˚　 ⋆⁺₊✦⁺₊ 　 ˚　.˚  .　 ☁.　　. 　 ˚　⁺⋆₊　.˚  .　. ✦⋆⁺₊  　 ˚　. ☁ ˚　.˚　 ✩₊˚.   ☾      ⋆      ⁺₊✧  　　˚　⁺₊ . 　 ˚　.　　⁺₊✦₊　　 ☁  　˚　　 . 　⁺₊✧˚　　 . 　 ˚　⁺₊˚  .

Evie awoke the next morning with the feeling of a knot in her stomach. She rose uneasily and sat cross legged in bed for a few more moments. She didn't know if it was because of the upcoming race, or the date, or perhaps she just had an upset stomach. She had no idea, but it was ever present and it annoyed her.

Eventually, she checked the time and grumbled, throwing her blanket to the side and climbing out of bed. As she walked over to her suitcase and kicked it open, she realised with startling clarity that she had no idea what to wear.

"SOS" she sent to the group chat, and ten minutes later Ollie and Kimi laid on her bed chatting away, Kimi having been dragged over by a very chipper Ollie.

"Who the hell goes on a date at 9am?" Kimi groaned, face shoved into one of the comfortable white pillows on Evie's bed. Ollie laughed and slapped him on the back, actually sitting up and aware of his surroundings.

"People in love, Kimi. Love!" he teased, wiggling his eyebrows. Evie whined and crouched down in front of her suitcase, pulling out practically everything she had packed in hopes of finding something that would look nice.

"Shut up and help me," Evie demanded, throwing the pile of clothes in her arms onto her bed, accidentally covering Kimi's legs.

"Dude," Kimi muttered, but both Ollie and Evie ignored him. Ollie sorted through some of the tops, avoiding the bras she had thrown in there. Kimi just rolled over, fate seemingly accepted.

"This is pretty." Ollie held up a black tube top, making Evie grimace.

"Too much for 9am," she said, and Ollie nodded and tossed it back onto the Kimi pile.

"See?" Kimi mumbled, and Evie picked the top back up and pegged it at the back of his head. "You're meant to be helping me, y'know?" she grumbled, and he just shrugged and burrowed further into her pillow.

"Ignore him, he stayed up late. What else do you have?" Ollie intervened, and Evie sighed. She walked back over to her suitcase and dragged it over to the bed, pulling it up so Ollie could look inside.

Ollie sat up on his knees and started rummaging around like a little raccoon, sorting through her clothes with no regard to them being folded. He furrowed his brows and pursed his lips, looking more concentrated than when he was driving. Evie couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"I have a vision," he said suddenly. "This." He held up a white long-sleeved top with open shoulders. "And those." He motioned over to a pair of comfy blue jeans.

Evie narrowed her eyes, one hip popped out as she contemplated the outfit.

"Not bad, actually," she settled on eventually, a bit impressed.

"I'm a fashion icon." Ollie smirked and nodded to himself proudly, making Evie giggle.

"Okay!" She clapped her hands together. "I'll take these and go get dressed, you guys can stick around or head back, it’s fine with me."

Ollie nodded along, but Kimi remained silent. The two friends watched as their third friend laid quietly, half covered up by clothes, chest rising up and down steadily.

"Huh," Evie said under her breath and Ollie nodded.

"He's out," Ollie confirmed. "I'll stay, for moral support and all that."

Evie smiled and thanked him. She picked up her clothes and headed over to the bathroom. After the door locked, she undressed and got ready as fast as she could, not wanting to be late. She still had a good half hour before Franco should arrive but she just could never know with men.

As she buttoned up her jeans, she unlocked and pushed open the bathroom door, letting Ollie know he could come in and chat with her.

"You look nice!" he exclaimed as he walked in, giving her a once over with a satisfied expression on his face. "I'm good at this."

"Don't get too full of yourself," Evie joked as she brushed out her hair, silently contemplating whether she wanted it up or down.

"Rude," Ollie said, arms crossed and leaning on one of the walls, watching as she opened her makeup bag and started to rummage around.

"Sure," Evie drawled, finally finding her concealer and holding it up proudly. She opened it and started applying it, eyes flickering from her under eyes to Ollie who was still hovering behind her in the mirror.

"So," Ollie started, suddenly serious. Evie put down her brush and turned her head so she could look him in the eye. She nodded her head, gesturing to him to keep going.

"If anything happens, if you feel even slightly uncomfortable. Text. I'll pull up with a knife if need be. And Kimi won't be far behind with a chair."

Evie's eyes widened and her lips tugged into an infectious grin, Ollie grinning right back at her.

"Do not attempt murder, Ollie. You're far too young and far too pretty for prison." She turned back around and pulled out her mascara.

"If it comes to it…" Ollie shrugged, only half joking.

"Stop," Evie said through a fit of laughter. "I'm sure nothing will happen. But I'll keep you updated, okay?"

"You better," Ollie grumbled, looking like a poor imitation of batman.

Evie ignored him and locked in on her makeup, only noticing a bit later when Kimi walked in like a zombie and kept Ollie company.

ᯓᡣ𐭩

With minutes to spare, Evie was ready, having left a mess behind her in her wake. Makeup was scattered all over her bathroom sink, and she still had clothes thrown over her bed she needed to fold again.

She checked the time and quickly ushered her friends out, Ollie and Kimi calling out cheers of good luck as they jogged down the hallway away from her room, wanting to stay as far away from her date as they could.

She rushed around for last minute preparations, making sure her purse was fully packed, and spraying perfume on her wrists and neck. Double, triple checked her makeup, made sure her butt looked good in those jeans, and finally sat down to relax for a minute.

Evie anxiously waited, checking her phone every few minutes in hopes of it finally being 9, but the minutes crawled on for what seemed like hours. She checked her phone one last time, just as it hit 9, and, as promised, there was a knock at her door.

She immediately shot up, and then had to sit back down as she became dizzy. She breathed in and out, and then, slower this time, stood up to go open the door.

She was met by a face full of purple flowers.

"Oh!" she gasped, taking a step back as Franco quickly lowered the flowers, accidentally holding them closer to her face than her hands.

"Sorry, good morning." He laughed, holding out the bouquet towards her. She took them and brought them up to her face to smell. Roses and baby's breath.

"Good morning to you as well! They're beautiful." Evie fiddled with the bouquet and took in Franco's outfit. An ironed button-up and a nice pair of jeans. Gorgeous.

"How'd you know?" Evie couldn't help but ask, lips ticking up into a coy smile. Franco hummed in confusion and she gestured down at the flowers in her hands.

"Purple, it's my favourite colour," she explained. One of her hands lightly skimmed over the petals, cradling them between her fingers.

"I know," Franco confirmed with a smirk. "I came prepared."

Evie felt her cheeks redden, so she spun around and walked back into her hotel room, gesturing behind her that Franco could come in.

"Wow," he said, as soon as he stepped in. Evie paused and turned to look at him, jaw dropping as she realised she hadn't thought this through. She wasn't exactly planning on inviting him into her room, so the mess she'd made was still present.

Unmade bed, suspiciously Kimi shaped indent on one side, clothes everywhere. She glanced over to Franco and was mortified to see him looking around.

"All this to see me?" Franco teased, head tilted to the side. Evie scrunched up her face and placed down the bouquet on her bedside table, running a hand through her hair in an attempt to tame her frazzled nerves.

"Shut up." She pouted, halfheartedly making her bed.

"Well, it paid off. You look beautiful," Franco said, also running a hand through his hair.

"Thank you." Evie smiled warmly. "So do you. We're matching, actually."

Franco blinked and looked down at his clothes, then glanced up to look at hers. "We are." He laughed. "I guess we're meant to be."

Evie smirked and grabbed her purse.

"Whatever you say, gorgeous."

ᯓᡣ𐭩

At the door of the hotel, Franco stopped them for a second so he could put a cap on, having pulled it out of seemingly nowhere. Evie subtly looked around for where he could've possibly been hiding it, while he tried to save his hair from the inevitable mess it would become.

Eventually he just gave in and put the hat on, and Evie gave up trying to figure out his tricks because it just wasn’t worth the headache. He sent her a smile and held open the door for her. She thanked him and jokingly curtsied as she walked outside.

The café wasn't too far from the hotel they were staying at, so they walked. The weather was nice, sun warming her cheeks and chest pleasently. They chatted a bit as they got closer, Franco telling her how he slept, and Evie telling him about Ollie and Kimi wreaking havoc in her room.

Their fingers lightly brushed together, and Franco didn't hesitate to intertwine them, not so much holding hands as they were fingers, trying to be discreet. Evie ducked her head and smiled shyly.
Once they arrived Franco held open the door for her again, a bell sounding above them as they walked in. Evie led them over to a booth in the far corner, away from the windows and few patrons that were around that early.

Franco pulled out Evie's chair for her, and she happily sat, impressed at his manners. He took the seat opposite her and opened a menu.

"So," Franco huffed out a breath. "What would you like on your crepe?"

"Hmm," Evie hummed, eyes scanning over the menu. "Chocolate and banana looks like it'd be good." As if on cue, her stomach rumbled, making Franco laugh.

"I think I'll get the same," he said, closing his menu and flipping it over to see the drinks.

"Hey." Evie leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand. "Are you even allowed to eat this?" she asked, wondering what his nutritionist would have to say about this.

"What my team doesn't know, can't hurt them." He brought a finger up to his lips and made a shush motion. Evie laughed and nodded.

"I won't tell," she promised.

They figured out what drinks they'd like and then waved a waitress over, Franco ordering for the both of them in broken Italian. The waitress smiled widely and wrote it down on a little notepad, then walked back over to the kitchen, her heels clicking away.

"So, you should tell me about yourself. I don't really know much, besides your favourite colour," Franco said, leaning forward and resting his arms on the table. Evie nodded and hummed.

"Well…" she drawled, trying to think of what to say. What a stressful question. "I'm studying psychology back in England, I'm entering my third year." She smiled and shrugged, not knowing what else to say.

"Oh, that's really cool. How do you manage both travelling and studying?" Franco asked, genuinely interested.

"It helps that I really love studying psychology and Formula 1, it gives me the motivation to do both. And, of course, supporting my brother makes for a great excuse," she joked, covering her laugh with a hand.

"Oh, of course." Franco snickered. "More so now that I'm here, I bet." Evie shook her head fondly and Franco smirked.

"Of course," Evie confirmed.

Both of their heads turned as the familiar sound of the waitress's heels clicked over, that smile still wide on her face as she carried two cappuccinos. She placed them down in front of them both and then headed back to the counter to grab their crepes.

"I'm excited, I haven't had good crepes in so long," Evie said, sitting up in her chair and preparing her napkins. Franco hummed in agreement and moved his cup over so there was room for the plate.

The waitress came back over and put down their plates, telling them to enjoy before walking off to tend to another customer.

They dug in instantly, talking in between bites and the sound of silverware clinking.

Eventually they got onto the topic of hobbies, and as Evie took a small break from eating to enjoy her coffee she took her opportunity.

"So, what about you? Anything besides driving cars around?" Franco swallowed his mouthful and put his fork down, humming in contemplation.

"I like to play football." He nodded, eyes focused on something in the distance, clearly thinking of specific memories.

"Do you have fun?" Evie asked, tilting her head. Franco's eyes focused back on her and he smiled.

"Yes, lots of fun. I remember one time I was with my friends back home, and one of them kicked the ball so hard it bounced off three houses, and we ended up having to climb up a tree and onto someone's roof to get it." Franco leaned forward, hands moving around frantically as he told the story. Evie burst out into laughter and had to cover her mouth when everyone in the café turned to look at their table.

"Wow, sounds like a lot of fun. A bit dangerous, though." Evie took a deep breath and sipped her coffee, her cheeks hurting from smiling so much.

"Hah, dangerous is my middle name," Franco joked, cutting up another piece of crepe and chewing on it pointedly. Evie laughed quietly and did the same, the banana slices practically melting in her mouth.

"Franco Dangerous Colapinto, it certainly has a ring to it," Evie went along with his joke, taking another sip of her coffee.

"Anyway," Franco started, pushing away his empty plate, clearly a much faster eater than Evie who still had over half of hers left. "Enough about me, how about you? Any dangerous activities that you get up to?"

"Actually!" Evie perked up in excitement, happy to tell her story. "Last year, Alex took the family karting for his birthday. And I beat him by a whole 10 seconds." She grinned, emphasising all the right moments by slapping the table.

"Really?" Franco perked up as well, matching her excitement. "Wow, they should have given you that Williams seat instead."

"I know, right?" Evie played along. "Anyway, it was fun. Definitely a one time thing, though. I can't imagine being an actual driver."

"It's okay, I'll do the driving for the both of us," Franco jokingly comforted her.

"Amen," Evie finished.

Eventually Evie finished the last of her crepe, and the waitress came over and cleared away their plates, just leaving their coffee mugs. Neither had realised, but they'd been there eating and talking for over an hour. They couldn't exactly linger at the cafe, but neither wanted to leave and get on with their day.

So they packed up and headed outside for another walk, the bell ringing above them once more, as a goodbye.

The sun was now on the opposite side of Evie, warming her back and shoulders instead of face. Franco tried to lace their fingers together again, but her bracelet got caught, and he became interested.

"What's this?" he asked, bringing her hand up to inspect. It was a simple string with blue beads on it, along with letters that spelled AA23.

"Friendship bracelet!" Evie explained. "I made it for Alex a while ago, but he couldn't wear it while driving so he eventually forgot about it." She shrugged, only slightly, a miniscule amount, barely butthurt.

"It's so cool!" Franco exclaimed. "You made it?" he asked for confirmation, looking at her expectantly.

"Yeah! I like making them for fun, Ollie and Kimi have their own too," she admitted, slightly shy at showing off.

"You should make me one," Franco suggested boldly. Evie's eyebrows shot up and she gaped a little.

"Wow, forward are we?" she teased, spinning the beads on her bracelet around.

"C'mon." Franco tilted his head and pouted. "I'd appreciate it more than Alex and your friends would."

"Oh really?" Evie pretended to think about it, tapping her chin. "Maybe if we go on a second date, I will." Franco smirked down at her and grabbed her hand, a confident look on his face.

"Fine then. I'll definitely be getting that bracelet, just so you know."

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dear reader!

longest chapter ever to make up for the drought

also yes i changed evie's major

akiaoya thank you 💓💓💓