Beautiful Sorrows | LN4

7

Seeing my elementary school again was so odd. We were the next day after the Australian Grand Prix and I thought it would be a good idea to show Lando around so he wouldn't think too much after the race. Thankfully, he gladly accepted my invitation. As he was already busy, we went out when the sun started to set, after he completed his recovery day schedule. We stopped in front of the gate, watching the chalk marks on the floor, lit up by a lamp post.

"The place hasn't changed a bit.." I could almost recognize one of the cracks on the wall next to the main door.

"Do you actually remember the days back then ?"

"Kind of. Sadly."

"Sadly ? Why is that ?" Lando interrogated me as he put his hands into the pockets of his black jeans.

"I guess I was a little bit too vocal about wanting to become a singer. A lot were laughing at me. But we were kids so.. I can't really blame them"

"Shit, I'm sorry that sucks."

"That's alright, I don't remember it too badly honestly. I was way too dense to realize I was being bullied." I laughed at myself. "One of my bullies actually became my best friend later."

"What ?" He shook his head and frowned his eyebrows. "Are Australians really living in an upside down world ?"

"Stop it." I hit his shoulder. "We didn't go to the same middle school so we eventually stopped reaching out."

"Good. Not a big loss."

I chuckled and turned back to join the main road.

"No way, the park is still here !" I trotted to the swing and sat on one of it.

Lando winced as a squeaking echoed when he took the other seat. "Well, not for much longer it seems."

"Hey, what's next on your schedule ?"

"Racing in Imola in two weeks, you should come ! I'll probably fly back soon, I don't want to get too used to the Australian time zone."

"Cool ! I'm going back to Paris tomorrow. We should take the same plane."

He slowed down his swing to turn his head towards me. "That's a great idea actually !"

"I was kidding Lando, we are not even heading to the same place"

"That's a detail. I have like three or four days off anyway."

"I would gladly accept a new flight partner if you are willing to take a commercial flight."

"That's a deal." He presented his hand to me that I shook to seal the deal.

We doubled back and arrived in front of my apartment building.

"Do you want to crash at mine ? Your hotel is a 30-minutes drive away and you don't have a ride. And it's late."

"I can't bother you like that, I'm too shy."

"It's okay if you're too shy to disturb. You'll sleep on the floor."

"Not nice."

"Come on, I'll leave you the couch if you don't snore too much." I started to make my way towards the door.

I heard Lando following my steps behind me. My apartment never welcomed many people. If it wasn't for Sam or Leia passing by here and there, the place would probably be buried down in dust or occupied by five generations of spiders.

"Wait, your place is kind of cute." Lando looked around after removing his shoes.

"I'll try not to be hurt and pretend you never doubted my taste in the first place."