Art to fall in love with /// Lando Norris

Chapter 1: The Starting Line

Cassy Ray sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the bright orange and blue notebook that lay open on her lap. The pages were filled with sketches, ideas, and designs—concepts she had painstakingly worked on for months. Each page represented hours of dedication, each stroke of her pencil driven by an admiration that transcended mere fandom. It was for Lando Norris, the F1 driver who had captured her heart and imagination.

Living in Singapore, Cassy was used to blending into the background. She was the shy girl who loved art and spent more time in her sketchbook than with people. But Lando's content—his races, his cheerful personality, and his infectious enthusiasm for both McLaren and Quadrant—had drawn her out of her shell. For the first time in her life, she had saved up enough money to attend the Singapore Grand Prix, her heart pounding at the thought of seeing him in person.

As the day of the Grand Prix approached, the city buzzed with excitement. Banners and posters adorned the streets, and the roar of engines echoed in the distance. Cassy felt a mix of anxiety and exhilaration. She clutched her notebook close to her chest, hoping she'd find a way to get it into Lando's hands.

The night before the race, Cassy barely slept. She lay awake, imagining every possible scenario of meeting Lando. Would he laugh at her ideas? Would he even see them? By dawn, her stomach was in knots, but she pushed through the nerves, knowing this was her chance to make a connection.

At the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the atmosphere was electric. Fans from around the world mingled, sharing their passion for Formula 1. Cassy found her seat and looked around, taking in the sea of orange McLaren caps and flags. She felt a sense of belonging among these strangers, united by their love for the sport and its stars.

As the cars zoomed by during the practice sessions, Cassy's eyes were glued to the track, following Lando's every move. His precision, his speed, and his charisma were mesmerizing. She could hardly believe she was here, witnessing it all firsthand.

During a break in the action, Cassy decided to make her move. She navigated through the bustling crowd toward the McLaren garage. Her heart pounded as she approached one of the team's staff members, a man with a friendly demeanor and a McLaren cap perched on his head.

"Excuse me," Cassy began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I have something for Lando Norris. Could you please give it to him?"

The staff member, whose name tag read "Tom," looked at her curiously. "What is it?"

"It's, um, some merchandise ideas I've drawn," Cassy explained, holding out her notebook. "I'm a big fan, and I thought he might like to see them."

Tom smiled kindly and took the notebook from her. "I'll make sure he gets it. What's your name?"

"Cassy. Cassy Ray."

"Nice to meet you, Cassy. I'll do my best to get this to Lando," Tom assured her.

"Thank you so much," Cassy said, feeling a mixture of relief and nervousness. She watched as Tom disappeared into the inner workings of the garage, her notebook in hand. It was out of her control now. All she could do was hope.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. The excitement of the qualifying sessions and the thrill of the upcoming race filled the air, but Cassy's thoughts kept drifting back to her notebook. Would Lando see it? Would he appreciate her ideas?

Lando Norris was exhausted after a day of practice and meetings. He sat down in the small room designated for him to relax, rubbing his temples. It was then that Tom walked in, holding a bright orange and blue notebook.

"Hey, Lando," Tom said, handing him the notebook. "A fan gave this to me earlier. Thought you might want to take a look."

Lando raised an eyebrow and took the notebook. "Thanks, Tom. I'll check it out."

As Tom left, Lando opened the notebook, flipping through the pages. He was immediately struck by the quality of the sketches. Each design was meticulously detailed, and the concepts were fresh and innovative. He could see the passion behind every stroke of the pencil.

There were hoodies, caps, and even some quirky accessories that caught his eye. One particular design, a minimalist hoodie with a subtle nod to his racing number, made him smile. This fan had real talent. But there was no contact information, no way to thank the artist or discuss the ideas further.

Meanwhile, Cassy wandered the city, her heart lighter despite the uncertainty. She had done what she came to do. Now, all she could do was enjoy the race and hope for the best.

The next day, the Singapore Grand Prix was everything Cassy had dreamed of and more. The noise, the speed, the atmosphere—it was intoxicating. She cheered herself hoarse as Lando fought for position, her excitement mingling with the crowd's collective energy.

After the race, as the fans began to disperse, Cassy lingered near the paddock, soaking in the last moments of her unforgettable experience. She didn't expect to see Lando, but part of her still hoped for a miracle.

In the McLaren hospitality area, Lando was still thinking about the notebook. He approached Tom again. "Hey, do you remember the name of the fan who gave you that notebook?"

Tom thought for a moment. "Yeah, it was Cassy Ray. Why?"

"I'd like to find her, thank her for the designs," Lando said, determination in his eyes. "They're really good."

Tom nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

As Cassy finally turned to leave, a voice called out behind her. "Cassy!"

She spun around to see Tom hurrying toward her. "Lando saw your designs," he said, slightly out of breath. "He wants to talk to you."

Cassy's heart skipped a beat. "Really?"

Tom nodded, leading her back toward the McLaren area. Cassy followed, her mind racing. This was beyond anything she had dared to hope for.

When she saw Lando, he was standing with her notebook in hand, a smile on his face. "Cassy Ray, right?" he said, extending his hand.

Cassy nodded, too overwhelmed to speak.

"These designs are amazing," Lando said, flipping through the pages. "You've got real talent. I'd love to talk more about them."

Cassy found her voice, albeit shakily. "Thank you. I've been a fan for a long time, and I just wanted to share my ideas."

Lando's smile widened. "I'm glad you did. Let's sit down and chat. I want to hear all about your inspiration."

As they sat together, the noise of the paddock fading into the background, Cassy felt a sense of belonging she had never experienced before. This was just the beginning of her story with Lando Norris, a journey that had started with a sketchbook and a dream.