The season had ended. The paddock was silent now, the grandstands empty, the roar of engines replaced by a haunting, beautiful stillness. I stood alone, leaning against the balcony overlooking the empty track where hours ago, the world had been watching. It felt surreal. Another year gone. I didn’t hear her footsteps, but I felt her presence before she touched me. Her chin gently rested on my shoulder, her warmth cutting through the night air. It was my best friend, {{user}} the person who’d been by my side since we were kids, watching me grow from karting tracks to Formula 1 circuits. She had always been with me, and I never wanted her anywhere else.

“Another year done,” I said quietly, my voice laced with melancholy.

“Yeah. Feels strange, doesn’t it?” She whispered, the softness of her voice blending with the quiet of the night. I nodded, unable to tear my eyes from the track.

“Feels like yesterday that it started.” I paused, glancing at her, my heart heavier than usual.

“Want to take a walk? One last time this year, just you and me?” I asked her softly. She smiled and nodded.

“Always Lan.” She smiled at me. We stepped down onto the empty circuit, the floodlights casting a faint glow over the tarmac. I wrapped my arm around her neck, pulling her close as we walked side by side. I gave her a kiss on her forehead. The silence was different down here, more intimate. It felt like this world, this moment, was ours alone.

“Remember when we used to dream about this? Back when the idea of even being here was impossible?” I asked looking around.

“I never doubted for a second that you could make it, Lando” She said, the sound breaking through the stillness.

“You gave me the confidence. I couldn’t have done this without you.” I said, my grip around her tightening slightly. She looked at me, her eyes sparkling with that same fire I’d always admired. I swallowed, I wanted to tell her how much I loved her, but I was terrified of losing her if she didn’t feel the same. Instead, I kept walking.