Drive to Survive [Lando Norris]

-21-

"Yes boys!!! P7!!!" Willow cheered as she reached the checkered flag. 

It may not have been P3 or something, but she had gained 8 positions, and that for sure was a good thing. 

"Great drive today, Willow. And Pierre is P6. Double points" Mark cheered along with Willow who were very happy for her teammate. 

"Thank you to the whole team for a great weekend" she said before parking her car in the P7 spot feeling very satisfied with herself. 

When she looked behind her, she saw Lando getting out of his car in the P9 spot. She looked at him as he walked in her direction. She was just about to say something to him. To thank him for a good battle, when he just walked right past her not even bothering to look at her. 

Once again she felt like someone had knocked all the air out of her lungs, but she quickly pulled herself together again and made her way towards Pierre instead. 

He smiled through his helmet and pulled her in for a hug. She hugged him back of course, but Pierre could feel that she wasn't giving as much energy as she used to do, when the two teammates hugged each other. 

He made a mental note to go and talk to her later because he really wanted to know what was going on with her. 

--

"Obviously a very impressive result today, were you affected by your hands?" The reporter asked since Willow still had the bandage on her hands. 

"Thank you, and no not really. I barely felt anything as I drove the car" she replied. 

"So if you hadn't had your injury, would you have been able to gain more positions?" the reporter asked again. 

Willow felt a bit of rage inside of her, but ignored it for now. 

"I really can't say. I think we pushed the car as far as we could today, and gaining 8 positions was a great result" she replied. 

"Yes I agree. Thank you" the reporter said and Willow left the interview. 

--

For some weird unknown reason, Pierre had once again convinced Willow to go to another party in a few hours along with most of the other drivers and other people at yet another club/bar thing. 

She had no idea how Pierre was able to convince her, but maybe a party would do some good for her. She was pretty tired of Lando's childish behavior. 

A part of her understood that he was hurt, and so was she. But it's not like they were ever dating. They kissed one time and that was that. But she thought it was annoying of him that he was ignoring her like this. 

Why couldn't they at least still be friends?

So, now she had just slipped on her two pieces outfit. It was a shiny red and cute top with spaghetti strops and a matching skirt with her usual pair of black heels. She had a bit of make up on and combed her hair. 

And a few moments later her and Pierre had arrived at the club/bar. 

"Hey Will?" Pierre said as they were standing outside and about to go inside. 

"Yeah?" she asked. 

"You know, you talk to me, right? If something's bothering you, you can talk to me" he said in a soft voice gently squeezing her hand. 

Willow really didn't wanna talk about her problems right now, but she was still very grateful for Pierre. 

"I know, and I will. You know, talk to you if something's bothering me" she gently said giving him a smile. 

Pierre still wasn't 100% sure that she was okay, but for now he let it slip and they went inside, where loud music, many people and the smell of alcohol instantly surrounded them. 

"Now let's get a drink" Willow said dragging herself and Pierre towards the bar where they ordered their drinks. 

While waiting for their drinks, Willow looked around the club where she spotted several drivers, but no Lando. That made her slightly better. Tonight, she did not wanna deal with him. Their drinks then arrived and Willow chucked it all at once and ordered another one. 

"Wow slow down there, tiger" Pierre chuckled. 

"Don't worry, Pierre" she smiled and grab her second drink before the two teammates made their way towards a table where a few other drivers were sitting. 

Soon Willow found herself chatting along with Pierre, Charles Leclerc and George Russell. And she actually had a decent time considering her mind could explode at any given second now. 

"So, Willow. How are you since the last time we spoke?" George asked as Pierre and Charles were in a deep conversation of their own. 

George was of course referring to the time back in Italy, or was it Bahrain, where they ran into each other and had a brief conversation. 

"Hm that depends on a lot of things" she replied taking another zip out of her drink. 

"What kind of things?" he asked being genuinely curious. 

"Well, if we're talking about racing, I feel pretty good about today. You know, I just wanna do my best and hopefully one day impress Red Bull enough for them to give me a seat. But if we talk outside the track... not so good" she replied feeling more honest and open considering the little alcohol that was running through her veins. 

"How come?" he asked again looking at her. 

"There's just a lot of thing going on in my life right now" she replied. 

"We're gonna go dance, wanna join?" Pierre suddenly spoke, but both George and Willow shook their heads. George was way more interested in his conversation with Willow at the moment. 

And so the two drivers left, and it was only Willow and George left at the table. 

"Are they things you wanna talk about?" he asked with a soft voice, and for some reason Willow felt comfortable sharing a bit of it with George. 

"Well first of all there's my parents. To put it simple, they hate my career choice, and they have never even been to a race before. But this is more an overall daily thing that I battle with, and it doesn't really go away" she replied looking down. 

"Oh I'm so sorry, Willow. That sounds awful" George said with sadness before grabbing her hands, "Just remember that we can be your family too. Family doesn't have to be by blood" he smiled making Willow feel a whole lot better. 

"Thanks George, I needed that" she replied and they continued to talk.