Love 4 Apex | Lando Norris

🏎 32 - Unreached

Rose sat on the edge of her bed, the glow of her phone casting a soft light across her face. Her thumb hovered over the screen, eyeing the "delivered" status under her message to Lando, sent few days ago. She'd typed and re-typed that birthday message, wrestling with how much emotion to show, how casual to be. In the end, she settled on something simple:

"Happy Birthday, Lan"

Now, staring at the empty read receipt, she wondered if her attempt at casual warmth had fallen flat. She'd told him she needed distance—that was her decision. But she hadn't expected silence in return, certainly not this complete. Biting her lip, she hesitated, then opened her messages again, scrolling to Max's name.

Rose: "Hey. Lando's still alive, right?"

She typed, and hit send before she could second-guess herself. Moments later, her phone buzzed with Max's reply:

Max: "Why?"

Rose sighed, feeling her heartbeat quicken. She typed back quickly, unsure of how much to reveal but too anxious to hold back.

Rose: "I messaged him for his birthday, but he hasn't seen it."

There was a pause before Max's next message appeared, and Rose imagined him rolling his eyes on the other end.

Max: "Yeah, he's taking a break from his phone for a bit."

She exhaled, relief mingling with a hint of disappointment. So, he hadn't ignored her on purpose. He just... wasn't there. And maybe, in a way, that hurt more.

Rose tucked her phone away, still feeling that hollow ache of being left in silence. She knew she should be focusing on her own race prep for the next weekend, but her thoughts kept drifting to him. She didn't know what Lando was going through—how much he was carrying with the weight of Magui's pregnancy and the difficult choice they'd had to make. At that moment, a soft nudge against her leg pulled her from her thoughts. Apex, her dog, had wandered into her room, his tail wagging, eyes wide with excitement.

She smiled softly, reaching down to ruffle his fur. "Hey, buddy. You wanna play?" she murmured, grateful for the distraction. Apex's bright enthusiasm was a small reminder of the simpler joys she sometimes forgot amid the intense pressures of racing.

As she tossed a ball for him, her mind wandered back to her plans for the upcoming break. She'd decided she would go to her grandma's, craving the familiar comfort and calm that only home could bring. She needed that time to recharge; the end of the season would be nothing short of grueling. Mercedes was leading the Constructors' Championship, but only barely, and every race counted now. She'd have to give her all, not only for the team but also for Lewis.

With Max just a few points ahead of him, Lewis would need every bit of support she could give on track to clinch his title. She knew how much it meant to him—not just any title, but his 8th, the one that would make him the driver with the most championships in history, surpassing Michael Schumacher. Rose understood the weight of that legacy, the history they were all part of, and she'd promised herself she would be there for him, to push and protect where it mattered.

Franco had gone back to Argentina for the break, yet he still called her daily. Despite the distance, he made time for her, bringing laughter and a sense of calm that she'd come to rely on. Talking to him was easy, simple—just what she needed amidst the pressures of racing.

And soon enough, that pressure would return, amplified by the glitz and spectacle of the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The entire Strip had transformed into a high-speed arena, colorful lights from casinos and hotels reflecting off the track as cars tore down the circuit. Crowds gathered along every inch, their cheers mixing with bass-heavy music thumping from nearby parties, creating an electric atmosphere.