✸ 𝐌𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐀.

Lando sat on the balcony of his hotel room, the warm breeze tugging at his shirt as he stared out at the view. The sun was starting to dip low, casting a golden hue across the whitewashed buildings that lined the cliffs. It was breathtaking, but his mind was somewhere else. He swirled the water bottle in his hand, lost in thought, when the door to the room opened.

"Mate, you've gone soft," Max Fewtrell's voice rang out as he stepped onto the balcony, grinning.

Lando glanced over his shoulder, smirking. "Soft? Please, I'm just enjoying the view."

Max dropped into the chair next to him, kicking his feet up on the railing. "Yeah, sure. That's not the Lando I know. The Lando I know can't sit still for five seconds."

Lando rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small laugh that escaped. "Well, maybe I've changed."

Max raised an eyebrow, turning slightly to get a better look at his best friend. "Changed, huh? Let me guess. It wouldn't have anything to do with a certain girl, would it?"

Lando groaned, tipping his head back. "Seriously? Did you come all the way up here just to wind me up?"

Max grinned, leaning back in his chair. "You know me too well. But come on, man, it's obvious. You're all... chill now. It's weird."

Lando glanced back at the horizon, his grin fading slightly as he thought about Isabel. "She's different, Max."

Max's teasing expression softened slightly, sensing the shift in Lando's mood. "Yeah? Different how?"

Lando hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to put it into words. He wasn't the type to get deep about feelings, especially with Max. But something about Isabel made him want to open up, even if it was just a little.

"She's not like anyone else I've met," Lando said slowly. "She doesn't care about all the... you know, the racing stuff. She's just herself. Grounded. It feels... real."

Max nodded, leaning forward a bit, his expression more serious now. "That's good though, right? I mean, isn't that what you want? Someone who's in it for you, not just the driver?"

Lando sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, it's good. It's just... I don't know. Sometimes it feels like I'm living two lives. There's Lando the driver, the guy everyone sees, and then there's this other side that no one really knows. And with her, it's like I can finally just be that other guy. But it's scary too, you know? What if I can't balance it all?"

Max watched him for a moment before shrugging. "Mate, I've known you since forever. If anyone can juggle all this, it's you. You've always had that knack for making things work, even when it's chaotic. And besides, if she makes you feel like yourself, then maybe that's the side you need to lean into more."

Lando chuckled, shaking his head. "When did you get so wise?"

Max smirked, picking up Lando's water bottle and taking a sip. "It's a rare moment. Don't get used to it."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching as the sun dipped lower, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and purples. The energy between them was easy, familiar—two friends who had been through everything together, who didn't need to fill every moment with words.

"So," Max said after a while, "you really like her then, huh?"

Lando smiled, the kind that crept up without him even realizing it. "Yeah. I do."

Max grinned, nudging Lando's shoulder. "I'm happy for you, man. Just don't forget to keep your head in the game when the season starts up again. You know I'll be there to give you grief if you slip."

Lando laughed, shaking his head. "Like you'd ever let me forget."

"Never," Max replied with a wink.

The sun disappeared behind the horizon, leaving the sky awash in soft, fading light. Lando leaned back in his chair, feeling more at ease than he had in a while. Talking to Max always had that effect. He could joke around, vent, and get a dose of perspective all in one go.

"Thanks for the pep talk," Lando said, his tone lighter now. "I needed it."

"Anytime, mate," Max replied, standing up and stretching. "Now, let's grab dinner before you get too philosophical on me. I don't think I can handle another round of 'deep' Lando."

Lando laughed, standing up and following Max back inside. "Yeah, yeah. You love it."

As they left the room, Lando felt lighter. The future might be uncertain, but with people like Max and Isabel by his side, he knew he could figure it out—one step at a time.

The midday sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the pool as its turquoise water shimmered invitingly. Lando was already in, floating lazily on his back, sunglasses perched on his nose as he soaked up the sun. Isabel stood at the edge, dipping her toes in, the cool water a refreshing contrast to the heat.

"Come on, Isa," Lando called, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he paddled toward her. "The water's perfect."

Isabel shot him a playful glare. "I know you're planning something. You've got that look."

"What look?" Lando asked, feigning innocence as he swam closer.

"You know exactly what look," Isabel said, laughing as she edged away from the pool, pretending to consider her next move.

Lando gave her a pout, his eyes sparkling behind his sunglasses. "I would never."

With a sigh that was more for show than reluctance, Isabel stepped down onto the first pool step, the water lapping around her ankles. "You're not pulling me in, Norris."

Lando raised his hands in surrender. "Promise! Scout's honor."

Isabel arched an eyebrow. "Were you even a scout?"

Lando grinned, not bothering to answer. Instead, he drifted back, looking completely unbothered, the image of relaxation. Isabel took a cautious step deeper into the pool, then another, until the water was up to her waist. The coolness was irresistible, and for a moment, she forgot to keep her eye on him.

In a blur of motion, he swam toward her, his arms outstretched to grab her around the waist. Isabel shrieked, trying to back away, but he was faster. Laughing, Lando scooped her up and spun her around, her squeals of protest mixing with the splash of water.

"Lando!" she gasped, clutching onto his shoulders as he twirled them both, the water splashing up around them.

"What?" he said, grinning up at her, not even attempting to hide the mischief anymore. "You're in the pool now, aren't you?"

"You're impossible!" Isabel huffed, but the smile on her face gave her away.

He set her down gently, and she immediately splashed him, sending a spray of water right into his face. Lando sputtered, wiping the water off with exaggerated drama. "Really? After all that, you're gonna do me like that?"

"Serves you right," she shot back, her eyes gleaming. "I warned you!"

Lando laughed, his grin wide as he swam backward, keeping his distance in case she decided to splash him again. "Alright, alright, no more tricks. Promise."

Isabel crossed her arms, skeptical. "I'm not sure I believe you."

He raised his hands again in a show of surrender, wading toward the edge of the pool. "See? No tricks."

For a moment, they locked eyes, a silent standoff as the sounds of the water and distant chatter from the hotel faded into the background. Then, in a flash, Isabel lunged at him, pushing off the pool floor with all her strength. She managed to knock him off balance, sending a wave of water over him.

"Whoa!" Lando laughed, trying to regain his footing, but Isabel didn't give him a chance. She splashed him again, laughing uncontrollably as he blinked water from his eyes.

"Alright, alright!" he called, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. "Truce!"

"Not until you admit I won!" Isabel said, stepping back to keep herself just out of reach.

Lando wiped his face, grinning at her like he couldn't believe she'd gotten the best of him. "Fine, fine, you win."

Isabel smiled triumphantly, hands on her hips. "Thank you."

But before she could bask in her victory, Lando took two quick steps toward her and, in one swift motion, scooped her up again, this time lifting her completely out of the water.

"Lando!" Isabel squealed, clutching onto his shoulders, but this time she was laughing even harder.

With a playful twinkle in his eyes, he let her down gently, holding her waist as they both stood chest-deep in the water. Their laughter slowly faded, leaving them face to face, water dripping from their hair and skin glistening in the sunlight.

"You're trouble," Isabel whispered, her voice still light but softer now.

Lando smirked, his hands still resting on her waist. "Only with you."

They stayed like that for a moment, the world outside the pool disappearing as they gazed at each other. The playful energy between them had shifted into something warmer, more intimate, as the sunlight danced across the surface of the water.

Then, with a gentle splash, Lando playfully flicked some water at her face, breaking the spell.

Isabel burst out laughing, swatting at him. "You just can't help yourself, can you?"

Lando grinned, backing away slowly. "Not when it comes to you."

With that, the teasing began all over again, the pool filled with splashes, laughter, and the easy, playful rhythm of two people completely caught up in the moment.

notes
ignore how they're still
on holiday in my brain
it's still the summer break
i promise next chap will
be at a race 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻