Redline | L.Norris

fourteen

The club was already alive with energy by the time Isla and Lando arrived. Music pulsed through the walls, the bass vibrating in her chest as they stepped inside. Max was the first to spot them, waving them over to the private section Red Bull had reserved. The moment they reached the group, Max handed Isla a glass of champagne with a proud grin.

"I don't know what makes me more impressed. Winning a race in your rookie season or Lando successfully dragging you out of your hotel room."

Isla rolled her eyes, "Whatever. If I'm going to stay out longer than an hour, champagne won't cut it."

Max chuckled and pointed to the table. "There are a few different bottles to choose from. But you are going to celebrate your win properly."

"Isla Raikkonen everyone!" Danny emerged from the group of drivers, yelling out her name for everyone to hear. Isla downed the glass of champagne, knowing she was going to need more to get through the night.

Danny slung his arm around her shoulders. "How does it feel to be number one in the world as a rookie?" He held a bottle of beer up to her, acting as a microphone.

"Red Bull has given me a great car and an amazing team to work with. Honestly, just happy to be here." She winced as he threw his head back and laughed.

"Media trained even away from the track. Horner would be proud." Max scoffed, "Trust me, mate. If you sat through the meetings, they've had with us about watching what we say, you would be answering the same."

Isla chuckled. It has turned into a running joke on the grid of how many fines the pair have racked up between the two. With only a few races in, they were bound to break any previous record.

The group mingled around. Some hanging near the bar drinking, while others danced freely down near the DJ. Isla laughed with those near the bar, acting like a normal F1 driver would. But she could feel the anxiety creeping in. The flashing lights, the packed dance floor, the bodies brushing past one another. It was all a lot to take in. She tried to focus on the people she knew, the ones who made her feel safe.

Lando stayed close, keeping an eye on her. He could see the way she tensed every time someone moved too close, how she shifted her weight, always keeping an escape route open. Without making a big deal of it, he positioned himself between her and the crowd, giving her a buffer. Something that didn't go unnoticed by Max.

"You doing okay?" Lando asked, voice low enough that only she could hear.

She nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah. Thanks for checking."

He wasn't entirely convinced but let it slide for now. Instead, he clinked his glass against hers. "To your first win. And to many more."

She gave him a warm smile before being pulled into a conversation with Kelly and Lily.

Max took her distraction from the papaya driver and pulled him to the side. "What do you know that I don't?"

Lando looked at him confused and Max pressed on. "I picked up on it the first time we all went out. She got flustered when Daniel tried to get her to dance, and we left shortly after."

Lando shook his head and looked at the girl, "She didn't say much, but it's what you have probably guessed. She isn't a people person for her own reasons."

Max sighed, wishing he knew what it was that caused this. But as he watched her talk animatedly with the girls, he wondered if they could slowly fix what was wrong.

The night carried on, laughter and music blending into a blur around her. Isla did her best to stay present, clinging to the warmth of familiar faces and kind words. But even with Lando and Max nearby, her nerves hummed beneath the surface like a current she couldn't fully shake.

She slipped away to a quieter corner of the lounge area, needing a breath. The club lights didn't reach all the way back here, giving her a little space to just exist.

A moment later, Lando found her.

"You good?" he asked softly, hands tucked into his pockets, like he wasn't sure how close to stand.

She gave him a small nod, then sighed. "Yeah. Just... needed a second."

He leaned against the wall beside her, not saying anything right away. Just letting her have her silence.

"Everyone's here for you tonight," he said after a moment. "You made history today. Rookie season or not, that win was earned."

"I know," she replied, her voice quieter now. "I just don't always know how to feel about it all."

Lando glanced at her, reading the weight behind her words.

"You don't have to feel a certain way. You don't owe anyone a version of you that's always 'on.'" He paused, then offered a small smile. "But just know... we're all damn proud of you. I'm proud of you."

She looked at him then, really looked at him, and something inside her eased. Not entirely, but enough.

"Thanks for dragging me out tonight," she said with a soft laugh. "Even if I did consider sneaking out the bathroom window."

Lando grinned. "Yeah, Max warned me you might try that. I was ready to climb the fire escape."

Isla laughed, the tension finally breaking. "You would've fallen and broken your leg."

"For you? Probably worth it."

She bumped his shoulder gently, a spark of comfort in the gesture.

They stood there for another minute before Isla straightened up. "Okay. One more drink. Maybe two. Then you and Max can argue about who gets to give the toast."

Lando chuckled. "Deal. But I'm warning you now, I've been practicing mine all day."

They rejoined the group, and Isla took one last glance over her shoulder at the empty space behind her. Whatever shadows her past held, they didn't own her future.

Tonight, she celebrated. Not just the win, but the fight it took to get here.

A.N: short chapter but setting up for some big things. Thanks for reading!