Missing You // Lando Norris

Ch.19

"Do you have some sick, twisted plan I don't know about?" Lando brushes his hand through his hair, narrowing his eyes as he turns to face me once we've finally reached the hotel room.

"What does that mean...?" The phrasing of his question catches me off guard. I survey the room, noting that there's only one double bed. I sigh.

"I might not know you well, but I know you can't stand being in a room with me for longer than a few minutes. Why were you so eager to agree?" He pauses. "Don't tell me you have a secret crush on me." Lando's face begins to lift into a smirk now, and it annoys me. I scoff at his audacity, throwing my handbag on to the side of the bed closest to the window. I refuse to sleep on the side near the door, always have.

"Don't flatter yourself Lando. Save the dreaming for the evening. This side is mine." I point to my side, my retort prompting a smirk to creep onto my face. Lando scowls a little, and I almost taste victory. "And that's yours. Cross your half and I'll kill you." I shoot a fake smile in Lando's direction, satisfied.

"Is that a threat Villeroy?" Lando turns to place his sleek black suitcase near the wardrobe. He bends down, clicking the lock and unzipping it. The contents of his case are rather bland, a few black and white shirts, chino's, and a lot of McLaren team wear. He grabs a simple black shirt, and stands back up.

"It's a promise." I sit on the bed, a bit of exhaustion from our journey beginning to overcome me, my head growing drowsy.

"Anyway, I can assure you sticking to my side shan't be a problem. Just don't be loud, or annoying, or wake me up: I need all the rest I can get for the Grand Prix." Lando's tone is serious, and I vow to respect his wish. He reaches for the bottom of his shirt, lifting it to expose his torso, and I can't help but stare at his toned abdomen.

The shirt continues rising, and he pulls it over his head, exposing his upper body to my gaze. I know he'll mock me if he catches me staring, but I truly can't peel my eyes off of his build, his athletic career truly working wonders on his toned shoulders.

Anastasia, snap out of it.

I raise my eyes to his face and find him staring back at me, a cocky grin plastered across his lips.

"You sure you'll be able to stick to your half Anastasia?" He winks at me. The audacity.

"Fuck you." I grumble, unable to come up with a witty response fast enough as my mind lingers on Lando's body.

"I'm going out. Don't wait up." With that Lando disappears, and I'm left alone in the room. It's evening now, and I'm exhausted from the journey, so I decide to get ready for bed. I work through my routine methodically, cleansing, toning, exfoliating and moisturising far more times than necessary. It's all just a distraction from what's just happened, and I welcome it eagerly.

I slip into the bed, suddenly aware of how empty the room is. I'm more than used to being in hotel rooms on my own, but the knowledge that Lando should be here creates an eery feeling, loneliness overcoming me. I look around the room, at Lando's suitcase, his charger, his sunglasses neatly placed on the mahogany bedside table. If I didn't know any better, I'd almost say I'm missing his presence. I think of where he might be, what he might be doing, if he's safe...

My eyes begin to droop, and I flick the light off, allowing myself to drift off slowly, accompanied by the silence of the empty room.

And, when I wake, the room is still empty; the bed cold.

- The next evening -

"How was qualifying?" I break the silence in the room, causing Lando to stop digging through his suitcase to look at me.