Part 3 - Recognised

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As the plane descended towards its destination, the anticipation in the cabin grew palpable. Alya stirred from her slumber, rubbing her eyes sleepily as she adjusted to the brightness filtering through the windows. Emily bookmarked her book, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she prepared for the landing.

Max, too, began to rouse from his sleep, blinking away the remnants of his own nap. He glanced at me with a lazy grin, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "We're almost there," he murmured, his voice heavy with sleep.

As the wheels of the plane touched down on the tarmac, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the cabin. We gathered our belongings and made our way off the plane, stepping into the warm embrace of the Australian sun.

The airport buzzed with activity as people rushed about, the air thick with anticipation and excitement. Max led the way, weaving through the crowds with practiced ease. Alya chattered excitedly beside me, her excitement infectious as she gushed about all the things she wanted to do while in Australia.

Emily, on the other hand, kept a watchful eye on our surroundings, her sharp gaze scanning the bustling terminal for any potential obstacles. Despite her seriousness and focused expression, I could sense a flicker of excitement in her eyes, a hidden anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.

We got into the uber that awaited us outside the airport, piling our suitcases into the boot before throwing ourselves into the car. As the uber pulled away from the curb, I couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration wash over me. We were finally here, on the brink of a new adventure in a new place.

The drive to the hotel was a blur of sights and sounds, the vibrant cityscape of Melbourne passing by in a blur of colours and lights. Max pointed out landmarks along the way, his enthusiasm infectious as he shared bits of local knowledge and trivia, sounding like a tour guide.

When we finally arrived at the hotel, exhaustion threatened to overtake me, but the adrenaline of being in a new place kept me going. We checked into our rooms, each of us collapsing onto the plush beds with a sigh of relief.

~

After settling into our rooms at the hotel, we met in the lobby, eager to look around and make the most of our time in Melbourne. Max suggested grabbing a late lunch at a nearby café, and we all quickly agreed, hungry after the long journey.

As we walked through the bustling streets of Melbourne, I couldn't help but be amazed at the vibrant energy of the city. The air was alive with the sound of laughter and chatter, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.

Over lunch, we exchanged stories and shared laughs, revelling in the excitement of being in a new place together. Max spoke to us about some of his previous races in Melbourne, painting vivid pictures of the atmosphere at the track and what it was like for him in the cockpit.

Alya peppered Max with questions about the local attractions and hidden gems of the city. She was eager to explore every corner of Melbourne, her enthusiasm infectious as she recounted her plans for the days ahead. she seemed a lot more adventurous here than she ever had been when we went to other places, maybe because of the endless possibilities of things to do.

Emily chimed in occasionally with advice about staying safe and navigating the city streets. Her attention to detail and meticulous planning ensured that our adventures would be smooth sailing, even in unfamiliar territory. That's what I hoped anyways.

~

As we finished our meal and made our way back to the hotel, the conversation turned to the upcoming race. Max shared his strategies and goals for the weekend, his passion for racing evident in every word he spoke.

I listened intently, hanging on his every word as he talked about the thrill of competing on the track and the rivalry but also friendship has with the other drivers. It was clear that racing wasn't just a sport for him, it was a way of life, a passion that consumed him entirely.

As we reached the hotel, Emily, made her way back to her hotel room while me and Alya accompanied Max to his as the three of us wished to continue spending time together before we parted.

"I can't believe we're here. Thank you Max, for everything," Alya's words brought a grin to my face, They'd never really spoken to each other but seeing them interact like they were close made me smile.

"It's honestly no problem, I like having you guys with me, it's boring when I'm alone," he sends a sarcastic grin in my direction, probably targeting the fact that I had refused to all of his previous requests.

I stuck my middle finger up at him, just in time for a loud knock to echo through the room. Me and Alya looked at Max I'm confusion, questioning if he knew who it was. He shrugged his shoulders while shaking his head as he was getting up, making his way to the basic wooden door.

"Hey Max, Are you free?" A British accent reached my ears as I listened in to the words exchanged.

"Well, not really but you can come in," he opened the door wider, revealing a brunette boy with light facial hair and a bright smile spread across his lips.

He stopped in his tracks when his eyes locked with mine and Alya's, he turned back to Max who had already sat back down on the sofa.

"Lando, this is Alya and Madelyn. Alya, Madelyn, this is Lando Norris," he gave us all a smile as we all looked in his direction.

He whispered gentle a "Hi," to us before turning to me directly as if trying to figure something out. "Are you Madelyn Anderson, the singer?" I let out a light laugh at the awkwardness at which he asked the question.

"Yes, I am. It's nice to meet you Lando," I stuck out my hand to make the situation more comfortable for him. He took it, a smile growing across his face.

"It's nice to meet you too, Madelyn," he muttered before sitting down next to Max.

The group fell into easy conversation, my cheeks flushed as I noticed Lando continuously looking in my direction. He whispered something to Max which got a shocked reaction from the Dutchman resulting in Max elbowing him in the ribs.

I clamped my mouth shut, trying not to laugh. I felt mean as I met Lando's gaze, his eyes filled with pain as he held his chest. Even though he was hurt, a bright smile sat across his lips, his eyes glistening in the light. He seemed like he was the life of the party but also one of the most genuine people ever and I looked forward to spending more time with him.

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