Private life | Lando Norris

56 - Following Her Home

The door banged behind me as I made my way out of the cafe, a full day of work behind me. Moving my hair to the side, I hiked my bag up my shoulder and tired to keep the strap from slipping off. Shoes clicking on the pavement, I make my way up to where I usuallycross the street, making sure to look both ways. 

For me, Lando decided that I should stay over at his tonight. I was sort of ready for the flight tomorrow. Flying at 5:30 am I not my idea of fun but I wanted to get used to it. My suitcase was partly full, still waiting for me to get my ass into gear and get organised. 

Looking back, I crossed another street, making my way up the quiet streets to Lando's place. He had fiercely wanted to come and get me but I declined, needing the exercise. I had become lazy with Lando around. He would always do everything for me and honestly, I didn't mind in the slightest. 

Suddenly, I felt scared. My palms became slick and my heart created a faster rhyme. Nobody was around me but I felt eyes on me. Beady eyes that couldn't tear their gaze away. 

Looking back, I spotted a person that wasn't there before. The person's hood was up, concealing their face but phone up, seemingly recording themself. Feeling stupid, I turned back and kept going. I'm a nobody. Why would any one want to follow me? 

Stoping to cross the street once more, the person disappeares. But I could still feel a sickly presence. Trying not to make anything of it, I continued on. I could hear my feet thumping and hitting the pavement in my ears. I quickening my pace. I scoffed to myself, nobody was following me! Looking down, my eyes wandering over the time. 6:30. It was getting darker but the sun was still in the sky and lighting every dark alley.

Peeking back to check my silly worry, panic flew into my veins as they were there, phone held up in the same position and following my pace down the street. "Shit, shit, shit." I mumbled, tripping slightly as broke into a slight jog. My bag hit the side of my hip, creating a thumping sound. Feet followed me. I couldn't hear them properly but I knew they were there, judging me, following me and finding hilarity with my panic. 

I need someone to pick me up. Breaking my not letting Lando pick me up, I called him, huffing softly as I stoped, facing the way I came. My eyes flicked back and forth from the person to the pavement. They were still there, phone in hand, just recording me. 

He answered on the third ring. 

"Hey baby, what's up?" 

A tear escaped my eye, falling slowing down my cheek. "Lando, I'm being followed." I choked out. 

"WHAT?! Where the fuck are you? Who the fuck is following you? Are you okay?" 

I heard keys clicking and feet pounding through the phone. A door slammed down the street causing me to jump in my shoes. 

A sob tore from my throat as I tried to look for a street sign through blurry eyes. "Lando, I-I don't know. I c-can't see a-a sign." I cried out. 

Nobody seemed to be around or out in the streets. I was a quiet afternoon that I would have loved to walk home in. But it's ruined. I stared down at my feet, trying to gain my composure. 

"Wait there and turn on your location, okay baby?" He puffed out as I heard a door open and car engine kick into gear. 

"O-okay." I stuttered, pulling the phone away to turn my location on for Lando. 

"I'm gonna be there in 5 minutes, stay where you are. Don't look panicked or scared okay? They can sense that. Please keep your back to a wall and stay on guard. Do not talk to anyone. Please do not move." 

"O-okay." I sniffle. "They seem t-to be gone." I say, glancing up and down the streets walk ways. I hiked the bag up my shoulder. It was lighter now, my book and makeup bag seeming like rocks earlier.

"They're never gone, please baby, I'm freaking out. Don't move."  I could hear his anxiety radiating through the phone line.

"I'm not. Lando, what the fuck is this." I whisper, crossing one arm over my torso and peering up once more to see nothing but cars wizzing past. Houses line the roads, car parked outside and lights flickering in the windows. Nothing but domestic living. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't tell you. Almost there."  Tires screech in the background. 

"Drive carefully, you idiot." I sniff. Laughter comes down the line. 

"I'm never slow for you Jenny." 

"Good to know." I smile into my hand, feeling a million times lighter. He has that weird effect. Being a scaredy cat, I haven't mentioned anything to do with his parents are girlfriend. That's his past not mine and I don't want him to hate me for knowing it. I really like him and if everything stays the way it is now, i'd be happy forever. 

"Keep talking so I know you're okay." 

"Um, alright. Work was good. Imogen made a funny joke about cheese." I try to think of interesting things but I come up empty. 

"What was the joke?" 

"Oh, she was very proud of it. It was 'There was an explosion in the cheese factory. De Brie was everywhere!'" I giggle out. 

A scoff comes down the line. "I've heard that one before. Carlos was very proud about it." 

"Oh well, I didn't know that, did I?" I laugh down the line. I survey the road, keeping an eye on the suspicious looking alley. I'm distracted by a car screeching around the corner. I sigh with relief as I notice Lando's SUV. Ending the call, I scramble to get close to where he stops, yanking the door open.

New tears sprout as I see Lando, curls a mess and worry pooling in his blue eyes. "Jenny, thank fuck." As soon as my door slams shut, he speeds off, foot fully on the floor. 

Keeping his eyes on the road, his hand shoots out to hold my thigh tight. I slip my hand under his and squeeze, reassuring him I'm here. 

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know what to do, this has never happened to me before." I whisper over the engine roaring.

"I fucking hate this. You shouldn't be sorry, I should be the one apologising." Lando grounds out. One hand clutches the steering wheel tight, his knuckles white. 

Squeezing his hand again, I reassure him. "It's okay." 

"I'm sorry." He says once again. 

"Me too, let's go back to yours and forget about it, Okay?" I suggest for which he nods slowly.

"Okay." 

~~~~

Following somebody is not okay. Recording it is even worse.