i love you • formula one

12

please comment throughout!

first person

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wednesday, 29/07/2020

Despite having the textbook definition of a perfect date with Nicky, there was a small part of me that worried about the consequences. I was almost certain that he had the same feelings for me that I did for him, but I couldn't help but have doubts. The last thing I wanted was for us to fizzle out when we had talked everyday before the date. Similar things have happened before, and I was usually single again within a week. My fears were similar to the ones I had when I was hung up on Lando, which I am definitely not anymore. I really wanted things to work out with Nicky; he was different to the other guys I've fell for before.

Thankfully, Nicholas was different. Our conversations didn't suddenly turn awkward. If anything, they were more open than our pre-date ones. The bubble of serenity that had formed around me during our date, and then had been popped by Lando, was quick to form around me again. This man was so kind to me, knowing exactly what to say to make me smile, or laugh, or swoon. The feelings were hitting me hard and fast.

I had invited Nicky over to have dinner with Lando and me. He was going to spend the night and then travel up to Silverstone for Grand Prix weekend. My intentions were to warm Lando up to the idea that I could potentially have a relationship with Nicky and to try and eliminate the bitterness he had, and he had no say in the matter. Lando confused me - every time I bring up the fact that we were having a guest over, and that the guest could be my boyfriend, he would turn sour. He couldn't give me a valid reason as to why he didn't like Nicky and I together, so I knew I needed to force the idea onto him and not give him a choice. Rather than having Lando mope around the house alone if I were to go to Nicky's for a date, this was my next best option.

Nicholas was expected over a little after seven. I planned to start making the food at half past six with minimal assistance from Lando. In all honesty, I couldn't trust the Brit not to poison my date. He may look cute and innocent, but he's far from it.

The sun was still high and bright in the sky by the time the evening rolled around. I decided to spend so time working on my tan before I needed to start dinner. My hopes were that the sun will give my skin a nice, healthy glow. The sun-bed was already laid out in the garden so I changed into my bikini and let myself relax. My joint playlist with Nicky played over the speakers, sending my mind back to Saturday when it played through my car speakers during the journey to our first date.

At some point I had rolled onto my stomach, undoing the tie around my back to avoid tan lines. My eyes were closed and rested on my folded arms as I relaxed in the heat. The alarm on my phone has yet to go off so I expected to have some more time of peace before having to deal with a passive-aggressive Lando Norris.

"Lyra!" Upon hearing my name, I scrunched up my nose and sighed. Despite being in the far corner of the garden, Lando's loud voice was able to travel from the sliding glass doors of the kitchen. I decided to keep my head down; my alarm had yet to go off and I simply couldn't be bothered to get up.

Only when the music shut off did I sit up because that meant that Lando had touched my phone. "Hey!" I exclaimed, lifting my head to look at Lando. He stood in front of me, stopping in a place that blocked the sun from me.

"Nicholas is here," he said with a small sigh. "Please get dressed quickly so I don't have to spend too much time alone with him."

A grin spread across my face. "You do realise I'm going to take ages just to piss you off, right?"