My parents didn't let me miss my own graduation, nor the party afterwards. I can't say I enjoyed any of them, because I haven't. My mind was on what could have possibly happened to Marcus.

Since his crash, which I made the courage to watch, I stopped watching motorsport. It's too much for me to live through constant scares and disappointment.

If any of them want to talk to me about their wins or anything, they can, but please don't make me watch again. It's too painful to look at cars again.

Marcus hasn't answered my calls nor my texts, and I've been worried sick. I get it, he's in hospital, but I need to know he's somewhat safe.

.

"Please, mom, just let me go. I promise next day I'll be back here with you" I plead to my mom

"Fine" she groans "but if you're not home the next day after your birthday, you're going to get in trouble, miss"

I hug her as tightly as I can and go to my room to pack my bags. I want to fly and see Marcus on my birthday, and plan to come back home the day after it, when I will spend the day with my whole family, including my brother.

.

A few days later, here I was. In the middle of the airport, waiting for my flight. My mind was racing to everything and anything but I wasn't thinking at all. I really wanted to get to Marcus and to see my brother. That was all I needed at that moment, and nothing more. Just knowing these two are safe is enough.

My flight is announced, and I hop in the airplane, casually just freaking out on the inside a little.

The flight attendant made sure we were all ready to go, and then said so to the captain.

The flight was a smooth one, really quiet.

hey

hey Julia,

what's up?

do you by any

chance know

where marcus

is right now?

*location*

thank youuu

don't tell

anyone u

know from

me i was

supposed to

keep it a secret.

👀👀

we'll see ab that

I close my phone and run to the said location. It is very crowded, but I need to get there. More than anything, I need Marcus right now.

There are no free taxis whatsoever, so i have to run. With my bags in my hands, I start to run like crazy and make sure I don't hit anything or anyone.

.

"Hi, excuse me" I say to the nurse who stays at reception. "Do you know where Marcus Armstrong is?"

She looks at me confused, looks at her phone, then at me again and smiles. "Room 46, he should be able to get visits now"

I nod as a thanks and run again to that room.

When I get there, Nyck is already there. "Hey, look who's here" he says "the fresh 18-year-old"

We smile at each other, and I start crying. I hug him and stay there for as long as I can. I haven't seen him in too long, and for him to be with me on my birthday, it's something I haven't experienced in years.

"You're an adult now, stop crying" he laughs

"Maybe I should stop, sorry. I'm just excited to see you"

"Did mom and dad make you come home tomorrow?"

I just nod in agreement.

"They made me do that too when I turned 18, I know how it feels. At least we'll go home together"

"Yeah, at least"

There's a moment of silence, in which he takes out his phone and starts recording everything I do.

"The 18-year-old just flew here to see me, this is sooo cute!"

"Nyck, stop you know why I'm here"

"To see your boyfriend"

"He's not my boyfriend"

But damn, I wish he was. My mind starts overthinking again and worrying me with false predictions of the future.

I open the door to Marcus' room and Nyck follows me inside, still recoding.

The room is pitch black and I can't see anything. The lights turn on when I get close to the bed and, to my surprise, balloons shaped as a "1" and "8" are standing in front of me, alongside with presents and my favorite humans ever.

Marcus is in the middle, on the bed. I see he's perfectly fine.

"What's going on here?"

"Surprise?" The New Zealander basically asks back.

I start tearing up, seeing that Paul, Robert, Jehan, Enzo, Mick and Sean are here. I hug all of them and Nyck still hasn't stopped the camera.

"Okay, Nyck. You saw me crying, you can stop now" and he stops.

"Haopy birthday! " they all say together

"This is the best birthday gift ever, thank you so much boys" I say between the cries.

"Guys" Marcus says and everyone walks away, closing the door and leaving us alone

"Wow you're like, the mafia boss"

"I guess I am" he says. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, anything"

"Do you love me? Because whenever I look at you, all I can see is a galaxy in your eyes, a really good fashion sense, some beautiful words coming out of that perfect mouth and only star dust around you. I can't take my eyes off you. You're the 8th wonder of the world, and I would be happy to say that the 8th wonder is mine"

I sit in shock, not knowing what to say. He then continues.

"More than that, you made me so happy when you said I was your fake boyfriend, that ever since then, every race win was yours. I could give you everything you want. I would do anything for you"

"Even do the haka on camera?" I ask jokingly

"Especially doing the haka on camera"

I hug him. I really didn't expect anything that happened today.

"With that being said, do you want to be my girlfriend? For real this time"