bucket list || l. norris

fourteen

* another long chapter - i hope you enjoy! please leave your comments as you read and don't forget to vote!! *

⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

Race day.

Finally, after such a build up to Race1000, it was only minutes away. The formation lap was about to begin and lights out would follow close after. Lando was starting the race from fifteenth on the grid, something he wasn't pleased with, but, he had fifty six laps to work his way up the grid and score some well-deserved points. I knew he could do it, but I did have a strange feeling pooling in my stomach, one that had been lingering ever since I woke up this morning.

All weekend, when I wasn't working alongside Lando and sorting out his media duties, I found myself flicking through my Spanish vocabulary book and filling in the basic tasks. I was enjoying myself and I found it quite therapeutic, a feeling I never felt when learning languages in high school. While Lando was training or reading through data from the car, I would have my laptop open to keep an eye on my inbox as I worked through a task. Carlos and I found time to sit and go over the basics I'd learnt in the recent days after qualifying yesterday. He told me that, from his perspective, languages came easy to me and that I'd pick it up in no time.

My attention focused on the television screen in the garage. All of the pit crew guys were sitting comfortably in their chairs, waiting for the beginning of the race, while I nibbled on my lip rather nervously. I felt sick. I couldn't put my finger on why, but ever since I woke up this morning, something just didn't feel right. My head was full of thoughts, mostly negative ones too, but I couldn't let it show. I didn't want Lando to see my vulnerable side and even though he could read me like a book, I did my very best to hide it. Thankfully, it appeared to work as neither him nor Jon picked up on it as we drove to the circuit from our hotel. I didn't want to worry either of them, especially not today. Sundays were always important.

"Morning, sleepyhead," I began to stir in my sleep when I felt Lando's fingers tracing over my forehead. Initially, I panicked, not knowing what time it was and my eyes shot open to find my best friend standing before me with a crisp, white towel wrapped around his waist. "Don't look so scared."

"What time is it?" After rubbing my eyes with the back of my hands, I was able to make out Lando's upper body, which was completely bare, water dripping down his chest from his damp hair. The water seemed to sparkle in the light. I rested my tired head against the soft pillow, not wanting to get up for work.

"Half seven," Lando sat on the edge of the bed beside my feet and I grumbled under my breath. "I would've let you sleep longer but Jon's coming in an hour and I know you wanted to shower this morning."

"I can't be bothered." Tiredly, I folded my arms across my chest. I wanted to slip back into my peaceful state of sleep, but I could feel Lando prodding his finger against the bottom of my foot. It didn't click in my head that it was race day. Last night, Lando and I returned to our room and ate dinner before getting comfortable in bed. I scrolled through my Instagram feed while Lando read over some more data, before giving up and pulling me close. It felt good to spend some time with my best friend. These past few days in China really made up for the time we spent apart.

"I thought you'd be excited for today, no?" Lando kept his voice quiet while I stretched beneath the sheets, feeling my joints crack like a glow stick.

"I'm just tired," I huffed, sitting myself up and waiting for Lando to move to my side. As if we were able to communicate telepathically, he did exactly that and I shuffled further towards the middle of the bed to give him some space. The water droplets from his hair fell against my skin and as he nuzzled his face against my forehead, something we did more when we were very small, his messy hair seemed to soak me. "Lando! Your hair is soaking and now I'm freezing."