-2019-
You were sitting in your college common room, the hum of chatter around you blending with the occasional laugh. Today was your birthday, and your friends had decided to celebrate in their usual chaotic way—confetti scattered across the table, cupcakes half-eaten, and little presents wrapped in colorful paper.
One by one, they handed you small gifts. A scented candle from Emma, a quirky notebook from Sam, a handmade bracelet from Mia. You smiled at each one, thankful for their thoughtfulness.
Then it was your best friend’s turn. She leaned across the table, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“I know how much you’ve become a fan,” she said, her voice soft but teasing.
You raised an eyebrow. “A fan of what?”
She handed you a small, flat package. Carefully, you unwrapped it. Inside was a photograph, glossy and pristine. Your heart skipped a beat when you saw it: a signed picture from your current favorite F1 driver, Lando Norris. His grin in the photo seemed almost alive.
“No way…” you whispered, unable to believe it.
“I thought you’d like it,” she said, laughing at your stunned expression. “Now you have something to stare at instead of texting me every time he races.”
You laughed, clutching the photo like it was a treasure. “This… this is amazing. Thank you so much.”
-2025-
Six years later, everything had changed. From being a fan sitting in a college common room, you had somehow become a part of the world you had only ever dreamed about. And the biggest shock? You were no longer just a fan—you were his partner. Lando Norris, the same man whose autograph had once made your heart race, now walked through life alongside you.
Today, you found yourself in the McLaren garage during a race weekend, the scent of tires and fuel thick in the air. Headphones hung loosely around your neck as mechanics and engineers bustled around, checking data and preparing the car. Lando moved through the chaos, focused and calm, listening intently to his engineer’s updates.
A few minutes before the session, he broke away from the group. His eyes immediately found yours across the garage, and a small grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
“You ready for this?” he asked, his voice carrying that familiar mix of excitement and mischief.
You smirked, holding up a hand in a mock salute. “Always. Don’t crash on me today.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “No promises. But I’ll try.” He moved closer, brushing past an engineer with an effortless charm. “I missed you,” he added, his voice softer now, almost a whisper meant only for you.
“I’ve been keeping myself busy,” you teased, reaching out to touch his arm. “But you better win for me.”
“I’ll do my best,” he said, leaning in for a quick, fleeting kiss before he had to focus again. “See you after the checkered flag.”