Casual | Lando Norris

Four

Lando

You'll never guess who was in my dream last night.

I had read over that one sentence about a million times since Lilly sent it to me two days ago. My mind had come up with something different to reply back with each time I looked at it but I never brought myself to type any of them. I allowed too much time to pass and now I wasn't sure if it would be considered rude if I responded. When I gave her my number back in the coffee shop I hadn't actually expected her to reach out.

She had sent the message late in the evening as I was on my way out to the club with Max Fewtrell. We were supposed to celebrate the racing season starting up soon but instead I spent the whole night thinking about her. Ignoring every girl that came and tried talking to me, leaving Max confused by my behavior. He knew about my obsession with Lilly, claiming it was obvious to him that my feelings for her were deeper than just a hook up. Even when I denied it he still never believed me.

I wanted to show him the message that night. Get his opinion on what he thought it might've meant but I didn't. Lilly's text took me by surprise, I couldn't figure out what she wanted with it. Was this part of our typical game we've been playing or was she actually seeking to pursue something with me? Despite her sometimes flirting back with me, Lilly always gave me the impression she hated me. Like she felt I wasn't good enough for her besides a fun time or maybe that wasn't what she actually felt. Maybe it was just what Charles wanted her to feel.

    "Lando, mate! You almost ready?" Max shouted from outside the bathroom door. Knocking repetitively to emphasize his impatience. I fixed my sleeves cuff links quickly before opening the door.

    "Yep, let's go." We nodded our heads to each other and made our way down to the lobby of our hotel. A car sat parked outside waiting for us, quickly driving away once we got inside.

Tomorrow was the start of the season and a few years ago Lewis Hamilton had started this pre-season tradition of a drivers dinner. Where all twenty of us, and our plus ones if we decided to bring one, gathered at the fanciest restaurant the night before the first race weekend began. It was supposed to bring us all together in a non-competitive setting and help remind us of our friendships. In the beginning I, and most of the drivers, thought it was silly but now everyone looks forward to it each year.

Camera men stood outside the entrance eagerly waiting our arrival. Flashes of light blinded my vision when they heard the slam of a car door. Shouts of my name echoed through the crowd and I buttoned my jacket, putting on a smile as Max and I began walking down the path they created for us.

Walking inside I was greeted by loud voices, each one belonging to someone different. The place was completely empty and a long table was situated right in the center of the room. Seats were already occupied by everyone already and I walked towards two empty chairs that were located right in the middle of the table.

    "Lando! So glad you could finally join us." Carlos beamed as I took the seat directly across from him.

    "Are we the last ones to arrive?" I took a look around, noticing another pair of seats empty. They were a little further down from me and I could see Pierre Gasly and his girlfriend Kika chatting with the people around them.

    "Just waiting on Charles as usual." Carlos responded and like clockwork the voice of the monegasque driver appeared behind him. His hand patting Carlos' shoulder causing him to turn around.

    "We would have been here sooner if Lillian didn't change her outfit three times." I watched as Lilly appeared by his side. She wore a long dress that was a fiery red color, the lack of straps accentuating her chest and I did my best not to stare.