The day before the race went by pretty predictable. Lightning was still able to help Mater out in the morning, but starting from lunch, he was occupied. He was being pulled around by anyone who saw him nearly for everything, from the time they should be there, to tips for Willy's Butte, to advise about the tires. It was stressful and frustrating. Especially because others could help them as well. Luigi would be able to give better advice on the tires, most locals knew all about the important times.

Lightning spotted Francesco a few times in front of his tent, chatting with his crew, playing some soccer with either himself or some of his crew. Lightning actually envied him, as Lightning was just hurrying his ass off while Francesco was just laying back.

As the evening came close Lightning fled to Francesco's. The biggest change to have an evening without anyone bothering him with any business was probably to be at his place. He rather went to hide at Sally's, which would be more quiet for Lightning, but Sally was busy as well. Since Sally would be working her legs off, Lightning probably would be bothered as well. Therefore Lightning decided to join Francesco in doing nothing.

There was a light laughter and chat going on as Lightning arrived. Francesco and some other boys of his crew he didn't know the names of were passing over a football laughingly. Some girl he didn't knew either invited him casually to sit down somewhere, asking him if he came to see Francesco.

Lightning sat down at an empty side of a table outside. He had walked into other camps before, and the funny thing was that they all spoke their native language. He mostly went to Lewis and Jeff, which meant very little, but in the other participants their camps they all spoke in their own language. Lightning still chose Italian over them all. Or maybe that was just caused because everyone was laughing so happily.

French should be the language of love, but all Lightning heard were hasty but passionate conversations. He only wished to never make a Frenchman angry at him, they sounded rather aggressive.

Nobody rushed off to tell Francesco anything, which Lightning could appreciate. He came here to relax a little after all. He was left alone for a while, just watching Francesco pass the ball with a few other boys. It was no publicity stunt at all, Francesco played soccer pretty well. Receiving and sending back the balls with his feet, knees, chest and head all in the same precision he maneuvered over a racing track. An easy smile was on his face as he watched them happily passing the ball over. There wasn't much on his mind until Francesco's eyes suddenly met his. Out of the blue, he had noticed him. Lightning's eyes opened a little more as their eyes met and he was caught with the surprise that Francesco still nicely took the ball even though he was distracted as well. He smiled smugly and played on for a little longer, seeming to outdo himself even more now until he left them to join Lightning.

He offered Lightning a bottle of ice-cold water he had just grabbed along the way. He joined him casually. "How have 'a the preparations been 'a going? Everything set?"

The water was just above freezing, but tasted delicious. Lightning put down the bottle again, feeling surprisingly refreshed with it. "It's all going smooth. Everything should be just fine now." Lightning smiled. Francesco had taken his hand laying on the table and watched him smilingly. "I'm sort of amazed you pulled of a whole day without me, while you could have spent time with me."

Francesco smiled as he played with Lightning's fingers. "I am 'a willing to pay a little time now, for 'a what I'll get in 'a return later with 'a you, Lightning." He murmured, his eyes were on their hands as he played with them. "Why 'a did you came here now? I think 'a that everybody else 'a would want you to be around as well"

"To hang around and do nothing." He recited from this morning. "If you don't mind. It'd be nice if I could eat here tonight too. I'm too afraid I end up running around all evening if I show up somewhere else." Lightning explained, smilingly playing along with Francesco's hands.

Of course, Lightning was absolutely welcome. Lightning hung around in the Italian camp for the rest of the evening until it was about time Lightning and Francesco went to bed for the big day.

/Hides underneath a rock or something

I'm reaaaly sorry still it's going so slow. Still a writers block AND I'm in the middle of my final exams. SOOOO. OOPS. I've had 2 out of 9 exams now, and the first 3 in total are the hardest, so I'm having a bad time now Dx Sorry for cutting this part of like this, I just wanted to get on with the race now, soooo. Excuse moi.