Saving L

Chapter 22

Lando pov:
(flash back)
Leaving her alone in that hotel room killed me, but I had no other choice. 5:30 am sharp I had a plane to catch. Why it had to be so early god knows, I so wish it wasn't. Just as she did for me I left her a note explaining my absence and telling her to contact me, knowing she would understand I had no say in the matter. As quietly as possible I had woken up and packed my bags. Each time she moved I froze with the worry I had woken her up but in reality I discovered Lottie rolls over a lot in her sleep. It's cute, very cute.

After I clicked shut something broke in my heart. Since that night everything feels different. Life just isn't anything anymore. I am going through motions with the only thing of interest being a  potential message from my girl. Should I call her that though? While my heart still misses her dearly, if anything I feel like a cause of her pain. Part of the problem. What has my life come too if I am hurting the one that I love. Who am I anymore?

I don't know what's wrong with me but I just can't seem to focus on driving. Even after Lottie ended things with me I could still race fine, so why can't I now?  Mistake after mistake seems to be all the data from this weekend is telling me. Even now twenty laps in my focus is nowhere, I'm still in third but Daniel and Max are miles ahead. Nothing feels right. Is it even safe for me to be driving while my mind seems to be everywhere but in the present? Corners and laps are starting to fade into one as my sense of direction seems to worsen, I can barely tell which turn I am actually at.
"Lando we need to pick up the pace" my engineer tells me yet again over the radio
"I've told you I'm trying my best. I don't know where the missing pace is,"  The constant nagging is starting to bother me, "If you keep asking me and distracting me it won't get any better." I think I spoke too late, the distraction had really distracted me.

(present)
As cliche as it sounds when I woke up it was her on my mind. I remembered knowing I was going to crash and thinking about how it might affect her, not me and my championship but my beautiful girl. It was like a revelation struck me as I had flashes of my life so far making me realise why it had all happened. She was scared all along. After hiding away for so long letting me in was a risk and I needed to show her I wasn't gonna leave. I know how to win her over.

Everyone was so concerned about me after I had hit the barrier pretty hard but my main problem was a mild concussion that had me out till brazil or vegas but right now that wasn't so important. I had calls from my parents and Max with most of the drivers coming to visit me as well as my crew but the visit I cared about most was Carlos accompanied by Karis to hear about how she had been doing, no offence to the others but only she matters right now, she's my priority.
"Hey Carlos and I'm hoping I'm right in saying Carlos's new girlfriend?"
"Why yes you are Norris" Karis puts on a voice, I understand why both Carlos and Lottie love her.
"Plan went just as I had told you" Carlos proudly stated as I noticed Karis's face light up at his words.
"Awesome, wish my plan had been more successful at least your girl didn't run away as fast as she could"
I joke
"Hey, hey mate no wonder she did with an attitude like that" Karis obviously didn't like my joke.
"Speaking of Lottie how is she, did she see the crash or react to it, you know"
"She did react mr keen" Carlos replies, shooting a nervous look at the ginger standing next to him. What happened? Before I can ask Karis starts talking.
"Lando," she pauses, "How do I put this?" she again pauses as I feel my heart beat becoming stronger, "I found her bleeding out in her room after the race, she's also here in hospital, I'm guessing you also were unaware of her mental state" Karis stares down at the floor as she speaks as Carlos comforts her.
"What!", I exclaim in horror, "I need to see her now, is she ok, did she lose much blood, why the fuck didn't I reach out" I start thinking out loud in panic.
"If you're allowed out of bed her room is along the corridor, she is stable now after they gave her blood, now is the first time we are allowed to visit her" Carlos reassures me as I can tell Karis is close to tears.
"Karis"
"Yes" she sniffles.
"I knew about it," She looks up at me with horror on her face, "I didn't know that you were unaware but I found her doing it in Qatar after a bad interview" Now I look down as I hear her break down into tears.
"Why didn't she tell me?" She sobs.
"She didn't tell me much about it, instead I just took her to my room and looked after her but we haven't spoken since as I had to leave for my flight" I shouldn't have kept talking as I hear the cries worsen as Carlos gives me a look which I understand in an instant, they need some space.

Not long after the visit a nurse comes to check on me and clears me to roam around the corridor and obviously I jump at the chance to go see her, who wouldn't.

lottie pov:
I can't remember how long I've been asleep for but I certainly don't remember my room ever being this bright. Slowly I open my eyes as I realise I'm not in my hotel room. I'm in hospital. That's when the memories of last night hit me like a bullet to my brain with grief being the driving force behind them. God who found me? Taking in my surroundings I notice my wrist is all bandaged and an Iv line of blood is attached to my arm. This all feels so strange.

Not long after I wake up a nurse comes in and informs me of my condition and how I should be released tonight.
"You will need to have it changed every two days, but it is quite simple so you won't need a professional to do it for you" She says as she tends to my bandage, I take note of her actions. "As a tourist you won't be prescribed therapy, however I would recommend speaking to someone, you are lucky to be alive" Her words strike a nerve as I hold back tears.
"Do you know who brought me in?"
I am curious as to who found me. She picks up the notes on the bottom of my bed reading them,
"It says here you were emitted by Karis Grace and Carlos Sainz, so you have them to thank" I smile at her as a thanks for her answer before she leaves.

Karis knows now. Oh god. Karis knows now! I start to spiral downward at the thought of my best friend finding me on the floor of my hotel room and what she must think, however it doesn't last long as another person enters my room. I turn my head expecting to see the nurse back but instead it's him. It's Lando.

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Wonder what they are gonna be talking about. Love you guys xx