Connected - Lando Norris *Discontinued*

Chapter 9

"How are you feeling?" Max said as he sat down next to me on the bed. I went to bed early yesterday and Max had let me sleep in for a little. The light room made me feel a bit small, but I love the way this room is decorated. "Okay, I think." Max nodded and wrapped his arms around me. "Daniel is coming over to chill here, maybe swim a little. Are you okay with that?" He asked and I rolled over so that I was laying on top of him. "Yeah sure! Would be nice to take my mind off of it." I said and he nodded. "Cool! I'll let him know!" He said and left my room after he got me off of him after a little playfight.

I got up and went to the bathroom, taking a shower and got dressed in my bikini. The forecast said that it would be a hot day today, so I might as well go for a swim. I grabbed my vlog camera and turned it on. "Hello peeps! Today is Monday and yesterday I forgot to vlog as it was a hectic day at the track, but that's why I'm vlogging this day so you still get a nice long vlog!" I said and made my way downstairs. Dilara left yesterday night as she was supposed to be back in Germany today to do some business related things.

I filmed Max as he was making breakfast while dancing in the kitchen and I stifled a laugh. He still heard me and looked in my direction, instantly pulling a funny face when he saw my camera. "When is Dan going to be here?" I asked and sat down on the counter. "He said that he'll be here in about half an hour or something." Max answered and I nodded.

"Are you hungry?" Max asked and laid his hand on my shoulder. "A bit.." He made me some breakfast and handed it to me. I ate it and then went back upstairs to pack my bags as I will be leaving later today. When I was done with that I went back downstairs to see Max lounging on the couch. I sat down next to him and leaned against him. "I really wish yesterday went different.." I confessed and Max ran his hand through my hair. "I know, bear. Just let some time go over it and I'm sure everything will be fine. I mean, he did kiss you and he wouldn't have done that if he didn't like you." Max said as he now ruffled my hair slightly, letting me know that I'm acting a bit like an idiot. "Yeah, okay, but.." I started but Max interrupted me. "No buts! I'm sure everything will be fine in the end."

"G'day fuckers!" Daniel shouted as he walked into the living room. I laughed really hard and waved at him. "Hey Daniel!" Then I saw someone walking behind Daniel. It wasn't Max, who opened the door, because Max slightly towers above Daniel and this person is shorter. Lando.. "I brought Lando! I thought we could all have some fun together!" Daniel said enthusiastically and I faked a smile. Ofcourse Dan wouldn't know about what happened... You know what? I'm an adult and I can enjoy my time. If Lando still acts all distant then it's his loss. I still like him though, but let's just not act on those feelings now. Lando smiled sadly at me but I gave him a bright smile back. Surprise filled his eyes and then I saw something change in them. "Do you want anything to drink?" I asked as I got up from the couch. "Beer!" Max and Daniel shouted at the same time. I laughed and shook my head. "Just water is fine." Lando said and I nodded before walking to the kitchen.

When I came back the boys were ready to jump into the pool, so I decided to have a little fun with them. I pushed both Max and Daniel into the water after I had set the drinks on the picnick table. Lando laughed and saw me coming towards him. "No!" he said but it was too late. I pushed him into the water, but he was able to grab my arm and pull me in with him. "Hahah! I got you!" Lando said when we came back to the surface. I splashed him with some water and he swam towards me, pushing me under water again. His hands were firm on my shoulders, but not painful. I was standing close to him once I reached the surface again. Really close.. Like almost touching close. I looked at him and my tummy fluttered. The feelings are still there..

Suddenly, Daniel's arm wrapped around me and pulled me closer to him. Max and Lando got out of the water and said at the picnic table, chatting a bit. "Maybe a weird thing to say right now.. But my parents want to do a DNA test with you. Just to give it a try.." Daniel said and I turned to look at him. Wait, seriously? Well, honestly, it wouldn't matter if the test would come out as negative but there is a small chance. I nodded and Daniel started to smile. "Until when are you still here?" I asked. "We're here until Wednesday, then we'll leave for Italy." He said and I nodded. "We can do it tomorrow? I will be heading back to my place later today, but if that's a problem then I could stay here for another day.."

"Nahhh, it's cool! I want to see your place anyway, I haven't seen your new apartment yet!" Daniel said and I smiled. Well, that's settled then. Daniel and I also got out of the pool and sat down with Max and Lando. I sat next to Lando and Max and Daniel were sitting next to each other. Max winked at me and I blushed slightly.

Today it wasn't awkward at all with Lando, luckily. I was grabbing my luggage and carried it downstairs when Lando looked up from his phone. "Are you leaving already?" I nodded. "I have to catch the train." He looked at his watch and stood up. "I can also drop you off? I need to drive by your town anyway to go home." Oh, wow, that's really sweet of him. "That's really sweet, thank you!"

"Let's say bye to the guys and then we can go. I already have my stuff in my car." Lando said and I nodded. We walked outside to where Max and Daniel were playing some football. "Hey guys! I'm heading home and I'll be dropping off [Y/N] too!" Lando announced and Max looked at me. I shortly nodded and he rolled his eyes at me. I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around him. "See you next time, Maxie."

"Text me when you get home, yeah?" I nodded and then hugged Daniel. "I'll text you my address for tomorrow." I smiled and he nodded. Lando also hugged the boys and then we went back inside, got my luggage and headed to his car.

"Do you want to come in?" I asked once we arrived at my apartment building. He was silent for a moment and then nodded. "I still owe you an explanation." He said and my heart dropped. Does he want to talk about the kiss right now? We walked inside and went up the elevator to my floor. "Your place is really cool!" Lando said before sitting down on my couch. "Thanks! Do you want anything to drink?" I asked and he shook his head. He patted the space next to him and I sat down there. "Look.. I like you, I really do. And I really liked the kiss and I don't regret it at all, it's just that I.." He what? He stayed silent for a but and closed his eyes. "I have a girlfriend.." Oh my.. I.. What? How? Why didn't he tell me back then? I..I really don't know what to think.

"I know, I should've said it earlier.. I just.. I felt so much around you and before I knew it we were kissing. The feelings you give me are incredible, being around you makes me feel so good.. But I also don't want to hurt her.." I wrapped my arms around him and laid my head in the crook of his neck. "I understand, Lan.." Tears were forming in my eyes and his arms wrapped around me as well. "Please, don't hate me.. But can we just stay friends? Because I genuinely want to have you in my life and you're such an amazing person." I nodded. "I don't want to lose you either. But it will take some time.." I said as I leaned back a little. "I completely understand that." He said and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "Gosh.. I wish I could kiss you right now.." He said and laid his hand on my cheek. I smiled softly.

"I really want you to.. But I also don't want you to do it." I said and he laughed slightly. "Can you keep it secret though? That I have a girlfriend.. We've only been dating for like two weeks.." I nodded and leaned my forehead against his. "I promise. I really hope you're happy with her, because I do wish you all the best in the world." I said. Wow, I sound all grown up. Well, okay, saying this to him does give me a relieving feeling. I really wish him happiness and if that isn't with me then that's okay. The feelings won't go away easily or at all, but I can just stay friends with him. "I think that I better start going.. I still need to drive quite a bit.." Lando said and I nodded. "I'll let you out.." We walked to my front door and he turned around and hugged me again. "Thank you for being so understanding." He said and I smiled. "No problem at all." I said and he opened the door.

"Lan.. Drive safe..and text me when you get home, okay?" He nodded and then left. I closed the door behind me once the elevator doors had closed and let myself sit down on the floor. This isn't going to be easy, but I have to do it. For him.