BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM. MAY 2025.

Olivia's second night in Birmingham came quickly which meant the couple's week together was coming to an end. They had spent the two days in between the Glasgow and Birmingham shows just spending their time together like any other couple would, nothing special, just trying to act as ordinary as possible.

However, they were getting spotted out and about more together and fans would often get pictures with them or take pictures that the two would see appear all over social media that evening.

"God they're all really obsessed with us aren't they?" Jacob commented after seeing a photo taken of the two of them out for lunch together.

"It's crazy isn't it." Olivia commented. "When did you take that photo?" she asked, referring to the one outside the arena.

"I went outside whilst you were doing your sound check."

The world of social media was alight with so much content for the couple, there were TikTok edits, fanpages, an array of tweets and posts all about the couple. It was overwhelming for Jake at times, he wasn't as used to the spotlight as Oliva was. He preferred to keep reserved and to himself.

He had also seen an increase in rumours speculating about Sabrina and Thierry. Their 'core four' group chat had been inactive as neither had made effort to message each other outside of races. Sophie and Jaxon caught on and ended up messaging both individually. Jacob had no idea what Thierry was up to but all the speculation about Thierry with the girl who his girlfriend's ex cheated on her with and caused so much upset added to the tense dynamic they already had on the racetrack.

He constantly asked Sophie and Jax if Thierry had mentioned anything but both of them said he hadn't said anything, he was almost distancing himself from the group. The only information he had, and it definitely wasn't reliable, was from social media.

Before Olivia's show in the evening, he wished her luck with a kiss before making his way to where he was seated. He much enjoyed having the 'normal' experience rather than watching from the wings, he got to experience it like everyone else. For one show, he watched from the very front, ahead of the barricades but if he was being honest, the amount of diehard fans at the barricade did intimidate him ever so slightly. Crazy teenage girls in a large quantity all screaming at Jake was definitely a lot, there were also the odd fans who weren't over Josh and Olivia so they would be saying things to Jake that he would simply just ignore - that was a very rare occurrence though.

After the opening act Remi Wolf took to the stage, Jake saw the standard visual of the purple GUTS candles that slowly melted as it ticked closer to when Olivia was to go on stage. The fans went crazy for her when she entered and it was just a sign of how successful and how loved she was. The ones who were stood right at the front by her had been queueing for over twelve hours. The arena had turned into a sparkly, purple wonderland with concert-goers dressed for the occasion. Jake, unlike the other fans, opted for something a bit more subtle and something that didn't draw too much attention to him.

The crowd erupted into a thunderous roar before Liv appeared on stage under red lights for 'bad idea right?'. She confidently strutted around the stage in her glittery silver two-piece, the edgier track being a great way to open the set. There wasn't much time for everyone to catch their breath as Liv dived straight into 'ballad of a homeschooled girl'. Just two songs in and the energy in the arena was already high, every word screamed passionately back at Liv as she danced across the stage.

'vampire' followed, a powerful ballad which exploded into a pop-rock symphony, showcasing her talent as a vocal powerhouse, Jake could do nothing but watch in complete awe as she showed everyone just how talented she was.

The lights then changed to dim purple lights and into the melancholy melodies of 'traitor'. Towards the end of the song, dancers entered the stage continuing to impressively command the stage as Olivia went off.

After a sudden flash of darkness, she reappeared sat at a piano, purple fog flooding the stage as she began to play her debut single 'drivers licence'. In between this and the next, Olivia stopped to talk to the crowd and shared how she wrote the next song, 'teenage dream'. From one emotional piano ballad to the next, everyone's phone torches were on, illuminating the arena.

Afterwards, the stage went to darkness again as Olivia went for an outfit change, Jake waited until she came back on under a pink light with a black two-piece on surrounded by her dancers. The next song on her set list was 'pretty isn't pretty' before going into 'love is embarrassing' switching back to Olivia's version of rock-and-roll.

At this point, Jake could tell Olivia needed a moment and she took that moment after the consecutive run of songs. She spoke to the crowd and even made eye contact with Jake whose eyes were still filled with a childlike sense of wonder and awe. In that moment Olivia's heart warmed, she could tell just by making eye contact with Jake that he loved her just as much, if not more, than she loved him.

This was the part of the concert where she would lie down on the stage begin to sing the emotional track 'making the bed', where she was lying on slowly rose her into the air. One of Jake's favourite moments of the set followed; illuminated stars dropped down from the ceiling and she floated above the standing area sat on a purple crescent moon. From here, she sang 'logical' and 'enough for you'.

After 'lacy' came another one of Jake's favourite moments in her set. She addressed the crowd again.

"Are we having a good time everyone?"

A cheer erupted as Olivia smiled, soaking it all in.

"What does that sign say?" Olivia asked, peering into the crowd. Jake craned his neck to try and see what she was referring to. On the big screen the sign was picked up the camera. Jake looked and stifled a chuckle. The sign read 'Olivia, I feel so much jealousy for Jake Thompson'

Olivia read it and laughed into the mic as the crowd burst into a cheer. "Anyways...have I told you guys how much I love England? I love English things...jaffa cakes...chocolate digestives...Silverstone..."

The crowd burst into cheer once more and Jake was fully aware of the people around him exclaiming and talking about him, their phones out. He appreciated the mention to F1 and the fans definitely appreciated it.

"I love it all but I still feel so American..."

And just like that, she grabbed her guitar and started playing the song, Jake still unable to take his eyes off her. Just like she did at the first night in Glasgow, she blew a kiss towards him making sure she acknowledged his presence and indirectly tell Jake how thankful she was that he was here. This was followed up with a string of songs from her debut album SOUR which the audience went wild over.

The final ballad of the evening took the shape of 'the grudge', an authentically raw performance which featured just Liv and her microphone on stage. She exited the stage once again and it lit up with fiery visuals as the band played the electric riff of 'brutal'.

Olivia was back on stage again, a red romper and singing instantly. Jake thought she looked incredibly attractive in this outfit. The energy in the arena only increased as 'obsessed' began to blare out. Jake loved the choreography for the song, it was a reminder that Olivia Rodrigo, who was incredibly hot, was his. At the end of the track she grabbed her electric guitar and the entire band doesn't hold back in a fantastic rock instrumental. To conclude Liv's main set, she finished with 'all-american bitch'.

The crowd raised ear-splitting amounts before Olivia raced back on stage for the encore. Her set completely finished with 'good 4 u' and 'get him back!' which saw star-shaped confetti fall down from the sky.

Five outfits, twenty-three songs and almost two hours later the show ended with a deafening, and justified, cheer from the crowd - Jacob on his feet applauding and cheering.

Jake couldn't deny it, no one else could deny it, Olivia Rodrigo - his beautiful and extremely talented girlfriend - is this generation's pop princess.

IMOLA, ITALY. MAY 2025.

After a week off, it was now time for three consecutive weekends of racing in Italy, Monaco and Spain. He would then get another week off before heading to Canada. The plan was, if everything went to plan, he could spend a week off with Olivia on tour.

It could get exhausting at times, all the travelling but it was worth it for the two most important things in his life, his career and his girlfriend.

The weekend of the Imola Grand Prix arrived with dark clouds and the promise of rain. Jake had grown accustomed to the unpredictable nature of Formula One, but even he knew the challenges that a wet track could bring. As he prepared for the weekend, a text from Olivia brought a smile to his face.

Liv <3

good luck today and tomorrow baby, i'm watching both live and rooting for you forever n always <3

Jake smiled and his spirits were lifted. He knew Olivia was always cheering him on, even if she couldn't be there in person.

The rain began to pour down as qualifying started, turning the track into a treacherous, slick battlefield. Jake focused on maintaining control and finding the grip on the wet track. Lap after lap, he pushed the limits as best as he could.

When the session ended, Jake had managed to secure a decent P4 on the grid. He felt a surge of satisfaction knowing he had handled the challenging conditions well. Thierry, on the other hand, struggled in the rain, qualifying tenth.

The rain showed no sign of letting up on race day. As the drivers lined up on the grid, the tension was palpable. The green lights flashed, and the roar of engines filled the air, sending sprays of water in all directions.

Jake immediately settled into a rhythm, using his technical prowess to navigate the slippery track. The conditions were unforgiving, and cars began to spin out and crash, resulting in five retirements, including Thierry's. It was disappointing for him, but he just couldn't control his car in these conditions.

By the halfway point of the race, Jake had climbed to second place, benefiting from a well-timed pit stop and a safety car period. His strategy was paying off, and his ability to adapt to the wet conditions set him apart from many of his competitors. With a few laps to go, he found himself in a tight battle for the podium. In the end, his persistence and skill secured him a well-deserved third placed finish.

Jake stepped out of his car, exhilarated and soaked to the bone. He waved to the cheering fans, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The podium ceremony was a blur of celebration and champagne, and he couldn't help but think of Olivia watching him from afar.

After the ceremony, Jake was ushered to the media zone for his post-race interview. The reporters were eager to get his thoughts on the challenging race and his ongoing rivalry with Thierry.

"Jake, congratulations on a fantastic podium finish in such difficult conditions," one reporter began, "how do you feel about today's race, especially with Thierry having a tougher time out there?"

Jake took a moment to consider his response, choosing his words carefully. "Thank you. Today was definitely a tough race, but that's what makes Formula One so exciting. The best drivers need to be well-rounded and able to drive in all conditions, not just the ideal ones. It was all about staying focused and making the right decisions at the right time."

His subtle comment did not go unnoticed. The implication was clear: being a top driver meant mastering every aspect of racing, including the challenging and less-than-ideal conditions.

As Jake made his way back to the paddock, his phone buzzed with a message from Olivia.

Liv <3

congrats on the podium! you were amazing out there! super duper proud!!! 🏆

Thank you Liv, good luck tonight.

MONTE CARLO, MONACO. MAY 2025.

The weekend after, Jake was in the streets of Monaco. The anticipation for the Monaco Grand Prix was there. The glamorous streets of Monte Carlo were lined with eager fans, the air thick with excitement. This race was not just any race; it was the crown jewel of the Formula 1 calendar. Jake felt the weight of the occasion, but he also felt ready.

Qualifying had been intense, with every driver pushing to their limits on the narrow, winding streets. Jake had managed to clinch pole position, a first for him.

Thierry, fired up for his home race, was right behind him in P2. The front row was set for an epic battle between the two childhood friends who were now fierce rivals.

Jake was pleased with his result. Most of the time where you qualified was where you finished in Monaco so if he played his cards right, his maiden win was within an arm's reach.

Liv <3

watching you live <3

As the lights went out, the roar of engines echoed through the streets of Monaco. Thierry got a better start and was almost side-by-side with Jake heading into the first corner. Jake, however, held his line with a calm but assertive move, keeping Thierry at bay.

Lap after lap, Thierry's aggressive attempts to overtake were relentless. He tried audacious moves, diving into corners and taking risks that bordered on reckless. This was a track where overtaking was known to be hard yet Thierry was throwing everything and more. Jake, however, kept a cool head, expertly defending his position, he knew if he could do this he could translate his pole into a first win. The tension was high, each corner a test of nerves and skill.

The race was a masterclass in defensive driving from Jake. Every time Thierry attempted a daring overtake, Jake was there to shut the door, maintaining his lead with precision. The two cars flew around the circuit, inches apart, the rivalry intensifying with each lap.

As the checkered flag waved, Jake crossed the finish line in first place. He had done it. His first race win, and it was at Thierry's home Grand Prix. The satisfaction was immense, a perfect way to get back at Thierry for winning in Australia.

The Australian national anthem played as Jake stood atop the podium, pride swelling in his chest. This victory meant everything. It wasn't just a win; it was a statement.

Thierry, standing in second, was visibly frustrated. Instead of celebrating a 1-2 for the childhood friends, their faces remained stoic. The tension was palpable. In the cool-down room, Jake actively ignored Thierry, choosing to converse with Lando Norris, who had finished third. The atmosphere was thick with animosity.

When it came time to spray the champagne, Jake celebrated with Lando and Rick who had come up to claim the Constructors' Trophy. Thierry, left to spray champagne towards the fans and the Ferrari team below, was clearly isolated. The camaraderie that might have been expected from two former best friends was nowhere to be seen.

Jake's joy was evident as he embraced his team, the McLaren crew sharing in the triumph. Olivia texted him again.

Liv <3

omg omg omg!!! this is crazy jake!!! your first win!!!! IM SO PROUD OF YOU MY TALENTED BOY!!!

                     I love you Liv, my number 1 supporter

i love you so much!!! your no1 fan forever and a day 😙

Back in the paddock, the tension remained. Reporters were quick to ask Jake about the race and his thoughts on Thierry's aggressive tactics.

"It was a hard race," Jake said, making sure to think before he spoke, "Monaco is always challenging, but today was about staying focused and keeping my position. And I did so and it resulted in a win, a prestigious win at that - it's such a great feeling to get your first race somewhere as renowned as Monaco."

Thierry's frustration was evident in his own interviews. He hinted at the challenge of overtaking on such a narrow circuit, but his words carried an edge that did not go unnoticed.

As Jake sat down to decompress after the race, he couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. This victory was not just about the race; it was about proving himself. The rivalry with Thierry had reached a new level, and Jake knew that the season ahead would be even more intense.

But for now, he would just celebrate that after twelve years of hard, gruelling work, he had won his first ever Formula 1 race.