Something Gained

Chapter Eight

I woke up to the sun streaming through the window, I was so comfortable and chilled listening to the sounds of the birds and the traffic and people going about their day. I opened my eyes and my body was entangled with someone else. Baffled I rubbed my eyes and then remembered the events of last night... oh no! I turned my head to my left and saw him laying there sound asleep. My legs were between his, his arm was beneath me and I was naked! Oh no no no. What have I done?! I slid out of bed and quickly put my clothes on ran out the room and into my own. I mean that's just even worse isn't it. The fact I've ran out the room? The fact I've just disappeared. I couldn't think about that now. I had to get showered and pack my stuff to leave.

An hour later I was back in a clean set of uniform, makeup sorted, hair fresh. I had my suitcase packed and by the door. I remembered being told we were being picked up 8am. It was 7:50am now. So I opened my door and wheeled my suitcase out ready to go down to reception and check out. As my door opened so did Daniels. Oh no. He smiled at me and went to speak, I dropped my eyes to the floor before I heard Lando.
"Alex! What were you doing last night?" He asked. I gasped, did he know, what am I meant to say, oh my god. We were all congregated in the hallway of our hotel and I could feel eyes on me. I mustered up some calm from somewhere before replying
"Where was I? What do you mean?" I asked
"Well I had your jumper with me and I came and knocked last night so you could pack it and there was no answer"
"Oh sorry, I went for a walk because I couldn't sleep, must of been then" I shrugged trying to pull it off as calm as possible. "Anyway, we need to get checked out and to the airport so shall we get going?" I asked them all, Lando nodded and handed me my jumper and we all walked down the corridor and to the lifts where we all piled in. I stood towards the back where Daniel was. His hand brushed mine and I might as well have been electrocuted, I cleared my throat and had flashbacks to last night, it was something else. Like I won't deny it wasn't great, but it wasn't right. I looked out the corner of my eye and saw Daniel looking down at me. I turned to look at him as the lift pinged and we all got out. The whole way to the airport and then on the plane to England we didn't speak. There was glances and looks but we didn't say one word to each other. I know I snuck out and I shouldn't of done but was it really that bad for him. Like he couldn't talk to me. Lando was none the wiser and cracking jokes and having a laugh with me the whole time.

Daniel

I woke up to the sun streaming through the window. A smile instantly hit my face as I remembered last night. Wow. I shuffled in bed and found it empty beside me. I sat up and looked around the room. Nope I was the only one here. Did I do something? I looked at my phone and had to get up and get ready to get to the airport anyway. So that's what I did. I'll talk to her when we leave or something.

I swung open my door just before 8am and saw her straight away. I couldn't help but smile, she looked beautiful. I went to say good morning but was interrupted by Lando. But it was like she couldn't even look at me?

"Alex! What were you doing last night?" He asked her. I heard her gasp and she looked shaky. I knew what she was doing last night. What was she going to tell him?
"Where was I? What do you mean?" She quizzed him, she clearly was trying, and failing to keep her cool
"Well I had your jumper with me and I came and knocked last night so you could pack it and there was no answer"
"Oh sorry, I went for a walk because I couldn't sleep, must of been then" she shrugged it off and her eyes darted back to the floor. "Anyway, we need to get checked out and to the airport so shall we get going?"

We followed her down the corridor, I was right behind her and we got in the lift. She stood next to me and our hands brushed together, it made my heart skip. My hand felt tingly where it had touched hers. But she didn't speak, she looked at me out the corner of her eye before turning her head. Then we reached the ground floor.
We didn't speak in the car, in the airport or on the plane. I wanted to, but she was laughing and joking with Lando, so I kept my distance, but I couldn't stop looking at her.

Alex

We landed back in London and Daniel, Lando and I were taken straight to the hotel. The boys trainers took different flights to America and Monaco which is where Daniel and Lando spent most of their free time. I had an apartment in LA, which is where I stayed majority of the time when not on the road with the team. No one really lived in England so when back at McLaren we were still in hotels. I wasn't working technically so I kept my headphones on and went to sleep while we were driving to the hotel. I knew Daniel was opposite me, but I couldn't speak to him or look at him. I didn't know what to say or do.

I was nudged awake and saw Lando standing at the door.
"We're here Alex, come on" he knew I was shattered, he put his arm round my shoulders and took my bag as we walked in the hotel. "Shall we get some dinner?"
"Yeah sure, let me chill out for a bit, shall we say 6pm?" I replied
"Yeah sounds good, Danny you joining us" Lando shouted back at Daniel, I didn't see his reply as I walked up to the front desk.
"We've got three rooms to check into, name is Alex Walker" I told the receptionist as she tapped away on her computer, McLaren arranged our stays and put it in my name usually as I was always with Lando.. and now Daniel.
"Yes, two nights was it?" I nodded and she got some key cards out, "5th floor. Rooms 512, 514 and 515" she handed me the cards and the other bits. I thanked her and walked towards the lift with the boys in tow.
"We'll meet for dinner in a couple of hours" I nodded in Lando's direction as I walked into my room.