From the Past - Lando Norris

Twenty: understanding

--Ella's POV--

I lift my head off the pillow and feel the cold side of the bed that's beside me. There is a small bang from the kitchen making the smile I had last night return to my face. I get out of bed and slip my sleep shorts on before walking out. Lando is standing at the coffee pot with two mugs, his back turned to me, "I thought you left," I tell him making his head turn with a smile. I hug my body as he pours two cups and walks over to me. He kisses the top of my head before handing it over.

"Why would I do that when I can hear more about how you were obsessed with me when we were younger?" he asks as I glare at him while I sip the coffee. I place my mug down on the counter and walk to the fridge to see what I have for breakfast. There's a knock at the door making me widen my eyes when I hear Peter's voice. Lando walks over and opens the door completely shirtless making his eyes pop out of his head.

"I knew I was on the right team when I picked Lando's side," he laughs making Lando turn around with an amused smile.

"I'm sorry there were sides?" the Brit asks walking closer. I put my hand on his chest and tell him to get a shirt as I thank Peter for the intrusion. He giggles and walks back to my bedroom as Peter leans over my counter for all the details.

"Did you guys have sex?"

"No"

"Boo, why not?" he asks.

"We just spent the night talking after ditching his party. I felt wrong sleeping with him without talking to Max. He deserves an explanation and I figured I could stop by his place tomorrow before going to work," I explain watching him take my coffee off the counter and sip it.

"How romantic of you to spare him some time," he says as I take my coffee mug back, "And for you. If you hurt my girl I'm going to cut the brake lines on your car," He says making Lando laugh.

"Your girl? She's been my girl for way longer than she's known you," He says as I hold in my laugh when I see the look on Peter's face. He scoffs and starts arguing with Lando about how quality is better than quantity for the amount of time I've known them. I avoid getting involved as I take eggs from my fridge to make breakfast. There's a knock at the door again making me laugh as I walk over and open it. My smile falters a little when I see Max standing with a box of donuts.

"Morning. What happened to you last night?" he asks as he gives me a kiss before walking in. He sees Peter at the counter sitting on my stools and slows down when he sees Lando sipping coffee while leaning against the section that separates the kitchen from the living room. Lando is wearing the same outfit he wore last night cause he doesn't have any clothes here. He turns to me and laughs a bitter laugh before dropping the box and walking back towards the door. I call his name and look at the small smile on Lando's face. I slam the door behind me and chase him down the hall only catching up because of the elevator.

"He stayed here? I looked all over for you last night and got worried," he says as he looks at me confused.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean for it to happen but I had to get out of there. I was suffocating," I explain.

"Why didn't you tell me? I'm the guy you're supposed to be dating," He says as the doors of the elevator open, "I should have known you and Lando weren't just friends. All he does is stare at you but I thought it was one-sided," he says making me realize I've been oblivious like he was to me.

"I didn't know what was going on but it's not fair to you. You're an amazing guy but there wasn't anything there," I tell him holding the doors open so we can finish this conversation, "You had to have felt it".

His face drops to the floor before he admits it, "I thought it was just because we were still getting to know each other"

"I love talking with you and I actually want us to remain friends but besides the sex...we weren't all that great," I tell him as he lets out a shocked laugh at how blunt I put it.

"We...were pretty good at that," He says as I nod my head laughing again.

"I'm sorry for running off last night. Let me make it up to you by sending all the photos I've taken so you can skip us on the next couple of media days Red Bull throws," I tell him. He smiles a real smile and walks forward. He bends down and gives me a quick hug as I stand on my tippy toes, "I'm sorry," I whisper.

"You were the best non-relationship I've ever had and I would love those photos," He jokes as I back out of the way of the doors so he can leave for real, "Stay in touch, Shrimpy. Don't let McLaren ruin your charm," he jokes.

"I will," I grin as the doors start to close. As I walk back to the apartment I see Peter walking out with a donut in his mouth, "Are you leaving?" I ask him as he gives me a kiss on the cheek as he walks by.

"Letting you and lover boy talk about what your relationship is now. I think I freaked him out with my questions," He says with an apologetic look on his face as I dread going back inside now.