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12-seconds-to-live · 1 year ago

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(Un)Lost: The art of war

Pairing: F12022/3!Grid! x Fem!Driver!Oc

Warnings: DNF’s, angst, a little bit of love, episodes of anxiety, Seb’s retirement, harsh words.

DRIVE TO SURVIVE SEASON 5 - EP. 1 THE NEW ERA

“It’s freezing in here” I said while I was puting my cap in my head, my Williams cap, ready to sit in the famous black chair of Netflix. “Thank you Netflix for make this possible, Bahrain is being cooking itself now” The producer chuckle.

“So, we’re going to let you introduce you and then make you a few questions. Everything clear?”

“Sure” I look for a better position in the chair and look to the camera “My name is Charlotte Robyn-Jones and I’m engineer strategist for Williams Racing Formula One Team” I said with a smile on my face. I saw the people in the back laugh and I copy the action

“You can’t lie to Netflix, kid”

“I think I just did ... Anyway, 1, 2, 3, Monday to Friday, My name is Charlotte Robyn-Jones, I’m 23 and I’m a race driver for Williams Racing Formula One Team” I tilt my head to one side and laugh “Cool”

“So cool. What’s for you to be at the top of the game right now?, obviously avoiding the question that you must be bored about”

“Being a woman is fantastic, except for that thing every month but I can’t complain. I have to say that it’s not easy. You can dream of some things happening but all the same time, If you really wanted, the answer is get up and look for your better options to make things happen.” I gassped and look down and to the camera. “I remenber when I told my dad that I wanted to give it a try in karting and I wasn’t even 6, he looked at me like I was some sort of silly muppet but then he make me promise that I will do great in school and then he will help me with the racing carreer I wanted. The rest is history”

A series of videos of her carreer show up, from her beginning in karts, F4, F3 and her successfull 2021 in F2 finishing as champion, smiling faces all around and obviously a very proud Charlotte.

“You just mention your dad. What about other members in your family? Friends or even a boyfriend?” I look at the producer with a side smile

“You guys are really something else, right?” they laugh “I’m single ready to mingle. I don’t talk to much about my family, I like to be private about that. I almost dropped all this. My family is my priority and two years ago I lost my mom due cancer so...”

“I’m sorry we don’t...”

“No, it’s okay” I smiled to the camera “She’s not here but I still talk about her like she’s just in the back of the house screaming to the dog for being so silly, she’s still here and I know she’s proud”

“Sure she is. Just to finish ... Any expectations for your team. Everybody wanted to see you in a bigger team like Mercedes or Ferrari, did you hear any rumors about that?”

“Well, certanly I did hear, but the thing is, mmm, I always believe that If you wanna prove yourself is better to start from the very bottom, understand the little things and then you’ll find success, almost glory. Being in this sport is so tricky, like, one day you won in Monaco and the next day you’re out of the points or feeling that all your pasion is going out to your body” I see everybody’s faces like I was saying something fascinating “This is sport is like war, you better watch out your back ‘cause even your own team could kill you.”

“So, this is your year to discover yourself?”

“Yes, my bingo card this year will imply me being playing the art of war that is F1″

“Okay Charlotte, this is all for today. We’ll see you along the year”

“Thanks and don’t spill my secrets. Snitches end up in ditches, they say”

I go out of the room straight to the Williams garage. Sure thing is that this year is going to be wild, after what happened last year between Red Bull and Mercedes, man, I really don’t want to be any member of those teams.

“Hello Ms. Jones, everything all right with Netflix?” My PR, Ava asked. She was in Alex side of the garage talking to other people

“Yeah, they’re like school girls” She laugh

“Yeah, sometimes. Today is media day so since you’re ready with your Williams merch, we can start signing some caps and cards and then continue with your schedule. Or do you want to start with press?”

“Up to you really, better doing the easiest first then I’ll face the sharks” We walk to a conference room when I found Alex with his girlfriend and his PR. Last year I met the girl in a tournament in the UK and we have been really close since then.

“Oh hello you, my girl and my boy rocking together this year” Lily said and hug me, while Alex put a false angry face

“Nice to see you Lily and yes, we’re going to rock or better than that” I said she smack Alex shoulder

“See, I tould you she has spirit!”

“I know, I think that everybody saw that video of her running along the track after her win in last year championship”

That video.

Well, you don’t win F2 championship many times in your life, right?

“I don’t know what are you talking about”

“Everybody know you do”

“Shh” I sit next to the pile of merch with my face on it. It’s 9:45 so I have time ‘till lunch and more interviews.

INTERVIEW ROOM @14:20

W/ Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel

“Don’t be nervous, ok? I’m not gonna tell what to answer, you’re smart so answer like a pro”

“Like a pro? So I can say <<inchident>> or even ask about the interviewers plans for the summer?” I showed Ava a side smiled

“Please don’t and you’re going to be in between, your name is on the sofa” I enter the room and saw the amount of people organized in the back of the room with notepads, cameras and tricky looks.

“So, welcome everybody to the second session here in Bahrain, we are here with Lando Norris from McLaren, Carlos Sainz from Ferrari, Charlotte Jones from Williams, Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes and Sebastian Vettel from Aston Martin. Welcome to the drivers, we’re going to have a round of questions for this sesion, if that’s ok” I look at the others who nod.

“Hello, this question is for Charlotte” Great. “We want to hear your first impresions of your new team, if you have the chance to meet the other drivers and expectations for your rookie season”

I tried to smiled but I suddenly felt like I wanna dissapear and the lights we’re too bright so I put on my glasses and I hear Lewis laugh and how he copy my action and take the microphone “It’s sunny outside so there’s no need to put the light to bright, thanks guys” And squeezed my hand.

“Yeah, lights, mmm, almost everybody saw me in the car last year when I met the team and my teammate. Everything has been great so far, mmm I spent half of the holidays with the Sainz family, there been close to my mom’s family so, yeah, Carlos and his trainer just help me to get in better shape for this rodeo, something that I’m grateful for” I fist bump with Carlos and laugh “And expectations, well, I prefer to see how it goes after the race, I sent my ideas and questions the past month so I know now that the car is fast and let’s see If we can put Williams on the top again”

Sebastian took the microphone and look at me “Do you know about engineering?”

“Yeah, I finished my degree in mechanical engineering last month, obviously online, so...”

“That’s impresive, kid” answer Sebastian

“Am I the only one scared now?” Ask Lando to everybody. Everybody laugh at that. The interview session went smoothly and not many questions were to me, since Lewis was in the room, the events of november where reminded. Questions about strategies and upgrades for Ferrari and Aston Martin and the chances of McLaren of getting a podium this year. After that, the session ended, Carlos stopped me.

“Welcome officially, girasol” He hug me in the process and we heard a cough

“Are you good, man?”

“Since my friend here it’s so disrespectfull, nice to meet you, yo soy Lago”

“Nunca le enseñaste bien español” I said laughing to the spaniard

“Ciertamente él fue un terrible alumno”

“Please don’t. Back to a common language” I smiled to him and oh boy! such beautiful eyes

“Charlotte, rookie, friend of this guy, fan of dogs, chocolate cake and be on my xbox the whole day” I shake his hand and he gasp

“Marry me”

“In a few years, maybe” I look to Carlos who look at me with wide eyes

“I don’t want him on family holidays, ten moths are too much now” As we were walking through the paddock, a few photographers and fans aproach us. Since Carlando were more famous that I am, so I go straight to my motorhome to lay down for a bit.

What a day.

A few headers on instagram and twitter about the conference

2022 ROOKIE READY TO DRIVE AND BEING A THREAT

CHARLOTTE ROBYN-JONES, NEW SENSATION IN THE PADDOCK

IS THIS THE YEAR OF WILLIAMS?

Mind clear and then start proving myself.

I’m a girl, yes, but right now I feel that I have a chance to be like them, it’s ny time.

A champion, one ready to fight.

I finished my day with more media duties, to 6 pm I was going to wait for Carlos who offer a ride to the hotel. While I was waiting in the parking lot, the papaya pair waved at me.

“Hiya, you must me Charlotte. I’m Daniel, the one with good looks in the team” He said with a smile.

“Nice to meet you Daniel, how you guys doin’?”

“All good, we’re heading to the hotel, ready to kick asses tomorrow?” I saw how Lando seems certanly interested in the question

“I’m feeling normal, but yeah, let’s see tomorrow. My driver arrived so... see ya” I waved at them when Carlos opened his car. Daniel and Lando saw the couple leaving the parking lot when the australian looks at the youngest

“Say it”

“What?”

“Why do you look so shock around her? I mean, even Max who lives in a rock knew about her”

“I’ve been friends of Carlos and I never see her around, it’s weird”

“Ooow, the kid is jealous of the newie” Daniel started laughing and going to his car

“Man stop... I’m not jealous and also I’m a man!”

BAHREIN CIRCUIT @13:45 - FP1 & FP2

“Radio check, please” my race engineer said. Williams had the chance to start fourth in the two practices after Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Red Bull and Alpine.

“ And I thought my heart was detached, from all the sunlight of our past, but she's so sweet, she's so pretty, does she mean you forgot about me? Yeah, yes, I’m going to send you my playlist for the race, what dou you think?”

“We’ll evaluate that after practice”

“It’s not a no, I wil take it”

“Ok Charlotte, 30 seconds to start heating the tyres and whenever you ready, your flying lap”

“Copy”

“Now, we’ll have Williams coming out the pits to start practice, first our rookie Charlotte, fresh out the oven as F2 champion. She’s heating the tyres and has 15 minutes to do a few laps and see how that car goes”

On the broadcast, the faces of the team principals were on screen, with their expectations on the girl and see how she start.

“Ok Charlotte, you can start in the next lap with Leclerc and Ocon in front of you” I pressed the copy bottom. Here I go.

One thing about me it’s that I brake late but my left foot likes to keep itself on the throttle. A girl have to give it all, right?

“I feel like I’m watching the Mercedes W11 all over again. Wow! I can see a future world champion, multiple times If she wanted too”

“That car is fast” said Christian Horner looking to Max’s engineer “What the hell?”

“Definitely it is”

“Toto, even when she brake the car doesn’t go below 170 km/h. what?” Lewis and Bono stand beside the team principal of Mercedes.

“I think that your eight championship have to wait a bit, I can’t believe my eyes”

“That girl is the real Toretto, don´t you think?” asked Yuki to the french man

“I wanna throw myself down a hill to be honest”

“What the f***?, which car is that?, I almost get dizzy” asked Charles over the radio

“That was a Williams, the rookie, she’s 3 seconds faster than you”

“This is going to be a long season. F***”

“Well done Charlotte. With his pace you can certanly win every race this season”

“Haha, good job to everybody from those in the factory to the ones in the garage. What about Alex?”

“As good as you, the difference is 0.337″

“That’s good”

“Yes, we’ll wait for you in the garage”

As I parked, I could heard the applauses from my team and the people around the garage.

And yes.

A very long season ahead.

intro

That was fun.

For those who doesn’t speak spanish, here the translation:

Girasol: sunflower.

Nunca le enseñaste bien español: you never taught him Spanish well.

Ciertamente él fue un terrible alumno: He certainly was a terrible student.

Hope you liked it :)

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12-seconds-to-live · 1 year ago

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(Un)Lost: Head in the game

Pairing: F12022/3!Grid! x Fem!Driver!oc

Warnings: DNF’s, angst, a little bit of love, episodes of anxiety, Seb’s retirement, harsh words.

Pierre Gasly was curious.

No.

Pierre Gasly is the first source of gossip.

To put you into context, after the chaos coming from every garage after finished the FP2, the frechman put himself, Yuki and Charles to take a decent look into Charlottle Robyn-Jones. Neither Yuki or Charles knew where he found binoculars. In front of the Williams hospitality is the Alpha Tauri, so it’s easy to them to get the perfect spot to know everything. Almost

“I don’t like doing this Pierre. Anybody can see us. I mean... I don’t want Carlos to lecture me” started Charles

“Nobody is going to see you my friend, however, nobody can figure it out that I’m even looking into Williams”

“You’re stupid. Your face is almost at the front of the building” said Yuki rolling his eyes. “I’m going for a snack at the hotel. Bye”

“Bye Yukino. Well Charles... You and me now” As Pierre directed the binoculars something blue blocked his spy activities.

“Having fun, don’t you?”

“Oh hey Charlotte, just looking for Red Bull secrets, you know, they are so dominant”

“Dominant?” I crossed my arms

“Yeah, Max’s the current champion and everybody’s need to learn something about being good at every race” He stand up in front of me and looking for someone. Funny thing: Red Bull’s hospitality is on the other side of the paddock.

“Well, you better start looking into other teams secrets, Gasly. Not mine, you might get scared” I winked at Pierre and with my bag in my left shoulder, I walked to my motorhome.

“At least tell me one of them!”

After Bahrain madness, as many newspapers and almost every F1 fan acknowledge, Williams started with the right foot this season. Alex and I were as happy as ever, we cannot celebrate after the race due alcohol restrictions but back in London, Lily had to deal with the drunk buddies. At least she wasn’t mad with us for being in that state, a few days later she texted me how happy she is, ‘cause Alex is.

Anyway

Back to the important stuff.

Right now, where a bit far of the season, 9 pm and I’m waiting for Carlos, Carlos Sainz, Grand Prix winner in Silverstone. I had the chance to share the podium with him and Max. A dream come to true for both of us. His media duties and celebrations with the team last most that expected and who can’t blame them. He boy deserves it.

But, to the other main point here, the last few races has been incredible for Williams, right now we are in the top of the standings with Red Bull two points behind, in both drivers and constructors. For being my first season is great but at the same thing, it has a lot of pressure to acomplish a lot of things in my rookie season, don’t get me wrong, I’m the type who spend almost half and hour for different points of views of the fans. I’m a good driver, but I’m a woman, I’m too good for this team or I’m so bad for the sport that has been fully dominated for men who could find any excuse to take me out of my dream.

“Hey Char” I heard Lando calling me, he’s with one of his Quadrant hoodies and a bright smile on his face. “Carlos invited me to dinner, I know you’re waiting for him”

“Yeah, he’s a bit busy celebrating” I smiled to him

“You should be doing the same. P2 is a good result too”

“I know, but I prefer to focus on the races and have a better celebration at the end of the year” I started walking with him by my side “Also, my dad’s in Spain so It’s kinda weird to do it without him”

“Yeah. You have Carlos’s parents too, they were so happy watching you on the podium. Ana was crying by the way”

I blushed and laugh “Ana is my big sister, so I get it. My dad called me and he was crying” I stopped when we arrive in the main entrance “Did you saw Toto’s interview, he might be screaming right now”

“Not only him. Any team principal would find funny that a car that has to be below P15 could overtake two Mercedes at the same time” I laugh remembering the scene. I also waved to George, my bad.

“We are full of surprises, so, I guess that you’re going to be my chauffeur to the hotel?” Lando just look at me while he starting blushing and a small giggle come out his mouth.

“That’s ok with me” I opened the door to his McLaren at put my bag on my feet. As he start the engine and the car get to the exit a few fans we’re still waiting for our goodbyes. We waved at them and started our way to the hotel.

“So tell me more about you” Lando asked

“Wikipedia isn’t enough for you?” I giggled at him

“How do you...? I mean that’s not appropiate, better face to face”

“To my or Carlos face? I know you asked him”

“He’s not loyal anymore”

“I’ll tell you everything you want to know if you do something for me” I turned to look at him better with a gigantic smile

“No, no, you’re not going to drive my car”

“I don’t want that. I want to see Carlos’s face when his favourite song goes on repeat in the restaurant, like God’s will”

“Oh, I can do that”

All the way to the hotel went as calm as possible with music in the background and a nice view in our way to London. I said my goodbyes to get ready for the dinner with the Sainz. I decided for a nice baby blue dress and white heels, I put on some makeup and my hair in a really nice ponytail. 40 minutes later a message from Carlos was my alert to go to the lobby. The Spaniard hug me as soon as he saw me and with a smile on his face we go to his car, his parents, sisters and Caco where waiting for us in the restaurant and Lando will be arriving a few minutes late.

As we get to our table, Reyes, Carlos’s mom received me and told me how proud she is from us. I sat next to Carlos, leaving a spot for Lando.

“So, are you coming to Austria for the race?” I asked to Carlos parents

“We’re not sure, I have to sort out a few things for a rally exhibition in Madrid and your mother is coming with me” said Carlos sr. “What about your dad? Still busy with work?”

“He is but he arrives on friday to be with me and go try to organize our schedules for our vacations”

“Are you going to Japan or are you going to Mallorca with us?

I take a sip of my water “Yuki helped me with information for the trip, so I guess that our vacations in Mallorca might be for christmas or we could...ouch” Carlos kicked me when he first verse of his “favourite” song smooth operator started on the speakers

“It wasn’t me! Don’t be an animal” I kicked him back

“Then who?... You muppet” He said looking at Lando who was laughing at his face

“Cool song, uh”

“Not funny”

Lando sit next to me, still smiling “Wikipedia isn’t enough”

As the night went on, Carlos family, Lando and I called the night an hour later. The two drivers and I went together to the hotel. Carlos was in the 4th floor so he leave Lando and I in the elevator.

“Are you tired?”

“Not much, why?”

“I’m thinking that we can play 20 questions to get to know each other, no?” he said with a small pout on his lips

“Even if you’re not making a puppy face I would said yes, Norris”

In the 9th floor we leave the elevator to walk to my room, as we enter, we leave our shoes by the door. I put on my PJ’s while Lando sit on the bed

“Charlotte, favourite thing to do?”

“Mmmm Lando. Spend time with my dad and my dog, we usually walk around El Retiro, it’s a famous park in Madrid” I answered sitting next to him

“Do you have a dog? Doesn’t seem like it”

“That’s another question and I do, it’s name is Coco and it’s a Golden Retriever” I smiled “My turn... mmm...best thing since you get into F1″

Meeting you was what Lando wanted to say “Be Carlos teammate”

“Funny, we could be a better duo. Charlos is superior”

“Don’t you dare” he started tickling my ribs, we laugh for a while and when when we recover our normal breathing I continued with the questions

“Biggest fear?”

“Being late” I saw confusion on his face “We are one of the 20 fastest people on the planet but late so say I love or say goodbyes. I’m pretty bad at goodbyes”

“I’m not good either, maybe we can remind each other, so no goodbyes, just see you later, like see you at the end”

“Agree, nothing like a free assistant. So, how do you see yourself after F1?” I show a tilted smile

“Married, with kids hopefully, big backyard, a calm life, I don’t know. I guess that’s what almost everybody wanted. You?”

“I would like to have kids and tell them that their mom is a world champion, Just to make their friends jealous” I let out a sigh “And be with someone that anywhere we go, we’ll feel that we are each others home, like a jigsaw piece”

“Feel what it means to be complete...”

“I guess... be loved as much as my dad still loves my mom. He still sings her favourite songs every valentine’s day or birthday”

“Remember any of those songs?” He asked

“Yeah, I’m not a good singer but he’s always like: I close my eyes and I see your face when I'm alone I long for your embrace and I've tried to find you many times but you have faded my eyes cos' you are you are you are one of a kind Find that missing part the part that completes my heart”

“He’s in love” I nod “Someone special will come, you’re an incredible driver and woman, so, be pacient. Every love is different, one’s just prepare you for something more real, all I know is that you’ll find your missing jigsaw piece too” He said as he grabed my hand and squeezed a bit. Why am I feeling butterflies?

“Thanks Lando, now I know why you’re Carlos favourite”

“It’s all about my looks, don’t be fooled” We laugh and keep making questions until he had to go to his room to rest.

28/07/2022

HUNGARY GP @10:40

“Netflix, guys, you’re so lovely” It’s not too early in the morning, I came early to my motorhome to continue sleeping and just be ready for interviewes at 11. Well, here I am.

“Where is your phone Charlotte?”

“In my pocket, why?” I said raising an eyebrow

“Did you know that Sebastian Vettel has instagram?” I laugh.

I almost forget it. After the Saudi Arabia GP y spend my flight back to UK with Sebastian, while I was asking for advice for future races, he just asked me to help him create an instagram account for an special video. I guess that retirement is really special. I was shocked and almost cried but he is so confident about his decision and nobody has the right to judge him, it’s not easy to be chasing you dream without the ones you love.

“I know, he’ll announcing his retirement at the end of the season”

“You don’t seem surprised”

“I already knew, I am sad, he’s been so important for the sport, he’ll be missed but at the same time I’m happy to spend his last season with him. When I see he around, I ask for advice, he’s a world champion after all”

“I like how you think” he write something on a paper “So far, your rookie season has been incredible, do you see yourself winning the championship?”

“I don’t want to say yes but we have to wait, everything is so umpredictable. But I hope so, that will be a great present for my mom”

“Oh...she’s proud, yes” I saw a tear falling for his eyes “Sorry”

“Don’t worry, I love to talk about her, she’s with me all the time”

31/07/2022

HUNGARY GP @14:00

“Radio check”

“Hello? It’s me”

“I know Charlotte, I’m your engineer”

“You used to be funny, be ready, If I get on P1 I’m gonna spray the whole bottle on champagne on your face”

He laughs “Get ready for the formation lap. 15 seconds”

“Welcome to the Hungarian GP, a very interesting front row with our rookie Charlotte Robyn-Jones and the seventh time world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Then both Red Bulls, Alex Albon, Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Sebastian Vettel, Valteri Bottas, George Russell, Yuki Tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, Kevin Magnussen, Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon and Zhou Guanyu”

“Last race before summer vacation and then going back to the other half of the season to define the 2022 world champion. With heighest expectations for the rookie of Williams racing or the raining champion Max Verstappen, with just a few seconds for this race and it’s lights out and away we go”

With 57 of the 70 laps for this race and two safety cars later due colisions that make my teammate out of the race with Ocon, Checo and Stroll. I keep my position in P1 with Max not to far from me, but as the time passed I was getting a bit tired so I was pushing as much as ever to finish as quickly as ever.

“Verstappen 1.3 seconds behind”

“Copy. I think something happen to my water bag, at lap 41 it was empty”

“We have to check at the end of the race. Sorry Charlotte”

“Ok, at least I don't feel like going to the bathroom”

At lap 66 I saw how Max was a bit closer to me, considering that we pitted at the same time, he chasing for the cheese, aka me, was on.

“Charlotte, time to push, give them hell”

“Oh wow, new version of hammer time?”

“Don’t get me started kid”

“And the rookie do it again, what a reace. Charlotte Robyn-Jones in a very dominant Williams is a Gran Prix winner. What a season for her and her team. We see the gap she created with Verstappen, wow, only 0.09 seconds behind her and then Lewis Hamilton. We have to wait to the Belgium GP to see how the teams improve their cars ‘cause as far as I see, this is Williams year”

“Get ready Adam! You’re going to sleep with the essense of champions tonight!”

“Congrats Charlotte, what a race!” Multiple people cheering can be heard over the radio, all the members of the team happy as she get through the chekered flag.

“Love you team! This is for Alex too, this is our year!”

I parked my car in front of the number 1 sign, I unbuckle the belts and get of the car, Max and Lewis give fist bumps, then I run to hug the members of the team. A very happy Carlos pat my back and said well done girasol. Lando, who just get off his car, run to me and hug me and we helped each other with our helmets, as I took off my balaclava, I dedicated him a winked

“Do you like the view of my rear wing?”

“I preffer the view I saw everytime you smile in the podium” For a moment I feel out of breath, he is the one.

We smile at each other

“Hope to share it with you, to enjoy the same view” I cannot hear his answer ‘cause Ava pull my arm to do the interview before the podium celebrations so I waved to him. What’s this feeling?

LATER WITH NETFLIX

“Do you have any conversations for next year? Your team principal said that Williams isn’t going to offer you another contract even if you win the championship. You have multiple options, Ricciardo, Gasly and Vettel’s seat”

“That’s a secret for Abu Dabi, too much gossip is not healthy guys”

“So...anything to say?”

“Want a hint?”

“Yes, please” I smiled looking to the camera

“Enchanté”

Hi! Thanks for the support on this story/series. English it’s not my first language but I try my best, anyway, enjoy, I got inspired and If you have requests for any driver, I’m open to them. I’m still organizing this story considering that I’m going full mode with Lando and trying to put together the main topic of this <<<something so sad>>>, as I said, enjoy and have a nice day/night :)

Taglist: @evans-dejong @omgsuperstarg @bibissparkles @hoely-maria @mochimommy2002 @noope306 @eugene-emt-roe @80sloverry @rens-daylight

intro

part one

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