F1 PHAIDEI AU. The meeting + text

SOOOOO I'm starting this series of text sketches to help you get to know the characters and understand the plot! Please don't judge me too harshly, I rarely write. I hope you enjoy it! New text sketches will be released gradually, but don't worry — I'll post everything I've got!

P.S. for a better atmosphere, I highly recommend including music in this part and all subsequent ones!

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Song: Chase Atlantic - Friends

The training day dragged on by routine: checking the car, testing the controls, running the track. Everything followed the same old script, with no surprises. Phainon knew these laps almost by heart. He pulled into the pit stop, intending only to quickly change the settings and return to the track, when his gaze suddenly caught on a striking hair color that was impossible to mistake. The one he thought he’d never see again.

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2.5 years earlier

AND THAT’S ALREADY THE 20TH LAP! CAN FERRARI NO.16 HOLD ONTO HIS LEAD? IT LOOKS LIKE MERCEDES NO.11 ISN’T ABOUT TO GIVE HIM THE CHANCE! AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE ROOKIE FROM RED BULL!

After several attempts, the Mercedes driver finally overtook the Ferrari. Cursing under his breath, Mydei immediately started calculating his options to take the lead back. His strength was overtaking in corners — after all, the Merc always had the advantage on straights. Within seconds, he spotted an opening. It was risky, yes, but Mydei had rehearsed this maneuver countless times. He knew his car inside and out, knew how it handled in every turn. He trusted himself.

And then — the moment. For most people, it’s just a fraction of a second. But it’s slow motion for a racer. A smooth entry onto the inside line, wheel to wheel, one wrong touch and both would spin out — and an equally smooth exit. Mydei was already preparing to exhale when everything shattered in an instant.

OH NO! A COLLISION BETWEEN A MERCEDES AND A FERRARI! THE FERRARI SPINS OUT AND FLIPS! WHAT ABOUT THE DRIVER!? NO RESPONSE! THE RED BULL ROOKIE HAS STOPPED AND IS TRYING TO PULL THE FERRARI DRIVER OUT..

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More than two years have passed since that fateful race. Phainon hadn’t seen Mydei since, and he had almost accepted the thought that he never would. He didn’t know which hospital they had taken him to, how his recovery went, or what happened after he was discharged — only that he never returned to Formula 1. And now, after all this time, there he was again. Not as a driver, but as a Ferrari mechanic.

The moment stretched into eternity. The roar of engines, the chatter of the team, the chaos of the pit lane — all of it dissolved into silence. For Phainon, there was only Mydei.

After the training session, Phainon couldn’t bring himself to approach him. Qualifying day flew by, and then race day arrived. Phainon pushed himself and his car to the absolute limit — because now he knew Mydei was watching. He hoped Mydei was watching him.

It was a good race. He snatched victory from the Ferrari driver in the final stretch. As he was being congratulated, he spotted Mydei moving toward him. A jolt of electricity shot down his spine, his hands began to shake. He had dreamed of this moment so many times that he had stopped believing it would ever happen. 

Phainon held his breath when their eyes met. He wanted to say so much, but Mydei just walked past him, brushing his shoulder briefly in a quick gesture of support and congratulations, and then headed over to his driver. The Ferrari pilot and mechanic hugged each other in a tight embrace.

And in that moment, Phainon’s world collapsed. He saw Mydei’s sincere smile — a smile that was not meant for him. He had never felt such sharp envy, such bitter jealousy. His victory meant nothing, because it belonged to someone who was completely indifferent to him.

to be continued.. 🏎