the ordinary. We, the Red Bull team and I would like to kindly ask you all to join us in one minute of silence, in honour of Mary and Peter Connor." During the speech, the rest of the drivers had made a line-up down on the grid, and Max and Lando both joined my side, wrapping their arms around me. I couldn't help but let the tears escape, as I looked up into the sky, taking it all in while the whole paddock became completely silent for a whole minute. "Thank you," Christian said when the minute had passed, and everyone began cheering once again. 

I couldn't ignore the fans' support, so I went to the railing and waved out at everyone, mouthing one "Thank you" after the other.

"I'm proud of you, Schat," Max said, joining me in my driver's room after he had taken a shower and changed his clothes. I didn't answer, as I was busy packing up the rest of my things. We had a little time before we had to head directly to the airport, heading back to London and to my family. Shortly after, I heard the door open again, this time revealing Oscar. "Hey... I just wanted to check in on you before you both leave," He says, closing the door after him. I feel my heart drop a little, as I more than anything want for him to come with me as well, but I couldn't bring myself to ask him. 

"Hey, Con. Are you okay? What's on your mind?" He approaches me, placing a hand on my shoulder and I look up at him. I had never been able to hide my feelings from him, and he knew it. I couldn't even fake a smile. I couldn't bring myself to say anything, but almost as if he read my mind, he asked, "Do you need me to come with you..?" I immediately look over at Max, who doesn't seem keen on the idea, but he nods nonetheless, giving me his approval to let Oscar come along as well. "Please?" I mutter out, and I see a smile appear on his face, which gives me a much better feeling inside. "Of course, I'll come with. I'll go get my things from the hotel right away and meet you at the airport, okay?" He says reassuringly, and I nod my head, smiling as he leaves the room immediately. 

The minute Oscar had left the room, I heard a sigh coming from Max. I knew very well that this wasn't an ideal outcome from his perspective, but I think we both knew that I needed him there. I looked up and watched as Max was fiddling with his hands, but I had no mental capacity to get into any of it right now. I was drained. Completely drained after all the crying and all the hurt in the past 24 hours. I picked up my bag and approached him at the door, hoping he would react and maybe show some affection, but all he did was sigh and lead the way out. 

I followed after him as we both left the paddock and entered his car and finally, when I had buckled my seatbelt, he broke the silence. "Do you even need me to come with you...?" He asked, a mixture of frustration and sadness in his voice. "What?" I just ask, completely in disbelief by his lack of sensitivity. "Yn. You need him, I get that, but do you need me? Do you even want me?" I felt my blood begin to boil, annoyed that he would even think like that. "You must be joking?" I ask, and he finally looks at me, seeming surprised. "Max, how often do I have to tell you I love you? That I chose to be with you. That I want to be with you. I just-..." I feel myself tear up, and he finally reaches over and pulls me into a hug. "I'm sorry, okay? I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me." 

After a while, he pulled away from the hug and placed a kiss on my forehead. "I love you," He whispered before he turned on the car and we drove off to the airport.

When we arrived at the airport, there were a lot of reporters and fans around. Luckily we had brought a few of our team members with us, who were going to be with us until we boarded the plane. After getting through the security, we were led through to a separate room, where we could relax until the plane was completely ready. Oscar had already arrived and was there to greet us when we arrived, and automatically, I went directly to him, as he welcomed me with open arms. After our hug, Max greeted him as well, and we all sat down to have a bit to eat.

"So, what's the plan back home?" Oscar asked in the middle of our conversations. "Well, the funeral is on Tuesday, and then afterwards we're going back to their house for a little gathering for close friends and family. Then I think I'll spend time with my siblings on Wednesday and from then on I don't know... I don't know how long I need to stay, but obviously, you can go whenever you need to-" I feel myself spiralling until Oscar places a hand on my knee. "I'm staying until you no longer want me here, Con. You just focus on your family, and Max and I will be here when you need us, okay?" He flashes me a smile, which I return before looking over at Max, who also looks at me with support. "What would I do without you two?.." I say, before leaning over to place my head on Max's shoulder and feel him kiss the top of my head.

"You won't have to find out, sunshine..."