From the Past - Lando Norris

Nine: Party

--Ella's POV--

Peter, Kelsey, and I are dumbfounded by how nice Max's house is. It's like we are in a movie where the poor kids are invited to hang out with the rich kids. How did he manage to throw this insane of a party in less than twelve hours' notice? There are people everywhere. Drinks are flowing, lights are hung up on the ceilings, and I have no idea where he is, "Let's go find the drinks. This party is for you," Peter says as the three of us try and find the kitchen. He grabs a tequila bottle as Kelsey grabs a couple of limes off the counter handing it to us.

I hear my name as I'm putting the lime in my mouth and turn around seeing Max. He walks over and Kelsey quickly takes the lime from me and pushes me forward, "You look amazing," He smiles looking down at the small black dress I'm wearing. I had to call Kelsey to make sure it was a good outfit.

"Thank you. I was trying to find you and then we found tequila instead," I smile as he walks with me back to where Peter and
Kelsey are making fake conversation as they eavesdrop.

"Nice to see you again," Peter says as he pours more shots with an extra for Max.

"Are all Formula One drivers this loaded?" Kelsey asks making him laugh as he takes the shot to avoid answering.

"We are going to go dance. Have fun," Peter says grabbing her arm and walking off. I smile at the two of them wishing me luck as I turn back to the tall man in front of me. His white t-shirt is making his chest look broad. I wonder what it would feel like to put my hands on his shoulders.

"You excited to be traveling all the time? You said you've always wanted a job that can do that," He says remembering our conversation from dinner.

I nod my head smiling as we walk outside where it's quieter, "I'm very excited. I remember when Lando and I were kids he always joked about me being his photographer. I just never thought it would come true," I reveal as I lean on the fence on his porch.

"Maybe after you're done hanging out with the Papaya boys...I could sneak into your hotel room for our second date," he says as I contain a smile on my face.

"That sounds like something I'd be interested in," I smile as I walk a little closer to him. He starts leaning down to kiss me, his lips ghost over mine. I can smell his cologne and it drives me crazy but then someone comes running outside. We pull away and see Lando giggling.

"My bestest friend in the whole wide world. Where have you been? We have to drink together in honor of you joining the team," He says grabbing my arm before I can protest. I look back at Max and see the disappointment on his face as Lando shows me the line of shots he already prepared.

"Lando, you just cockblocked me," I tell him as he hands me one. He gives me an awkward smile and then looks between me and Max as he walks back inside with a beer. I watch the way his hands curl around the neck of the bottle and rest the shot glass against my lip.

"You are disgusting. You went on one date and now you look like you would go shag him in the shower," he grimaces before taking the shot. I follow his actions and grab the next one until we both take equal amounts. I shake out the nasty taste as he tilts the glass of mixed drink he was having in front of my face. I thank him and tap the glass so he stops tilting it towards me when I'm finished, "I wish we had a college experience together. We would have been a dream team," he says making me smile.

"Maybe we can prove that by playing some beer pong. I thought I saw a table set up near the front," I tell him. He happily takes my hand and leads me through the thick crowd of people walking into the kitchen. I stumble a little and grab onto his shoulder. He glances back breathlessly laughing asking if I'm alright as I nod my head joining in on his laughter. When we get to the table Oscar and another guy are setting up cups.

"Do you guys need another team to play against?" Lando asks.

"We haven't lost yet so I would love to kick your ass," the guy says as he looks at me, "I'm Charles, you must be Ella, right?" He asks.

I nod my head, "Nice to meet you but I've never lost a game and I'm not starting tonight," I announce fixing the cups on our side. He looks shocked as Lando catches the ball Oscar throws. Each duo goes back and forth until we figure out who is going first. Oscar landed his ball in on his throw with Lando. Lando picks up the drink he made before coming over and hands it to me as I happily sip from it.

Lando gives me a low five when the guys both miss their first shots, "You want to go first?" he asks me. I shake my head and allow him to go first, standing off to the side. He dunks the ball in the water and stands in the middle eyeing down the cups. All the preparation doesn't pay off as it goes past the table hitting Oscar's hand. I walk over and throw the ball sinking it into the first cup.

I turn around celebrating with him as Oscar takes the first beer from the table. The game is heated as the guys all start shit-talking as I step up to throw. We have three cups left on our side and they have two. I hold the ball in front of Lando's mouth and he blows on it making his best attempt at bedroom eyes at me. He joked about seeing this in an early 2000's movie and then we got it in the cup so we haven't stopped doing it. I turn to the cup and line it up before tossing it. It sinks in making us both cheer as Charles drinks the beer.

"Don't fuck this up," I whisper as he steps past me.

"no pressure," he scoffs as I lean against the wall drinking his drink from earlier. I'm a little bit more intoxicated than I thought I'd be while here. I was going to ride my bike but then Kelsey said she would drive so I could let loose. I finish off his drink as he finishes messing with the guys. My mouth is open as his hand throws the ball. It's like a buzzer-beater in a basketball movie. When the ball spins around the top of the cup my heart stops until Oscar causes it to sink in. I scream as I throw my arms around Lando as he spins me around. We are both giggling knowing that we upheld my reputation and we beat the ruling champs of the night. He puts me back on the ground and we turn to the other two as they drink the last beer. I smile as Lando takes the snapback off his head and puts it on mine showcasing I am now officially a McLaren girl.

"We should have never agreed to no redemption," Oscar says shaking his head. Lando hops over to his friends gloating as I shake Charles's hand.

"So, why did you come back into Lando's life after successfully escaping?" He jokes as I stare at him giggling with a huge smile on his face.

"Cause I'm an idiot," I lie knowing this is the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I can only hope I continue thinking this way.