Quick author note: I saw a few were reading this.
Thank you so much!!
If you have any feedback, please let me know! English isn't my first language, so if you see any grammatical errors, let me know as well.
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It's Saturday, qualifying day in Portugal. I've seen it on TV and Fabio qualified fifth. It's not bad. He has qualified worse this season.
His birthday was last Wednesday, the day after we had lunch. I congratulated him in a direct message on Instagram. He probably received millions, I didn't get a reply. Not that I expected one.
Tom has called me a few times the last couple of days. I either ignored him or kept it short. I know he's worried, but I don't want pity. I saw it at that lunch. They both pitied me and Fabio doesn't even know the whole story.
I pitied myself a few days. And yesterday I snapped out of it. I've been sitting on the couch in my sweatpants and hoodie for days. Yesterday I went running, showered properly and dressed nice. Today I cleaned my apartment and did a second run. It felt good. The running clears my head. Although I'm not very good at it. It's mostly angry running right now. As fast as my feet take me.
Tomorrow I have a date with my couch, but that's because I really want to see the races. When I was little, my dad watched every race and I watched them with him. After that, I kept watching. Not missing a single race if I can.
I've just started cooking when my phone rings with an unknown number.
"Hello?", I answer the phone and put it on speaker. Probably some telemarketer.
"Hi. Julie? It's Fabio", I hear a familiar french accent. I wasn't expecting his voice and I'm completely silent.
"Julie? You there?", He tries again.
"Uh.. yeah, yeah. Sorry, can you wait one second? Let me turn off the stove", I rush out. Quickly turning everything off and sitting down on a kitchen chair.
"Okay. I'm here", I tell him awkwardly.
"Ah, good. How are you?", His voice is kind and professional. It's distant.
"I'm okay. Can I ask why you're calling?", why would Fabio call me. He's in the middle of a race weekend. He needs to focus.
"Yeah, well Tom is really worried about you. I don't know why. And he keeps saying you're not answering. So I got your number out of his phone", he tells me, like it's the most normal thing to do.
"Shit. It's distracting you, I'm so sorry. That's my fault. Don't blame Tom", I quickly tell him.
"No, no don't worry. It's not distracting me. I wanted to make sure you're okay. And I hope you will answer the next time Tom calls", he's really caring. I didn't expect that from him. "So.. talk to me?"
"Uh.. I don't know what to tell you? I mean I'm okay. Or I will be. Tom is just a little bit too worried"
"Why?", Is the only thing he asks. "Why he's a bit too worried?", I try to understand his question.
"No, why do you say 'I will be okay'?"
My mouth turns dry and it's hard to swallow. "Oh uh.. that's a long story. I don't really want to tell you that, to be honest", I can't tell it. Not again. Not without crying. And not to someone I barely know, but want to know. In a good way. He can't pity me.
"That's okay. Is it the same reason why Tom is so worried?", Fabio asks carefully.
"Yeah. Let's just say I've experienced some things that left some fresh scars. But really he doesn't have to worry. And he certainly doesn't have to pity me"
"He doesn't pity you", he sounds surprised, "Tom talks about you like an proud older brother. I wish I had that kind of connection with anyone"
"Really?", It's my turn to sound surprised.
"Yeah, I mean he's worried and protective, but other than that, very proud", Fabio sounds fond of his friend.
"That's good to hear. But I'm really sorry it distracted you", I am sorry. I mean, he is the defending world champion, he needs to focus and nothing else. "Don't you need to prep or sleep or something for tomorrow?"
"It didn't distract me. And no, I try to relax a bit the evening before. I can't do anything about it now"
"I saw your qualifying. I thought you could make it to pole", I give my thoughts.
"So you are saying I didn't do a good job?", Fabio asks challenging.
"I think more was possible. That's all. But I won't keep you any longer. Enjoy your relaxing", I tell him. "But tomorrow I'm expecting a podium finish", I cheeky add.
"I'll try.. for you.. I hope you'll be okay again soon. Bye Julie"
"Bye Fabio, good luck tomorrow!"
And the next day, Fabio did try. He won the race. His first of this season.