Missing You // Lando Norris

Ch.10

I wake up with a start, stretching my arm as I feel all my muscles burn. My whole body aches, an evening spent crying taking its toll. I feel awful, leaving Charles with no explanation like that, so I text him to let him know that I'm fine and that my hasty departure was not caused by anything he'd done.

I really don't want to get out of my bed. I'd already messaged Will to let him know I'd be missing all of the free practices today, but I'd promised I'd join him and a few others for some video games in his hotel room in the evening. Whilst that was the last thing I wanted to do right now, preferring to stay in my bed of wallowing, I refused to break my promise.

It was 6pm now, so I still have a few hours to lie in my bed.

An alarm on my phone goes off, the message 'watch sky sports' blaring at me in the darkness of my room.

I can't remember why I set that, but assume it's something to do with Will and so I strain to reach the remote on my bedside table.

I switch on the TV, its light illuminating the room as I switch channels. I land on the F1 channel, noting that it's a press conference with a few of the drivers. George Russell speaks animatedly, Charles, Max and Lando listening alongside him.

"A question for Lando" I hear a voice from behind the camera. Lando smiles, nodding his head as he accepts it.

"You're known for your 'bad-boy' behaviour both on and off the grid, deemed by some as recklessness. You seem to have been in less trouble recently, could we ask why that is?" The interviewer asks, the question slightly cocky.

"Is that a question for a press conference?" Max interjects, his eyes gazing behind the camera with a certain intensity. Lando smiles at him, mentioning that it's fine.

"I've met someone." He cocks his head to the side, a smirk growing on his face. Oh fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. I'd forgotten the announcement was today.

"Who?" A number of interviewers, and all of the drivers sat on stage, utter in shock at Lando.

"It feels wrong to announce this all without her, so I won't elaborate much more. Anastasia and I like to keep things private." Lando's smirk intensifies as he drops my name, staring directly into the camera. The room erupts, but I focus on one face in particular.

Charles sits stunned beside Lando, his mouth agape. In a movement that I think no one but me will ever notice, Charles looks down, his eyes dark as he shakes his head. I can picture the thoughts running through his head, the bewilderment, the betrayal.

I turn the TV off, throwing the remote across the room as it smashes into the wall. This is awful. I'd completely forgotten that the announcement was today, and it didn't help that Charles happened to be on the panel.

I grab my phone, desperate to explain myself to him.

Ana: It's not what you think

The message sends, but I get no response. I ponder going to Charles' hotel room, but the embarrassment of last night chains me to my bed. I close my eyes, tears pricking my cheeks, and I can't help but feel awful.

My phone buzzes once more, and I pick it up quickly with the hope that it's from Charles. Unfortunately it isn't, frustration running through my body as I lob my phone across the room, joining the remote.

I need a drink. Fuck it, I need a few. I've pissed a few people off already, why not piss a few more off. I heave myself out of my bed, throwing on some light makeup and brushing my hair. I put on a short black dress, in the hopes that perhaps someone will fund my drinks at the bar, and exit, taking the lift to the top floor of the hotel.