|Love 4 Apex| Lando Norris

🏎 21 - Facing the Truth

For a moment, all Rose could hear was the muffled sound of the music from the club, blending with the rush of her heartbeat in her ears. She knew she shouldn't be listening, but her feet felt glued to the ground, her breath shallow as the words reached her.

"I don't know, Lando," Magui's voice was soft but filled with emotion. "I feel like I'm constantly competing with her. It's not easy seeing the two of you together all the time, especially after what happened today."

Rose's breath hitched. They're talking about me.

Lando's voice came next, calm but carrying a hint of confusion. "What do you mean? What happened today?"

Magui sighed, and Rose could imagine her shaking her head. "The way you hugged her after the race. Lifting her off the ground like that. It didn't look like just a friendly moment, Lando. You were so... so close. And I know how important she is to you, but sometimes it feels like there's more going on than just friendship."

There was a pause, and Rose felt her heart racing, the words stinging even though they weren't meant for her ears.

Lando chuckled softly, though the laugh sounded more like an attempt to ease the tension. "Magui, you don't have to worry about Rose. She's just... she's like a little buddy. A sister, almost. We've known each other forever, and yeah, I care about her, but it's not like that."

Rose's chest tightened painfully. Little buddy? Sister? The words felt like daggers, each one cutting deeper than the last. She had always known that Lando saw her as a friend, but hearing it said out loud like this, in such a dismissive way, was more painful than she'd ever imagined.

Magui's voice grew quieter but more intense. "But that's the thing, Lando. It doesn't feel like you're just friends. The way you look at her sometimes, the way you act around her—it's different. And I can't help but feel insecure about it."

Lando's voice softened, a tone she'd heard him use when he was trying to reassure someone. "I get it, Magui. I do. But you're the one I'm with. Rose and I have a long history, but it's not romantic. I just feel protective of her, that's all. She's been through a lot, and I've always looked out for her, but it's nothing more than that. You don't have to feel threatened."

Magui sighed again, though this time it was quieter, less tense. "I know you care about me, Lando. But sometimes, when I see the way you are with her, I just... I don't know. It makes me doubt things."

There was a brief silence before Lando spoke again, his tone more serious. "You don't have to doubt anything. I'm with you because I want to be with you. Rose is a big part of my life, but that doesn't change how I feel about us."

Magui's response was softer now, more subdued. "Okay... I believe you. I just needed to hear it."

Rose felt her stomach twist as she stood there, frozen in place, every word hitting her like a blow. She had always been close to Lando, but hearing him describe her as nothing more than a "little buddy" or "sister" felt like a crushing confirmation of what she had feared deep down. Her feelings for him had always been there, buried beneath their friendship, but now it was clear they were one-sided. She knew it—she had always known it—but she hadn't wanted to let go.

And now, she couldn't take it anymore. The pain was too much.

Without making a sound, Rose slipped out of the alcove, retreating into the shadows of the club. She blinked back the tears that were threatening to spill over, her heart feeling heavier than it ever had before.

Outside, the cool night air hit her skin, but it did little to soothe the burning ache in her chest. She found a quiet corner near the entrance of the club, hidden from view, and leaned back against the cold brick wall. Her breath came in shallow gasps as she tried to steady herself, but the tears flowed freely, spilling down her cheeks uncontrollably.