Pit Stop [LANDO NORRIS]

24

AVERY

As the day wound down and the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over Silverstone, the atmosphere shifted from frenetic energy to a calm stillness. The fans had been escorted off the site, leaving only the team workers and drivers milling about, the buzz of excitement slowly fading into the background. I needed a break from it all, a moment of solitude to collect my thoughts and escape the madness.

I decided to head toward the grandstands, hoping that a walk around the track would help clear my head. The familiar path felt both comforting and daunting as I made my way, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts. I wanted to analyze the corners of the track, the subtle nuances that defined the race, maybe coming up with some new suggestions for upgrades if I look at them outside of a sim, but the truth was, I was more interested in escaping my own heartache.

As I approached one of the grandstands in the distance, I spotted him—Lando. He was seated on one of the bleachers, gazing out over the track, his silhouette framed against the dimming light. My heart skipped a beat. This might be my chance to talk to him, to somehow bridge the gap that had formed between us since that night. Talk about what had happened and maybe formulate a plan moving forward. 

I hesitated, glancing around to see if anyone else was nearby. If there was ever a moment to approach him, this felt like it. I took a few tentative steps forward, my pulse quickening with each movement. But just as I was getting closer, my heart sank. A girl appeared, striding confidently toward Lando. She walked right up to him, taking a seat in front of him, and they started talking.

I stopped in my tracks, hiding behind a nearby structure, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I could see their expressions—laughter spilling from them like it was the most natural thing in the world. I felt a pang of jealousy twist in my gut, perhaps it had all meant a lot more to me than it had him. 

I leaned against the structure, my heart heavy, feeling like an intruder in a moment I wasn't meant to witness. As I watched them, the laughter echoed in my ears, a cruel contrast to the emptiness I felt inside. 

My eyes narrowed as Lando leaned in close to some girl with long, dark hair. She laughed, leaning into him like it was the most natural thing in the world. And the way he looked at her it twisted something inside me, something bitter and sharp.

Of course, I thought, feeling stupid. There was never going to be space for us to have anything real. How could there be, with him always looking at girls like that? I knew the rumors. I'd heard them all, and they were always the same: Lando flirted, got close, and then moved on. I'd seen it myself, him cycling through girls like changing tyres before a race, the excitement all too quick to fade. I'd been there, watching from the sidelines, hoping I was somehow different.

But seeing him like this, so carefree and oblivious to me, hurt more than I could admit. Heat rose in my chest, spreading up to my cheeks. How could I have let myself get so wrapped up in him? I clenched my fists, feeling the anger harden my resolve.

Fine. If that was how he wanted to play it, two could play at that game. I didn't have to wait around, didn't have to stay in his shadow, hoping for a glance or a smile that might mean more. I could show him I wasn't just there, waiting for him to finally look my way. With that thought, I spun around and stormed off, the determination echoing in my head like the roar of the engines: Two can play at that game.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I made my way back to the McLaren garage. The familiar scent of motor oil and the low hum of engines usually grounded me, but today everything felt charged with tension. My mind replayed the scene with Lando, his easy smile, and that girl who seemed to light up his world effortlessly. It was infuriating how easily he moved from one girl to the next, leaving a trail of broken hearts behind him. But today, I wasn't going to be just another name on his list.

As I pushed open the garage doors, the clang of tools and the buzz of activity filled my ears. I spotted dad leaning over one of the cars, closely watching one of the mechanics work on Lando's front end. He looked up and gave me a reassuring smile, but his eyes held a hint of concern.

"Avery," he called out. "How's it going?"

I forced a smile, masking the turmoil inside. "Hey, Dad. It's going alright."

"I trust our little issue has been taken care of?"

I hesitated for a split second before responding, choosing my words carefully. "There's absolutely nothing to worry about."

He nodded, though I could see the lingering deception in his eyes. "Very well"

I gave him a small, forced smile. "You don't need to worry about me anymore."

He placed a hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before turning back to his work. "Good. Just remember that you have a lot more responsibility here than you realize. Team first, always"

I watched him for a moment, to being able to push down the feeling that he was somehow behind this, that our conversation in the room and how we left things, fast forward to how it all ended up, there was something in the middle I was missing. Something I wasn't aware of. But today, I wasn't ready to play detective. "I know," I replied softly. 

He chuckled, the sound warm and comforting. "That's my girl. Now, how about we get back to work? The team's counting on us."

I nodded, feeling a surge of determination wash over me. If Lando thought he could play games with my heart, he was about to learn that I wasn't one to back down. 

As I returned to my station, the frustration from earlier began to transform into a focused resolve. Two could indeed play at that game, and I was more than ready to turn the tables.