STREETS -
act one chapter twenty-four.

italics symbolize spanish speaking.

aliciahugo via instagram stories:

view replies!

mickschumacher:
i look so good in this pic 😍

aliciahugo:
truly, your best angle

alex_albon:
how did you take this
if you were sat by carlos

aliciahugo:
it's called having connections

alex_albon:
you got charles to take it
didn't you?

aliciahugo:
a magician never tells

alex_albon:
you aren't discreet
also, since when do you
call carlos angel eyes?

aliciahugo:
OH look at the time!
bedtime 😴

alex_albon:
ALICIA HUGO
I SWEAR TO GOD
[read]

WE THINK THAT SECRETLY EVERY FORMULA ONE DRIVER HATES EACH OTHER, and while in some cases they might actually hate each other it doesn't really matter because they'll be sat at different ends of the dining room table from each other.

The people they were on track were completely different to the people off track, if that makes sense.

Take George Russell for example. On track he enjoys pushing the Spaniards off and wears sunglasses no matter the occasion. But, off track one of his best friends is Spanish, and while he wishes he could push her into oncoming traffic (sometimes) he loves her no matter what.

Isn't it crazy, that sometimes we build our strongest bonds in the shortest amounts of time?

The Mercedes driver was just wishing on every lucky star that his time could be extended with Alicia.

But, the sad truth was only two drivers knew the truth about Alicia Hugo's future.

Herself and Sebastian Vettel.

It was not only his send off meal, but hers too.

The only difference was that every around the table knew Sebastian wasn't returning next year, they knew they had the opportunity to say goodbye once and for all. A send off truly deserved for a legend of the sport.

Alicia had sat there with a smile on her face all evening. Kicking George and Alex under the table and asking Esteban how long his legs were.

Across the table she had been planning with Daniel and Lewis when they would get their matching tattoos. Simultaneously, she had been calling over the waiter to secretly order Lando glasses of milk - even if he had known all along it was her, she still majorly enjoyed it.

At one point, Alex, Lewis and Alicia had divulged into setting up a play date. For their animals, of course.

Alicia leaned back in her seat, glancing at Carlos in the seat next to her - who, as per usual, was already looking at her. "What?" She asked with a quirked eyebrow and a small smile.

Luckily, George and Alex had been far too engrossed in a conversation with Lance and Esteban, about who could ride a bike long enough, to even notice what was going on opposite them.

Which, was nothing, but the two boys had a tendency to be dramatic about things.

Carlos shrugged and sipped on his glass of water, "I just think you look pretty today."

"So, you don't think I look pretty everyday?" She teased.

His eyes widened as he thought of a way to cover up his wording mistake, "I didn't mean it like that."

"I know you didn't, ojos de ángel," she quietly chuckled, "It was cute to see you all flustered, though."

She hadn't missed the way his cheeks had furiously blushed, his eyes widening further as he tried to avoid eye contact with her. Carlos, had however, missed completely the effect Alicia had on him.

Instead of dwelling on the fact she had called him cute and blushing even further, Carlos had to pull himself out of this embarrassing situation, plus it meant he could see if he still had the same effect he once had on Alicia.

"Angel eyes? I see you haven't forgotten our karting days?" He smirked, causing Alicia to roll her eyes as he decided to go down memory lane.

A memory lane of vivid memories when the pair had been like two school girls, shamelessly flirting with one another as they waited for their karts to be ready, or Carlos braiding Alicia's hair before she got in her own kart.

It was obvious to see two teenagers in love. One, who completely avoided the term all together (Alicia), while the other couldn't deny what he felt (Carlos) and wished he'd fought harder for the two to be together.

But, they were best friends, that's what they always had to be.

There were lines they were both too afraid to cross when they were younger. Too afraid to lose the other because of rejection, too afraid to lose one another because of a crash.

In the end their fear won. Because, they did lose each other.

But, did faith bring them back together?

Alicia didn't have faith. She didn't believe in a God. But, she did believe that she was meant to earn that seat at Williams. She believed that she was meant to find Carlos all over again. And yes, she was meant to hate him for a little while but then she'd have to swallow the bitter pill that she was wrong.

And while that was difficult to realize that your pettiness has held you back, it opens your eyes. It makes you realize you can't hold back just simply because someone crashed into you, you can't be mad at your best friend forever.

And now more than ever, Alicia realized you can't hold back. Because you never know when a good thing can unexpectedly come to an end.

Alex and George had both crossed their arms over their chests, silently watching their best friend and Carlos converse in Spanish. George, undoubtedly, looked as though he was silently judging his best friend while Alex looked confused.

"I thought they hated each other?" George asked with a furrowed brow.

Alex slowly nodded his head, "They did. But, you see, there's always been something fishy going on between them, so, I messaged Alicia's old friend—"

"Alicia had friends before us?"

Alex couldn't help but laugh at George's question.

He nodded in agreement before continuing to speak, "They were best friends. And, they even had crushes on each other." George gasped and Alex nodded like a happy school girl finding out heaps of gossip. "I know!"

George nodded at the pair, "You know what, I see it."

"Hmm," Alex hummed as he narrowed his eyes at the pair who had now begun laughing, "Me too. Carlicia? Hugsainz?"

George whistled, "Ooo! I like Hugsainz, it sounds like huge signs."

"Does it, George? Does it really?"

Across the table, Sebastian raised his eyebrows. Observing how Alex and George could go from agreeing on something to arguing like a married couple.

Deciding he didn't want to listen to them anymore he stood up, clearing his throat and tapping a spoon against the side of glass of water, causing all his to turn to him as he undoubtedly had something inspirational to say.

"I've been to a lot of dinners, but I have to admit that this has been one of the most pleasurable. The people around this table never fail to amaze me, they never fail to make me laugh. They never fail to prove that in all the chaos that is the world, there is good and pure hearts." His sadly smiled as he looked over his peers one by one, "I've spent years driving around different shaped circuits and these past few years I've driven with no direction, often not knowing where I'm going but you've all made me realize where I can go."

His eyes glanced down to Alicia and Lewis, who sat the closest to his left, "You've made me realize that the voice of this sport is in safe hands. That I can leave the marks I have made on track behind and know they are still fighting for the same beliefs I hold."

"Everyone at this table is special, they have a voice and I hope none of you are ever afraid to use it."

"The best part is, I can race this weekend and know you all support me. And I will continue to support you, even if you aren't on the grid one day," his eyes cast down to Alicia and Alex and George couldn't help but furrow their eyebrows, "Thank you. For all the memories, for all the fun times."

"Thank you."

George sniffled making Alicia roll her eyes as Alex and her simultaneously reached into their bags and chucked a packet of tissues at him.

Carlos chuckled from beside her.

She shrugged innocently as the Mercedes driver dabbed under his eyes, "With George, you always know he's going to cry."

"Hey!" George protested as he kicked her under the table.

The people around them laughed as Alicia couldn't help but think how much she'd miss this. It wasn't often they all go together but to her that never mattered.

She often prefers smaller and more intimate outings with her friends. That way she can truly remember the fun they have, or their sounds of their laughter as she does something undeniably stupid.

But, today she didn't mind. Because, this group of people would forever stay with her.

liked by: lewishamilton, carlossainz55, georgerussell63, mickschumacher and 14,276,972 others.

aliciahugo: a special night, for a special man 👴 @sebastianvettel5

view all 10,286,297 comments.

userone: the old man emoji is a VIOLATION

alex_albon: i look so good 🤤
lilymhe: keep telling yourself that x

georgerussell63: thanks to my stylist @aliciahugo
aliciahugo: all your options were shit 😭 just praise me for choosing the least shitty

usertwo: who paid the bill??
aliciahugo: i picked it up and then put it in lewis' lap, bear in mind i'd already paid for all of lando's milk intake!

landonorris: do you know how embarrassing it is for every five minutes the waiter to come up to you with a new glass of milk
aliciahugo: no, that scenario has never happened to me before 🤔

maxverstappen1: you still don't own a jet though
aliciahugo: why would i?!?!? i'm an eco warrior like seb, i bike everywhere
userthree: i heard a rumor that you can't ride a bike @aliciahugo
aliciahugo: ABSOLUTELY NOT. WHO TOLD YOU THAT.

irisblanche: you can't ride a bike 😭
aliciahugo: they are lying, babe, don't think less of me 🤧
irisblanche: i would NEVER my love
charles_leclerc: mon ange, you've never been on a zip line
irisblanche: don't talk to me, leclerc.

pierregasly: another day, another relationship ruined 👺
aliciahugo: you know how it is 👺

lewishamilton: why were there copious amounts of milk on the bill?
aliciahugo: okay. basically. my card declined and that was far too embarrassing for me to cope with so i put it on your tab, love you lots!!! 🤍

userfour: i can't even be negative about this, it's all too cute

author: you have to pretend oscar and alicia are in this picture, there was no way i was editing it 😭

view more.

charles likes bum:

MAX:
how are you going to
be a formula one
driver and have your card
decline

RED BULL REJECT #2:
sorry, mr private jet 🙄

PR LORD:
drag him, alex 💅🏼

ALICIA:
why are you two acting like this
it seriously scares me

PR LORD:
it's lando
his milk makes
him say odd things

MILK BOY:
i hate ALL of you

ALICIA:
when the twitch quartet
meet up but you failed the initiation ☹️

RED BULL REJECT #1:
how did you fail 😭

ALICIA:
they asked me to say ten nice things
about lando
like no-one can even say five,
let alone ten

MILK BOY:
this is why you never got in

ALICIA:
believe me
i don't want to be in your group
all you do is play video games
they rot your brains 🙄

PR LORD:
alex doesn't have a brain anyway

RED BULL REJECT #2:
totally unnecessary comment

IRIS:
wait
i didn't have an initiation

CHARLES:
ma belle fille,
you got in automatically

IRIS:
wow
okay
i don't want to be apart of your
boyband anymore

MICK:
can we form a band?

IRIS:
sure....

MICK:
fine. i guess not then.

ALICIA:
mick is so sassy lately
jesus

AUGUST:
he got broke up with LOL

IRIS:
get a life
no-one even uses lol
anymore

'iris' kicked 'august'

ALICIA:
woahhh
i want to be in iris's girl group
she has the ability to do powerful things

CHARLES:
yeah

MICK:
EW

ALICIA:
JESUS CHARLES
I DIDN'T ASK ABOUT YOUR SEX LIFE

SEB:
Children.
Literal children.

sebastian 👴:

ALICIA 😇:
thanks for today,
i know asking you to keep quiet
puts you in an awkward position
but i really only wanted your advice.
so, thank you a lot.
you were one of my favorites growing up
and knowing you in person has been one
of the greatest gifts i think a person can
ever achieve.

ALICIA 😇:
i'm amazed we even got to share
the same piece of the same track
for a little while.
you've had an incredible ride, seb,
i hope you enjoy retirement 🤍

SEBASTIAN 👴:
Thank you, Alicia.
You are an incredibly talented
driver and I find it shocking to
believe Williams are replacing you.
They won't miss you till your gone
and then they'll realize they made
a mistake.
But, know, you are better than going
back to them after the way you have
been treated these last few races.
Go somewhere where you are
appreciated.
Even if it means leaving Alex.

SEBASTIAN 👴:
And you'll have to tell them
the truth, sooner or later, Alicia.
You can't avoid it.

ALICIA 😇:
i know.
but today was about you.
and i wanted to enjoy the rare
time we weren't all at each others
throats

SEBASTIAN 👴:
I know. I know.
[read]

A LOUD KNOCK AT HER DOOR PREVENTED HER FROM ANSWERING FURTHER, A FURROW IN HER EYEBROWS AS SHE GOT UP FROM HER HOTEL BED TO ANSWER IT.

The moment she opened the door, questions were thrown at her so quickly she hadn't even been able to detect who it was, "Did you lose? Did you loose the seat? What are they thinking! Idiots, the whole lot of them!"

She slowly blinked as she tried to comprehend that Carlos Sainz stood in-front of her, complaining in Spanish, "Uh, what are you doing here?"

He laughed, lowly, "Alex is really quite stupid. I asked where you were and he basically led me up here, no questions asked."

"When I get my hands on him!" Alicia exclaimed, leaving the hotel door open as she made her way over to her phone.

"Him? He is not the problem, right now! Those people at Williams lack brain cells, how could they let you go?" The bewilderment in his voice was clear, it was so strong that Alicia admired it.

But, she laughed nonetheless. There was nothing anyone could do to fix the situation she was in, what happened happened. There was no changing that.

Williams made their choice. (Albeit the wrong one)

"You're cute when you're all angry for me." She shrugged when he shot her a warning look, "What! I'm not going to sit here and cry about it when I've got a job to do tomorrow."

She could cry tomorrow.

He looked at her with such disbelief, she could've laughed. "And what about the day after tomorrow. When you don't have a job?"

"Ow! Thanks for the reminder, dickhead!" She rolled her eyes as she threw herself down onto the comfortable hotel bed. "And to answer your question, I'll just go home."

"That's it?"

She nodded, "That's it. What's meant to be, will be, Carlos."

Alicia was calm. Far too calm for a woman who had been informed hours prior that she was losing the job she loved, the job she spent years just trying to get to the pinnacle of motorsport.

But, Alicia didn't see what she could do about it. If anything she was scolding herself for not being good enough, or not preparing herself for something that was bound to happen sooner or later.

There was no point in crying tonight. It wouldn't make her feel good and it wouldn't make her want to get up in the morning and race tomorrow.

Crying would exhaust her.

And now more than ever she needed energy. Enough energy to give Williams the middle finger, the final fuck you, so they could see what they were going to miss.

Carlos exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Cariño, you can cry, you can shout, just...just do something."

It was almost like he was begging for a reaction out of her.

And yet, she felt completely numb to the situation - almost as if the reality of it all hadn't completely set in yet.

She shrugged in his direction, "I don't want to cry. I don't want to shout. I just want to enjoy my final race, corazón, that's all I want."

Carlos' lips twitched slightly, trying to fight a smile, "So you don't want me to punch anyone?"

Alicia laughed. And it sounded like heaven to Carlos. His smile bloomed at the fact he had made her laugh so loudly, so wholeheartedly.

"I would love to see you try."

Jokingly, his face fell and a frown overcame his smile. "You don't believe I can?"

She tapped against her chin as she tilted her head slightly, "Jost could take you, easily."

He gasped, "Wow! You think you know people and then they stab you in the back like this!"

Now, Alicia would've made a joke about the crash that ended their friendship but she decided she was better than that.

They, were better than that now.

So, instead, she smiled at him, and patted the spot next to her on the bed, turning on the tv at the same time, "Your favorite is still Lilo & Stitch, right?"

He groaned as he threw himself onto the bed, "Why do you sound so judgmental?"

"Ohana means family." She imitated Stitch's voice with a smile.

But, that was quick to fade when she turned to look at Carlos and found him already gazing at her. Admiring every single aspect of her face.

And those eyes! Dios mío!

Her eyes never changed, they still brought that same comfort, they brought that same warmth in the pit of his stomach that he hadn't felt since he was young teenage boy - who was majorly in love with his best friend!

And she was staring right back at him. Like a deer caught in headlights as she felt herself getting lost in him. Like all those years ago.

No matter how long ago, the boy in-front of her never changed.

And maybe that meant those hidden feelings never change too.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
i hate haas. i can't hide it anymore they offered mick no support and steiner is such a shitbag i swear. i'm so glad mick is at merc now

listened to gracie abrams new album to distract from the fact i watched dts, have avoided revision and homework all week and have ruined alicia's career after saying i wouldn't 😭

you guys love me though ☝🏼