'I thought I recognized when love was true, but I'm confused. Am I ready for love or maybe just a best friend, should there be a difference, do you have instructions?'
In which Lexi explores the world through photography and gets the shock of a life...
A / N: As you have noticed, the previous race mentions were the real Bahrain and Imola results from this year. But because I want to continue the story smoothly, without having to wait for each race coming up, the rest of the race chapters will be fictional and not representing real-life results. I will keep the calendar schedule as it is in 2021. Also, there is no COVID because I don't feel like writing about it. This is supposed to be an escape from it, so enjoy!
♪ Bazzi - Star: I see it in your eyes, passion you can't deny. Girl we can live that life, I see it all now. You're a star.'
The next few days went by quickly and before they knew it, it was time for Lando & Lexi to go to Portugal for the next race. The team didn't know about their 'relationship' yet, but they were not trying to hide it either. "Shall we go in separate cars or do you want us to arrive together?" Lando asked Lexi and she shrugged. "I don't really mind. I think they know we get along well and they saw us leave the MTC together last time so.. I think it's better to just be upfront about it". Lando nodded and when they had finished their breakfast, it was time to head to the airport. They decided to go in Lexi's car so Lando could leave his McLaren at home. It was the first time Lexi drove with him sitting next to her and it made her a bit nervous. "Please don't judge my driving skills. This is the first time I have a professional racing driver in the passenger seat next to me". Lando put his hand on her thigh and gave it a small squeeze. "I won't, love. You'll be fine".
The journey went alright and Lexi let out a big sigh when the car was parked. "Well, what did you think?" She chuckled and looked at him with big eyes. "You did great, just that little incident where you forgot to break and almost rammed us into the back of a truck, but the rest was perfectly fine". They both laughed and Lando cupped her cheek and gave her a kiss on her forehead. "Let's go inside okay?". He leaned in for a last kiss on the lips and they got out. They opened the boot of the car, grabbed out their suitcases and rolled them to the terminal.
When they arrived inside, it wasn't hard to spot the rest of the team because of all the orange outfits. Daniel was the first one to notice them. He walked up with an amused look on his face and said: "Well first of all, hi there!" He waved to Lexi and gave Lando a fistbump. "Second of all, what are you doing here Lexi? And third, did you come here together?" He wiggled his eyebrows. "I got offered a job as team photographer after the photos I took of you guys and ehh well.." She looked at Lando to take over and he had gotten a little blush on his cheeks. "I realized I knew her already from school. We have been talking ever since the event and decided to take the drive to the airport together".
"I knew it!" Daniel patted him on the shoulder and the three of them made their way to the rest of the team. Lexi walked over to Helen and Charlotte, the marketing and PR team and Lando stayed close to Daniel, his trainer and his engineers. Lexi shook a lot of hands and saw many new faces. She was a little nervous but arriving together with Lando had taken her mind off of that until now. When it was time to board the plane, Lexi looked at her ticket and sat down on row 14 seat L with Helen and Charlotte next to her. "So I saw you arrive with Lando earlier". Helen said with the same amused look Daniel had given them. She decided to tell them the same thing Lando had said. That they were old classmates and had been catching up ever since they did the photoshoot. "But I can tell there's something more going on". Charlotte said and the girls looked at her with hopeful looks. "I do like him, yeah. And he likes me, I guess. We have been hanging out quite a bit". Lexi felt the blushes creep up to her cheeks, but it felt nice to have some girl talk.
On the other end of the plane, Lando was having the same conversation. "Now that she is not here, tell me the real story". Daniel was still trying to get information out of him and he sighed. "I thought I recognized her from somewhere when she came to take photos of us and she told me at the McLaren event that we were old classmates and everything came back. She looks so different and grown-up now. We have been talking and hanging out a lot and I really like her". He looked at his teammate and he could tell he was about to ask something else. "Have you kissed her yet?" The wiggly eyebrows were back and it made Lando shake his head. "Oh my god Daniel. Well yes, if you really want to know, we have kissed". "I'm proud of you man!" Lando got another pat on the back before the plane took off.
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The flight was quick and easy and over before they knew it. They split up into groups for the next part of the journey. On their way to the hotel, Lexi decided to text her mom to say that they had landed safely. She also texted Olivia who she hadn't seen in some time.
Lexi 🧡: Hey girl, just landed in Portugal. Do you have time to call later? Have lots to tell you x
Liv 🧚: Yeah sure babes. Just call me when you have time. Enjoy the beautiful weather and your man 😉 x
Lexi 🧡: First of all, I'm here for work. Second of all, he is not my man.. yet. And third: I will 😏 x
Lexi let out a small giggle and Lando looked at her with a questioning look. She shook her head and put her phone back into her purse. They were in a van with Daniel, Charlotte, Helen and some mechanics. When they arrived at the hotel, they collected their room keys and went up to get settled. Lexi had her own room next to the other girls and Lando was down the hall from them. She unpacked her suitcase, grabbed her laptop and uploaded the pictures she had been taking on the journey over here. She edited them quickly and sent them over to Helen so she could upload them onto social media.
After working for a while, Lexi grabbed her phone and FaceTimed Liv. "Oh-my-god, I haven't seen you in ages!" Liv said when she answered the phone. "You look cute in your McLaren t-shirt though". She laughed and Lexi shook her head. "I missed you Liv, I have so much to tell you". Lexi got comfortable on her bed and told Olivia everything that happened, like literally everything. "Oh my gosh babes, he sounds like the perfect guy. It's weird to picture little Lando like that but you are one lucky girl!" "I am. I really like him. He told me he was in love with me a couple of days ago and I can't believe that the boy I had a crush on all those years back finally told me that". Liv could tell Lexi was happy and she was really happy for her.
A knock on the door disturbed their conversation and Lexi walked over to answer it. She held her arm down her body with Olivia still on the phone and opened the door. "Oh hey, come in, I was just talking to Liv". Lexi said and Lando followed her inside. "Oh hi Olivia, it's been a while!". Lando waved into the camera and smiled at her. "I can't believe it, I'm FaceTiming Lando Norris!" Liv said clapping her hands, just being silly. They talked for another couple of minutes before they hung up the phone. "How is your first day going so far?" Lando asked Lexi while he pulled her against him by her lower back. "It's fine, not that much going on yet luckily. Just sent over some pictures for Instagram, so you're face will be all over it soon enough". She wrapped her arms around his neck and stood up on her tippy toes to kiss him.
"That reminds me, can you send me one so I can put it on my Instagram too?" This was the first time Lando would be posting a picture she took of him and it was quite exciting. She opened her laptop and let him pick out the best ones to send him. He posted it and tagged her for the photo credits. Lexi's phone blew up within minutes because of all the new followers and comments she was getting. 'Well here we go..' she thought.
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642.841 likes @landonorris: Portugal, we are ready for you 🏁 📸:@lexi.abrams
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@maxfewtrell: LET'S GO! 👏 @user1: Good luck Lando, let's repeat that podium! @user2: Wow, this is a great shot! New photographer? 🤔 @lexi.abrams: This Lexi girl takes amazing photos of you, you should keep her around..
