the IT girl

The Morning After

The sun filtered through the sheer curtains of Lily's hotel room, gently waking her from sleep. She blinked against the light, still feeling the buzz of the previous day's excitement. The race, the adrenaline, the energy—it had all left her feeling a little dazed, as if she were still caught in the whirlwind of it all.

Stretching, she sat up and checked her phone, noticing a message from Mia.

Breakfast downstairs at 9? Let's debrief the race!

Lily smiled and quickly texted back, agreeing to meet her friend. The events of the race lingered in her mind, especially the way Lando had fought for that podium finish. He had been brilliant—driven, focused, and relentless. And yet, even in the victory, there was still that small tug in her chest, that unspoken feeling she hadn't yet sorted out.

After getting dressed in a light, casual outfit, Lily made her way downstairs to the hotel's breakfast area. Mia was already seated at a table near the window, waving her over with a bright smile.

"There she is, the girl of the hour!" Mia teased as Lily sat down. "How are you feeling after all that excitement yesterday?"

Lily chuckled, pouring herself some coffee. "It was intense, but I'm glad we went. Lando was amazing, wasn't he?"

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Oh, now you admit it! You were totally invested in that race, don't even try to hide it."

Lily rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "Alright, fine. I was. It's hard not to get swept up in it when you're actually there."

"I saw you, eyes glued to him the whole time," Mia said with a grin. "And don't think I didn't notice how relieved you looked when he finished on the podium."

Lily sighed, stirring her coffee. "Yeah, I guess I was worried. I didn't realize how much I cared until I saw him out there, pushing himself like that. It made me... rethink some things."

Mia leaned in, her interest piqued. "Oh? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Lily hesitated, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. "I don't know, Mia. I mean, he asked me out, and I turned him down. I didn't think I was ready, but now... I'm not so sure."

Mia gave her a soft smile. "It's okay to change your mind, you know. It doesn't make you weak or indecisive. It just means you're human."

Lily nodded, her heart heavy with uncertainty. "I just don't want to rush into something I'm not sure of. My past... it's not easy to let people in, and Lando's life is so different from mine. I don't know if I fit into his world."

"But you're already a part of it," Mia pointed out gently. "He clearly likes you, and you care about him more than you're letting on. You've been through a lot, but maybe it's time to start trusting someone again. And who knows? Lando might just be the right person to take that chance with."

Lily looked out the window, the bustling streets of Brazil alive with color and movement. The thought of Lando stirred something deep inside her, a mix of fear and hope. Could she really take that leap? Could she let him in after everything she'd been through?

Before she could respond, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced down and saw a message from Lando.

Morning, Lily. Hope you enjoyed the race yesterday. I'd love to see you before you leave Brazil—if you're up for it.

Her heart skipped a beat as she stared at the screen, the decision suddenly feeling much more real.

"What is it?" Mia asked, noticing the shift in Lily's expression.

"It's Lando," Lily said quietly. "He wants to see me before I leave."

Mia's eyes widened with excitement. "This is your chance, Lily! You should go. See how it feels."

Lily bit her lip, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. Part of her wanted to say yes, to see him and explore what was between them. But the fear of opening herself up again still loomed large in her mind.

"I don't know, Mia," Lily said, her voice uncertain. "What if I get hurt again?"

Mia reached across the table, placing a hand on Lily's. "You'll never know if you don't try. And from what I've seen, Lando's not the type to hurt you. He seems like someone who'd care about you, if you let him."

Lily took a deep breath, her thoughts swirling. She didn't have all the answers, but maybe that was okay. Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and start living in the moment.

"Okay," she said finally, her voice steady. "I'll meet him."

Mia grinned, her excitement palpable. "You won't regret it, I promise!"

As Lily sat back in her chair, sipping her coffee, she felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. It wasn't going to be easy, but maybe, just maybe, she was ready to take a chance on something—on someone—that scared her.