the IT girl

the day at school

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the quiet streets as Lando steered the family car toward Gemma and Daniel's school. The radio played softly in the background, but most of the car ride was filled with Gemma's cheerful chatter.

"Daddy, do you think Mrs. Harper will like my drawing?" Gemma asked, holding up her art folder. The colorful scribbles of a car racing through a rainbow-filled sky were her proudest creation yet.

"She'll love it, Gem," Lando assured her with a smile. "You've got some serious talent, just like your mum."

"And me?" Daniel piped up from his car seat. "I'm good too, right, Daddy?"

Lando chuckled, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. "Of course, buddy. You're already a little superstar."

Daniel beamed, holding up his toy car like it was a trophy.

When they arrived at the school, Lando parked the car and helped the kids out. Gemma, wearing her favorite pink backpack, immediately grabbed Lando's hand. Daniel, still clutching his toy car, followed closely.

"Alright, Gem, you've got your lunchbox and art folder?" Lando asked as they approached the school gates.

"Yes, Daddy," she said confidently. "And I remembered to bring an apple for Mrs. Harper!"

Lando laughed. "You're going to be teacher's pet, aren't you?"

Gemma giggled, while Daniel clung to Lando's leg. "I don't want to go," he mumbled, looking up at his dad with big, pleading eyes.

Kneeling down, Lando gave Daniel a comforting smile. "You'll have so much fun, little man. And I'll be back to pick you up before you know it."

"But I want to stay with you," Daniel said, his lip trembling.

Lando ruffled his son's hair. "How about this? If you're brave today, we'll play with your cars as soon as we get home. Deal?"

"Deal," Daniel said with a small smile.

Lando stood and walked the kids to their classrooms, exchanging polite nods and smiles with other parents along the way. Gemma waved enthusiastically as she disappeared into her classroom, while Daniel clung to Lando for one more hug before reluctantly letting go.

As Lando walked back to the car, a sense of peace settled over him. The school drop-off had gone smoother than expected, and he was already thinking about the errands he needed to run before heading home.

Just as he reached his car, a commotion nearby caught his attention. Out of nowhere, a group of paparazzi appeared, cameras flashing wildly. Their presence was unmistakable, and they were making a beeline toward him.

"Lando! Over here!" one of them shouted, shoving a camera lens in his direction.

"Lando, are you excited about the new F1 season?" another called out, snapping pictures as fast as their camera would allow.

The sudden intrusion startled Lando, and he instinctively glanced around. Parents dropping off their kids had stopped in their tracks, their curious gazes shifting between him and the photographers. A few children pointed excitedly, recognizing him from the television.

"Lando, how does it feel balancing family life with racing?" a paparazzo asked, barely giving him room to respond.

Lando sighed internally, keeping his expression calm. "Guys, I'm just dropping my kids off at school," he said politely but firmly, holding up his hand to signal them to back off.

The flashing continued, and the questions didn't stop. "Is Lily expecting another baby?" one of them pressed, clearly fishing for a headline.

Lando paused, his grip tightening on the car keys in his hand. "No comment," he said, his tone sharper this time.

"Come on, Lando, just a few shots!" another pleaded, leaning in closer.

By now, the attention had fully shifted to him. Parents whispered among themselves, some pulling out their phones to snap their own pictures. He felt a twinge of discomfort, knowing how much he valued keeping these moments private for Gemma and Daniel's sake.

With practiced ease, Lando opened the car door and slipped inside, ignoring the persistent calls of the paparazzi. He started the engine, the hum of the car momentarily drowning out the chaos outside.

As he pulled out of the parking lot, he caught sight of a few lingering cameras in his rearview mirror. He shook his head, muttering to himself, "Can't even drop the kids off in peace."

Still, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of Gemma and Daniel, blissfully unaware of the frenzy outside their school. For them, he would always navigate the spotlight with grace.