Drive to Survive [Lando Norris]

-14-

Willow had felt bad the second she slammed the door in Lando's face last night. She didn't mean to hurt him and sound so cold, she was just extremely tired and overworked. 

That's why she was also in a hurry to catch him at the hotel before he'd leave for the airport. She had quickly taken a shower and put on a hoodie and a pair of loose jeans and some sneakers before making her way to his hotel room hoping that she wasn't too late. 

Luckily she wasn't as a few seconds after she knocked on his door, it opened. In front of her stood Lando looking like he was about to go and with a surprised look on his face. 

"Willow?" he asked. 

"Can we talk?" she asked a bit nervous. 

Lando hesitated for a moment looking at his watch. 

"I've only got 5 minutes, so be quick" he said and she nodded and stepped into his room closing the door behind her. 

They sat down on the couch and Willow looked at him not understanding why her heart was beating slightly faster than normal. 

"So what do you wanna talk about?" he asked. 

"Last night..." she said trailing off, "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you, I was just really tired" she said. 

"Why didn't you just say that before? Or texted me that you were on your way home, I was really worried" he said. 

"Worried about what?" she asked confused. 

"You. I didn't want you to go back to the hotel all by yourself that late. What if something had happened?" he said with a worried look. 

Willow kept quite not knowing what to say. No one had ever been worried about her before. Well maybe Pierre, but not like how Lando was acting, and she had no idea how to react. 

"Look I understand that you were tired, and I forgive you for snapping at me. I know, you didn't mean it. Just please text me the next time, okay?" he said and she quickly nodded. 

"I will. I'm sorry" this was the second time in a spawn of 2 minutes that she had said sorry. And she never apologized like this before. 

"Thanks. Well I hate to break the conversation, but I kinda have to catch a plane" he chuckled and was quickly back to his old happy self. 

"Yeah of course, me too actually" she said also with a small chuckle. 

They stood up and just before Willow was about to leave, his arms wrapped around her body and pulled her into a warm hug. Willow hesitated a bit before finally hugging him back. The strong sent of his cologne and the heat from his body calmed her down, and she had a smile on her face when they pulled apart. 

"Well I better go. I'll see you in Portugal" she smiled and walked towards the door, "Oh and congrats on your podium by the way. You were pretty good" she winked. 

"Wait did you just compliment me?" he smirked with a bit of shock. 

"I guess we'll never know. See you later, Norris"

-- 

Being back home definitely helped on Willow's mood since Imola. She had spend the first 5 days completely focusing on herself working out, making some healthy and good food, playing a bit of computer games, been on the sim and watching Netflix while cuddled up in a blanket. 

But today she was going into the city to buy a few things for her house. So after her workout and a shower, she put on a warm white turtleneck and a pair of black mom jeans with a black blazer on and a pair of high heel boots as well before adding some silver jewelry, sunglasses and purse and putting her hair into a slick bun.

She drove the small 20 minutes into the center of London and got out of her car. Luckily London was a big city, and she tried blending in as much as possible to avoid getting recognized. At least right away. 

 She strolled past the many different shops and cafés and restaurants, and a few hours later Willow felt like she had been in the city forever. But she was just about finished as well and were making her way through the park and back to her car. 

"Omg Willow?!" Willow was almost through the park when a familiar voice sounded behind her. She turned around to look directly into the eyes of David Miller. 

"David, is that you?" Willow asked surprised. 

When Willow moved to London 4 years ago, she soon found herself truly enjoying the parks. She would go on daily walks there just enjoying herself and the beautiful nature. After a few months she met David on a random bench in one of the parks. 

It was back when she was still 18 almost 19, and David was 20 years old. For some reason she found him pretty interesting, and the two of them had a great conversation. Over the next year they met up every time Willow was back in London, going to the park or small cafés and stuff like that just hanging out and talking.

But as Willow had turned 20 years old and David 22, he had to move away. Willow felt really sad because she wouldn't be able to see him ever again. Or so she thought apparently. 

"Wow I can't believe it. After almost 3 years I finally see you again" David smiled embracing Willow in a hug. 

"Yeah I can't believe it either, I thought you had moved away?" She asked still really surprised to see him. 

"I was, or well I still am living in Japan, but I'm back for a few weeks visiting my family." he replied clearing things up. 

"Oh that makes sense" she chuckled. 

"I still can't believe it's you, how are you? How's the racing going?" he asked. She was still in F2 back when she met David. 

"It's my second season in F1. I finally made it!" she exclaimed. 

"Really? Oh I'm so happy for you, Willow" he smiled. 

"Thanks, David. I'm currently driving for AlphaTauri, but Red Bull is the main goal" she explained. 

"I'm gonna pretend, I know what that means" he chuckled along with Willow. 

"It's a good thing" she said. 

"That's a relief. Are you free tonight?" he asked. 

"Uh yeah I think so, why?" she asked confused. 

"I'm going out with a few friends, and I'd love it for you to come with me. We can catch up properly?" he asked and even though Willow wasn't very found with going out, she did really wanna catch up with him, and one night couldn't be that bad. 

"Sure. I'd love that. Where to?" she asked. 

"It's a great club downtown, I'll send you the details. Do you still have the same number" she nodded and the two of them hugged goodbye before making their separate ways home.