An inconvenient attachment

Chapter 18

The next morning Lando drives me to school early. Walking feels a bit uncomfortable. Lando probably notices, but he doesn't say anything. "What are your plans today?" I ask when we're almost at my school. "I have some meetings and some youtube stuff I need to take care of" he says. "Did the people you work with also stay here?" Shit, I almost feel guilty. "You know, there is this thing called the internet?" he says sarcastically. I roll my eyes at him. "Yeah, I know! You can even video call and stuff!" he says jokingly. I slap him on his arm. "Idiot" I reply. I don't ask him again to drop me of two blocks away from the school. "I'll call you tonight" he says when he stops the car. Softly he pushes his lips on mine. I smile and get out of the car. "See you later, babe" I say, but he doesn't seem to hear me since his phone is already ringing. He waves as he drives by.

The next few days go by very slowly. Monday is full with classes I attend. On Tuesday I attend some excursion and Wednesday morning is also filled with classes. I'm glad when its Wednesday afternoon and I have the rest of the day off. I spend the afternoon with Kate. We watch a movie and chat about random stuff. We also cook and eat dinner together. After dinner I sit back down on the couch. I go to instagram and without thinking about it I make my profile public. I put my phone away and it isn't till later that night I grab it again. I see a lot of people started following me. They are also leaving a lot of comments. I go to my last picture and start reading the comments. Tears fill my eyes immediately. These comments are horrible. Telling me I'm not good enough for Lando, I should fuck off, that I'm only with him for the money and all kinds of awful stuff. Tears start rolling down my face. Kate notices and freezes for a bit.

"What's going on?" She sits down beside me. I can't even speak and let my phone fall on the ground. And just cry on her shoulder. How can people be so mean? They don't even know me? I stand up and walk to my room.

"Mia, wait, are you ok?"

I shake my head and close my bedroom door behind me. "I want to be alone" I say softly.

"What did that dickhead do?" Kate is standing on the other side of the door. I don't answer her, I can't even speak. I let myself slide down the wall and pull up my knees. I hear Kate talk to someone on the phone. I can't hear what she's saying, she sounds upset though.

I wrap my arms around my legs. The comments play over and over in my head. Maybe I am indeed not good enough. What is Lando doing with me? My last relationship failed horribly, why should this one work out? I fuck up everything. I don't know how long I'm sitting like this when our door bell rings. Kate will get it. I hear her screaming to someone, but am not bothered to get up. She is very loud though.

"What the fuck did you do to her?" Who is she talking to?

"Is she in her room?" Wait, is that Lando? No, right? What is he doing here?

"I shouldn't even let you in, you dick" Kate says.

"Get out of my fucking way!" God, it is Lando. There's a hard knock on my door. I don't say anything. I want to be alone. A few seconds later the door slowly opens. I lay my head in my lap, I don't want him to see my crying.

"What's wrong?" Lando sounds worried. He kneels down beside me. "Mia, look at me" he sounds strict. Fuck, he probably won't leave. Slowly I lift my head a bit. Lando grabs my chin with his hand and pushes my head up. "What happend?" He sits down beside me. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me on his lap. I lay my head on his chest and can't help but cry. We sit there for a while, while Lando strokes my back. Finally I calm down a bit.

"Mia, tell me. What happend?"

"Its nothing, its stupid" I say. I look up at him. He looks at me strict. "I made my instagram public" I say.

"Oh you idiot" he says. He looks kind of relieved. "You shouldn't read the comments" Lando says. I get up and quickly get my phone. Kate stares at me, like she's ready to attack at any moment. "I'm fine Kate."

"Yes, you look totally fine" she says sarcastically. When I get back in my room Lando is sitting on my bed. I hand him my phone. I stand before him. He starts scrolling through the comments. His mouth slightly open out of surprise. His jaw tightens. He pushes some buttons. "Here" he says as he hands me my phone back. "What did you do?" Lando lays down on my bed and pulls me beside him.

"I have limited the people who can leave a comment" he says while he takes out his phone. "Thanks" I say softly, "what are you doing now?" Lando goes to his own instagram and posts a picture of us kissing at the circuit last weekend, with the text 'Thankfull for you'.

"That's really sweet" I say as I lay my head on his chest, "do you think it will help though? Those people will still not like me". "You shouldn't listen to people who don't know you. Don't let it effect you" he says. We lay there in silence for a while.

"Kate was really mad at me" he laughs. "Oh my, I'll tell her it wasn't you fault" I say. I want to get up but Lando holds me tight in my place.

He shrugs his shoulders. "Why bother, she doesn't like me anyway."

"She'll turn around" I say as I wrap my arm around him.

"Promise you'll call me next time when you're upset. I can help" he says softly. I nod.

Lando tries to get up. "I should probably go" he says. Noo.. why are you leaving?

"Wait, why? Can't you stay the night?" I look at him surprised. "Don't you have school tomorrow?" he asks. I push him back down. "Yeah, so you'll have to wake up early, unless you want to stay here alone with Kate" I joke.

"No thanks" he says.

"So you'll stay?" I look at him waiting, hoping he'll say yes.

"Sure" he says.

"Great, guess we're having a slumber party" I joke.