Chapter Text
Oscar's Chemistry class was interrupted by the student council, who had decided to organize a Valentine's Day event where students could send roses to one another, either anonymously or with their names attached.
Oscar wasn't particularly interested. He was a studious guy who had his own group of friends, but he wasn't the type to go out much unless he really felt like it. The thought of someone sending him a rose had never even crossed his mind, so while the roses were being handed out, he simply looked down at his phone.
Then, unexpectedly...
"And a rose for... Oscar Piastri."
He froze.
Every pair of eyes in the classroom turned toward him, just as confused as he was. Slowly, he stood up and walked to the front of the room to receive the flower.
Attached to it was a small note:
"Meet me at the park near the school at 6:30 PM.
— Anonymous "
His first thought was that one of his friends was trying to prank him. So he didn't think much of it and left the rose on his desk. He'd have plenty of time to ask them during lunch.
"I didn't do anything! I'm an innocent soul... at least this time," Lando said.
"Yeah, yeah... and what about you?" Oscar asked, clearly not convinced as he turned to his other friend.
"I swear it wasn't me either! We're just as surprised as you are... Our little Oscar is growing up," Logan teased, dramatically pretending to wipe away imaginary tetears.
"Hmm... either someone's pulling a really cruel prank on me, or I'm about to get murdered..." Oscar muttered, staring down at the note attached to the rose.
"Stop assuming the worst! Maybe someone actually thinks you're really cute," Lando said.
"Yeah, mate! Even if you're not the most social person, maybe someone noticed you from afar and developed a crush on you. Who knows? Maybe this could become something more..." Logan added with a grin, clearly enjoying how flustered Oscar looked.
"Fine... I'll go where the note says, and we'll find out whether it's real or if I'm just going to end up looking like an idiot waiting for someone who never shows up," Oscar sighed.
Before his friends could tease him any further, the bell rang, signaling the start of their next class.
During his second class, as the meeting time drew closer, Oscar couldn't stop feeling nervous.
He was terrified that the whole thing was just a prank. The thought of standing there alone, waiting for someone who would never come, sounded humiliating.
But at the same time...
If it was real, he'd regret not showing up.
When classes finally ended, he stopped by the restroom to fix his hair and make himself look at least a little more presentable after spending the whole day at school.
When he arrived at the park, he found an empty bench and decided to wait there, hoping this wasn't all some elaborate joke.
His nerves refused to settle, so he tried distracting himself by watching the trees sway in the breeze, the children playing on the playground, and the people walking through the park.
Then, all of a sudden...
He felt someone tap him on the shoulder.
Startled, he quickly turned around and looked up.
His eyes widened.
Carlos Sainz Jr.
One of the most popular boys in school.
And honestly... it wasn't hard to understand why.
He had everything anyone could ask for. He was an athlete who played on the school's soccer team, he was smart, outgoing, and—there was no point denying it—one of the most handsome guys in school.
"Sorry... Did I keep you waiting?" Carlos asked, slightly out of breath. Judging by the way he was breathing, it looked like he had run all the way there.
Oscar couldn't say a word.
His mind went completely blank.
A part of him still expected someone to jump out with a hidden camera and reveal that this had all been a joke.
After a few seconds, he remembered he was supposed to answer.
"U-Um... n-no, I haven't been waiting long. Don't worry about it... Do you want to sit down?" he asked, his voice trembling.
"Oh... okay. Thanks," Carlos replied, flashing a smile so perfect it could probably kill someone.
After that, silence settled between them.
Neither of them spoke for several long minutes.
Oscar kept looking everywhere except at Carlos, while Carlos seemed to be carefully rehearsing what he wanted to say.
Finally...
"I know this is probably really weird," Carlos began, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks.
"We've barely spoken beyond saying hi... but I always see you during lunch, and... I've always thought you were really cute."
He took a deep breath.
"I was wondering... would you like to go on a date with me?"
Oscar was completely speechless.
The only thing he could think was:
Why did he choose me?
Because I'm not used to being loved.
The only thing he managed to ask was,
"...Is this a joke? If it is... please tell me now. I don't want to get hurt."
Carlos looked genuinely shocked.
"N-No... It's not a joke. I'm sorry you thought that..." he said softly.
"I... um... I'd really like to get to know you."
And that was how everything began.
The first date...
Followed by many more.
As different as they seemed at first, they soon realized they had much more in common than either of them had expected.
After two months of getting to know each other, something both of them had been quietly anticipating finally happened.
"Oscar..." Carlos began, clearly nervous.
"We've spent the last two months together, and honestly... they've been the happiest two months of my life."
"We have so many things in common, and at the same time we're completely different."
"I know I can trust you, whether things are good or bad. And I want to be there for you too—to support you through everything."
He smiled softly.
"Because you've become someone incredibly important to me."
Carlos then pulled out a bouquet of flowers.
"...Would you be my boyfriend?"
The moment Oscar heard those words, tears welled up in his eyes.
Barely able to speak, he nodded.
"...Yes."
And just like that, they officially became boyfriends.
Their relationship only grew stronger with each passing day.
At first, they were both nervous about acting like a couple at school.
But little by little, they grew more comfortable showing affection in public.
Carlos couldn't have been happier.
Oscar...
Not so much.
As time went on, he began to feel an overwhelming pressure surrounding their relationship.
He noticed the way people stared at them.
The way some students looked at them as though they didn't belong together.
He caught whispers whenever they walked through the hallways.
Little by little, those whispers turned into doubts inside his own mind.
Was he really good enough for Carlos?
Did someone like him deserve to date one of the most popular boys in school?
What did Carlos even see in him?
Oscar was a complete mess. His mind was filled with doubts, yet he didn't want to burden Carlos with any of them. In the end, only one thought kept running through his mind:
...What if everyone else was right?