Today is the day that I dread. Not because it is the last race weekend on the Moto2 calendar but because I have an important deadline coming up. There is one thing that is holding me back from signing with Ducati. The thing is I should be happy since it has always been my dream to join the MotoGP grid but my past has other ideas. I take a deep breath as I start the quick process of getting my gear ready. The good thing is I have my race suit on already since I needed it for some media stuff which I despise.

"Hey, Mav. I think you should take the contract," My best friend turned PR officer remarks as she pushes her way past the small crowd.

"Lo...look I t...t...old you alrea...dy I'm not sure," I reply. I know I need to take the risk but with a stutter, the media stuff is going to be worse. I hate the fact that my father took away the one thing that would help my career. maybe things would have gone quicker if I went with my mum. There are so many things that I have to be thankful for like winning the Red Bull Rookies Cup.

"I'm just saying. I made sure the contract limited the verbal media commitments. You should be fine to take it," She is being insistent. I do understand why but I want to focus on the race ahead. I give my best friend a familiar gesture. It is a little hand wave to let her know that I have acknowledged her. She responds with a little good luck pat on the shoulder. It is her way of making sure I had a bit of luck. Normally I'd be annoyed at her actions but this time I needed some luck. This race was the one that I needed to score well in. Thankfully the mechanics are quick. After five minutes of waiting in my spot in the first place position the race starts. My mind snaps to the task ahead. I quickly pull my feet off the ground as I launch the bike. I have always loved the feeling of quick acceleration. It will be one of the things that I am going to miss if I don't take the contract. I soon notice my biggest rival, Connor, in my mirror. This is going to be fun. The issue is I have to wait for the straight to defend because right now my knee is almost touching the ground as I turn through the first corner.

"Mavi be careful. Connor is closing the gap," The team principal remarks. I quickly pull myself up but as I am doing it I make sure that I acknowledge my boss. I swiftly get to work on keeping my position. I know it will be a challenge but it will be fun. I have decided to enjoy the race before I sign the contract with Ducati. I find myself tutting as Connor tries to get past with little success. After what feels like an eternity I have managed to pull away from Connor.

"Gap?" I use the radio to confirm my feeling that I have pulled away.

"Two seconds," The team principal responds. It may not sound like a lot but to me, it means I have won the Moto2 championship and I will have nothing to worry about until I start with Ducati. After five more laps the race has come to an end with me on top. Even though I have won the race I am not particularly happy. It doesn't take long for me to bring the bike to the pits where I am met by the cheers of the support personnel. I'm guessing that the hugs haven't started because I am yet to dismount. Again it is a quick task.

"Congratulations Mavi," My lead mechanic is the first to congratulate me.

"Thanks," I keep my response short because I know my stutter may be an issue. The thing is I shouldn't let it bother me but it does. After a minute of congratulations, I make my way to the cool-down room where I am met by Connor and the third-place rider.

"I don't think I could have had a better rival. If the gossip is correct then you should go to Ducati," Connor adds to my list of congratulations. Little does he know I have decided to take the contract. It will be interesting to see what the team at Ducati will think of me as a person. They will already know about my defect but if anyone has any complaints I'll send them to my PR officer after all she knows how to defend me well. Thankfully the podium ceremony is quick. Now I have to go find my PR officer. The good thing is she is also looking for me.

"Jade. I...I'm taking the con...tract," I announce. Her face changes from a look of concern to a look of pure joy.

"You took your time. I'll let Luigi know. Before I forget Congratulations," Jade responds. I know why she said that in the manner that she did. Jade is the kind of person to get wrapped up in her work. The thought brings a smile to my face since I know I would not be here without her help. It has been a few months since the championship win and today is the day I am dreading. I can feel the nerves build as I head towards the test track that the MotoGP crew have taken for the weekend. I am lucky that my new teammate Jack Miller and I are sharing a car for the preseason testing. Even though we get along I'm slowly starting to find his desire to have a conversation annoying.

"Is there anything wrong?" Jack decides to check on me. He has a look that suggests that he has done something.

"Just shy," I gave my normal excuse. It will take time for me to get confidant in a new series but I have no reason to doubt myself just yet.

"Oh well. I'll get you out of your shell in no time," He responds. I find myself giggling at his statement. Many people have tried but at the same time, most of them have failed miserably. It looks like I'm not going to have any problems for now. After five minutes of answering Jack's questions, we arrive at the circuit. Jack and I head through the paddock. I am about to enter the Ducati HQ but I am stopped by a familiar voice.

"Mavi?" I turn around to find my former teammate Olivia Marleau. She seems happy to have another woman in the paddock.

"Liv it's good to s...see you again," I respond.

"oh, I have some news. You know Marc Marquez right?" Olivia remarks. You immediately know what she is trying to say. I am not surprised.

"So the gossip was correct?" I pretend to act surprised to tease Olivia. After a brief chat, I part ways with her because we both have work to do. I am glad that we were able to catch up because it gave me some reassurance that I was making the right decision. I quickly find my rider's quarters so I can get changed into my race suit. I take a deep breath as I pull the zip all the way up. I find myself thinking that it is odd that I am wearing red but I think it is better than the blue suit that I was wearing a few months ago. I grab my helmet and gloves and head to the garage.

"Anyth...ing that I n...n...eed to be aware of?" I ask my new lead mechanic.

"Just be careful of the power. I'd suggest taking your time today and going all out tomorrow. It should be easier for you to adjust if you use that strategy," He responds. To me, it sounds like he has given that speech multiple times. He soon makes the final adjustments as I pull my helmet on. It doesn't take long for me to get sent out. I am glad that my lead mechanic gave me the warning. I can feel the extra power as I leave the pits. Even though the speed is limited I can feel it. Thankfully I am quick enough to get out of the pits. I get to work on doing the required tasks. I can feel the bike as it starts to wobble as I exit the first corner. Thankfully it is the kind of wobble that means you are doing something right. Even then I hate the physics behind the wobble.

"Info?" I ask just in case there is something wrong with my inputs.

"You are currently on track to be the fastest so I wouldn't worry about the wobble," The team principal remarks. At least I am on track. I am glad that I have some luck. After a forty-five minute push, I made it through the first session. I can feel the smile on my face as I pull my helmet off. I'm soon joined by Jack. Like me, he has a smile on his face.

"See squirt you have nothing to worry about," Jack gives me a playful pat. I respond with a playful shove.

"Tes..ting means n...nothing you goose," I just want the season to start already.

"Oh tomorrow night some of the riders and I will be going out and I suggest you come," Jack announces. It will be a good chance for me to make more friends. I know that I need more friends than just Olivia and Jack. I let him know that I am happy to tag along. Whether or not my stutter will get the best of me I won't know until I arrive. It is the day after and you are worried because the countdown to the gathering starts. At least the rest of the testing went well. There may be some aspects that I will have to adjust to but it will be quick. I take a deep breath as I join Jack in the car. I am glad that I am the designated driver since I don't drink alcohol at all. It doesn't take long for the pair of us to make it to the venue. It doesn't take me long to spot a familiar face.

"Mav, come here I need to introduce you to Marc. Marc this is Mavi, Mavi this is Marc," Olivia gets to work on introductions. It feels weird meeting my hero but it was bound to happen. I can feel my cheeks turning red.

"Olivia, you should give Me and Marc some p...p...privacy?" I struggle to get my question out. I hate how my stutter is making my nerves worse. Thankfully Olivia fulfils my request. Marc soon gets to work on getting to know me. I find it weird that Marc is acting nice towards me. It doesn't take long for Marc to be interrupted. Another familiar face joins us. I feel like a fangirl instead of a rider.

"You must be Mavi. Val was suggesting that I introduce myself. My name is Fabio Quartararo," He offers his hand for a shake. I take it with some hesitation because I may not be able to respond. I try my best but the words refuse to leave my mouth so I nod instead. Now that the introduction has been made I make my escape. I can feel the embarrassment rise from my body but I can't help it. I made it to the one quiet place I could think of. Except there is someone already there. He has his back to me so I can't tell who it is. I really can't catch a break tonight. The man in front of me turns around. I am awestruck that I am standing in front of the legend that is Valentino Rossi. So much for composure. I try my best to muster up a greeting but only one word comes out of my mouth.

"Hey," I really want this night to be over or at the minimum I want Jack or Olivia to rescue me.

"You don't need to be nervous. My name is Valentino. You must be Mavi," Valentino responds.

"Yes. S...Sor...ry I am a little-" For whatever reason Valentino cuts me off.

"Shy. You will be fine," He completes my sentence. Normally I would get annoyed when people do that but for some reason Valentino is kind about it unlike the reporters. After a thirty minute conversation, Valentino and I rejoin the main group. At least he has given me a small boost. I now have one last thing to do.

"Fabio I n...n..eed to ap...ologise," I may have just interrupted a good conversation but I need to at least say sorry for ditching him.

"For what? Jack explained that you are shy," Fabio reassures me. If it weren't for the fact that I was the designated driver I would have had my first taste of alcohol. I shake the thought out of my head as I find myself in a conversation with Olivia and Fabio. At least my night has gotten better after my conversation with Valentino. After two hours of various activities, I am ready to head back to the hotel so I can get ready for the lead up to the Qatar GP. I'm not the kind of person that leaves everything for the last minute. I manage to convince Jack that we should go even though it is a bit of a struggle. I found myself laughing as I tried to wrestle the drunk piece of flash into the car. It was a good thing that I didn't give in to my desire to have my first drink. I don't understand how the Australian is still able to walk.

"See Squirt I told you. You had nothing to worry about," Jack pulls me out of my thoughts.

"I all...most ran away. It was Val that you have to thank," I respond as I start the tedious process of getting us back to the hotel. I hope that the others managed to enjoy their respective nights in the same way that I did. I am lucky to be part of a supportive grid even though I have some stuff that I need to confront. The thing is I should tell someone but I don't want to. Not yet anyway.

A/N please don't forget to vote and/or comment if you think the idea will work. I'd also appreciate some suggestions for rider ships. Thank you.