This summer break, I finally had a chance to escape the whirlwind of racing and take a breather. I found myself on the sun soaked beaches of the Côte d'Azur, where the waves whispered secrets to the shore, and the days stretched lazily into warm, golden evenings. One afternoon, while strolling along the shoreline, I spotted her. She was sitting alone, her hair catching the sunlight, a book in her hands. I don't know what it was, but something about her made the world around me pause. I felt like I had just gone through Eau Rouge at full speed; my heart raced, but everything else slowed down.

I tried to play it cool, walking by as if I hadn’t noticed her. But my heart was pounding like it does just before a race starts. I found a spot a little distance away, but close enough to keep her in my line of sight. I couldn’t help but steal glances at her, captivated by her effortless beauty and the peaceful aura she exuded. It wasn’t just physical; it was something deeper. It felt like I was drawn to her soul, like I’d known her for a thousand lifetimes. The way she moved, the way she smiled softly to herself; it was like she was meant to be in my life, even if just for this moment.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, I realized I was falling fast, and with no brakes. I didn't want this moment to fade. In that brief, I thought I found something, or someone, worth chasing. I knew I had to talk to her, to learn her name, to know the sound of her voice. But for now, I was content just watching her, scared that she wouldn’t have been interested, feeling my heart race for reasons entirely different from the ones I was used to.