Don't you dare - Lando Norris

09

"Will you be okay from now?" I nodded to Carlos who helped me back to the hotel. I'd been at the hospital an extra day for 'observation' and I was feeling much better now. I still felt a little sore in my entire body, though that's not weird at all after the accident I had.

"I'll be just fine." I still wasn't too happy with him after our conversation before the race but none of us had brought it up.

"Okay but one more thing before I leave." I looked at him, waiting for him to continue. "This thing with you and Lando..."

My immediate reaction was to sigh and he sat down on the foot of the bed. He looked like he thought about it for a few seconds. "Where does it come from? He's my best friend, and you're my sister. How can you two not like each other? You both like me?"

I ignored the self centered part of that sentence and tried not to roll my eyes. "I know it's hard for you but we just don't get along. It's as simple as that, I can't stand him and same goes for him." He nodded a little. "Plus, it's not like you'd want me to date him anyway."

"I'm not asking you to date him, that'd be even worse than this. I'm just saying it would be nice if my best friend and sister could be in the same room without screaming or killing each other." I sighed at his words and really, and I mean really, tried not to say something rude back. I knew he actually struggled with this.

"Well we're gonna have to at some point I guess. I'm just glad that it's not today."

"And there we have her. It's officially confirmed, that Natalia Sainz will be racing this weekend in Azerbaijan." I walked trough the paddock with Dani.

"They're really gonna have their eyes on you this weekend huh?" I nodded. I knew it was true what she was saying. It's obviously interesting to see how I'll do but I couldn't lie and say it didn't make me nervous at all. Because it did.

Anastasia joined us halfway trough the paddock, greeting us both with a smile. "How are you feeling Nat? You good?" I nodded halfway.

"I'll manage."

"Great, so media day today! You and Lewis will be going on the fan stage in half an hour so be ready for that okay?" I gave her a thumbs up and walked into the hospitality and trough to my drivers room.

I was wearing a pair of light washed jeans and a Mercedes T shirt and even in that I was warm. I took a moment to relax and catch my breath. After my crash two weeks ago I've been slightly more tired in my body, something I hope won't be a problem this weekend.

"Nat you there?" I heard Lewis right outside and opened the door to greet him. I gave him a hug as soon as I saw him.

"Hey! Are you good? Are you sure you're supposed to be racing?" I sighed as we started walking towards the fan stage. Anastasia and Penni, our pr-managers, walked behind us.

"Yes, I'm definitely fine to drive." He gave me a questioning look. "Promise."

Walking up the stairs to the stage made me realize I was indeed still pretty tired in my body. This of course wasn't something I told the others. They'd make a big deal and just try to get me to not race at all. I knew that wasn't an option in my mind.

I couldn't miss a race. I had to make it, I had to make my parents proud.

I took a few breaths at the top of the stairs before I walked out after Lewis.

"Here they are! Lewis Hamilton and Natalia Sainz!" I waved to the screaming fans in front of us.

"Natalia, I'm gonna start with you. How are you feeling?" I smiled at Lissie Mackingtosh. I watched her videos all the time. I could even say I was almost a little star struck when she made a video where she talked about me and my arrival to formula one.

"I am actually feeling fine. I'm excited to be back in the car tomorrow." She gave me a warm smile.

"And we're all really excited to see you race again." She then turned to Lewis and asked him a few questions. I tried to focus on what they were saying but I felt weaker and weaker every second.

I took a sip of the water bottle in my hand and regained a little focus, even more when Lissie started talking again.

"And here we have the papaya guys. Welcome them, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri!" I closed my eyes for a few seconds. Not him again. And not right now.

Suddenly I felt someone standing right behind me. "Shouldn't you be in bed still?"

"Shouldn't you come up with a strategy for a first win?" He walked a few steps over to stand between me and Oscar, Lewis was on my other side.

"Lando, what are your thoughts about this weekend?" He looked around at the fans that literally went crazy by just a look from him. They were seriously obsessed with this man beside me.

"Just pleasing the fans with some good points. Our goal is set on a podium this weekend so with a little help from the crowd we'll do great." The volume of the fans doubled in seconds and I had to give it to him, he knew exactly what he was doing. Lissie laughed at him and spoke to Oscar about his previous win in f2 here two years ago.

I watched the people in front of me. I saw a little girl holding a big sign. The sign was light pink and read "P1 N.Sainz". I felt my heart clench because despite how much I wanted to win, I knew it wouldn't happen this weekend. Deep down I think I knew I wasn't ready to race, or even be in a car right now. I felt a little light headed but I pretended to be fine and just as usual.

I noticed Lando leaned in close to me. "You can't seriously think you're gonna race this weekend."

"Shut up. I will be racing and I will beat you." I wasn't. I knew I wasn't. Not in this condition. But something with this guy made me talk back to everything he said.

"In the condition you're in right now, I'd be surprised if you'd even finish the race," he continued. Without realizing he was the only one who had actually noticed I wasn't a 100% fine, I sensed his spiteful tone and it only angered me.

"No fate in me what so ever. Then it's gonna be even better when I finish before you this Sunday." He scoffed lowly, not wanting anyone else to hear us.

"I don't need fate in any way, I'm certain you'll end up under me." Now his eyes pierced into mine. I was trying to contain myself from screaming or slapping his cheek. Again I felt a wave of dizziness. He chuckled a little. "Sunshine, you should be happy if you even get off this stage without falling down."

"Thanks a lot to Mercedes and McLaren. And good luck this weekend guys!" Quickly I walked back to my drivers room to calm down. I ignored Anastasia who tried talking to me on our way back from the stage. Not that I even heard her words.

I almost fell down on the couch after I closed my door. It took about ten seconds before I dozed off into the relaxing state of sleep.

I woke up hours later to a knock on my door. At least it felt like hours. "Nat, you should be at the media pen in five!" That was Ana reminding me of my schedule. Media pen. That meant the clock was only twelve.

I don't think a day had felt longer ever.