You don't need to explain what the butterfly effect is to Lando Norris because with one single change of events, the love of his life forgot all about him and their 3 year relationship.
3 years;
36 months;
156 weeks;
1095 days;
26,280 hours;
All gon...
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Tᴡᴏ Yᴇᴀʀs Aɢᴏ ﹣₂₀₂₂
"Happy Birthday!" Valerie said happily and hugged the British boy.
Lando faked a smile and loosely wrapped one arm around Valerie's body, "Thank you," he replied, trying not to look or sound utterly uncomfortable.
"I'm so glad you could make it," Aurora chirped in, hugging her best friend.
"I am so thankful for the invitation," Valerie turned back to Lando. "I'm truly sorry about the DNF. I hope tonight is going to make up for it."
Another fake smile tugged on his lips; Lando didn't need the reminder of how electrical issues cut his race short, "Thank you again."
He felt uncomfortable around Valerie. In the past few months, she had been acting more and more strangely, and even though he had gotten used to her flirty 'behavior,' it was getting past the limit of how someone should act towards their best friend's boyfriend.
"Go to the bar, okay? I will meet you there in a minute," Aurora said to Valerie, her eyes going momentarily to Lando, but it went unnoticed by her.
Aurora waited for her to be out of sight as she wrapped her arms around Lando's neck, "You couldn't get any more words out of you except the thank you's?"
Lando rolled his eyes, "Come on, babe. You know what I think of her. If it were up to me, she wouldn't be here. But I love you, and I want you to have a friend here, too, but she is not a good friend."
"She was just trying to be nice now, Lan," Aurora tried to defend her best friend, but she knew that Lando had been complaining about her and that even Caitlin had spoken about her suspicions.
"I am not going to apologize," Lando sighed. "I thanked her, and that is it."
"That is okay, babe. I don't want to fight you, okay?" Aurora inhaled and exhaled deeply, looking lovingly at her boyfriend before she stroked her hand through his curls. "I love you. Tonight is all about celebrating your 23rd birthday."
"Thank you, baby," Lando kissed the top of Aurora's head. "Now, go to your friend; I will greet some more people, okay?"
"Okay, babe. I will see you on the dancefloor, okay?"
"See you there."
Aurora made her way to her friend at the bar. Valerie was sipping on a cocktail and smiled widely as she saw her friend coming her way, quickly ordering a second cocktail for Aurora.
"Hey, thanks again for coming," Aurora said as she stood in front of Valerie.
Valerie kept the smile up, her gaze briefly flickering over Aurora's shoulder toward where Lando was mingling with other drivers. "Of course, bestie. Wouldn't miss it for the world. How's the birthday boy feeling?"
"He's doing okay," Aurora replied, trying to suppress the unease creeping into her tone as the topic shifted immediately to Lando. "You know Lando, always trying to put on a brave face."
She nodded sympathetically, but her eyes seemed to linger on Lando's direction once more. "Yeah, it must've been tough for him with the race today."
"He was heartbroken for a minute, he blames himself for it. I tried cheering him up, and obviously with his birthday today, he's pretending a little extra."
"Of course."
"Hey, could you please watch my drink? Let me go to the bathroom really quickly, and then catch up. I feel like we haven't spoken properly in weeks."
"Yeah, sure. Go on, I will watch your drink," Valerie said, even covering the glass with her hand to express how well she would look out for someone slipping something in her drink.
But as soon as Aurora had disappeared out of sight, Valerie was on her feet and towards Lando. She slid up beside him, her hand grazing his arm, her gaze smoldering with intent. "Hey there, birthday boy," she whispered, leaning in a little too close for Lando's liking.
Lando tensed slightly, his instincts on high alert as he recognized Valerie's voice. He turned to face her, offering a polite smile but took a step back to create a careful distance. "Hey, Valerie. Enjoying the party?" He asked kindly, trying to be civil like his girlfriend had asked him to.
She smirked and moved closer, throwing her hands in Lando's neck as she inched her lips towards his cheek, "I am now," she murmered, her eyes going down to his crotch. "I still have to give you your birthday present, you know." Her fingers trailed from his chest to his stomach.
Lando only just dotched Valerie's lips on hers, wondering how the hell he got himself in this position. He took another step back, almost stumbling against other dancing people.
"Oh, come on, Lando," she cooed, reaching out to touch his arm again. "You know you want it. Aurora won't mind."
"I know she will mind. I mind."
"Isn't this what you wanted?"
Lando shook his head, his fists clenched at his sides. "You're out of your mind if you think I would ever want this," he spat, his voice filled with disgust.
Aurora appeared at Lando's side, "Lando, what's going on?" she asked, her eyes darting between him and Valerie.
Lando turned to Aurora, his anger subsiding as he met her gaze. "It's nothing, babe," he said, his voice softening.
"It is not nothing!" Valerie said, backing away from Lando. "Your boyfriend just tried to kiss me!"
"Wh– what?" Aurora's voice shook.
"That's a lie!" Lando said quickly, the panic cursing through him. "She tried to kiss me."
"I... Lando?"
"Babe, I promise you... Valerie tried to kiss me. She has been after me for almost a year now."
Valerie scoffed, "How can you lie like that against her? You have been–"
"Quit the fucking crap, Valerie," Caitlin came out of nowhere, but Lando could finally breath again. "You are a miserable person, and a terrible friend."
Aurora was frozen to the floor as she watched the situation in front of her unfold; her best friends and boyfriend visiably arguing, and for a second she didn't know who to believe. She hadn't seen the situation happen, she had only known that Lando complained about Valerie.
"Auri, I promise you, Valerie is the snake here," Caitlin tried to explain. "She threw herself at him."
And that's when Aurora had enough. It finally got through to her how Lando hadn't been overexaterated Valerie's behaviour.
"Valerie, I think it's for the best if you leave."
"What? You're dropping me after a life time of friendship?" Valerie scoffed and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"We will talk tomorrow, okay?" Aurora tried to concult, she didn't want to create drama. "Please, just leave for now."
