Sorry, right number

by sadievaldez22

Summary:

Where Oscar texts the wrong number and Lando creates a whole group chat about it.

Notes:

I'm not sure if my grandmother would be proud of this work, but I wrote it while she was sick in the hospital, thinking that something funny would cheer me up a bit. When she died I decided to finish and post it for her. So this history is for you, grandma. I wish I could give you something more, but this will have to do for now. I love you to the moon and back, now and forever.

 

p.s. English is not my first language, so read at your own risk. Sorry :)

p.p.s. I took inspiration from some stories here on Ao3: all green lights by orphan_account, the condominium community committee by jusst_you_wait and Disarray by ImAnOmniDragon. Please, check their works out if you want to laugh, melt of tenderness or just have a really good time.

Chapter 1: can you water the plants?

 

+44 07032 255109

11 June 2023

 

🔒 Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of this chat, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Tap to learn more.

 

hi, how are you?

i had a really nice time talking to you yesterday

thank you again

 

Who is this?

 

right sorry

it’s oscar

 

Oscar?

 

from yesterday night?

at dolce notte?

 

Sorry, who do you think I am?

 

wait

you are not alex, right?

 

Sorry mate I think you have a wrong number 

 

oh

fuck i’m sorry

didn’t mean to bother you

 

Don’t worry mate

 

must have made a mistake when i wrote the number down

 

Hmm

If you say so…

18 June 2023

 

hey again

i know that you probably don’t care at all haha

 but i think you were onto something

 apparently she thought we were not a good match

 so she gave me a fake number 👍🏻

she said that she didn't want to hurt me

 

Yeah, I guessed…

It happens all the time mate

Nothing to be embarrassed or sad about

So don’t feel too bad about this

 

i’m fine

thanks mate

and sorry again

 

Nevermind

 

 24 June 2023

 

Hi, not to be creepy or anything, but did you mean Dolce Notte in London? There is a bartender in here called Alex…

 

yeah it must be her

i swear i'll never set foot in that pub again for the rest of my life

 

Noo, you should totally go again

To show her you are happy or whatever

 

definitely not happy or whatever

 

Nevermind

 

that is really unsettling tho

 

What?

 

you being at dolce notte

or just you being in london apparently

 

9 million people live in London mate

 

yeah but it's still strange

why are you there?

if i can ask of course

 

Birthday party

 

yours?

 

My sister’s

 

oh, happy birthday to her then

 

Thanks

 

---

 

 logan

27 June 2023

 

hey mate

are you alright?

haven’t heard from you all day

 

yes mate

dw

i’m fine

had a shitton of homework to do 😭

 

okay

dinner together?

 

of course

gonna buy cookies

 

👍🏻

 

 

30 June 2023

 

logan

why are there 15 pints of milk in the fridge?  😭

we leave in 3 days

there is no way we can drink all that milk

 

speak for urself

coward

 

…

 

---

 

+44 07032 255109

22 July 2023 

 

hey there

 sorry to bother you but have you been to dolce notte recently? 

feel free not to answer if you find any of this odd

 

Is this for Alex?

 

yeah…

 

Do you not have friends? 😂

 

yes i do have friends thank you

i just don’t want them to know about my stupid crush

 

But you told me

 

because i don't know you..?

 

I don’t get it

Anyway, yes

I’ve been two or three times I reckon but I have not seen her, I’m sorry

 

hmm okay

thanks mate

cheers

 

 You’re welcome

 

---

 

lando

27 July 2023

mate 

cant believe u leave while im here :( 

 

will be back

eventually

do you need milk by any chance?

 

tf?

no?

y?

 

nevermind

 

28 July 2023

 

went to ur huose to take the hoodie i left last time

did u want to poison me mate???

 

what?

 

crikey

u wanted me to drink milk that expired 1 month ago?? 

also ur fridge smells awful 

gl with the cleanimg when u come back ;)

 

seems like a job for logan

 

---

from: [email protected]

to :  [email protected]

 

subject: Small questionnaire about life at uni

 

Hi,

I'm George Russell, a PhD student of the Economics department. My mentor, estimated Professor T. C. Wolff, and I need your help. All you have to do is fill in this 5-minute questionnaire about your financial experience at our University and you're done! Don't worry about your answers: the questionnaire is completely anonymous.

Thank you for your help!

Best regards,

G.R.

 

---

 

+44 07032 255109

15 August 2023

 

Mate, I’m sorry to be the bearer of such sorrow but you can definitely say goodbye to Alex

 

um?

 

My friend Charles very much likes her

 

so?

 

Aaand she totally likes him back

 

ah

are they going out together?

 

I’m afraid they are doing much more than that, my friend…

 

cool

what’s his ig?

 

No way

I’m not going to give a stranger my friend’s IG

You could be a serial killer

 

what

i mean yeah you can never be too sure i guess? 

but i can assure you that i’m not one??

 

That didn’t assure me at all

I’m actually more creeped out than before

 

my bad

sorry

 

23 August 2023

 

hey, i just realized i’ve never asked for your name

you don’t need to tell me if you don’t want but we have been chatting for about 3 months and i feel like i’ve been a bit rude

 

I don't want to tell you, sorry

 

okay

it’s totally fine

i understand

 

Jajajaja

I'm joking man

I'm Carlos

 

…

is that a laughter in spanish?

 

Yes…

 

why are you laughing in spanish?

 

Because I'm Spanish, cabrón

 

mate

wtf does cabrón mean

 

Don't worry about it, Oscar

It's what we say to our friends in Spain 

 

nice

wait are we friends?

I feel like I don't know you enough

but it would be cool 

 

I don’t know 

Mr. “I could absolutely be a serial killer but I swear I am not one”

 

sorry that was really out of pocket

i can see it know

 

Thank God

 

27 August 2023

 

I was checking out  the meaning of cabrón

 doesn't look like a friendly expression to me 🤨

 

Cabrón (affectionate)

Is that better?

 

that could work

 

28 August 2023

 

Are you there?

 

yes?

Awesome

I need a quick advice

No one is answering me and I have to go out

Blue or black?

Trousers

 

it depends??

with what are you gonna wear them

 

[photo]

this shirt

 

wow that definitely costs more than my university degree

 

It’s an Armani

So?

 

photos of the trousers pretty please

 

Ugh

[photo]

[photo]

Please I’m so late you can’t even imagine

 

black

Thank you Oscar 🙏🏻

I own you one

 

no problem

need you to explain where you are going dressed like the most elegant James Bond i’ve ever seen

 

 

29 August 2023

 

Thanks again mate

It was for a work dinner

 

boring

 

Yeah I hate those things but I can’t miss them unfortunately

 

why?

 

Well my dad is the CEO of the firm but he lives in Spain

And when he is not around I’m his second-in-command

So not much I can do about it 😅

 

it’s cool tho

being the boss

what’s your job about?

 

I’m a management engineer 

Nothing really cool about it jajaja

 

you get to wear an armani so it can’t be that bad

 

Yeah, I guess so

 

---

 

lando

31 August 2024

 

can you water the plants mate?

 

u mean the dead plants in the hallway?

sure thing mate

 

cool

 

what do u say to sm doing u a favor?

 

don’t overwater them

 

wanker

Notes:

sorry, my sense of humor is totally not okay at all, but whatever, I'm happy anyways. Let me know what you think of this chapter and please, please, please, tell me if you find ant mistake in the text, so I can correct it and make the story more enjoyable. thanks :)

I hope you have a wonderful day <3

Chapter 2: have you ever tried paella?

Summary:

Oscar knows nothing about paellas but he's willing to give them a chance

carlos

3 September 2023

hey, can i ask you something? 

 

Of course you can

 

am i like

 being too much?

 

What do you mean?

 

i don’t know

i’m not much of a talker in real life

i hate annoying people

i don’t know why i keep texting you haha

i’m usually kind of shy

It’s fine

When you start bugging me I’ll just block you 

 

well

you have the rights i guess?

 

Mate jajajaja

I'm joking 

You are not being too much

 

you can tell me if you don’t want me to text anymore okay?

don’t want this to be weird

 

Nah mate

I have fun texting  you

Mostly because you don't know me at all

It's kind of relaxing

 

yeah i think it’s the same for me

i do probably struggle a bit with expressing my emotions sometimes

but writing to you it’s fine because I don’t even know if you are real or not

so i can just be me i guess and say whatever i want to

 

What do you mean? 

Of course I'm real

 

are you now

 

You are a weird guy, Oscar

 

i know

 

---

logan

5 September 2023

the house smells bad

also who overwatered the plants?

theyre like floating in their own dirt

 

i have no idea

 

---

carlos

7 September 2023

 

[Carlos has reacted to your status]

Is that your dog?

It's very cute

 

hey mate

no he's not 😭

it's my sister's

he is indeed very cute

kinda thinking about stealing him and taking him with me to the uk…

 

You totally should.

Wait where are you?

If I can ask of course

 

no problem mate

i’m visiting my parents in australia

i’ve moved to the uk last year to study

but i definitely miss the sun 

and my family

 

To study?

How old are you man?

 

22?

what are you?

75?

 

Fuck you

I'm 29

 

ooh so you're basically prehistoric

 

 Fuck you mate

I'm done talking to you

Also, your dog sucks

 

wow

so mature

 

8 September 2023

 

carlos?

are you upset with me?

just checking if you know I was joking

i didn't mean to be rude or anything

 

Hey

I'm not offended

I was joking too man

I'm just 7 years older than you I know I'm not really prehistoric

 

you think?

those are a lot of years carlos 🤔

 

…

 

sorry

sometimes i can be a bit dry

 

I’ve literally just turned 29

Not even 30 and you already called me old twice

 

will get worse

old age gets everyone sooner or later

 

I'm feeling like hating you right now

 

you definitely don't

I definitely hate you, Oscar

 

 

9 September 2023

 

[photo]

[photo]

Are those kangaroos?

 

yeah

saying goodbye to them since i’m going back to london

 

They look so cute

Are they really as aggressive as they say?

 

you could ask my sister

she was punched by a baby kangaroo when she was 5

she’s still planning her revenge

 

They seem too cute to be violent

I’m choosing not to believe you Oscar

I think they are nice

so did my sister…

 

---

lando

10 September 2023

 

[photo]

wanna come to their funeral?

murderer

 

bruv

they were already dead

if anything i shortenrd their suffering

drowned them softly

 

you have no heart have you?

anyway

i think i’m oversharing my life with a stranger

is that bad?

 

is he hot?

dickhead

 

dont get urself killed you muppet

 

not planning on it 👍🏻

 

---

carlos

10 September 2023

 

wait when was your birthday?

 

1st of September

Why?

 

mate

why didn't you tell me

i didn't even wish you a happy birthday

 

It’s all good mate

When is yours?

6th of april 

bit far

And you turn 23, no?

i guess sherlock 

Asshole

 

 

12 September 2023

 

New emergency Oscar

Can you help me out?

sure thing

if i can

Have you ever tried paella?

 

yeah

but like

the supermarket one

Ay

No me digas esto 

Por favor

wait

my spanish is very bad

i feel like i’ve said something i was not supposed to

 

Paella from the supermarket? 😡

Not even a spanish restaurant?

carlos

i don’t think you can understand how broke i am

i’ve been eating noodles for 3 days straight

not sure when i’ll see a restaurant again

 

We should take care of this

 

will not turn you down if you want to buy me dinner

 

Might do that

But this means that you can’t help me 

You know nothing about paellas ☹️

 

why?

what was this about?

carlos

hello??

13 September 2023

 

carlos

i feel like you own me an explanation

Oh my God

I’m sorry mate

Jajajaja

I was running very late and I completely forgot about you 

 

right

Hey, not like that

I was cooking dinner for my father but he arrived a lot early

So I didn’t check my phone anymore

And then I went to sleep

lame excuse

i think we should stop speaking

Mate

Please 

I know you have fun texting me 

Be a nice guy Oscar 😉

 

🙄

 

 

[photo]

at least help me out with my homework?

 

Mathematics?

 

yeah…

Are you studying engineering too?

 

MechE

lots of fun

please help me

thinking about going back to australia to start a kangaroo farm

 

Um I’m not sure I remember enough of this stuff

But I can try

thanks 🙏🏻

 

[photo]

That’s the best I can do

I don’t know if it’s right 

 

IT IS

THANKS CARLOS

i’ve been trying to solve this for the past 4 hours

i’m not even joking

you’re a lifesaver

 

What can I say

I’m very wise 

 

that’s because you are very old carlos

 

🖕🏼

 

16 September 2023

 

mate

I think i've seen your friend

with alex

 

Really?

How do you know it was him?

 

well i don't

but i saw her yesterday chatting with a bloke while at work

 and they seemed to get along very well

they were like staring into each other souls and all

 

How did he look?

 

handsome.

 

It was Charles then

 

i literally had 0 chances with her if that is the competition 

they looked cute tho

and really happy

 

Yeah, I swear they are insufferable 

Wait, you saw them at Dolce Notte then, no?

 

yeah

why?

 

I was there yesterday 

With Charles

 

really?

no way

 

I remember you telling me you would never go inside that place again tho 😂

 

well

it was not really my fault

my friend lando did a gig yesterday 

he’s a dj

he begged me to go

 

Wait

Lando as in Lando Norris?

 

yes?

 

I know him too!

He's basically one of my dearest friends

 

whay

what

how come we never met each other

 

I don't know what to tell you, mate

I know Lando from work

We used to work together

 

work?

i met him last year at uni

we had some classes together 

didn't know he had a job?

before the djing stuff

 

He was doing an internship where I work

Like 2 or 3 years ago

 

cool

you went there to see him too?

 

Yes

But I had to go home a bit early

So I didn’t even say goodbye to him

I know he leaves today

 

yeah he had a flight at 5am i think

don’t know how he copes with like 0.5 hours of sleep

 

I could never

 

that’s because you’re old

 

Tosser

 

much appreciated

anyway

it may sound weird but can you send me a picture?

i’m curious to know if i’ve seen you yesterday

of your face obviously

I can't see you at all in your profile pic 

 

No need to clarify mate 

Wouldn't have sent you anything else 😂

 

sorry hahah

kinda afraid you will think i’m a pervert or whatever

 

Don't worry, I definitely think you are a pervert

But I'll send you a photo anyway 

Of my face

Wait

 

haha so funny 🙄

 

What can I say? I like risks 😉

[photo]

 

ouch man

why are you and your friends so handsome

fuck you

who did you sell your soul to be like this?

 

Ay

Your turn now

 

no way 💀

not after this

 

Come on mate 

I swear I won't tell you anything

Unless it's a compliment 😉

 

creep

fine

don't say anything tho

[photo]

 

You look cute mate

Why were you worried?

If Charles weren't there Alex would totally be into you

 

hmm

a bit unlikely but thanks mate

not sure if that's really a compliment tho haha

anyway 

think i’m gonna sleep

goodnight carlos

 

It was a compliment 

Good night Oscar

Notes:

thanks for the kudos and the comments on the last chapter omg you were so kind <3

also, the groupchat will arrive, eventually, don't worry haha, I just want to establish a bit the relationship between our two main guys

as always, have a wonderful day :)

Chapter 3: how do you text someone by mistake?

Summary:

Oscar panics a bit and Lando is no help at all

logan

16 September 2023

not coming home tonight

 

what

did you get yourself a date?

logan???

are you dead??

 

---

carlos

18 September 2023

I miss the sun too

 

um?

 

You told me you miss the australian sun

I miss the spanish one

Why is it always raining in this fucking country?

 

wish i knew mate

i swear i feel soaked all the time

even when it’s sunny

i think it got inside my bones

and will never leave

 

Shit

That was macabre 

 

macabre?

sorry shakespeare

 

Yes Oscar that's a word that exists 

Good job 👏🏼

I'm proud of you for learning new things 

 

you are so unfunny it's almost becoming a problem for me

i only speak to cool people sorry

think we have to stop this conversation right now

 

Same

 

but aren't you spanish?

why do you speak perfect english

 

Wtf 

That's very racist of you, Oscar

 

nevermind

i was trying to be nice

guess i'll just keep being myself

 

You definitely shouldn't 

Seems like you are a horrible person 

 

keep going you can't hurt me because i don't feel any emotion 👍🏻

 

Boring

Anyway, it's a bit late for me

Think I'm going to sleep

Good night Oscar

 

goodnight

sleep well

 

---

lando

18 september 2023

mattttteeeee 

u texted carlos????

its him u’re oversharing ur life with???

how do u know him

 

i don't?

it was by mistake 

 

how do u text someone by mistake 😭😭😭

 

long story 

how do you know?

 

he told me???

wtd

wtf

this is weird mate

 

no it’s not

we are friends 

 

u cant ve friedns without me 😭

 

then come back

you coward

 

i just left oms

u cant live without me can u 😉

 

creep

anyways 

he seems nice

and funny

and cool

 

9mg

osc

hello???

someone fancies carlos 😍

 

qhay

whay

whay

ARGGGHH

no i don’t

wtf lsndo

shut up

 

the boy is in love 🙏🏼

 

i don't even know the guy

he just seems like a nice person to have as a friend 

that's it

 

yh pfc

ofc

i completely believe u osc

 

🖕🏼

 

dont be aggressive 

it’s fine innit

even the best of us fall in lobe at some pont

love

pint

point

 

please just stop correcting yourself

what did he tell you?

 

wouldnt u like to now 😏

 

asshole

tell me please

 

my lips are sealed osc 🤐

im sorry

also he doent talk to me about his love life

so I wouldnt know

 

we're not lovers lando

just friends

barely 

 

course u are

bff like me and max 🥰

who sometimes have fun time together 

and help each other out by rubbing their backs while having a shower

 

brb gonna gouge my eyes out with a rusty fork 🤢

nevermind not enough  need to scoop my brain out now

 

come on osc

bit of love never killed anyone

nope actually it did nvm

well gotta go

have a gig in 30 min 😎

lmk how it goes with carlos

ttyl 

 

bye 🙄

gonna see if he tells me what you 2 spoke about

 

---

carlos

19 september 2023

 

don't freak out but i've asked lando about you 

 

Why would I freak out?

 

i don’t know

maybe it's a bit weird?

 

I've asked him about you too

 

um

what did he tell you

 

That you're a complete asshole

 

liar

lando would have said i’m a total cunt

 

Fuck

You're right

 

come on

tell me

 

What?

 

…

what did he tell you??

 

Wow

Chill down mate

He said you're cool and very smart

Like smart smart

Which I don't believe 

Like at all

You have the range of emotions of a dying fish

No offence

 

none taken 👍🏻

 

And that you are studying mechE because you want to work in an F1 team

 

tmi haha

why

 

You are an F1 fan?

 

no i just want the big money

 

You're insufferable 

I am a big fan

Which team do you support?

 

massive papaya fan here ☝🏼

you?

 

Ay pero

Why

Forza Ferrari sempre

 

god i knew it

typical Ferrari fan…

 

What do you mean?

 

nothing

 

🖕🏼

 

carlos please 

don't be so rude

you have to learn to appreciate others no matter what

even if they don't support your favourite team

 

But why?

Mclaren 

 

i don’t know  i just like them

and then 

senna

you know

prost

cool stuff

 

Prost was also in Ferrari

And Schumacher

Lauda

I mean

So many people 

Basically the best drivers

 

bah i mean

a bit overrated in my opinion

but it's fine

i’ll learn to overcome this betrayal and  love you anyway 

at some point

 

So kind

Could say the same of you

Luckily love goes beyond imperfections 

 

even if

i don’t know

maybe accepting ferrari fans is a bit of a stretching now

 

I really should stop talking to you

You are a source of big stress

And I respect  my well-being too much

So goodbye Oscar

 

goodbye to you too carlos

 

 

20 September 2023

 

Lando says this is a bit weird

 

this?

 

We talking 

 

um

i don’t know mate

why would it be weird?

 

I think he's scared we will talk badly of him behind his back 😂

 

we totally should 

and then send him proof

 screens of the chat

 

No, but do you think we shouldn't talk?

Like we are not friends

Just strangers that started texting by mistake

 

is this the part in which i discover you are like a serial killer or something?

should i be worried?

 

…

 

mate frankly

i don't think there's something wrong with talking to someone on your phone

people do it all the time

never heard about online friends?

 

Yes but it's not the same, no?

You texted me because you thought I was another person

I don't know

 

i mean

if you don't want to talk to me anymore i got it

i promise i won't text anymore

but I really like talking to you

even if we don't know each other

you seem like a good person

but I'll respect your decision

 

It's not that 

I also like talking to you

Even if you are a bit of an asshole sometimes 

 

💔

 

I don't know

I guess I question myself too much sometimes 

Always scared of what others will think of me

 

why?

 

Um

I don't know actually 

I just want everyone to like me

And I try my best all the time not to make mistakes 

But it never goes well 

 

well

i know i'm no one to you

so my opinion isn’t very important and all

but you seem like a great person carlos

you should only care about what you want

not in the sense you should do what you like without thinking about others

but it's not your problem if people decide not to like you

they don't know what they are losing

i love lando but sometimes he yaps too much without thinking

so maybe i'm selfish to say this

but i totally think you should keep talking to me

if you want of course

also i don't think lando will like you less if we keep doing this

he's a good mate

 

Well

I mean 

I guess?

 

maybe we should meet up one day

like also with lando when he comes back from the tour

be real friends and all

would be fun

bugger it's late

gotta go to class

bye carl

Don't call me that anymore…

Have a good afternoon

 

cheers

 

---

lando

20 September 2023

 

why did you tell carlos that it's weird if we talk?

 

mate

i told u the same thing lol

yk im not serious 

its just a bit strange that my best mates atarted talknf out of kowhere 

aslo y do u even crae?

 

did you have a stroke? 

 

fuck y

u

im dyslexic 

 

i know sorry

but

back to carlos

he believed you

and now he doesn't want to talk to me anymore

and i care because we are friends

sort of

 

course you are

anyway

chill down lovebird

he'll keep texting u

im gonna write to gim 

him

 

em

NO YOU WON’T

WTF

 

what

im not gonna tell him u texted me

relax mate

let lando run this operation 😏

i'll be smpoth

dw

 

i worry a lot

whenever you are involved

 

shh

i’ll make things righr

have faitj in me osco :)

 

fine…

 

---

from: [email protected]

to:  [email protected]

subject: small questionnaire about life at uni

Hi,

I'm George Russell, a PhD student of the Economics department. My mentor, estimated Professor T. C. Wolff, and I need your help. All you have to do is fill in this 5-minute questionnaire about your financial experience at our University and you're done! Don't worry about your answers: the questionnaire is completely anonymous

Thank you for your help!

Best regards

G.R.

 

---

carlos

22 September 2024

 

[carlos reacted to your status]

I can't believe my eyes

Oscar is visiting a museum 

The sky is going to fall down

 

…

mate

i love museums

i go all the time

sometimes i even try to take lando with me

 

Didn't think I would live long enough to see Lando step foot in a museum 

 

i usually tell him we're going to have lunch

and then betray mansplain manipulate malewife my way into taking him to the museum before eating

 

Seems like a lot of work just to take your friend who hates museums in a museum 

 

i know

but i don't lisk going alone

like

i don’t know

What do you like about museums?

 

um

i know it's a basic thing to say

but i love learning?

 i really do

especially like scientific facts

i love physics 

and biology

and history

which is more a humanities subject  but you got what i wanted to say

natural history museums are just sick

i love them

 

Yeah, I got it

Being an engineer doesn’t mean one can’t love history and art

 

yeah

 

The point is I love visiting museums too

 

mate

i wish you had told me

i'd have asked you out instead of logan

god that sounded weird sorry

i meant it like

i would rather go with someone who enjoys the visit

well 

got to go logsn has arrived

bye

 

Bye Oscar 

Hope you have a nice day

---

lando

22 September 2024

 

mate

mate

please

answer

lando

come on

mateee

mate

lanso o swear yo god

 answer me pleade

 

mate

u okay?

i was sleeping omg

what happened?

 

[screen]

lol

 

oh

well

i meam

mean

wtf

i knew you fancied him 💀

thats mental

 

what do i do now

set myself on fire?

 

wowow

chill mate

y u chickened out like this??

 

i feel like throwing up 👍🏻

 

y do u keep writing to him tho

im jelous

jealuos

whateverq

 

lando

idc

im panicking rn

idc what you think

 

mate  im jk

u basically talk thx to me

so be respectful 🙏🏼

i know u’re gonna snog each other faces and forget about poor little kando

lando

 

gross

 

then get married 

and nwver talk to me anymore

so ivw all the right to be indignant 

 

indignant

wow

 

ik words 

 

how tf do you think we’re going to get married?

he doesn't even answer me when I propose  to meet each other

 

well u never actually proposed anything 

 

I DO IT ALL THE TIME

HE NEVER ANSWERS

LANDO

ON WHICH SIDE ARE YOU

 

both????

im friends with both of u

should i ask him at ur place???

he'll surely say yes to me 😉

 

fuck no

no way

also don't you have your max?? 🤨

 

jk mate

would never steal him from u

but

hes hot

very much so

 

shut up

 

and ive known him for longer

and ive actually seen him in person 

 

cunr

cunt

 

😘

anywayyyy

cant believe i was right

god i feek powerful

feel

so u like him? 

 

i don’t know

i’m definitely panicking right now

this has to mean something

 

means taht landinho was right once again 😋

wait im gonna call u 

 

Voice call

47 min

Notes:

thanks again for all the kudos and comments! a bit more of chaos lando and a little ferrari slander (don't worry, I'm a ferrari fan - nothing can hurt us anymore). hope you liked this chapter as well <3

have a nice day!

Chapter 4: you know that’s not really how it went, right?

Summary:

Oscar discovers that being a fairy godmother it's not always easy

logan

22 September 2023

 

c’mon logan

i asked you a billion times not to leave your clothes in the washing machine when they’re done

it doesn’t seem like too much of a chore to me does it

you’re just being difficult 

 

Voice call

10 min

---

carlos

23 September 2024

 

hey

are you awake?

 

No

 

our little comedian

 

What do you need cabrón?

 

um

i don't know

i can't sleep

and i wanted to talk to you

 

Why can't you sleep?

 

 i'm just anxious i guess

i don’t know

 

About what?

 

life?

i don’t know

 

How can I help you if you are so generic?

Is this about uni?

I know it can be very stressful

 

maybe

i don’t know really

i just feel some sort of heaviness on my chest

sorry if i'm bugging you

 

No

No bugging

You should always seek someone's help when you're feeling down

I'm happy you chose me

You sure this is not about something in particular?

 

i mean

i had a sort of argument with my friend logan

i don’t know

i feel like we are growing apart

 

What was this argument about?

If you want to tell me

 

just home chores actually

it was not a big deal

but

I've known him all my life

we decided to come to london together last year

he's american but has lived in australia for like half his life

before going back to the us

i've missed him a lot

and now that we are together again

we just argue

 

Um

I think it's normal to have arguments with your friends

Everyone does, no?

 

yeah i guess

but if i'm being honest

apart from lando

he's actually my only friend

bit of a loser lol

 

Mate don't say that

You are not a loser

 

well

you may think so because you don't really know me

but i'm like

boring

shy

a burden to basically everyone

people always say i seem to have a stick up my ass and that i should just let myself go

and i can’t just tell them to fuck off

because they’re right

 

Ay esto no

 

sometimes i feel like everyone is sick of me

even my family

i know it's weird but my brain fully thinks they are happier now that i'm not there

i struggle a lot with expressing how i feel 

and it just seems like idgaf about anyone

no one knows the real me because i'm too scared to show them

and i feel so fucking lonely all the time

and now even my best friend doesn't want me in his life anymore

and i shouldn't be here at 2am writing to you about all this stuff

so i feel like an asshole because you should go to sleep and i'm keeping you up with all my nonsense 

 

Mate

That's a lot to unpack

I don't believe at all that your family is happier when you are not around

They surely miss you a lot, but maybe they don't show it to you because they want you to be happy and have fun 

And arguing with your best friend is very normal

I fight with Lando all the time because we are so different that sometimes we cannot help but try to impose our vision of the world on each other

But then we understand that anyone has his proper opinions and everything goes back to normal

I bet this is the case between you and your friend

And even if it's not and you are really growing apart that's fine too

New people will come into your life and you will learn how to love them, without forgetting who helped you grow up in the past

And finally I'm being honest when I tell you that I'm happy that you are writing this to me

I want to help you Oscar, even if it's only by texting you at 2 am

You are not alone, because you have lots of people who love you and want you to be yourself

And if you ever feel lonely again, feel free to text me, and I'll always answer

You are very much loved, Oscar

 

mate

thanks

i don't know what to say

thanks carlos

i mean it

i think i'm a bit better

gonna watch something on tv and fall asleep

 

You sure?

 

yes

goodnight carlos ❤️

 

Good night

❤️

 

---

lando

23 September 2023

 

mate

what time is it at your place

 

9pm

y?

 

can i call you now?

 

uuh 

carlos emergency???

 

knob

 

Voice call

58 min

 

---

carlos 

24 September 2023

 

[You reacted to carlos’ status]

damn mate

even your dog is hot

how is this fair

bet you have a picture of yourself ageing at your place in your attic

 

Wouldn't keep it in my attic

It would ruin the aesthetic 

That's Piñón

My baby

 

he's cute

do you have other dogs?

 

Nope

It's just the two of us against the world

 

oh

you don’t have like

a girlfriend or something?

 

No

I had a partner but we broke up

Like 3 years ago

 

god  

i'm sorry

shouldn't have asked

 

Don't worry

Happens to the best of us 😅

Guess you don't have one

Considering the Alex's story

 

oi

who told you i haven't found someone else

so many prejudices against me

 

Jajajaja

Sorry

So? Do you have one or not?

 

wouldn't you like to know now

 

…

 

no i don't

 

Ah

I'm sorry

 

all good

I've been with this girl for like 7 years

but then i came here and things weren't working anymore 

so we thought we would rather do with a bit of space

and here i am

 

I am really sorry, Oscar

Seven years is a lot

Don't think i've ever been with someone for so long

 

told you 7 years were a lot of years 

 

?

 

don’t worry  just confirming that you are like

a dinosaur or something

 

What do you mean?

 

you know

because we're 7 years apart?

 

Bye, Oscar 

 

you love me don't you 

 

---

+44 07102 216107

26 September 2023

 

🔒 Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of this chat, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Tap to learn more.

 

hello oscar 😘

 

hi?

who is this?

 

i'm charles

carlos’s friend

 

okay

how can i help you?

 

you already helped me 🤍

 

ah

did i?

 

yes 🤗

 

em cool

how?

 

carlos told me everything about you two

 

everything?

 sorry what do you mean?

 

he told me you texted him because Alex ditched you

 

how kind of him 

you know that’s not really how it went, right?

 

so i wanted to thank you

without your story i would have never gone to talk to her

 

you're welcome?

you know i didn’t start texting him because it didn’t go well with alex, don’t you? 

 

i know you could think badly of me because of this

 

i texted carlos because i thought that was alex’s number 

you know?

 

but i can tell you Alex didn't like you at all

so it's not like she chose me over you

 

nevermind

 

she would have never chose you anyway

so we can be friends 🤗😘

 

wow

yes i guess we can be friends charles

if that's what you want

 

i would very much like so

also carlos is always talking about you so I feel like i already know you pretty well 😊

 

ah

that's nice of him

i think

 

yes, he is very nice when he talks about you

which he does all the time

also i'm monegasque 

 

um

wow cool

 

carlos will probably tell you i'm french

don't listen to him

 

won't do

 

bye oscar thanks again 😘

 

👋🏼👋🏼

 

 

---

carlos

26 September 2023

 

mate

how do you say “fuck you” in spanish?

 

Can’t you use google?

 

man

c’mon

 

Vete a la mierda

Why?

 

thanks

vete a la mierda carlos

 

What is wrong with you?

 

charles texted me

 

What?

As in my Charles?

 

yes yes your charles

he’s weird carlos

i’m scared for my life now

 

God

I’m so sorry, Oscar

He’s a bit too much sometimes

But he’s a nice guy

 

i guess we’re friends now?

 

What?

You know he’s french, right?

 

AH

you liar

he has told me you would say that

 

No way

Fine he’s moneguasque or whatever

He still speaks french

Which is weird

 

i knew it 

the day has come

it’s MONEGASQUE carlos 🤓☝🏼

keep the spelling under your belt

 

My god you’re a child…

I knew 22 was too young

 

too young for waht?

what?

 

Nevermind

Bilinguals problems

You wouldn’t understand 

 

wow

someone is bragging around

i can actually ask for your number in japanese

 

You know japanese?

 

a bit

i’m also italian

and chinese

for like 1/16

 

How cosmopolitan

 

now you’re just hating me for the sake of it

 

Nah I could never hate you

What did Charles tell you?

 

not much

he just thanked me for being his fairy godmother i guess

and that he’s monegasque

 

Ah, cool

Anyway, he’s a good guy

You would like him

 

is he another of lando’s mates?

 

No, they don’t know each other very well

They have spoken like two or three times

 

could be fun to meet

the lot of us

i feel like lando and charles would compliment each other really well

 

Yes, probably

 

carlos

 

Um?

 

are you like

annoyed at me?

 

What?

Why?

This again?

Should I be?

 

nevermind just asking

thought you were angry at me for calling you old again

 

I could never cerebrito

I have fun texting with you

Even if you trash talk me like 90% of the time

 

make it 95%

i’ve fun too btw

i think you are a good man carlos

 

You too Osc

 

❤️

 

 

---

lando

26 September 2023

lansdo

lando

 

hey mate

it's max 👋🏼

lando is taking a shower

 

alone?

 

what?

 

nevermind

 

he told me to answer you because “it's probably a love emergency”

his words

he tells me to tell you to tell me what's your problem

so i can tell him while he's under the shower

if you want, he adds

 

fine

[screen]

[screen]

[screen]

 

oh

so this is really a love emergency 

I thought he was overdoing it

sorry babe

no sorry

i should have said it aloud

i'm bad at multitasking sorry

 

it's fine man lol

what do you think of the chats?

 

wait

i'll read it to lando

OMG IS THAT A NICKNAME OSC????

(he was shouting so I wrote it in all caps)

no way osc he definitely loves you mate

(his words)

 

he definitely doesn't 

max

please

i trust you very much more than lando

what do you think

 

um

the nickname is cute

i think it means something like

“little brain”

which fits

but it looks like

he's avoiding answering the meeting up not-really-a-question-but-i-got-your-intentions

did you want him to answer?

 

hoping for it

he always does this

i don’t know what it means

he sent me a heart the other day

like a proper one

❤️

and his friend told me he's always talking about me

but then he avoids me

so i don’t know what to think

 

whore

 

?

 

why do u send heats to my bf

hearts

fuck

 

…

 

jk jk mate

im done shiwerinf

showering 

 

i’ve noticed

 

wdym ure confused

is deffo into u

are u blind

 

but he doesn't want to meet me?

 

maybe hes shy

 

wdym maybe

isn't he your best friend?

 

youre my best friend too pookie

dont be jealous

 

i'm not

don't call me pookie ever again

 

yes you are

its fine tho

im really a blessing for all of humanity so i understand 

nvm max is telling me to stfu 🙄

anyways idk what to tell u bc carlos is very mysterious but not shy at all so i have no idea why he acts like this

hope this helps

need to go

i have to stop max from fslling asleep so we can play adults game together 😋

bye osco

 

why do you keep telling me this things omg 🤢🤢

bye

think i'm gonna be sick all night because of you now

 

Notes:

hello! i can't thank you enough for the comments and the kudos in the last chapter omg I love you <3 also I wanted to clarify that this chapter's max is max fewtrell, I don't know if it was clear enough haha

see you soon and have a nice day!

Chapter 5: wouldn't you rather talk about cricket?

Summary:

Piñón takes a bath

logan

26 September 2023

 

mate

im sorry

 

me too logan

i don’t like arguing with you

 

me neither

idk

its just

its all so difficult yk?

i cant believe they really took away my scholarship

i dont know what to do with my life

i dont know what to tell my parents

i just feel like shit

 

i’m so sorry logan

for not having even tried to help you

 

nah man

that’s not about u

i had bad grades and that’s it

it was my fault

 

that’s not true

they should have helped you

not just take it away overnight

without any warning

uni should be a great place to learn and grow

but sometimes people struggle and they need help

what they have done to you it’s not fair

 

idk man

i knew which were the consequences

if only i’d tried more…

 

logan

you did your best

we’ll go over this together

 

im sorry osc

for the things i said the other day

you’ve never been a burden to me

i’m grateful you’re my best friend

i love u man

 

it’s fine mate

don’t worry about it now

i love you too

are you coming home?

 

yeah

---

carlos

27 September 2023

 

i’m on speaking terms with my mate again 👍🏻

he's having it rough 

 

Um

That does not legitimise treating you like shit

 

but he didn't 

he just told me some things that hurt me a bit

but he apologised for it

and now we're fine

 

If you say so Oscar

I don't like the idea of someone making you feel unwanted or unloved

Because yeah you won't tell me

But I'm sure he's the one who put those ideas in your mind

 

carlos

relax

i swear he's a nice guy

we all have our moments of weakness 

it's fine

we'll be fine

 

Okay

But promise me you'll tell me immediately if you start having those thoughts again

 

won't do hope this helps 👍🏻

 

Oscar

I'm serious 

Please

 

fine

i'll do it

thanks carlos

28 September 2023

 

[photo]

 

not golf c’mon

also are you with lando?

isn’t he in lisbon or something?

 

We’re in Spain

I’ve come to stay with my father for a bit

But he loves Lando and decided to invite him to our house

 

your father loves lando?

Yeah 🙄

More than he loves me probably

 

i see someone is jealous

unexpected from you carlos

thought you were the biggest and wisest around here

 

Oh shut up

Wanker

Also what about golf?

Don’t you like it?

 

man

surely the most boring sport ever created

funniest part must be watching lando send the ball on a tree

which he probably does a lot

 

Nah

He’s actually pretty good

 

is he

 

Not as much as me tho

 

doubt it…

 

🖕🏼

 

so aggressive every time

 

You know I wanted to become a golfer when i was younger?

 

really?

so it's like a big passion

 

Yeah, it is

But life never goes as planned

So here I am 😂

I like my job and it's good money

And it was also my father's dream for me to work at his firm

Not mine tho

 

oh

i'm sorry carlos

it's tough to let go of the idea others have of us

especially our parents

Don’t worry 

It was quite a bit ago

Also becoming a professional golfer is very difficult

And not for everyone

 

i bet you’re good

maybe it’s not too late to become one

 

Do you now?

I remember you doubting my abilities

Like five minutes ago 😜

 

nevermind

you totally suck at golf

 

Always nice talking to you 😘

---

lando

28 September 2023

 

mate

[photo]

dont tell me he's texting u

 

shut up

 

i knewwwwww

when the wedding???

omg hes laughing 

whay did u write??

mate cmonnnn

 

lando i'm gonna block you if you don't shut up

 

🤐🤐

 

 

---

logan

28 September 2023

 

osc

 

what

why are you texting if we are in the same house

dont wanna get up from my bed

 

fair enough

what do you want?

 

texting that carlos guy?

i can feel you smiling from here

im embarrassed for you mate

 

shut up

 

youre a lost cause 👎🏼

 

 

---

carlos

29 September 2023

 

[photo]

Trying to bath Piñón

 

i feel like you’re bathing yourself more than the dog

 

It's an impossible mission 

You wouldn't understand 

 

is that why you are doing it shirtless?

 

Maybe

 

won't ask why you have the abs of a professional football player

 

It's the golf mate

 

absolutely not true 

wouldn't believe it even if you swore on piñon

 

Ay don't speak about Piñón like this

Well it's the golf plus the cycling 

And the gym

 

fuck

you do all this?

do you sleep?

or live?

 

Yes I do all of this Oscar

I do it because I love sport

 

i like watching sport

it's the best i can give you

 

F1?

 

cricket is also cool

 

Football?

 

sometimes 

probably not as big in australia as it is in spain 

or england

are you a barça type of guy?

 

No don't do this to me

Do I seem like a Barça kind of guy?

 

i don't know?

 

Why are you insulting me like this Oscar?

Real Madrid is the only one obviously 

My only love

 

real madrid and ferrari

nice combo 👍🏻

 

Don't be sarcastic with me Oscar

What would you know

 

enough to tell you that ferrari hasn't won a championship since 2007

 

Are you for real?

What about Mclaren then?

What was it? 1998? 1999?

 

i don't like the turn this conversation has made

wouldn't you rather talk about cricket?

 

I can't believe you right now

I have to stop texting you or I'll have a heart attack from all the bullshit you say 

 

bye to you too carlos ✌🏼

 

 

---

lando

29 September 2023

 

carlos made me bath his dog

bc he was tezting 

i dont wanna know w whom 😡😡😡

 

shirtless pic lando

i think i'm dying

i've been scresming for the past 5-minute

screaming

bruv

seen it live  🤭

 

i hate you rn

 

you dont 😘

 

 

---

logan

29 September 2023

 

are u screaming?

osc??

are u okay?

 

very much so 👌🏻

 

 

---

carlos 

1 October 2023

 

[photo]

help please

carlos

please??

i have to submit in 1 hour

 

C’mon cabrón

Ask lando

 

…

 

Fine

I feel used

 

nah just checking if your brain still works or if your old age has damaged it completely 

 

I don't think I'm going to help you

Seen how you treat me 😪

 

47 minutes now

time flies

carlos?

please i swear you are the best

and the smartest person ever

and only a bit old

 

Um

 

not old at all

the very best? 

smarter than anyone i ever met in my life?

 

[photo]

I solved the trickiest part but you have to do the rest by yourself

 

but 

 

Degrees are earned through great effort Oscar 

fine mum

thanks 👍🏻

 

You're welcome 😘

 

2 October 2023

 

[photo]

Cute

 

shut up 

[carlos reacted to your message: ❤️]

 

 

---

lando

2 October 2023

 

why did you send that photo to carlos? 

 

bc im hot in it

 

tf?

jk

no wait

im rlly hot in it

but youre decwnt to ig

ive got to do all the work out here 🥵

 

🙄🙄

 

youre welcome mate

 

 

---

from: [email protected]

to :  [email protected]

subject: small questionnaire about life at uni

Hi,

I'm George Russell, a PhD student of the Economics department. My mentor, estimated Professor T. C. Wolff, and I need your help. All you have to do is fill in this 5-minute questionnaire about your financial experience at our University and you're done! Don't worry about your answers: the questionnaire is completely anonymous.

Thank you for you help!

Best regards,

 

G.R.

 

 

---

carlos

3 October 2023

 

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGeKvmKLj/

Made me think of you 

 

a cat on a car?

 

A polite cat on a McLaren

 

why does a cat make you think of me?

 

I don't know

I can see you being a polite cat

 

wow

i don't know if I can see the vision but thanks

i guess

 

Cabrón 

It's a compliment

 

if you say so

what about you?

 

Hm?

 

what animal are you?

 

Well

A toro for sure

 

?

 

A bull

 

oh i see

why?

 

I don't know

They are strong

And very huge in Spain

 

ahh

there's that big bullfighting, right?

Yes, las corridas de toros

Not very proud of them but it's a cultural thing

I'm not sure where I stand in that view

well they kill bulls for fun so…

 

Not always

I understand what you mean tho

But it's difficult to just suppress them

They are such big events in Spain

And toreros have existed since the middle age

It's a very big part of who we are

um

feels still wrong to me tho

 

Never said that it was good

Just something that exists 

 

yeah

 

4 October 2023

 

[photo]

please help me

 

Are you at university?

 

yes…

think fluid dynamics it's gonna be the death of me

Ay

Never studied it 🙏🏻

 

lucky bastard

 

But if it can help you I'm dying too

Of boredom

[photo]

Nothing to do at work today

 

is that your office?

it's bigger than my house

 

You forgot I'm the boss around here 

Obviously I have the biggest things 😉

 

um

 

What?

 

could say things I would regret 

 

Don't say them then

But I think you'd be into something if it's what I think

 

cool

 

 

---

lando

4 October 2023

 

[photo]

?

 

WHAY THE FICJ OSCAR

IS HE SAYING WHAY I THIK HE IS?????

OMG

HEKPPPP

 

idk mate

i had to leave the class 

i choked in my own spit

i thought i was dying 

still thinking  i'm not gonna make it

 

omg osc

im so jealous 

but happy for u 🥵

nvm just read ur “cool”

wtf does that maen???

 

i panicked 

wait why are you calling me?

fine…

 

Voice call

5 min

 

 

---

carlos

 

i don't know tho

some things are difficult to just believe you know?

Well

Guess you need to have more faith then

 

never been too much of a religious person

 

Not too late to become one 

 

you could help me out then

 

Maybe

 

yeah maybe

 

 

---

logan

4 October 2023

 

osc?

oscar?

 

oml logN bot now

 

dont wanna ask…

 

 

---

carlos

5 October 2023

 

Sleeping?

 

no

 

Can I call you?

Oscar?

 

👍🏻

 

You sure?

 

yes

Ok

 

Voice call

1h 58min

 

 

---

logan

6 October 2023

 

mate pls

its 1am

i wanna sleep 😭

 

👍🏻

 

 

---

lando

6 October 2023

 

lando

i'm an idiot

 

ik

y?

 

carlos called me yesterday 

 

he what??

he hate calls 

 

i don't know 

but his voice…

his accent…

i can't 

i feel 13 all over again 

 

yuck 🤮 

font tell me this things mate

 

what

I meant that i feel head over heels for him

what were you thinking???

 

nvm

head over heels omg

yourw so cute 😭😭

 

i’m not

 

meet him when?

 

don't know

he won't answer me

i've asked so many times

not like proper asks but you know

clues

even yesterday on the phone

but he just avoids them 💀

 

try asking directly?

 

nope

would rather shot myself in the foot 👍🏻

wimp

anyway

coming tonight pretty pls? 🙏🏼

 

not again lando

 

plssss

i dont know how long i'll be in town 😭

its just me max and his friend I swear

we’ll have fun 

plsss osc 🥺🥺🥺

 

fine.

but i won't drink this time

 

thxxx

nor will i x

 

---

carlos

6 October 2023

 

Can I call?

 

yep

Voice call

2 h 4 min

Notes:

OMG FERRARI 1-2 IN AUSTIN WE ARE SO BACK GUYS OMG

anyways, post GP chapter because I'm too happy and I want to scream it to the whole world AHHHH

thanks again for commenting and kudoing in the last chapter I feel so grateful <3 as always, have a nice day and OMG CHARLES YOU DID IT AGAIN WHAT THE FUCK

Chapter 6: what is wrong with lunch?

Summary:

There is nothing wrong with having lunch (right?).

carlos

8 October 2023

awakw?

awake

 

No

 

me neither

very much sleeping rn

and very much drunk

 

Go to sleep

 

yes mum

shouldnt  be texting you right now

 

Why?

 

could say things i shouldn't say

 

Then stop texting

 

i cant

i want to speak to you

 

About what?

 

idj

idj

fuck

i dotn know

us

 

What about us?

 

i would very much lije to meet you

but i think you sont want to meet me

 

You should go to sleep, Oscar

 

you see? 

dont you want us to meet?

 

Yes, I do want to meet you

 

then why do you never answer when i ask you 

 

You have never asked

 

i always ask

in like

a subtle way

and you ignore it

on purpose

 

That’s not true

 

lrts meet up

tomorrow

lando is back for a few days

lets have lunch all together

 

Better not

Not now anyways

 

what is wrong with lunch

dinner then

whatever you like

I don’t know, Oscar

I don’t think we should talk about this while you are drunk

im not drunk i swear

just a bit

please carlos

Go to bed

 

carlos

?

are you sleeping?

fine

 

 

hey mate, so sorry for yesterday night

it’s okay if you don’t want to meet up, i understand

sorry again

 

[carlos reacted to your message: 👍🏻 ]

 

 

---

lando

8 October 2023

[screen]

[screen]

[screen]

brb gonna jump off a cliff

your fault

for taking me drinking yesterday

and letting me go home with my phone

god

never felt so embarrassed in my life

now i’m really going to set myself on fire

there is no way out of this 

 

rip

mate 

u crushing reeeeeally bad

 

wtf

no I'm not

i'm totally normal about this

 

pls

i know u

and also

carlos id hot

is

 

you've already said that

 

before max i had like

the biggest crush ever

 

what

 

dw

its gone now

anyqays

he definitely gives mixed signals 

 

it's fine

i won't text him anymore

think i'm gonna leave my life to go live on a solitary mountain as a tibetan monk

so dramatic osc

i knew it was weird

 

what

 

u texting

 

…

it was not

we are online friends 

were 

now he hates me

fuck

 

no he doesn't

it was better when u hadnt actually asked him anything tho

 

thanks for the support ...

 

but im thinking

 

are you

 

shut up

didnt he tell u he had like

a partner

very generic

 

yes

so?

so hes deffo into man

and he deffo into u

but y doesnt he want to meet u then?

 

I don't know

maybe he feels embarrassed by me

and that's it

 

shut up

youre hot

ans smart

basically the best he could ask for

 

um

but I still hate you 

why have you never asked him about his romantic life?

mate

i swear

ive tried so bad

its impossible with him

hes like

silent like a grave

locked with chains

surrounded by flames

 

you are like

the biggest yapper ever

but couldn't make him yap

 

my biggest failure…

you could still ask him urself

yk?

 

he's not going to answer lando

you are useless

 

ouch 💔💔💔

do u want

like

me to ask him 

whay does he think

of u

or y he doent ask u out? 

 

LANDO NOT THIS AGAIN

DONT YOU DARR

NEVER

JUST DONT

 

Chill down mate 😭😭

no need to shout

i was asking 

nvm

wanted to be helpful

this us how u trwat me

treat

 

please just don't 

it's already embarrassing as it is

 

coward 👎🏼

 

 

 

---

carlos

9 October 2023

 

hi

is everything fine?

10 October 2023

 

carlos

are we good?

i’m really sorry

there is no need to meet

i just liked having you as a friend 

please

11 October 2023

 

i'm so sorry carlos

i'm not going to bother you anymore

 

 

 

---

logan

11 October 2023

 

man 

are u like

crying in the bathroom?

all good?

 

👍🏻

 

osc

open the door or i'll knock it down

 

fine

 

 

---

lando

11 October 2023

 

[screen]

[screen]

well

i am stupid

 

osc

no

wtf

carlos is just being difficult

 

no no

i'm just too much sometimes 

i know

it's my fault

 

oscar im coming to ur house to beat the shit out of u

shut up

ur not too much

wtf is wrong w u

carlso is a dick

dont u dare say thise things about u

 

mate

thanks

but i'm fine really

i've just seen something that was never there

it’s fine

 

no its not

wtf oscar

im sick of this

its way too much

theres only 1 thing i can do

gonna add u to the groupchys osc

 

what

lando

what groupchat

what do you mean

lando?

lando??

god

Notes:

hello! short, angsty chapter for y'all (i swear i'm sorry). please have mercy on Carlos he's a nice guy (mostly). things will be fine!

also thanks again for all the support omg, I still can't believe people like and comment what I write. you're the best <3

and, as always, I hope you have a wonderful day (and a really nice lunch please, there are people on here who are denied even that (Oscar))!

Chapter 7: we are friends, right?

Summary:

Oscar fills in a questionnaire

facts: carlos sainz is hot

11 October 2023

 

🔒 Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of this chat, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Tap to learn more.

 

You were added

 

lando created group “facts: carlos sainz is hot”

 

lando

emergency meeting

 

~ Albono

what for?

 

lando

oscar

 

~ GR

Who's Oscar?

 

~ Albono

isn't he the guy u always talk about?

lando what are you doing?

sorry guys idk what he's trying to do

i'm oscar btw 👋🏼

sorry again

you can leave the group if you want

it's just lando doing lando shit

 

lando

NO DONT PLS

DONT LEAVR THE GRUOP GUYS

 

~ GR

*don't 

*leave

*group

 

lando

cmon georgie 

domt be a dick

 

~ GR

*don't 

 

lando 

cunt

anyways 

how many of u think that carlso is acting weird lately?

 

~ Albono

☝🏼

 

~ GR

Yeah, me too

 

lando

oscarrrr

see?????

proof.

 

of what now…

 

lando

hes obviously in love 

duh 🙄

 

… 

 

please guys i'm so sorry again

gonna leave this group now

 

You left

 

lando added you

 

cmon lando

 

~ GR

No, mate, he's definitely into something 

Carlos is acting really weird

I don't know who you are and I surely don't know if he's in love with you or not

But something is happening

 

~ Albono

i’m still thinking he's actually a mafia boss who leads a double life

also who is @~Charles 😘?

 

~ GR

You might be into something, Alex 🤨

 

you added charles to the group?

@lando wtf?

 

lando

what

he knows carlos better than anyone

and maybe he'll twll us smth more

 

~ GR

*tell

 

lando

omg geroge i swear

NO

DONT

george

 

~ GR

*George

 

lando

…

 

~🦁

Who are those people?

Hi everyone, I guess

 

lando

omg can everyone just sya his name and surname so were done with this bureaucratic stuff?

lando norris

 

~ GR

That's a long word, Lando

George Russell here 👍🏻

 

~ Albono

im alex 

albon

hi 😊

 

george russell as in the one who keeps sending emails to me? the ones about a phd or something?

oscar piastri 

 

~ GR 

Blimey mate

So it's you

Why can't you answer a fucking questionnaire? 

I've been asking you for months

I'm doing a PhD in Actuarial Science and have to make a report on our University 

Need a bit of collaboration 🤏🏼

 

well i've been busy mate

i'll answer eventually 

 

~ GR

You have been busy for 7 whole months?

To answer a 5-minute questionnaire?

 

i’m a pretty busy guy 

 

~ Albono

u seem a nice bloke oscar

and i don't wanna be mean or anything

but lando keeps telling us that u never even leave ur apartment

and have like 2 friends 

 

@lando wtf again?

fine i'll answer the questionnaire 

give me 10

 

~ GR 

It only needs 5 mate 😉

Fucking finally

 

okay

~ Albono

georgie be kind to our new friend

how do u say to someone who does you a favor?

 

~ GR

Cheers?

 

~Albono

no.

 

~ GR

Fine

Thanks, Oscar, that really means a lot to me 

 

~ Albono 

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

 

lando

they grow up so fast 😢 

 

~ GR

🖕🏼

 

~🦁

Hello everyone 🤣

I'm Max Verstappen

 

lando

georgie and alex

max is my mate from my old job at carlos dads firm

so he works w carlos

and max

alex and george wrre my mates at uni and they were friends w carlos before he graduated

were OMG GOERGE YOU MAKE ME SICK

 

~ GR

*George

 

lando

🔪

anyway everyone 

oscar is my other mate from uni

the one who never wnated to meet u 

 

what

that's not true

lando

yes it is but its fine

were all mates now 🥰

 

~ GR

*we're

Also, again, who is @~Charles 😘?

 

lando

caflos griedns 

carlos frind 

friend

im gonna stop writing or i'll have a strike 

ARGHH

stroke 

u will meet him when he writed

 

~ GR

*writes

 

lando

CMONNNN STOP ISTG

not funny anymore

 

~ Albono

georgie pretty pls

stop mate

i wanna live in a peaceful world 🤗

so now we collectively shut up and wait for this charles guy to show up

and then lando will tell us why he created this group chat

and will hopefully acknowledge its name

 

~ GR

Fine

Mind your spelling big L 😉

 

lando

creep

 

 

 

---

lando

 

osc?

are u like

mad at me or smth?

 

um

a bit

 

im sry 

its just that

idk

those lads are great

and ik u have logan and me and sometimes carlos when hes not being a dick

but i feel like u would like them if u try

if u dont want tho

i promise i'll delete the group and tell them it was a joke

 

no it's fine

let’s try with them

but i don’t have a problem with carlos so i don’t think they'll be any help

 

lost smt bro? 

like ur dignity

🤥🤥

 

dick

can we at least kick charles out?

i don't want him to know

 

too late mate

hed read the chats anyway

even if we kick him out

 

i thought you didn't even know the guy

carlos told me you spoke like 2 times

 

yeah coild be true idk

dont remember 

he was nice tho

a bit weird 

it'll be fun osco 

I promide 😏

 

😪😪😪

add logan at least?

 

will do

 

 

---

logan

11 October 2023

 

sorry logan

 

for what??

 

you'll see...

 

 

---

facts: carlos sainz is hot

 

lando added logan

 

~ Charles 😘

hi i'm charles leclerc

thanks for adding me to the group 😘

 

~ 🦁

Hi, Charlie 👋

 

lando

u know charles???

 

~ 🦁

Of course I do?

We hang out all the time

 

lando

u what??????

 

~ 🦁

Yeah, with the others?

Carlos, Pierre, Yuki, Daniel, Sergio

 

lando

how come im never invietd to these?????

wtf max

i thought we were firends 

 

~ 🦁

These are colleagues' hangouts

You know, with people from work and stuff

 

lando

charles doesnt work w u

while i did

for a whloe year

max????

 

~ GR

I think they simply don’t want you there, mate

 

lando

wtf

y wouldnt they want me w them 

im nive

nice

most o f the tiem 

 

~ GR

You are making this very difficult for me, Lando

Couldn’t you just type slowly?

That would save me lots of headaches

 

lando

mate ive stuff to do

unlike poeple lke u who spemd all  day complaing about others lives

 

~ GR

@~Albono you see? Now he’s taking the piss

 

lando

what fi iam

u cant sotp me

 

~ GR left

 

lando added ~ GR 

 

lando

no u wont

 

~ 🦁

Yeah, you were there but mostly to be annoying all of the time @lando

Can we just know what this group is about

 

lando

not nice maxie :(

also all af us need to be here

then i’ll explain

 

~ 🦁

This is not how WhatsApp groups work

 

lando

as if i cared

 

~ Albono

can confirm im here 👍🏽

lando stop being mean to georgie

u know he's sensitive

 

~ GR

No, I am not

Also, I'm here too @lando, so if you can just stop wanking around and tell us whatever it is you have to tell, it would be very much appreciated 🙏🏻

 

~ Charles 😘

hello, @~Max 😊

how are you?

 

~ 🦁

All good, thanks Charles

You?

 

~ Charles 😘

i'm fine thank you

i haven't seen you in a while

 

~ 🦁

Yeah, a lot of work to do

How is Leo?

 

lando

pls stop 

have mercy

@oscar 🐨????

we need u

@logan???

u too

 

here

 

logan

yes

hi everyone 

oscar's mate right here

 

~GR

Hi Logan from me and Alex 👋🏻

 

~Charles 😘

he's good max, thanks for asking

hello logan

 

~🦁

Cool 

Welcome Logan

@lando?

Can you just tell us please?

 

 

---

lando

 

em

osc

is it like

fine 

if I snef ur chats w carlos

seen

send 

???????

 

WHAT

my chats?

no?

 

fine :(

 

 

---

facts: carlos sainz is hot

 

lando

nvm lads idk how to explian this

u can all go home

love u 

x

 

~ GR

Lando

What the actual fuck?

Is this about Carlos fancying Oscar?

 

cool

well

this in mainly about me liking carlos

and him giving me mixed signals about it

so i guess lando just wanted to help me out by involving you all

which is not necessary at all

but at this point i mean

if someone could find out what's going on with him and tell me more it’ll be much appreciated

i guess

but maybe avoid to ask him directly about me

that would be embarassing 

 

~ Albono

so we have like to spy on carlos?

and find out what he thinks of u?

 

well

that seems rude

 

~ Albono 

naah  

it'll be fun

and carlos won't mind at all 😉

 

~ Charles 😘

oui oscar 🤍

we we'll help you

and now that you make me think about it

carlos talks very much about you and he's always very nice when he does it

 

yeah you kind of told me the other day

~ Charles 😘

oh no

you don't understand 

before he talked about you and was very nice about it

now he talks VERY MUCH about you

and is always VERY NICE about it

 

~ 🦁

Oh yes!

I remember him telling me about you and wanting to go to a museum or something 

I thought you went together?

 

lando

yahts the point

carlos wont go out w osc

but hes told him hes cute

and called hkm w like

a cute nickname or smth

and flirts w him all the time

it was not a cute nickname 

also i’d just sent him a photo so he called me cute to be polite

and i wouldn't call it flirting

 

lando

he sent u a shirtless pic???

can tell for sure he never sent me one of thode

 

~ GR

Cute is not a very nice compliment, though 

It's for when you don't think someone is handsome

 

~ Albono

georgie!!!

thats not true

i use cute a lot

and maybe he was just shy and didnt want to call u deadpan handsome

it may be a scary thing to say

 

~ Charles 😘

carlos has never told me I'm cute

which feels bad because i think i'm very cute sometimes 

but he never says it to me anyway

 

~ 🦁

That's because he's a fuckwit, Charlie

You are always very cute

 

~ Charles 😘 

merci max!

sometimes you're cute too

 

lando

wtf guys

 

also i might have texted him while drunk

so now he doesn't answer me anymore

 

~ Albono

oh

what did u text him?

 

well…

[screen]

[screen]

[screen]

 

lando

u muppet!!!!

u told me i couldnt dend the chats

 

seen that those are my chats

i feel like i'm the only one who can share them

~ GR

Seemed kind of obvious to me, Lando

Also, I’m sorry Oscar

I bet you feel like shit 

lando

sod off russell

:( 

 

yes george

i very much feel awful about this

thank you

 

~ 🦁

Mate, maybe you should go to his work

And talk to him

So he can explain himself

like a stalker?

i don’t think he’d take this well

 

~ 🦁

It is not actual stalking, right?

He’s just being an avoidant dick

So you go and confront him

 

~ GR

Max, I think that’s blatant stalking

Punishable by the law 

 

~ Charles 😘

oscar we are friends, right?

 

i guess so?

 

~ Charles 😘

so it won’t be a problem for you to come to my party!

it’s my birthday on the 16th

so i was thinking of celebrating with some friends at Florida's 

it’ll be fun 🤗

ah

a party

cool

 

 

---

lando

lando

i don’t do parties

 

WERE GOING TO A PARTY BABYYY

CMON OSC

ITLL BE FUN

 

not sure our ideas of fun are the same

also I don't have a car?

where is this place?

i've never heard of it

 

mate

we'll go together 

i know where florida’s is

we'll take the bus

the one i take to go to town at night

pls :(

 

I don't think it's a good idea

 

too late

x

 

 

---

facts: carlos sainz is hot

 

lando

were coming charles

it’ll be mental

 

~ G.R.

I think the invite was meant only for Oscar, Lando

 

~ Charles 😘

non

it was for all of you guys

if you’re friends with carlos then you can be my friends too!

 

~ Albono

charles you seem too good to be true honestly

thank you for the invite!

me and george will be there :)

 

~ G.R.

I feel like I don’t have a say in this

 

~ Albono

georgieeee

its a party

we havent been to one in ages 

 

~ G.R.

I guess you’re right

And it will be fun watching Oscar struggle with Carlos

As I struggled waiting for him to fill out my bloody questionnaire 

 

lando

harsh 

 

yeah fine

will be there

logan too

 

logan

but i dont know any of you

 

you know me?

 

logan

…

yeah okay okay

 

~ Charles 😘

super!

maxie, you’ll be there too, right?

 

~ 🦁

Of course

Wouldn’t lose your birthday for anything in the world

 

~ Charles 😘

merci guys

you are all very kind and i’m very pleased to have you at my birthday party 🤗

 

won’t that be like an ambush on carlos tho?

maybe it’s better if i don't go

i mean

i’ll probably make the situation worse…

 

~ Charles 😘

mais non

don’t worry, oscar

i’ll tell carlos that we are friends and that you will be there too

it will be fine

 

lando

charlie u are the very best x

 

~ Charles 😘

happy to help 😘

i’ll send you all the informations in a few days guys

 

thanks again charles

 

 

---

lando

 

i feel like that george guy doesn’t like me a lot

 

nah he does

hes like this all the time 

 

if you say so…

 

Notes:

Another post GP chapter! Guys omg i'm so happy rn EL MATADOR DID IT AGAIN AHHHH.

Carlos totally deserved this win. He's one of the most talented driver on the grid and I still feel shell-shocked if I think he has to leave Ferrari at the end of the season. It's not fair. Hope he'll be just fine at Williams and he will finally be treated as he deserves.

Until then, let's enjoys this double podium (if you are not a Ferrari fan and you did not enjoy the podium at all, well, I hope you will enjoy this chapter at least).

About this chapter: it was so fun to write! It took a while for the groupchat to form, but it's finally here and it's as chaotic as it could be lol.

As always, take care of yourself and have a nice day. Bye <3

Chapter 8: did you forget about the party?

Summary:

Lando might have forget about the party

facts: carlos sainz is hot

12 October 2023

 

goerge

[file: PowerPoint presentation by G.R.]

Lads, I thought it would be nice to have a brief summary of the best way to approach a person who could be scared of their feelings, so I took the responsibility to make this PowerPoint presentation

Remember that Carlos is our friend and we don’t want to hurt him in any way, even if he is not acting like himself

 

lando

92 full slides?????

u want my downfall 😭

 

wow

that’s very nice of you george

 

george

That’s not for you, though

It’s for Carlos

As I have written in the text

We don’t know you at all

You could be the cause of Carlos' problems, to be honest

We can’t be sure

 

okay

 

alex

omg 

george be nice 

sorry osc

hes only harsh because he has the most impossible crush

so he thinks it’ll be good for him to unleash his frustration on others

 

george

I see you had eggs and betrayal today for breakfast, Alexander

 

it’s fine

honestly

thanks alex

 

george

Also I don’t have a crush

Crushes are for eighth-graders

He's just a person whose work I estimate very much

And I'm not blind, so I also know that he’s a respectable and handsome bloke

That's it

 

lando

gorgie has a cruxh?????

@alex pls tell me who

i need to know

 

alex

i dont kiss and tell

@george u want to clarify?

 

george

No

 

lando

no georgie

pls

u habve to tell me

i need to konw

i can tliv elike this

ols ogorgie 

omg 

tell me guys

comonnnn

you can let me like this

guyssss

 

george left

 

lando added george

lando

u wish

u have to tell me

georgie pretty ple

we have known each other for years

were best friends

 

george

Alex is my best friend

 

lando

:(

 

sad

13 October 2023

 

lando

georgie?

 

george

No

 

alex

@charles do you already know at which time the party will start?

ive to arrange my shifts at work

 

charles

around 22 i guess

of the 15 

so we’ll celebrate at midnight 😊

lando

?????

 

10pm

 

lando

makes sense

 

 

 

---

logan

13 October 2023

 

osc

not sure i wanna come to that party

those people are weird

they scare me

let me stay at home

 

logie pleasee

don’t let me alone with them 🥺

 

shit

not the logie card

yk i cant say no to that

 

thank you x

 

the things you make me do…

anyways

i think i found a job

 

really?

 

yeah

it seems cool

i’ll explain tonight

 

nice

see you later

 

x

 

 

 

---

facts: carlos sainz  is hot

14 October 2023

 

george

@oscar 

Are you at uni right now?

 

yes?

 

george

Can you come to the Economics building to help me out with something?

 

i guess

 

 

 

---

lando

14 October 2023

 

gl osc

think goerge is gonna kill u

was nice knowing u

 

will let you know if i survive

 

 

 

---

facts: carlos sainz is hot

 

george

[photo]

Me and Oscar bonding over some tests I had to correct

 

lando

fiuuu

 

george

What?

 

lando

dw

 

@lando i’ve even met george's crush

 

lando

what

no

@george is that yrue????

cmon 

he knows and i dont???

goergie?

youve known him for a day 😭

how is this fair?

 

george

Life isn’t always fair, Lando

Also, spending time with Oscar is very much less stressful than spending time with you

I think I know where my preferences lie

 

lando

cunt

cunts

both of u

 

lando left

 

should we add him again?

 

alex

nah

let him boil off for a few hours

it’ll be good for him 

 

 

 

---

lando

 

osc 

add me back???

 

will do later 👍🏻

i'm going to work rn

 

fine

dont forget

the others are being assholes

goerge has blocked me on every platform 

the bastard

 

 

 

---

facts: carlos sainz is hot 

 

logan

@charles u sure it won't be weird for us to be at ur bday?

 

charles

why would it be weird?

i'm really happy to have met you all 🤗

 

logan

you have known us for like 

5 days?

 

charles

me and Oscar have already texted

and we are friends

you are oscar's friends

so you are my friends too!

 

logan

i think im gonna cry

 

alex

do you reckon we should wear suits?

@charles?

 

charles

i’ll wear one

but it’s just a birthday

so nothing too fancy don’t worry

 

george

Blimey

I've got nothing to wear

@alex? Go later together?

 

alex

yes pls

finish my shift at 2pm

 

george

Yeah, I know your shifts Alex

Also, I’m bringing you my pasta salad

 

alex

georgie you’re the best wife 🥰

i wish i could be home sooner

ive got nothing to do today…

 

george

As always

Yours must be the only hospital in the whole world where nurses don’t work 

 

alex

hey 😡

 

max

Is a casual-suit okay for the party?

 

george

What is a casual suit?

 

max

[photo]

One of those?

 

logan

omg

i dont have a suit

not even a casual suit

 

alex

oh

logan come w us

 

george

Yes, you’ll help us out

Alex says I look good in everything

He can’t make a decision to save his life

 

alex

wow

thats cruel georgie 

im just kind to you

and its not my fault if youre drop dead gorgeous 

 

logan

oh you sure guys?

 

alex

yesss

come w us pls

 

logan

thanks mate

i appreciate it

 

max

Is my suit good?

Opinions, please

 

george

I reckon it’s good

I quite like it, Max

 

max

Good

 

charles

your suit is perfect, max

don’t worry about what you’re gonna wear, guys

all that matters is spending time together 😊

 

george

Fuck, Charles

I think you’ve just become my best mate

 

alex

traitor…

 

george

Alex, I’ve said mate

You’re my platonic wife

 

alex 

you’re my platonic wife too georgie ❤️

 

logan

where should we meet?

@alex @george

 

can i come too?

i  don’t have anything to wear either

 

alex

OMG YES 

 

thanks?

alex

oscar

you’ll look absolutely magnificent

carlos will drop dead just by seeing you

 

wow

alex 

wait 

maybe killing him on your first date would be a bit much

 

george

I wouldn't call it a date

Maybe more of an ambush

 

alex

argh

george

again 

its not an ambush

carlos will be happy

ik

oh anyways

@logan @oscar let’s meet at Westfield?

at like 3:30?

 

perfect

i finish my shift at 3 so maybe i’ll arrive a bit later?

text you when i get there

 

alex

yes yes

dw

we’ll probably spend the whole day there bc george needs his time when shopping

 

george

Fuck you mate 👍🏻

 

alex

❤️

---

Birthday present for Charles

14 October 2023

 

🔒 Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of this chat, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Tap to learn more.

 

You were added

 

george created the group “Birthday present for Charles”

 

alex

boring

 

george

Shut up, Alex

I created this group because it’ll obviously be rude to go to a birthday party without a gift

So, if you want, we can buy him something all together

 

alex

cool but we don’t know him

literally

at all

also lando???

you didn’t add him

 

george

I blocked him everywhere

So he called me on Skype 

Unplanned

I didn’t think about blocking him there

 

alex

smart

 

george

Anyway

He told me he’s buying something with Carlos and the others, so no need for him to be in this group

I tried asking him what we could gift Charles, but he told me he’d speak only if I added him back to the group chat

So I obviously closed the call and blocked him on Skype too

 

alex

the right choice

 

logan

its fine by me

but what are we gonna buy him then?

 

george

That’s why Max is here

@max if you can help us it’ll be very much appreciated

 

sorry guys

can’t talk much at work

but i’m in too

 

george

Good

 

max

Wait

[charlie-gifts-list.pdf]

I’ve made a list

The items crossed are the ones other people are gonna buy him

So you can choose something from what’s left

 

george

That’s mega, mate

Thanks a lot

 

alex

max?

is this an accurate 54 page pdf about every single item charles ever mentioned wanting in his life?

with context and real life charles’ quotes?

 

max

Well, I mean

Yeah?

It’s nice when someone pays attention to you, right? 

So I try to do it with Charles

And the rest of my friends

 

alex

right

thats very nice max

charles is lucky to have a friend like you

not like someone else

who bought me a folder for my payslips for my birthday 

right georgie?

 

george

Mate

Gifts need to be useful

That’s the whole point

And also that was only a part of the story

Did you forget to mention we went to the zoo and I bought you 5 different stuffed animals?

You hurt my feeling

 

alex

ow georgie

im sorry

didnt think you had those

but im just taking the piss

it was a nice birthday

and i had lots of fun

 

wait which of the 132 items on the list are we choosing?

 

george

Let’s see what we find at the mall

 

👍🏻

 

 

 

---

alex

14 October 2023

🔒 Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of this chat, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Tap to learn more.

 

 

here

where are you

 

Voice call

3 min

 

---

facts: carlos sainz is hot

15 October 2023

 

charles

good morning!

see you tonight at Florida’s 😘

you can bring extra people if you want

 

max

See you there, Charles!

 

alex

@george?

 

george

Kindly fuck off, Alex

I won't invite him

Of all people

 

alex

boo

 

is Florida’s a nightclub?

 

charles

oui

it's very nice

you'll like it, oscar 🤗

 

sure

 

 

 

---

logan

15 October 2023

 

a nightclub logan

 

ur fault

 

i've never been to one

god 

my worst nightmare 👍🏻

again 

ur fault oscar

but c'mon

you'll have fun

ig?

 

shut up

still angry at you for not coming 

 

🤒🤒

 

 

---

lando

15 October 2023

 

are you ready yet?

 

what for?

 

the party?

 

?????

wait

fuck

 

lando?

did you forget about the party?

u freaking muppet

u never added me back to the group

i completely forgot

 

shit

i’m sorry

 

 

 

---

facts: carlos sainz is hot 

 

You added lando

 

lando

cunts

all of u

see u at the fucking party 

happy bday charles 😘

 

charles

merci lando

it's not my birthday yet tho

 

lando

nvm i'm gonna stop being nice

 

lando left

 

george

Bloody drama queen

 

logan

he scares me

 

You added lando

 

---

lando

 

lando??

be there in 10?

 

you better do.

 

---

carlos

15 October 2023

 

hey, i know i texted you i wouldn't bother you anymore

but i'm not sure if charles has told you he invited me to his party

i didn't want you to feel trapped

just know i'll be there tonight 

we don't need to talk at all if you don't want to

 

Oscar, don't do this to me please

Notes:

hiii! this chapter might seem a bit of a mess, but I'm a bit sick and don't have the strength to check everything again. I hope I didn't miss some dumb mistake lol.

I wanted to thank you again for your support and kindness, which make me melt every time. Love you all! Have a nice day <3

Chapter 9: we go slow though, no?

Summary:

Oscar gets drunk again (but this time he's perfectly fine)

From the bottom of his heart, Oscar knew that going to Charles’ party was a horrible decision. He had thought about it all day long: that morning at work, grinding coffee, in the afternoon, pretending to finish his mathematics assignment, in the evening, putting on the grey suit George and Alex had made him buy.

He was pacing back and forth outside of Lando’s flat. He had been trying to call his friend for an entire hour, but the phone had remained busy the whole time. They would arrive late if they didn’t hurry and catch the 9:45 bus. He wished they had enough money to have a car. Or fuel. Both of them would have been nice. Instead, they would have to use public transport dressed like two failed James Bonds. He didn’t even have the comfort of Logan with him, seeing that a bad flu was constraining his friend to bed rest. He was feeling sick to his stomach.

“Crikey, Osc, who gave you permission to be so fucking hot with a suit?”. Oscar shrugged, embarrassed. Lando’s candour was something he was slowly getting familiar with. It had been difficult for him in the UK. He had arrived with Logan, knowing no one but a distant cousin of his friend who, sometimes, insisted on taking them around Buckingham Palace and forced them to stay there all day, hoping to glimpse the Royal Family (very American of him). When Lando had imposed himself on Oscar’s life, he had been grateful. And annoyed. But mostly grateful.

“What happened to ‘hi, how are you’? Romanticism is really dead.”

“Ah-ah, very funny, Osc. Are you trying to dig a hole in the ground, though? You’ve been circling around for an hour.

“Are you for real? I was waiting for you to come down! What was I supposed to do? I tried to call you like a billion times. I told you I would be at yours in ten.” Oscar couldn’t believe his friend’s audacity. 

“You told me you would add me straight back to the group chat as well, you muppet. You deserved it.” Lando stuck his tongue out. 

Oscar rolled his eyes. Being friends with Lando could be tough sometimes, but he couldn’t bring himself not to love the guy anyway.

Lando’s phone buzzed.

“Fuck,” he mumbled, checking his notifications. “Not again.” Oscar looked at him inquisitively. 

“Em, can I reply one second to something? It’s important.” Lando didn’t seem to yearn for an actual answer, as he immediately started typing without waiting for Oscar’s response. Oscar sighted. They would be late.

They lingered in the middle of the pavement, Lando texting rapidly, and Oscar watching his shoes. He had them furiously cleaned before going out, and now they were as good as new, their white framed against the sad grey of the concrete.

He was still dwelling on the last text Carlos had sent him. Oscar had never wanted to be a burden to anyone, especially Carlos. And yeah, he was going to that stupid party (sorry, Charles) solely to meet the man himself, and maybe he had purposefully chosen a suit that made his legs and shoulders appear bulky and had spent three hours in the bathroom, trying to style his hair in a decent manner, but that was no one business. Carlos didn’t have to talk or interact with him at all after that night. Oscar just wanted an explanation. He needed to know why the simple thought of meeting him was so unbearable to Carlos to make him stop talking to him all of a sudden. He was itching for understanding.

At last, Lando locked his phone. “Let’s go?” he asked. Oscar nodded.

They kept treading for a bit. Lando was unusually quiet and fidgety, making Oscar much more anxious than he already was. He kept checking the time. They would surely miss the bus. It was getting really late now, but maybe it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps the idea of attending Charles’ birthday had been a misstep from the beginning. Wouldn’t it be for the better if they just turned back to Lando’s flat to play video games and watch terrible movies? And then, even if they made it to the party? What if Carlos just straight-up ignored him all night? What would Oscar do if Carlos just didn’t acknowledge his presence at all, pretending he was not there? What if they were all having fun and partying, and Oscar was just standing there awkwardly on the side of the dancing floor? Then what? Distracted by his thoughts, he almost hit Lando, who had randomly stopped near a closed coffee shop.

“What?” asked Oscar. “There is no bus stop here, right?”.

“Osc,” started Lando. He was wringing his hands.

Oscar was starting to feel nervous. “Yeah?”.

“Don’t be mad at me, okay?”.

Oscar heard Lando physically gulp. Mad? Why would he be mad at Lando? Was it because the bus had already departed and they had no means to go to Florida’s? It was fine by Oscar.

“Should I be?” he said, letting out a forced laugh. Lando was being weirder than usual.

Lando looked to his side, unable to mask a guilty smile. Oscar followed his gaze and watched, his mouth slightly opened, as a car pulled over near them.

It was a Ferrari.

Oscar knew nothing about cars if you exclude what a Formula 1 fan should know about Formula 1 cars. The car looked expensive. It was a Ferrari, for God’s sake.

Oscar had always thought he would have felt disappointed if he ever saw a Ferrari that wasn’t red, considering that it was their brand and all, but how could he be anything else than marvelled watching Carlos’ yellow car in front of them? Because that was Carlos’ car. Oscar was not dumb. He could possibly make 2+2.

Oscar stared at the car for a while, his mind incredibly slow to understand what the fuck was happening. Carlos was there. Why was Carlos there? What the fuck?

The car stopped, and Carlos got finally out, steadying himself against the car’s open door. 

Oh.

Oscar’s intestines flipped inward in a way he didn’t think was biologically reasonable. Carlos must have been the most perfect human being ever chiselled into existence—dark hair, deep eyes, long lashes. He had bushy eyebrows and impeccably tanned skin. Unfair. Oscar could only colour with a painful shade of red under the sun. Carlos’ hair looked weirdly fluffy. Oscar wanted to know how it felt to pass a hand through it. Very much not fair at all. 

Oscar couldn’t help but gape at the man, almost not able to believe what he was looking at, desperately trying to imprint every inch of him in his mind, absorbing everything he could before it was too late to do it. Carlos was real, after all. And he was perfect. 

He was wearing a voguish blue suit and a well-ironed white shirt that fit him like they had been sewn on his own body and whose price was probably sufficient to pay Oscar’s rent for four months. Carlos looked handsome enough to take your breath away. He looked luxurious. Expensive. So much out of Oscar’s league.

Oscar waved his hand, not sure how to act. His gaze shifted to Carlos’ dark eyes. They were magnetic.

“Hi,” said Carlos in response. He was ogling back at Oscar, who was now starting to feel a bit uncomfortable. Oscar fixated his eyes on the car once again. Lando tried to hide a giggle with a fake cough. 

Carlos must have noticed what Oscar was looking at. “Go inside?” he asked. “We’re already half an hour late.”

Oscar’s brain short-circuited. He froze for a moment, a wave of heat spreading across his body. He had missed the obvious connection between Carlos and his car being there. There was no bus, of course. Lando was a bastard. What the fuck.

Lando turned around the car and jumped on the passenger seat as if he had already done it countless times (he probably had. Why the fuck had Lando never told him that Carlos casually drove a Ferrari?).

“Oscar?” solicited Carlos, and Oscar’s legs almost gave in, making him fall face-down on the ground. Almost. Carlos had already moved the driver's seat ahead to let him enter. Oscar was... confused? Why was the very man who had begged him not to go to the party, inviting him to get in his car? What the fuck was happening? He hesitated.

Carlos arched one of his eyebrows, expectant eyes still fixed on Oscar, and a hand raised to show him the way to the back of the car.

Well, too late to draw back now.

Oscar squeezed himself into the narrow space of the rear seats, nearly hitting his head in the process.  Inside, Lando was turned across his seat to look at him, smiling cockily, the bastard.

“Was this worth the wait?” he smirked. Oscar blinked. Carlos got in after him, closing the door.

“Are you happy now?” he asked Lando, who nodded enthusiastically. Then they both started trivially conversing about something while Carlos drove them to Florida’s. Oscar couldn’t follow anything that was being said. All he could hear was his heartbeat in the chest and the blood roaring in his ears. Had Lando begged Carlos to give them a ride? But why had Carlos said yes? That didn’t make sense. He felt a wave of nausea at the thought of being in the same space as Carlos. Now that he was in the car, he could sense the spicy fragrance the man was wearing. He briefly dreamt of smelling it directly from the crook of Carlos’ neck. He was going to go crazy. No. He was mad at Carlos. He hated his perfume. 

Oscar looked around, trying to push aside those thoughts. The car was majestic, but the rear seats were definitely uncomfortable. He didn’t have space to move his legs or his head. Anyway, he never thought that, in his life, he’d have the chance to have a panic attack inside a Ferrari, so that was quite nice.

“Osc?” Lando had turned his head towards him.

“Um?”.

Lando looked at him, making a weird face.

“Carlos asked you what you think of his car.”

Ah. Was that someone he and Carlos did now? Have normal in-person small talk? So now Carlos could tolerate Oscar’s presence enough to ask him questions? Fuck the guy.

“Em, it’s great, yeah.” No, it was not just great. It was the best car he had ever seen. He would happily sell his kidney if that meant he could keep being driven by Carlos in that stupid Ferrari for the rest of his life (possibly in the passenger seat. The back of the car was definitely reserved for children). He didn’t want to please Carlos, though. Carlos was a dick. And cheeky enough without the need for other compliments.

“Great? It’s a Ferrari Roma, Oscar. I think it deserves a little more than “great, no?” Carlos winked at him from the rearview mirror.

Oscar thought about dying in the Ferrari Roma out of spite.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Carlos and Lando started humming along to Smooth Operator that was playing on the radio, joking between them. Oscar was very sick to his stomach. He unlocked his phone with slightly trembling hands.

facts: carlos sainz is hot

 

lando

w the carlos sainz in his car

w osc

 

alex

?????

how?

in the ferrari?

 

lando

i have my mwthods ;)

ofc alex

just the bedt for osco

 

alex

@oscar 🐨?

are u alive and well?

 

👍🏻

 

alex

understandable

anyways 

georgie and i are coming

 

lando 

gross

 

alex

…

george can't text bc hes driving but he wants me to congratulate u Oscar

and to send you to fuck off lando

he says youre a jerk

and that meeting you was the biggest regret of his life

wow thats a lot even for georgie 💀

 

say thank you to george for me?

not sure about what he is congratulating me for tho

 

alex

well the ferrari is sacred to carlos

he never wants us to go w him when hes driving it

 

lando

tell goerge im gonna report him for cyberbullyng

cyberbulling

how do u write it

cyberbullying

 

lando stop texting

this silence is unbearable

talk to carlos

 

lando

talk to him urself 

u wimpy muppet

 

wow

 

logan

omg

i avoided the worst car ride of my life

thanks flu 🙏🏻

 

alex

wait

u have the flu?

u are not coming then?

 

logan

nope 😪

ive already texted charles

ive had a bad fever all night

 

alex

oh 

no

im so sorry logie 😭

 

logan

thanks alex

but im fine now

 

it was a ferrari logan

you just missed the opportunity to ride a ferrari 

do you know that 

 

logan

well

fuck

 

---

logan

15 October 2023

 

oscar

 

yeah?

 

no regrets okay?

 

i know

thanks logan

 

 

The car stopped. Oscar looked out the window: they were parked near a graffitied brick wall. He could already hear the music coming from a huge, dark building on the other side of the road. Lando got out of the car, closed the door heavily, getting a well-deserved “cabrón” from Carlos, and started stretching, as if he were the one in that had to sit in that ridiculous back seat. 

“Well,” Carlos cleared his voice, “we’re here.”

Yes, they were. Oscar didn’t need Carlos to have polite conversation with him. He could do just fine with being avoided. He didn’t feel like confronting him anymore.

“Um. Well,” he said, trying to find the handle to shift Lando’s seat out of the way and get out of the car. “I guess I kind of got it from the giant neon pink light that reads ‘Florida’s’, but thank you,” he blurted. And maybe the tone was a bit meaner than he had intended, but whatever. Carlos deserved it, right?

“Too smart for your own good, eh, cerebrito?” Carlos smiled coyly at him from the rearview mirror. Oscar looked away. He couldn’t deal with it anymore. Where was the handle? He couldn’t find it to save his life. The rich had to reconsider their priorities and make bigger handles for their stupid, gorgeous cars. He took his phone out to turn on the torch, but Carlos beat him to the punch, getting out of the car and moving his seat ahead to make room for Oscar. Again.

Cool.

A soft wind was blowing outside, taking with it small leaves. Oscar shivered while getting out. His legs were screaming like crazy and his neck would have something to say the next day, but Oscar didn’t care. All he could focus on was his burning right shoulder, which Carlos had gripped in his hand. Oscar stopped to look at him. Carlos had freckles. God. They were way too close. Oscar was going to die on the spot. He wanted to go inside. He took a step back, allowing some space between them.

“Hi, Oscar.” There was something in Carlos’ eyes that Oscar couldn’t quite catch. They were of a deep and sweet brown that made his head spin. Was there remorse in them? Melancholy?

Oscar blinked, unable once again to look away from them.

“Hi,” he replied.

Carlos cracked a smile. 

And Oscar was mad. He had been mad for a few days now. He thought that Carlos was an impertinent asshole, an uncaring idiot, a total cunt, as Lando would have put it. But Oscar was human. And Carlos’ grin was so indistinguishable for him that he couldn’t help himself. He smiled back at him. 

Then they crossed the road and went inside the club.

 

*

 

Oscar had never been to a club. Not because he had prejudices or whatever, just because he had never really had the occasion to go. He had got into a relationship when he was still in high school, so he had always spent Fridays and Saturdays with his girlfriend and friends, doing outdoor activities, playing board games, or watching Formula 1. Even in London, single, friendless, and miserable, he never thought about giving clubs a chance. But there he was, in a club to celebrate someone he didn’t even know, all dressed up for a guy he had just met for the first time, and without Logan as a support. He had also arrived there in a Ferrari. You never know where life will lead you.

The club was at its fullest, with everyone dancing, drinking, and probably having a good time. Oscar could hear the music roaring inside his chest.

Not spotting Charles would have been impossible. He seemed already drunk and was wearing a pink feather boa, sunglasses, and what looked like a Bob Ross wing. He was trying really hard to make some desperate moves look like dancing, but was not succeeding.

“Oscar, before we go, I want…”

“Carlos!” yelled Charles, launching himself in their direction. He had a bit of an accent, so it sounded more like a “Calos” than anything else. He hugged the man and then turned to Oscar and Lando, who were right behind him. 

“Hello, Lando. And you must be Oscar, très bien! I’m so happy to see you here.” Charles hugged both of them too. He smelt expensive. Money surely wasn’t a problem in Carlos’ friend group (except for Lando, of course, who kept touring around the world but, inexplicably, still borrowed money from Oscar).

“Oh, the others are over there, if you want to say hi,” Charles explained, pointing a finger in a random direction. “Have fun!” then added, before disappearing into the crowd, taking a reluctant Carlos with him.

Oscar stared at their backs until they weren’t visible anymore. Um.

“Well, Osc. Seems like time to get pissed,” said Lando, pushing a drink into Oscar’s hand. He had no idea where Lando had taken it from. 

“Where did they go?” enquired Oscar. Carlos’ absence felt like a rock in his chest. He emptied his glass. It tasted awful.

“Dunno, maybe they wanted something to drink as well? Oh, I see Max and Daniel! Hello, lads.” Two guys approached. Oscar recognised Max from the photo he had sent to the group chat of the ‘casual-suit’ he was wearing. He looked upset. The other man was tall and slim, with curly hair and a really charming smile. 

“Hello L,” said the tall one. Lando had called him Daniel? He punched Lando on the arm. “Max here has just received the news. He’s very sad about it.” He smiled even more.

“I’m just annoyed, really. It’s unfair. Charles is a nice guy and doesn’t deserve this.” Max crossed his arms. “Anyway, that’s not my business, so no need to talk about this. Hello Lando. And Oscar, I guess?”.

“Yeah, that’s me,” Oscar politely shook Max’s hand. 

“Wait, what happened?” Lando had a curious look on his face.

“Lando, as I said, it’s not our busin…”

“Alex and Charles broke up today, right before the party. But it’s fair; things weren’t working anymore between them, so… “.

Oscar had some difficulties hearing Daniel above the music, but he grasped the basics. Well, that surely explained why Charles seemed already so drunk.

“Oh, I’m really sorry for them. They looked, em, nice?” he tried. It felt like the right thing to say. Oscar didn’t know. He just wanted to know where Carlos was. He was trying to scan the crowd, but it was impossible. It was so full of people he couldn’t even see Charles’ wig any more.

“No, they weren’t nice. I knew from the beginning they wouldn’t work out.”

“‘Course you did, Max. And you were right,” Daniel said, condescending. He smirked in Oscar’s direction. What was with all these people and the grins, the smirks, and the sneers? He wanted to go home.

“Hey, have you seen George and Alex, by any chance? They are, like, very tall and ugly? One is blond? The other has a cunt face?” Lando asked. 

Max was still pouting, but he nodded and pointed in another random direction. Then he and Daniel said they had to go to the bathroom, so they parted, stopping midway to say hi to a guy who was wearing a real sombrero, for some reason.

Lando and Oscar tried to look for George and Alex but got bored after five minutes and decided it was time to go to the bar (“They will come here anyways,” Lando had justified himself). Oscar could really do with something to drink.

“So, Carlos? What do you think about him, um?” said Lando, putting on a weird smile.

Oscar sent down the shot of tequila he had ordered. 

“Why did you ask him to give us a ride? And why did he say yes if this evening he basically texted me not to come here?” Oscar could feel Carlos getting on his nerves again. Why was the man so ambiguous with him? And where was he now?

“He what?”.

Oscar showed Lando the text. The other was silent for a bit, then shrugged and drank his iced vodka. They asked for another round.

“It took me an hour to convince him to give us a ride. He was really… I don’t know. Anxious? He kept asking me what your favourite colour was.”

“What? Blue? Why?”. Oscar was baffled. He closed his eyes and drank the new tequila the barmen had put in front of him. Maybe he was spiralling into madness and he was starting to have hallucinations. Why would Carlos ever be interested in his favourite colour?

“I told you I don’t know. He’s weird. Don’t think too much about it. Anyways,” Lando got up. “C’mon, let’s dance for a bit.”

“I would rather not,” mumbled Oscar. He didn’t dance. Never. Not in front of thousands of people.

“Boring, Osc. We’ll have fun, I promise,” Lando clasped his hands. “Please.”

Lando made his puppy face. And Oscar had already had three shots of tequila. Tequila made him soft. “Fine,” he snorted. They got up. No traces of Carlos.

 

*

 

“Oi, lads. We’ve been searching for you for ages.” Alex and George drew close to them. Lando and Oscar had resolved to go back to the bar after embarrassing themselves on the dance floor and almost witnessing a fight between two weird French guys (“Do I know that guy?” Lando had asked him as if Oscar knew random people in clubs now). They had seen neither Carlos and Charles nor anyone else for the whole time.

Alex high-fived both of them while George went for a strong businessman-like handshake. 

“I’m so sorry Logan couldn’t make it, Oscar. He seems like a nice bloke. I hope he’s okay.” Alex seemed genuinely concerned.

“Yeah, just a cold, nothing serious, don’t worry,” explained Oscar. Alex’s eyes lit up. George hummed.

“What,” said Alex, crossing his arms. George hummed again.

“Anyway,” Alex shot a cold dart at George, “you wouldn’t know who we met in the bathroom!”. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the song they had just put on. Oscar was on his fourth shot of tequila and was starting to feel warm. He blinked. 

“Who?” asked Lando. He was now drinking a mojito from a black straw.

“That was not the plan,” George tried to shout over the music. Alex completely ignored him.

“The Mr. Lewis Hamilton,” he said, grinning like crazy. George went red.

“Oh,” exclaimed Oscar. He had heard that name. He couldn’t quite place it, though.

“Georgie’s crush!” Alex was basically screaming now.

Lando touched his chest with his free hand. “That’s who you have a crush on? Your old professor? Mate. He’s fucking hot. And he’s here?”. Right, the Professor. Oscar had met him with George the other day. He was hot, indeed.

“It’s not a crush, you dumbasses. He’s just very smart, and I quite like his work. That’s all”. George crossed his arms. He was getting redder by the minute. Oscar covered his smile with one hand.

“Well, we’re gonna go say hi.” Lando got up. “He was his philosophy-something Professor. George and I met in his class. I was there by mistake, obviously. Wouldn’t put myself through a philosophy lecture even if they threatened to kill me,” he explained in Oscar’s favour.

“It was philosophy of economics. And please shut up,” pleaded George.

Lando dismissed him by waving his hand.

“He’s kind of young to be a teacher, I think. What is he, like 35?”.

“At least 40,” answered Alex.

“He’s 38,” sighed George. “We are not going to speak to him.”

“Yes, we’re, and you better come with us, or you’ll never know what we say to him.” If Lando were anyone else, Oscar would have been sure that was a joke. But Lando was Lando, so George went immediately white and got up from his chair. 

“You wouldn’t”.

“Don’t dare me,” shrugged Lando. “Don’t worry, Osco, we’ll be back in a sec,” Lando winked at him, and they too vanished into the club.

 

 

charles

15 October 2023

 

oscar

où est-tu

stp

sorry franch

*frecnh

**french???

je ne sais plus

i think i drank somthing bad

*something

in the bathroom rn

non

non plus

out

waiting

not me

carlos

pr toi

 

 

Oscar looked at the messages Charles had sent him ten or so minutes before. He didn’t know much French, but he felt like throwing up regardless. He didn’t want to go see Carlos (if that was what Charles had meant; difficult to be too sure with all that French). Had he gone to the party just for that very purpose? Yeah. Did he still think it was all a mistake and he should have rather stayed home? Also. He drank his forth? fifth? shot of tequila. 

His head was light. The music was loud, and the floor way too full of people. He remained seated at the bar, feeling a bit like a coward. Anyway, if Carlos had really wanted to talk to him, he wouldn’t have left when they had just arrived. He’d have stayed and asked Oscar what was wrong and…

“Oscar?”.

Oscar’s heart jumped to his throat. Carlos had just sat on the chair next to him. Being swallowed by the ground at that right moment would have been nice. Whatever.

“Hey,” he said. He managed an apparently relaxed tone, but inside a high-pitched monologue of fuckfuckfuckfuck was splitting his brain in two. He shifted his weight on the bar’s stool.

Carlos frowned at him. “Are you okay?”.

“Totally.” Oscar was going to lose his mind. The music didn’t help.

“I-,” Carlos started, “I- do you want to go outside? To talk? I can’t hear anything,” he shouted.

Oscar drank his new shot of tequila. The barman—good lad—had kept taking him drinks every time he emptied them, and Oscar hadn’t bothered to tell him to stop. His bill was going to skyrocket.

“Of course. Wait, I mean, yeah, cool, if that’s what you want. I’m fine either way.” He hid a shaky tremble. What the fuck, Oscar? He didn’t want to go outside with Carlos, thank you. He wished for the billionth time he had stayed home. He was not ready for this.

Carlos looked at him, his eyes big and soft, a small smile forming on his lips. He knew what he was making of Oscar’s poor guts. The brat.

They got up. Oscar’s heart was still beating at what must have been a being-attacked-by-sharks rate. He felt sick. And drunk. He tried to clean his mind during the short way to the door, but, somehow, the six? shots of tequila didn’t want to hear a thing about abandoning his body immediately without leaving in him any trace of alcohol that could make him do something utterly stupid that he would regret for the rest of his already miserable life. Unbelievable.

Outside it was cool, crispy wind and frizzy air. Carlos looked splendid, maybe a little drunk, but still the most handsome man Oscar had ever seen. Looking at him was enough pain for a lifetime. Tantalus’ curse. Be near heaven, but never be able to reach it.

The sky was clear. Oscar gazed at the stars, struggling to maintain a straight line of thought. He was conscious of Carlos’ eyes lingering on him, but he couldn’t look back at him, because he knew that, if he did, he wouldn’t be able to do anything but gaze forever into Carlos’ dark eyes. He would sink into them like a desperate man into quicksand. He would stare at his lips and then kiss them until sunrise, and even after, for the rest of his life, until his last day on Earth and…

“I’m sorry, Oscar.” Carlos cleared his voice. Oscar’s mind went blank. He was still looking at everything, anything, but not him.

“For not answering you and treating you like shit. You can think I’m a jerk if you want,” Carlos continued. For a moment, Oscar thought his voice was trembling, but that was impossible, right? Bold and fierce Carlos could not be anxious talking to Oscar. That didn’t make any sense.

“What I think of you is much worse than that, you can be sure,” commented Oscar dryly.

“Ah, sí? What do you think of me, then?” asked Carlos, putting on a frown.

Oscar couldn’t believe that they were there together. His brain was fogged by all the alcohol he had ingested, so he felt a bit like in a fervid lucid dream. Perhaps he was. Tomorrow, he would wake up and find out that Carlos had never existed. Or maybe it was all real, and he had to take his chance.

Maybe.

“Why did you ask me not to come?” said Oscar. Carlos seemed taken aback.

“I don’t know, Oscar. I really don’t know. I just panicked, I guess. Which is not a justification by any means. I’m aware of that.”

“You panicked?” Oscar repeated, shocked. “For what? Was the thought of meeting up with me so awful?”. Well, that was definitely going way worse than he had imagined.

“What? No!” Carlos exclaimed. “What the fuck, Oscar? I wanted to meet you. I wanted it so badly. It’s just that…” Carlos got silent.

“It’s just what, Carlos? If you did want to meet, why did you say it was not the right time? And why, after all these radio-silence days, did you suddenly decide to come pick me up with your dumb and flamboyant Ferrari?”. Oscar paused to take a breath. Carlos was looking at the ground now, his jaw slightly twisted to one side.

Now or never.

“I swear I can’t wrap my head around you, Carlos. I really don’t get anything you say or do. Just tell me what it is. Tell me if I’m not enough for you, and I’ll understand. I won’t bother you anymore. But just speak to me, Carlos. Please.” Oscar could feel his heartbeat echoing in his skull. He was breathless. He could have run a marathon and be... well, actually not. A marathon would have had him dead on the spot. But talking to Carlos felt almost the same. 

“Flamboyant, wow. Drunk but never anything less than brilliant, cariño”.

Oscar’s heart stopped. It must have had for a while, because Oscar was definitely dead. No other explanation would justify Carlos calling him by a pet name. His cheeks got red.

“Cute”. Carlos was an asshole. Oscar could feel his skin burn. He shouldn’t have laughed at George before. Karma was a bitch. Something was wriggling deep down in his body. He thought about calling 999 for an ambulance. Those were surely his last moments on Earth.

Fuck it. He looked at Carlos in the eyes. 

Carlos put a hand on Oscar’s cheek, lightly brushing it. Every touch by Carlos’ fingers felt like a burn. His cheek was going on fire. Carlos dropped his hand.

“I’m so sorry for having made you feel like this. You are enough, Oscar. Fuck, you are so much more than enough.” It was Carlos’ turn now to avoid Oscar’s gaze. He was looking at the wall right in front of them on the other side of the street. 

“Then why? Why stop talking?”. Oscar didn’t want to know. He didn’t want to receive a punch in the gut, something like I’m just too rich and spoiled to have a lame boyfriend like you, but the alcohol in his blood wanted to know, so he had asked it anyway.

“I guess I was just scared.”

Oscar was confused. The tequila was not helping. 

“Scared of what? Me? I don’t get it, Carlos. I-,” Oscar took another deep breath. Oh well. No regrets, right?

“I really like you, Carlos. And yes, very much more than in a friendly way. While speaking to you, I felt the happiest I have been in a while, and doing it seemed so natural to me that, when you stopped answering, it was like a part of me went missing. I thought you might feel the same, but I didn’t want to tell you because what if you didn’t? I didn’t want to stop talking to you just because I was dumb. And then I got drunk, and I do stupid things while I’m drunk. But I don’t regret it. And it’s fine if you don’t feel like this too, I swear, but I’m so confused about you, Carlos. I don’t know what you want from me, honestly. What you are so scared of.” Fine.

“Scared of me.” Carlos got quiet.

It was very cold now, and Oscar was shivering a bit. Carlos tentatively reached for Oscar’s pinkie with his own and seized it. Oscar let him do it. He could hear his pulse in his skull.

“What do you mean?” he asked, his voice cracking a bit.

Carlos sighted.

“I meant it when I said you’re brilliant, Oscar. You know that, right? You are incredible, and you couldn’t even imagine how precious you are to me. And I’m just stupid, Osc. I’m stupid, and I’m scared I’m going to fuck this up because I’m a coward.”

“I love my dad, you know? He’s kind and sweet, and he has helped me a lot. He gave me my job. He’s my hero. I always wanted to be like him. I still do. It’s just, I don’t know. I think he’s a bit de la vieja escuela? How do you say it? Conservative, no?”

“You mean like, old-school? I think it’s the same.”

“Yes! You are very smart, Oscar. I’ll never get sick of repeating that to you. You’re sharp and bright, and I’m proud of you. Lando told me everything about your master’s degree. He says you have the best grades and even got a scholarship and all. I bet your family is proud as well.”

Oscar shrugged. It was not much. 

“It’s all I can do, for real. I have like zero skills in everything else,” he commented dully.

“I know that’s not true, Oscar. Even if you really believe in what you say, I can assure you that you’re wrong. You are exceptional. I wish I could make you see it.”

Oscar lowered his gaze.

“I wish I could make my parents proud as well. I wish I could give them what they want because they deserve it all. They are pieces of my heart and part of my soul.”

“They surely are proud of you, Carlos. You are smart and good at your job, and...”

Carlos laughed. “You don’t know if I’m good at my job.”

Well, no. Oscar didn’t know shit at that moment. He had the impression his brain had been fried, boiled, and fried again. The world was moving slowly in front of him. But he was so sure about Carlos that he didn’t even need to think about what he was saying.

“Carlos, you are good at your job. I just know it. And you are very clever, whatever else you’re choosing to say. And maybe you’re cocky and a bit of a brat, and you send me shirtless selfies because you know what they are gonna do to me, but your parents are proud of you. And if they aren’t just because of who you are, then they can simply fuck off.” Oscar shook his head.

Carlos made a sad face.

“You don’t know, Oscar. My father... he’s always telling me he’s waiting for my marriage and his grandchildren, and my mother, well, she just keeps saying I must be a mujeriego because, you know, I’m really handsome and must have all the ladies fall at my feet.” Carlos smiled shyly. 

Oscar rolled his eyes.

“We can get married and have children too, you know?” Well. Oops. “I mean two men. Broadly speaking,” panicked Oscar. Fucking tequila. He would never have it again in his life. 

“Of course you do,” said Carlos, putting on the first real smile of the night. Oscar hated him. He was unbearable. And too fucking gorgeous for his own good.

“What I’m trying to say is that you can be with a man and have the same life your parents want for you if that’s what makes you happy and if that is what you want as well. And if you don’t, because you fucking have a say in this, they should be able to get over it and still love you, because what should matter to them is your happiness and nothing more. And if they don’t, well, they don’t deserve you. And that’s all. I don’t know. Maybe I’m speaking a bit egotistically here.”

“And why is that, Oscar?”. Carlos was smiling again, but Oscar could see that he was doing it to try to hide a deeper sorrow he seemed to cling to. Carlos Sainz was brushed by melancholy. That made Oscar’s heart heavy. 

“Because I want you, Carlos, but I still don’t know if you too want me.”

Oscar looked down at his feet. The world was spinning, but maybe he had found his foothold.

Carlos left Oscar’s pinkie. He drew his hand to his hair and ran it through them.

“I had… I, you know, relationships, no? With... hm, guys, before? It’s just that, I don’t know, when they got too serious, I let go of them. Because I was scared. But I really like you, Oscar, and when I saw... well, when I thought that the feeling could be mutual, I guess I just panicked. But you mean so much to me, Oscar, and I want to make things right, I really do. But it’s just that... it’s not easy, you know? I don’t like hiding, and I wanna try being with you with all my heart. And maybe we don’t know each other too well, but I feel like I’ve known you all my life. Which I get it’s a fucking stereotype, and everyone always says it all the time, but, I mean, it’s true to me.” Carlos stopped and took a breath.

“And all my friends, I don’t know what’s wrong with them, but they had prepared an intervention for me in the bathroom tonight—fucking embarrassing, mate—they showed me a fucking PowerPoint presentation—and they all said that I should give myself a chance. No regrets, only memories, and all that stuff. And I really want to, Osc, I do. But I’m so freaking scared all the fucking time. Of what my parents will say. What others will say. I shouldn’t give a fuck, I know, but it’s so complicated. I’m terrified of fucking up this thing because I don’t know how to align the idea of me I built up for myself with the real me. And this frustrates me so much because all I really want is to have you, Oscar. There is nothing else I need right now if not you.”

Oscar’s heartbeat rate was high up with the stars. He felt so much. He felt everything (even the tequila still swishing somewhere in his digestive system). He stood there, not speaking, not breathing.

Carlos took him by the shoulders and slowly turned him in his direction. Oscar followed.

“But I want to try, Osc. I want to be a better person. I want to treat you well. Because these days without you have been miserable. I thought that not texting you would have made me feel better, but I couldn’t stop thinking about you. And when Charles told me you would be here tonight, I don’t know what got into me. I was so scared to confront you. So scared to finally reach for my happiness.”

“I’m sorry for making you take all the blame while I was the problem all along, Osc. I’m going to make things right. So, are you willing to let me try? With you? Not hide this from anyone? I’m tired of living in my shadow. I want to show you to the whole world, Oscar Piastri.”

Oscar was only human, while Carlos Sainz was probably a deity of some sort who had fallen on Earth to make Oscar’s life a little miracle. What could he do? How could he go on with his life, knowing that somewhere in the world there was someone like Carlos who wanted someone like him? He said yes, his voice cracking again. 

“What was that?” asked Carlos, and now their faces were very near to each other, and Carlos’ strong hands were on the sides of Oscar’s neck, his thumbs stroking his jaw.

“Yeah, Carlos. I would like to give us a chance.”

Oscar could feel Carlos’ warm breath on his face. He closed his eyes. Carlos kissed him.

Oscar had always known he was bisexual. His parents were cool with it. His friends were cool with it. He himself was cool with it, thank you very much. But his first and last girlfriend had also been his first and last partner, so he might have been a bit inexperienced on that front. He had sporadically thought about how kissing a guy could be, and he had deduced that it was going to be rough and probably a bit gross if the guy in question was a manly man who didn’t care at all about oral hygiene. Carlos was neither inexperienced nor a manly man who didn’t care about oral hygiene, so that was probably the best fucking kiss of Oscar’s life. Carlos’ lips were soft, and they knew things Oscar wouldn’t have even imagined. His hands started moving down, reaching for Oscar’s abdomen and back, making him hot everywhere. He felt everything deep down in his stomach: butterflies, fireworks, or whatever else you are supposed to feel in those moments. His knees got soft. 

He could climb a mountain barehanded. He could turn the whole world on his feet and then come back to keep kissing Carlos. He could do just that for a lifetime, to be honest. When Carlos’ tongue slipped into his mouth and met his, he thought he could go on fire and survive. 

Carlos broke the kiss, gasping for some air.

“We go slow though, no?” he asked, wetting his lips. 

Oscar smiled. “Yes, Carlos,” he said, looking him in the eyes. “At our own pace.” 

Carlos kissed him again, softly, taking his time, making Oscar shiver under his hands. Carlos’ perfume was still lingering on his skin, mixing with the hint of his sweat, still strong and hot even after the whole evening. It was making Oscar’s head spin.

“Thank you,” murmured Carlos between their shared breaths, “Eres un encanto, Oscar Piastri.”

Oscar could sense his phone buzzing in his pocket. He didn’t care at all. He was perfectly fine. Everything was perfectly fine.

 

 

facts: carlos sainz is hot

 

lando

osc where are u

its almost midnkghr 

need u to celebrate 

 

george

I haven't seen Carlos in a bit

 

charles

moi non plus

 

logan

???

 

max

Charles starts speaking French when he's drunk 

Sometimes Italian

It depends

 

logan

weird

why italian tho?

 

max

Nobody knows…

 

alex

@logan do u start to speak in usa-raahhh?

 

logan 

wtf

alex are u drunk too 😭

are u guys all having fun? 

 

alex

not without u logie ☹️

 

logan

i hate flu…

 

lando

guys I found oscar and carlos

i dont thimk theyre coming any soon

iykyk 

🤫🤫

 

logan

OMG

 

alex

NO WAY

it worked????

 

charles

mes plans sont tjs parfait 

 

max

Charles, nobody understands French

 

charles

bon

biz

 

max

I give up

Anyway

You see? Speaking always makes things right

You should always tell people how you feel

It's dumb to avoid hard conversations just because they could hurt you

 

lando

shut up max

are you fr?

 

max

What do you mean?

Lando?

???

Anyway 

Guys, it 11:58 

We're near the bar

Where are you all?

 

george

Can't believe it really worked…

But can we give our gift to Charles if Oscar is not with us?

 

lando

yeah

dont think he'll mind

16 October 2023

 

logan

Happy bday charles!

 

charles

mci logan 😘

 

max

[photo]

[photo]

[photo]

[photo]

[photo]

 

alex

that's georgie and lewis??????????

wtf

@george

@george

@george

 

george

Stop spamming me

Let's talk about @oscar and Carlos, no?

 

nothing to sya

say

🤐🤐🤐

 

alex

george pick up the phone now.

oscar you are next.

 

 

---

carlos

16 October 2023

 

Good morning, cerebrito 😘

 

good morning  

now what?

 

?

 

are you gonna say it was all a mistake, you were too drunk and we should stop talking forever?

 

Um

Totally

In fact I was just about to avoid asking you if you'd like to go out for dinner tonight 

 

wow

a date carlos?

 

Yes, a date Oscar

Would you like to?

 

i’m broke carlos

you know i can't say no to dinner

 

No other reasons? 😉

 

maybe

we will see

 

Picking you up a 7

See you tonight cariño ❤️

I'll buy you the best paella of your life 

 

if you say so

see you later ❤️

 

 

---

super serious group chat about serious things

lando changed the group name from “facts: carlos sainz is hot” to “super serious group chat about serious things”

 

lando added carlos

 

17 October 2023

 

carlos

Hello? What is this about?

 

lando

just a group chat

don't worry abouy it 😉

 

carlos

Why are you adding me now?

 

lando

long story carlos 

 

carlos

?

 

alex

u dont want to know

 

max

Oh, you too then

I'm sorry Carlos

This group is a fucking nightmare

One that doesn't have an end…

 

carlos

What do you mean?

 

max

Wait

 

max left

 

lando added max

 

lando

uh-uh

sorry lads

thats not possibke 

not under my supervision 

 

george

It's too late, Carlos

I've tried everything 

 

lando

shut up

you love me

all of you 

ik it

 

charles

yes lando, we love you very much ❤️ 

 

max

But Charlie

 

charles

we're all friends now 🤗

 

sometimes i’m a bit creeped out by charles 

max

Well, you shouldn't 

Charles is just very kind

 

alex

if you say so maxie 

@george 👀

 

max

What?

 

george

IYKYK

 

lando

fuck

george youre not 89 yhen?

you know slang???

 

george

*then

 

lando

AAARGHHHHH

NOPE

NOT DOING THIS TODSY

 

george

*today

 

lando left

 

logan

should we add him back?

 

george

No

 

carlos

You're a weird bunch

 

mainly just lando

 

you added lando

 

lando

THANK U OSC

ILY LOTS

well maybe not as much as cadlos does

 

shut up

 

carlos

shut up

 

lando

cute

 

you removed lando

Notes:

omg guys, I really wanted to post this chapter yesterday after the race, but it took me a lot more time than I thought it would to finish it rip. I don't know if I like it, to be honest, but I hope you'll enjoy it at least a little bit. Oscar and Carlos finally meet up, and all goes well, as promised!

once again, thank you for all the kudos and comments. reading them makes my day every time. I really appreciate your support <3

now all that's left it's the epilogue and then a little "bonus chapter", about some things that happen between Oscar's infamous texts and Charles' party. it'll be mainly a silly chapter that will explain a bit better some things!

thank you again! have a nice day <3

p.s. yes, I had to include the "Carlos Sainz was brushed by melancholy" line because it's my favourite thing ever written on him wtf they did not have the right to make me cry with a simple phrase

(also oot but WHAT A RACE DID WE HAD. brazil 2024 you'll always be famous)

Chapter 10: Epilogue: I love you too

Summary:

Lando keeps being a menace (but this time he's not trying to sort Oscar's life out, at least)

December 2023

Carlos Sainz Sr. was a mechanical engineer. He liked Formula 1 and golf. Oscar thought it could have gone way worse than that. 

He had been nervous all day. The idea of meeting Carlos’ parents had made him sick for weeks. Finding out he would meet them with all the tìas, tìos, and primos made him directly throw up in Carlos’ nice bathroom. 

“If you don't feel like it, we could just stay home, you know?” Carlos had told him, moving Oscar's hair from his face. But Oscar was not a wimp (not anymore. Almost never, at least. Just that one time when Carlos wanted to try bungee jumping and Oscar had skipped the adventure by hugging a tree and refusing to let it go for three hours). 

So they had gone to Spain for two days to celebrate la Imaculada Conceptión, which was a thing they did there, apparently. 

Carlos had already told his family about Oscar: he had spoken to them on the phone one night, squeezing Oscar's hand until it had become white, crying and gulping, thinking they wouldn't like the version of himself he was offering them. When he had closed his call, after hearing his mother asking him if he was the one and his father telling him he was getting old and he needed grandchildren as soon as possible, so just hurry up, they had started laughing so much that, after a while, their bellies had still hurt. They had slept together that night, Oscar small between Carlos’ arms and legs.

And now he was there, with those amazing parents who only wanted the best for their children. Carlos and Reyes were anything but kind to him, and they had made him almost cry at the dinner table the night before, overwhelmed by the affection they had been showing for a person they had barely known. 

He had met lots of people (especially lots of people called Carlos, for some reason), and it had been nice. 

And now they were already leaving, Carlos’ parents hugging him tightly, so happy to have finally met him. Reyes was crying a bit, telling Oscar to take care of his hijo. Oscar assured her he'd do it.

Carlos Sr.’s eyes were gleaming.

“I've never seen my son so joyful. Thanks, Oscar,” he said in a broken English. Oscar may or may not have burst into tears on his shoulder.

Then they took their flight, and at the airport, back in the UK, Carlos said “I love you” for the first time. Oscar thought about it for a while because those were big words and he had told them just to one person until that moment. Still, he realised they had been true for months, so he said “I love you too,” and Carlos kissed him in the middle of the airport because now he was learning not to be scared anymore of what people could say.

 

 

mission: lestappen

10 December 2023

 

🔒 Messages and calls are end-to-end encrypted. No one outside of this chat, not even WhatsApp, can read or listen to them. Tap to learn more.

 

You were added

 

lando created group “mission: lestappen”

 

george

Lestappen?

 

~ Checo 🌮

Hello?

 

lando

guys

emercnecy meeting 

emergency 

 

~ KI KI AY

Lando whats happening?

 

alex

told u @george 👀

 

george

What?

Wait 

Blimey 

Lestappen as in Leclerc and Verstappen? Is that a nickname?

 

lando

thats a sgip name u muppet

 

george

Sgip?

 

ship…

 

~ 裕毅

as in a boat?

 

lando

wtf yuki

as in a ship

 

~ pierre g.

?

what's up with Charles?

 

lando

omg

u muppets

charles and max???

 

carlos ❤️

Oh no Lando

 

~ Checo 🌮

Oh

 

~ KI KI AY

Fuck

 

~ 裕毅

i still don't get it

 

~ pierre g.

YES 

I AM IN

everything to make charles shut up about max

 

well

i'm in too

it's weird to say but i firmly believe in the power of groupchats now

carlos ❤️

What do you mean mi amor?

 

i'll explain

eventually 

 

carlos ❤️

Okay?

 

logan

omg yesss

count on me

 

alex

if logan does it so will I

 

george

Course you will, Alex

 

alex

shut up georgie

i see u chose violence today

 

logan

?

 

alex 

dw logan

its all good mate 👌🏼

george too ofc

 

george

As always, I can't have my proper opinion on things, it seems

 

alex

no you cannot darling

 

george

🖕🏼

 

carlos ❤️

Well, I'm okay with almost everything Oscar says anyways so

Also I totally agree with Pierre

Charles is insufferable and speaks about Max all the time

ALL the fucking time

 

almost everything? 🥺

 

carlos ❤️

Nah

Everything for you, cariño 

 

❤️

 

lando

boo 🤮

 

carlos ❤️

Fuck you

 

lando

wanker

anywaysss

max is always saying that charles is too good, too nice, too kind, too handosms 

im sick of it

 

~ 裕毅

guys what are you talking about 😭😭

 

~ pierre g.

mon dieu Yuki

i love you but you're impossible sometimes…

whatever me and Yuki are in too

Yuki answer the phone, so i'll explain

 

~ 裕毅

🤨🤨🤨

 

~ pierre g.

ANSWER 

YUKI

 

~ 裕毅

fine

 

~ Checo 🌮

Well, Max definitely deserves it

And Charles too

So I will help where I can!

 

~ KI KI AY

Lando I'm 100% on it

LESTAPPEN BABYYYYYY

Maxie will be so happy

He's been in love w Charles forever

 

~ 裕毅

max is in love with charles???

 

~ pierre g.

pk à moi

Yuki we were on the phone 5-minute ago

i just broke it down to you

 

~ 裕毅

i told you I didn't get it

 

~ pierre g.

i give up

 

lando

yes yuji theyre very much in love

kiss kiss and all that

so were planning to get them together 

 

~ 裕毅

ohh cool

i'm in

 

~ pierre g.

🤦🏻‍♂️

 

lando

YAY 

that makes all of us

im so excited omg

mission: lestappen is officially operative 🥳🥳

now about the plan

here is what were gonna do

Notes:

Last chapter! Thank you for sticking with me for so long, guys, I really appreciate it. I've read and loved every single one of your comments, and I'm so much grateful for having had you here with me and my story. As I've already said in the last chapter, there's gonna be a little "bonus chapter" next time, but it adds nothing to the plot, it's just a little stupid something I've written to make this last a little bit more, so you totally don't have to read it, if you don't want.

I don't think this story will ever have a follow-up, but I liked the idea of having an open ending and I also wanted to confirm all your suspicions about Lestappen hahaha. They are real in every universe, guys.

Thanks to all of you again. Have a nice day <3

Chapter 11: why are we all in the bathroom, guys?

Summary:

Oscar told his friends not to ask Carlos about him. His friends are not good listeners.

Muppet

9 October 2023

 

hey man

are u alright?

 

Yes

 

u sure?

carlos?

 

Sure

u know u can talk to me right?

 

I know, Lando

Thank you

 

okay

 

---

Oscar 🐈

10 October 2023

 

carlos

are we good?

i’m really sorry

there is no need to meet

i just liked having you as a friend 

please

 

I do want to meet Oscar

Okay, let's meet

I want to meet you so much it hurts

I don't know what I'm scared of

 

11 October 2023

 

i'm sorry carlos

i'm not going to bother you anymore

 

It's not your fault

Please don’t give up on me

 

 

---

Muppet

11 October 2023

 

wanna come get an icecream?

 

I’m working, Lando

 

after??

we don’t have to talk if you don’t want

 

Okay

 

nice :)

see u later

x

 

 

---

Charlie 

12 October 2023

 

hello carlos

how are you?

 

You too?

I'm fine

 

okay

i believe you

but you don’t have to do this to yourself tho

 

Do what?

 

you know what, carlos

you deserve nice things

let yourself have them

 

I don't understand what you're trying to say, Charles

 

i think you do

be kind to yourself

 

I'm trying to

 

❤️

 

 

---

Daniel

13 October 2023

 

Hey man

Max has told me you have been struggling a bit

Is everything fine?

 

Yeah

Thanks Danny

 

Alright 

Don't be scared Carlos

No regrets

 

No Daniel

No regrets

 

 

---

Muppet

13 October 2023

 

carlosss

meet me alex and georgie tonight?

 

Sorry Lando

I don’t feel much like going out

 

um

can i come to ur house then?

we’ll watch something

trash movies

 

Trash movies sounds good

But don't ditch George and Alex for me

I'll be fine

 

they wont mins

mind

trash movies it is!

 

 

---

Charlie

13 October 2023

 

carlos i hope it won't be a problem for you

but i asked oscar to come to my party

it's not because of you, of course

but i had to tell him, because we are friends!

so no pressure at all, don't worry 🤗

 

Of course you did Charles

 

i couldn't not tell him

it would have been really impolite

and i'm always polite

 

You are not

 

also

I think it would be nice if you talked to him too

just to be polite, you know?

not because of anything else

 

What if I don't want to be polite?

 

mais

it will be my birthday 

you wouldn't want to make me sad on my birthday, right?

you are my friend 

 

Charlie

Don't ask me this

Please

d’accord

but think about it, okay?

 

Okay

 

 

---

Checo

13 October 2023

 

Wey, me han dicho cosas y no sé si son verdaderas, pero me preocupan  [Mate, I've heard things and I don't know if they are true or not, but they make me worry]

Estás bien, ¿sí? [You are doing good, right?]

 

Sí

 

¿Seguro? [Are you sure?]

 

¿Qué te han dicho? [What did they tell you?]

¿Y quién? [And who?]

 

Ay, no se dice, Carlos [I can't tell you, Carlos]

 

Max

¿no?

 

Sí…

Pero ¿quieres hablar? [But do you want to talk?]

 

Mejor no Checo [Better not Checo]

Es que no tengo nada que decir [It's that I don't have anything to say]

La verdad es que todos me están mensajeando, pero me estoy cansando de que todo el mundo me diga lo que tengo que hacer con mi vida [The truth is that everyone is texting me, but I'm getting sick of people telling me what to do with my life]

¿Sabes que soy un adulto y que soy capaz de tomar decisiones, no? [You know that I'm an adult and that I'm able to took decisions, right?]

 

Pues que sí [Of course]

Tienes que vivir tu vida como prefieres, claro [You have to live your life as you want, of course]

 

Bien [Good]

 

Pero me parece que eres el primero que no sabe lo que quiere de verdad [But I feel like you are the first not to know what you truly want]

No hay nada malo en el aceptar la ayuda que te ofrecen [There is nothing wrong with accepting the help the others offer you]

Ya que tienes muchas personas que te quieren y que desean lo mejor para ti [Because there are many people that love you and want the best for you]

Porque me parece que estás viviendo un momento difícil [Because it seems like you are living a difficult moment]

 

Lo sé [I know]

 

Pero vale no te preocupes [But don't worry]

No te voy a decir nada más [I'm not going to tell you anything more]

Solo intenta escuchar tu corazón de vez en cuando [Just try listen to your heart sometimes]

 

Vale [Okay]

Gracias Checo [Thanks Checo]

 

 

---

Oscar 🐈‍

13 October 2023

 

Hey Oscar. I'm sorry for not answering your texts. I'm a mess and I hurt you in the process. It's not your fault. You didn't deserve any of it

Fuck

I miss talking to you

I'm an asshole

 

 

---

Max

14 October 2023

 

You're an asshole

You know that, yes?

 

Yes, I know

Thank you Max

 

Sometimes you just need to hear the truth

Otherwise, you might forget what is the right thing to do

Hope you understand what I'm trying to say

 

I do

 

You like Oscar

Then why avoid him?

That doesn't make sense

 

Not everything has to make sense to you,  Max

 

I think you are making things just more difficult than they should be

It's not that complicated

 

I know

 

Lovely

 

 

---

George

14 October 2023

 

Hello, mate

I know this is not my business, but are you sure you are doing the right thing?

 

No

 

Good

Happy you are aware of that

 

Thanks George

 

 

---

Yuki

14 October 2023

 

come to my office

i’ve bring you some lunch i made this morning

pierre is here too

 

Um

It is not an ambush, right?

Yuki?

 

 

---

Pierre

14 October 2023

 

Please, Carlos

I'm hungry 

Yuki won't let me eat until you come here

Please

 

It is not an ambush 

Right?

Pierre?

Are you outside my office?

 

Open the door…

 

 

---

Muppet

14 October 2023

 

carlitos

i love u man

u know that

we all love u

 

I love you too, Lando

 

but do u love urself?

 

I do

 

um

i hope ure telling me the truth

 

I am

Well

I don't know

 

what do u mena?

mean

 

I feel like shit

Lando

I don't know what is happening to me

 

um

u sure u dont know?

 

Well

I guess I do

Maybe is better if we talk in person

Or maybe not

I don’t know

 

no lets talk

if u want

im free nkw 

now

 

Okay

Can I come to your house?

 

ofc

see u in a minute then

 

Yes

hey muppet

im really greatful u chose to tell ms the truth

i really am

thank you carlos ❤️

 

Thanks for listening to me Lando

You are my best friend

Needed to be sure you knew that

 

i know

ure my bf too carlos

how r u feeling?

 

A bit better honestly 

Thanks again Lando

 

happy to hear that

u can talk to me anytime you wanr

ill always be there for u

but dont be a dick to osc anymore pls

he doesnt deserve it

 

I know

 

 

---

Alex

15 October 2023

 

mate 

i think everyone has already texted u about this

so im not going to say anything

just think about it okay?

 

I am

 

u are a nice person carlos

dont lose yourself

be proud

do the things that make u happy

u really deserve all of it

and oscar too

 

Thanks Alex

 

 

---

Muppet 

15 October 2023

 

In call

 

Lando: Please, please, please, Carlos. C'mon.

 

Carlos: The Ferrari? Really, Lando? It's way too much, cabrón.

 

Lando: It's cool, man. It's not too much. Oscar likes Formula 1, so he'll like Ferraris.

 

Carlos: Mate. It's not a SF-23. It's a normal car. I don't think Oscar is into normal cars. And he will think I'm a bragger.

 

Lando: You are a bragger.

 

Carlos: Fuck you, mate. I'm telling you, the Ferrari is too much. 

 

Lando: Argh. You're impossible. Oscar is waiting for me outside. We are going to miss the bus. Please have mercy on two poor souls. 

 

Carlos: Oscar is already outside?! How long has he been there?

 

Lando : It's your fault if he's waiting there, you muppet. Come pick us up. C'mon.

 

Carlos: And what if he doesn't want to come with me? If he sees my cars and thinks I'm just a spoiled asshole and decides it's better not to go at all to the party rather than spend time with me? 

 

Lando: Are you fucking for real, Carlos? Oscar? He would never do this. Trust me. So stop being a baby and come here right now. We're going to be late. Tik-tok.

 

Carlos: No. I can't, Lando. Please. You know I can't, joder. And he's literally a child… I can't. Dios mío… I'm sure I will ruin everything. Fuck. No, no, no. Jamás. Impossible. Not doing it, not now and…

 

Lando: Carlos! Can you just shut up, please? I’m fucking sick of having to deal with you two. You are stressing me out. We're going to the party with you. That's it. So bring your ass right here. I’m not listening to you complaining for another hour.  

 

Carlos: Fuck no. No. I’m not coming.

 

Lando: Mate, don't be a fucking wimp. I know you can do it. Be a good boy, Carlos. Not for me. For your Osc.

 

Carlos: Fuck you, Lando . He’s not my Osc...

 

Lando: LOL.

 

Carlos: Did you just say LOL out loud? 

 

Lando: No, I didn't. Hurry up, Carlos. It’s getting late.

 

Carlos: Okay. Okay. You know what? I can't do this anymore. It's fine. Fine. I'm coming, okay? I'm fucking coming and…  but you sit on the front with me, okay?

 

Lando : But the rear seats suck… they are too small. You know that Oscar is tall, right?

 

Carlos : No, I won't drive with Oscar near me, Lando. Fucking hell.

 

Lando : Fine, fine, he’ll sit on the back. Can we close the call, now? I still have to get dressed.

 

Carlos: Okay, see you later then… AY . Wait! What is Oscar's favourite colour?

 

Lando: What? Colour? Why?

 

Carlos: Just tell me, you muppet.

 

Lando: I don't know. Blue?

 

Carlos: Blue in like: “I'm sure it's blue” or more like: “It must be blue because everyone likes blue?”

 

Lando: What? I don’t not! Blue in like: “I think it's blue?” Why do you need to know?

 

Carlos: You are useless Lando.

 

Lando: Love you too, man

 

Carlos: Fuck, I have to change.

 

Lando: What?

 

---

Charlie

15 October 2023

 

are you coming soon, carlos?

i feel a bit sad 

 

I'm so sorry Charlie

It's not fair

And yes, I'm coming

i guess it was for the better

but it doesn't feel like it

If there is anything I can do, please tell me, Charles

I'm really sorry it happened

Especially on your birthday

 

it's like this 

there is nothing we can do sometimes

 

I guess not

But I'm here if you want to talk

 

where are you?

 

Leaving home right now

I'm going to pick up Lando and Oscar on the way

 

oh, okay

wait

carlos?

did you just say you're going to pick up oscar???

mon dieu

my day has just got 100 times better

Shut up cabrón

 

i can't believe it

i'm really proud of you, carlos 😘

Think about taking care of yourself, instead

 

 

---

Muppet

 

In call

 

Carlos: I changed my mind. Don't think I'm going to come.

 

Lando: Carlos! Now I'm going to hang up the phone and we are going to wait for you outside of the old coffee shop. Bye-bye.

 

Carlos: Fuck.

 

---

Muppet

 

where are u???

have you arrived yet?

 

No

Lando

I don't want to come

Please

I'm going to throw up in the Ferrari

ure not texting while driving right carlos?

 

What?

No?

I'm in the car

Which is parked outside my house

From where I haven't moved at all

 

freaking muppet

were already lare 

late

hurry up

osc is stunning

you totally sont want to miss the view 😉

 

Cabrón

Shut up dios mío

I can't 

What if Oscar doesn't like me in person?

 

the fuck????

carlos

cant believe ure really telling me this shit

ure the most handsome man ive ever seen in my life

and ive a boyfriend

and ive seen charles

so shut up 

and come here

now.

 

Fuck

Okay

Okay

Be there in 10

 

fucking finally

 

---

In a bathroom at Florida’s

 

Carlos: Charles? Are you done?

 

Charles: Non. Wait a little bit more. 

 

Carlos: But what are you doing? You have been in the bathroom for fifteen minutes!

 

Charles: Shut up, Carlos! Don’t you see that I’m… em… not well? Putain, Max, où est-tu?

 

Carlos: Max? What’s wrong with Max?

 

Charles: Don’t worry, sweetie, I’m on my phone! Oui, we’re in the bathroom. What? Of course? Mais non, Max! C’est déjà tard.

 

[The door opens. Max, Daniel and Checo enter. Max is on his phone but he closes the call when he sees Carlos.]

 

Max: Charlie? Carlos? Oh, there you are.

 

Daniel: Bonjour! Has Charles already started to speak French?

 

Checo: Hello guys

 

Max: He did…

 

[Charles exits the bathroom stall.]

 

Carlos: What the fuck is happening?

 

Charles: Maxie, Dieu merci. Where are the others?

 

Carlos: The others?

 

[The door opens again: George and Alex enter. George has an iPad and he’s typing something on it.]

 

Alex: Oh, hello everyone! I’m Alex.

 

George: George. 

 

Carlos: What? You are here too? You know Charles?

 

Alex: No, we don’t, actually! It’s so nice to meet you, Charlie!

 

Charles: Enchanté! I’m happy you are here!

 

[Yuki and Pierre enter the bathroom as well.]

 

Pierre: Oh, he’s already started with the French, eh? 

 

Yuki: Sorry! We didn’t mean to be late, but Pierre was having a drinking competition with a French guy out there. And then they started fighting because they couldn’t decide who had won. It took three people and two bouncers to tear them apart. 

 

Pierre: I hate the guy.

 

Yuki: They almost kicked us out…

 

Carlos: Late? Late for what? Why are we all in the bathroom, guys? Shouldn’t we be partying outside?

 

[George turns his iPad toward Carlos. On the screen, there is an open PowerPoint presentation. The title reads “How Not To Be Scared Of Your Feelings. By G.R.”. Carlos looks at the number on the corner: there are 92 slides. He gasps.]

 

Charles: Il est temps d’une intervention!

 

Max: Lovely.

 

Pierre: Sit down, Carlos. It will take a while.

Notes:

AHHH WE ARE DONE! Thank you again, guys! I had so much fun writing this story and sharing it with you all was the best experience ever. Sorry if my Spanish sucks, I swear I've studied it for years, but I haven't used it in a while and I'm a bit rusty now, but I couldn't make Checo and Carlos speak English between them lol.

Thank you, thank you and again thank you for being here with me. I hope you have the best day ever, bye <3