Lando Norris has known Stephania Anderson almost his whole life, but the childhood friends had a rough falling out when she started dating his then teammate. Now four years later, he finds himself back in her life and he has to deal with the feelin...
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21. Clean
The three friends set to work with quiet determination, a silent agreement to do what needed to be done without overwhelming Stephania. Lando, Carla, and Mariá moved through the apartment with a careful balance of efficiency and gentleness, understanding that too much too fast could push Stephania further into her shell.
Carla began in the kitchen, where the disarray was most evident. She methodically scrubbed the countertops and washed the dishes, her movements steady and unhurried. She wanted to restore order, but she also knew that each clatter of a dish or spray of water could be a harsh reminder of how far things had fallen. As she cleaned, she hummed softly under her breath, a calming melody that filled the otherwise quiet apartment with a sense of normalcy.
Lando, with a deep breath, approached the windows. He paused for a moment, his hand resting on the curtain. The room was dark, heavy with the weight of the drawn blinds. Slowly, he pulled them back, allowing the afternoon sunlight to spill into the room. The light was warm and soft, casting away the shadows that had lingered too long. Lando glanced back at Stephania, still curled up on the couch, her eyes shut against the brightness. He didn't say anything, just let the light do its work, hoping it would remind her of the world outside, of the life she had temporarily left behind.
Mariá focused on tidying up the living room, gathering the scattered clothes and folding them neatly. She moved with quiet care, making sure not to disrupt the fragile peace that had settled in the room. She avoided looking directly at Stephania, not wanting to intrude on her private world of pain, but every so often, she'd glance over, her heart aching at the sight of her friend so withdrawn. Mariá was careful to keep her own emotions in check, knowing that Stephania didn't want their pity. Instead, she channeled her concern into each movement, each small act of care.
The hours passed slowly, the three friends working in comfortable silence, their presence a steady reassurance that Stephania wasn't alone. They didn't rush, taking their time to clean and organize, making sure not to add to the stress she was already feeling. By the time they finished, the apartment had regained some of its former order. The chaos was gone, replaced by a sense of calm and simplicity.
Once the cleaning was done, Lando suggested ordering Chinese takeout. It was a familiar comfort, something they had all enjoyed together countless times before. Stephania gave a small nod, a barely perceptible sign that she was still with them, still trying. They sat on the floor, the takeout containers spread out between them, and for a while, the room was filled only with the sounds of chopsticks clinking against plastic.
The conversation started slowly, tentatively. Carla talked about a funny incident at work, her voice light and easy, steering clear of anything that might remind Stephania of her recent pain. Mariá chimed in with a story from their highschool days, her eyes brightening as she recounted their antics. Lando listened, offering the occasional comment, but mostly watching Stephania, his heart lifting slightly as he saw the tension in her shoulders begin to ease.
