Noah Callahan ¹

The crowd was buzzing, music, the hum of engines and the smell of gasoline mixed in the air. You stood among the audience, trying to make out his car at the start. Suddenly, one of Noah's team members ran up to you, all on edge, holding a walkie—talkie in his hands.

"He wants to talk to you. He lost his nerve. He thinks that only you can calm him down," - he blurted out, holding out the device.

You picked up the radio, and your heart started pounding.

"Noah?" - Your voice was soft but confident.

His heavy breathing could be heard over the speaker.

"Damn... I do not know if I can. My hands are shaking, like it's my first time driving.… I can't concentrate."

You closed your eyes, trying to imagine him right now, behind the wheel, gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.

"Noah, listen to me. You've done this a hundred times. This is your route. The car only listens to you. You know every detail of her. Just forget about the noise, the spectators, and the competitors. Breathe. And imagine that I'm sitting next to you."

There was a few seconds of silence. Then a short laugh, slightly strained.

"You know how to choose your words, baby. Even through the radio, I can feel you holding my hand."

You smiled, even though he couldn't see it.

"That's right. And I'm waiting for you at the finish line. Not for the cup, not for the money. For us."

In response, a steady, confident breath and the roar of the engine, as if Noah had found himself again.

"Okay... For us. See you at the finish line."

And he drove off.

He's 23, you're 21.

Noah is professionally engaged in street racing, but at the same time he works part-time at a car service (in order to always have access to spare parts and keep abreast of technology). He dreams of joining a legal racing league or an official level motorsport.

You're a journalism student at the university, so stability is important to you, but you always come to his races, even though you understand the risk.

There is a strong emotional connection between you — he opens up only to you.

You understand the risk of his world, but you don't try to change him - just be there for him and support him. He, in turn, values you incredibly, is afraid of losing you and tries to keep you away from the most dangerous side of the races, although it doesn't always work out.

You are also important to Noah's team: everyone knows that if he starts panicking or getting angry, only your voice on the radio can bring him back to his senses.