the IT girl

A Night with Friends

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the streets of Monaco as Lando arrived at Carlos's house. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement, the sounds of laughter and music spilling from the open terrace where the party was in full swing. Charles Leclerc was already there, leaning against the railing, a drink in hand, scanning the crowd with his trademark smile.

"Lando! You made it!" Charles called out, waving him over.

"Wouldn't miss it," Lando replied, the weight of the day's events momentarily lifting as he joined his friends. The camaraderie was familiar, a comforting reminder of the bond they shared on and off the track.

"Carlos has outdone himself this time," Charles said, gesturing to the spread of food and drinks laid out on the table. "You know how he is—always wants to impress everyone."

Lando chuckled, grabbing a drink from the table. "I bet he thinks this will distract us from the fact that he lost the race to me in Monaco."

"Only because I had to let you win, of course," Carlos chimed in, appearing from the kitchen with a playful grin. "You know I wouldn't let you take my crown without a fight."

"Yeah, yeah," Lando shot back, laughing. "I'm sure you were just being a gentleman about it."

As the night wore on, the three friends shared stories, their laughter filling the air. The weight of Lando's earlier conversation with Lily faded into the background as he immersed himself in the lightheartedness of the evening. They reminisced about their childhood, the challenges they faced growing up, and the relentless pursuit of their dreams.

At one point, Carlos leaned in closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, what's this I hear about you and the model? Lily, was it? Heard you tried to ask her out after the race."

Lando felt his cheeks heat up, the carefree vibe of the night momentarily overshadowed by his earlier disappointment. "It didn't go as planned," he admitted, trying to keep his tone light.

"What happened?" Charles asked, his curiosity piqued.

"She turned me down," Lando replied, running a hand through his hair. "She said she's not ready for anything right now. I get it; I respect her decision, but it still stings."

"Her loss, mate," Carlos said, clapping him on the back. "You're Lando Norris! You'll find someone who's ready for you."

"Yeah, but it's not just about that," Lando said, taking a sip of his drink. "I don't know. There's something about her that makes me want to try harder, you know? I see the walls she puts up, and I just want to break through them."

"Sounds like you're smitten," Charles teased, a knowing smile on his face. "But don't forget—love is a two-way street. You can't push someone to open up if they're not ready."

Lando nodded, understanding the truth in Charles's words. "I know. I just... I wish she could see how amazing she is, how worth it she could be. But I also don't want to rush her."

The conversation turned light again, the laughter and teasing bringing back the joy of friendship. As the night wore on, Lando felt the weight of his feelings for Lily settle into a comfortable acceptance. Maybe she needed time, and maybe he just needed to be patient.

As the stars twinkled overhead, Lando looked out over the city, a sense of hope filling him. Life was unpredictable, and while he didn't know what would happen with Lily, he knew he had his friends by his side to help him through it.

"Alright, who's up for a game of poker?" Carlos announced, breaking the moment of contemplation. "Loser has to do a forfeit!"

Lando grinned, the competitive spirit reigniting within him. "You're on! Prepare to lose, Carlos!"

With the playful banter resuming, Lando let the worries fade away, diving headfirst into the camaraderie of the night, the uncertainty of his feelings for Lily pushed aside, at least for now.