TWENTY-SEVEN

Song of the Chapter: High Hopes by Panic! At the disco

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LANDO'S POV

I had imagined my first day of winter break a bit differently. Heck I was even considering flying to the US to visit Aimee again. Hence the was, because I am not sure about anything right now.

I have seen the pictures, read the stories, seen the videos. We had agreed we would talk. We would tell each other if we had found someone else we wanted to date. Someone we felt more connected to. 

But she didn't, she just went and did it. The worst was for me to see it all appearing online, without a single warning. I wish I didn't feel like this right now. That I could say there was nothing between us and go on with my life. The opposite is true though, I feel betrayed and on top of that I feel shattered.

I hear a knock on my hotel door. Most of the drivers having already left to go spend sometime with their families. But not me, I don't want to move. I want to sulk in my own sadness. Lay here on this extremely expensive hotel bed and do absolutely nothing. 

I somehow gather myself to walk to the door, opening it to reveal Carlos standing in the doorway.

"Lando, why are you not ready?" He says surprised.

"Don't know." I shrug, not really caring while I let him into my hotel room.

"We both know why." Carlos says leaning against the wall.

"You're right, we know why. But I don't want to talk about it." I can feel the anger rising in my body as I think about the reason that got me in such a mood.

"If you're not planning on talking, then we will go play some golf. Now get dressed." Carlos says sternly, no negotiating possible. "I'm using your bathroom, when I'm done you are at least attempting to come to the golf course with me."

I sigh, getting some of my anger out hitting golf balls could be something good. And so I drag myself to my suitcase and force myself to get ready. 

Arriving at the golf course, I can feel a bit of excitement in my body. I love to play golf, and I'm eager to clear my mind a bit.

"You are tense." Carlos says after we've done a few holes. I'm nowhere near hitting the balls like I would usually do. 

"I know." I say softly, feeling weak in admitting it. 

"Let's just go hit some balls, just doing holes is clearly not helping." He says as we go back to the driving range to hit some balls long distance. 

"Fucking hell." I hiss when I hit another ball terribly. It is then that I can feel my hands trembling, my body shaking, until I can feel tears dripping from my face. I quickly wipe my face, hoping Carlos doesn't see it. The emotions I had tried my best to conceal starting to get to the surface. 

"We can stop if you want to?" Carlos suggests. So he had noticed my getting emotional.

"No." I place another ball in front of me, getting ready to hit it. A newfound determination running through my veins. 

"Lando this isn't healthy." Carlos says. "Talk to me." I prepare to swing, but Carlos grabs the golfclub from me.

That's it. I feel the tears again. "She fucking betrayed me." I whisper, Carlos wrapping his arms tightly around me for comfort. 

"I know, I read the articles too." He says "Have you spoken to her?"

I look up at him. "I can't. I can't face her yet." I say, very much aware of how raw my emotions are. 

"That's okay, but don't let this all ruin it. You don't even know what really happened, let her explain to you." His words bringing that one article blaming Jonas to the forefront of my thoughts again. 

"I know, thanks Carlos. I know what I'm going to do." I say. After my breakdown, we leave the golf course, Carlos dropping me off at my hotel.

I quickly pack my bags, calling an Uber and getting to the airport as fast as possible. I found tickets to Boston easily, making my way through the security check in. All the while I was texting Ava, trying to figure out how Aimee was doing, telling her I had to speak to Aimee in person.

Ava had told me that they were in the tour bus on their way to Boston. Aimee mostly just sitting on her bed reading a book or trying to write another song. Ava told me a bit of the things that happened last night. She also told me that Aimee was seriously mad at Jonas, which some how made me more angry at the guy too. Maybe this was all a big misunderstanding. 

I quickly make my way through the airport, very aware of the different looks I am getting. I'm used to the stares, a wild Formula One driver is very rare for many people. My body even more unbothered by the stares as usual, as I need to hurry to my gate where they've already started boarding.

***

The flight to Boston went by pretty quick. When I land, there's already a message from Ava telling me they had just arrived at the hotel. She also informed me that she was trying her best to keep Aimee in her room, but that they were going out for dinner. That was 2 hours ago.

I decide to call Ava, trying to figure out whether they had arrived at the hotel again. Or that they were still at the restaurant.

"Hey Ava." I say into the phone.

"Hi," she greets me, probably careful not to mention my name.

"I just landed, where should I go?" I ask, and I can hear Ava telling Aimee that she has to go outside real quick.

"We are finishing up dinner right now, you can go to the hotel. There is a room in your name. It's next to Aimee's. I'll text you when we get back to the hotel, alright?"

"Yeah, that's fine." I say walking towards the taxis. "I'll see you later then."

Arriving at the hotel, the lady behind the reception is quick to give me my room key and check me in. I love it when people are this quick, because it gives other people less time to recognise you. It also means there's less attention on me, which makes it easier for me to get into my room. 

Waiting in my hotel room for a text from Ava seemed to take forever. But just as I was thinking that it is taking them really long, I hear two familiar voices in the hallway. My phone dings, and I see Ava's name on my screen.

We're here.

I take a deep breath, counting to ten before opening my room door. I see Ava standing in front of what I assume is her hotel room. She mouths a quick good luck before going into the room. Leaving me alone in the hallway.

I knock on Aimee's room. It takes some time before she opens the door. "I told you Ava-," she says opening the door, before realising that I am not Ava.

"Not Ava." I state, looking right at here.

"I get that." Aimee says with a small chuckle. "What are you doing here?"

"I think we need to talk. Can I come in?" I ask, knowing the hallway of a hotel is not the place we need to have this talk. Aimee let's me in and we take a seat in the small sitting area.

"I would like to ask what brings you here, but I've got a feeling I already know." Aimee says looking at the ground.

"I just needed to talk to you in person. I need to know what is the truth." I state. "Because we said we would tell each other when someone else would appear in their life, but you never said anything."

"And then you didn't even text me to ask me, instead you fly across the world to ask me." She says, a small smile on her face. The kind of smile that makes your heart melt.

"It might have been a bit excessive." I say chuckling. "But I need to hear it all. Please explain everything." 

Aimee then continues to speak to me. Explaining how they're were celebrating the Madison square garden concert. How Jonas showed up, kissed her out of nowhere, and how she had pushed him away. How she had banned him from ever entering one of her concerts again. I don't think she left anything out of that story. 

"I felt a bit abused to be honest. How a guy can think that he's just allowed to walk up to you and kiss you. It's fucking pathetic." I can see the vulnerability in her eyes. It really messed her up.

"It's okay now, isn't it? You won't have to deal with him again." I say putting my hand on her knee, drawing circles with my thumb. The small gesture soothing both our emotions. 

"It's all good now." She says resting her head on my shoulder, making me put my arm around her.

We sit there in silence, enjoying each others presence, when Aimee places her lips on my cheek. "Gosh, I really wanted to do that." She chuckles.

I just look at her, getting lost in her eyes. Then glancing down at her lips. But with the whole story of Jonas in mind, I am afraid to actually kiss her. I don't want to hurt her. It is as if she can read my mind. "It's okay, you can."

It's all I needed to place my lips on hers. She moves her lips against mine. Tangling her hands in my hair, tugging it lightly to deepen the kiss. I move my hands to her hips, lightly squeezing it. Motioning for her to climb on my lap.

I let my hands roam over her body, exploring as many places as possible. I don't know who eventually pulls away, but I know we are not breaking eye contact. Our foreheads resting against each other, both panting for air.

"I wanted to do that since the last time I saw you." I admit, my cheeks probably bright red.

"Me too."

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*edited 6-11-2023*