For Real | Lando Norris

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚-𝒐𝒏𝒆.

Ophelia

I take in his scent for the last time when we hug by the gate. I don't want to leave this weekend behind. It was an amazing experience and the thought to be back in the paddock in two weeks is one that fills me with excitement. But in those two weeks I wasn't seeing Lando at all. He would fly back home just after I leave for London.

When I feel his grip loosening I let go as well and try to hide my disappointment. "I need to say this before you leave." He starts and I feel nervous about what he is going to say. He takes my hands in his and looks me in the eye. Those beautiful blue eyes I can drown in. "I had imagined how it would be when we would meet, for real, and in none of my daydreams about it was it close to reality." He smiles and I mimic his expression waiting for him to say more.

"I- I don't know what this is, what we are now, but I would like to ask you- would you-," he stumbles over his words and I can see the nerves going through his body. It is actually adorable to see the confident young men that I have gotten to know the last few days become so nervous. I squeeze his hands as a sign to continue his question.

He takes a breath and then looks at me again. "Ophelia, would you consider going on a proper date." he says in one sigh. "With me, I mean." he adds and I chuckle at his goofiness. Then I feel a wave of anxiety hit me. A date would mean we would be dating officially and that wasn't on my mind yet.

I hesitate to answer, because I don't know if I want to. He is amazing and handsome and considerate, but he is still a famous person who lied to me before. "When? And would that consider me coming to monaco?" I ask to win some time to decide how I feel about the question. He relaxes and scratches his head, "yeah, I don't know. I haven't figured that out yet." I laugh at that and shake my head, "you're a dork." He grins, "is that a yes?"

I take a deep breath and then lose the tension in my shoulders, "if you figure out a when and where, then yes I will go on a date with you." I'm immediately content with my choice when Lando makes a fist in the air and lets out a 'yes' with pride like he'd just won a race. I laugh at his silliness and shus him, "stop, people will see." He quickly realises his mistake and looks around, there is no one around us, but still I'm on alert. I might be okay with a date, I'm not nearly ready to share something of us with the press.

I look at my phone and see it's almost time to board my plane. "Okay lover boy, I need to go or I'll miss my plane." I say shoving him in the shoulder. He pulls an eyebrow at me, "Lover boy, that's an old one."

"That's what happens when you annoy me," I reply with a wink. I take the handle of my suitcase and pull my handbag further up my arm. I look at Lando, standing there in his hoodie and cap in an attempt to hide his identity. "Call me when you're home?" He asks and I nod. I hesitate for a second, look around and then kiss his lips fleetingly. "Bye you," I say softly. "Goodbye, sunshine." He smiles and with that I walk away. Just before walking through the gate I turn around to wave at him, but he has already left for his own gate.

***

"I'm at the kiss and ride, where are you?" I say into my phone. I look around me trying to find Sabine's car, but I don't see it anywhere. "Yeah it's morning busyness, I'll be there in five okay?" I hear her say. She sounds stressed so I know I shouldn't distract her too much. "I'll wait here." I sigh and hang up the phone.

I check again if I have a message from Lando, but still nothing. He should have landed by now, but it was possible texting me wasn't the first thing he did after landing. I felt sad at that thought and pushed it away. I shouldn't worry about this, it wasn't so long since his plane landed.

I scroll through my insta when I get a notification. It isn't Lando though.

Charlotte send you a new message!
Hi Lia! It was a pleasure to meet you this weekend. Charles and I just got home. I'm coming to Miami as well, hope to see you there! Kisses.