Y/n Norris walked into the paddock of Monza with her brother Lando. Y/n hadn't been to one of Lando's races since his rookie season and not even due to covid because she kept getting asked to come but she was just too busy but since she now lived in Italy for school, she didnt mind going to Monza. The paddock had changed a fair bit since she last came here and so had she. For example, she really fell out of love with the sport, it just got boring at times. "So, it's all changed a fair bit since last year. There's sanitisation stations everywhere and you can't go to visit George or Alex when you feel like it. You've got to stay put and keep your mask on, only take it off when you're eating or up on the terrace away from everyone, got it?" Lando started by explaining the new rules of the paddock to his sister. "Okay, okay. I figured that's what the rules would be anyway. They're the same everywhere in Italy." Y/n said un bothered. Lando swung his arm around her shoulders and laughed. "Ah come on, you're back at races now! Better than staying in a boring art school." Y/n slapped her brothers arm away and rolled her eyes. "I'd much prefer being in class but you know, the pandemic."
They landed up at the security gate, and Lando went and scanned in that he was there. "Excuse me?" Lando and Y/n looked up to the security guard with his phone in hand. They both knew he'd ask for a photo. "Lando, could I get a photo please?" Lando smiled and nodded at the guard before he moved in closer and posed at the camera. "Thank you much." the guard said before letting Lando through. He turned to Y/n and arched a brow. She wasn't wearing any merch, any FIA clothing and didn't look like a fan at all. "And who are you?" the security guard asked. Y/n squinted her eyes in annoyance. "I'm his sister you-" Lando snapped her pass from her hands and scanned it before going to tell her off. "My little sister. See ya later mate." Lando practically dragged Y/n away before she caused a scene. "Try not to curse at the fans." Lando said, making his sister groan and walk on. "I just want to sit in the grand stands instead of here. Some of you drivers can be insufferable." She mumbled. "I'm your brother, it's my job to be insufferable now come on."
Y/n sat on a chair in the lounge with her headphones in. She tried to draw something but everything inside was too normal, anyone could have this stuff in their homes or go out onto a street and find it. She groaned and stood up, collecting her things to find Lando to tell him she'd be going. She checked every room and there was no sign until tmshe sat at the terrace and saw him eating with his PR team, probably going over what to say in interviews. "Lando?" He looked up and saw his sister walking towards him. "Yeah? What's going on?" he asked, eating another spoonful of food. "I'm going to the stands, before the F2 cars come out. Is that okay?" Y/n asked Lando with her sketchpad and pencils in hand. Lando, still chewing on his breakfast nodded and brought a napkin to his mouth. "Sure, I don't see a problem with that." He replied, muffled. "Okay, I'll be back after, don't worry." and with that, Y/n walked out of the McLaren hospitality lounge.
Y/n sat in the stands, listening to the drivers getting their final calls to the cars before the F2 race commenced. Her pencil flicked about the page, shaping the world around her into art. It was in someway peaceful. She liked it, away from everyone. "Oh, hey." Y/n looked up and saw a guy in a purple and pink shirt and puffy hair. "Oh hey." She replied. "You're Y/n. Remember me at all?" he asked. Y/n nodded and gave a small smile. "You're Lance Stroll. I remember seeing you racing one weekend and then Barcelona last year. Lando wasn't exactly thrilled with you." Lance laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. So what are you doing in the stands?" he asked. "I just don't want to be in anyone's way. Besides, formula 2 is on now. It's a good place to watch from." Lance smiled again and looked back at the formula 2 cars going by. "You enjoy racing much?" Lance asked trying to keep a conversation running. Y/n let out a sigh and tried to think of an answer hat wouldn't offend the driver so settled for something pretty...well, I'll let you decide. "I mean, it's alright. Some drivers are overrated." She said. Lance smiled. "What am I?" Y/n looked at his and set her sketchpad down. "Underrated. I'm sure you'll get a podium soon enough." She said. That always helped Lando get hyped to preapre for a race. "Really?" Lance didn't have much people to tell him that. He wasn't in a podium car for a long time so podiums weren't going to be expected for a while. "I'd say so."
They sat together, taking in the sounds of the engines for a few more moments before Lance looked over and saw her drawing again. "You draw?" Lance asked. Y/n smiled softly and nodded. "What are you drawing now?" Lance turned his head a bit to see what she was sketching and saw a little sketch of the paddock, pretty accurate. "Wow. You're really good." Y/n felt her cheeks heat up. Not many people saw her draw, she only really showed people in her art class. "Thanks. I love drawing. I can draw whatever I want and you can't be wrong." Lance liked that perception she had on art. You couldn't be wrong. That's a good way to look at it. No one can tell you how to do it, it's all down to how you interpret it. "I like art." He blurted out. "Really?" she asked surprised. Lance ran with what he said and nodded. "Yeah, I really like how the colours...mix." Y/n chuckled and appreciated his effort to keep a conversation. "Can I draw you?" she asked. Lance was caught off guard. He didn't expect to be drawn today. "I mean, sure. If you want to." She smiled and turned to a new page to begin sketching.
"Do you want me to pose?" Lance asked. "You ask a lot of questions." Y/n commented. Lance sucked a but of his lip in. "I don't know if that's a good thing." He admitted. "Well, my mother told me that asking questions is a sign of intelligence so I'd take it as a compliment." Lance sat back in his chair, an arm resting on a few tops of the seats. He listened to the barely audible pencil scratching off the sheet of paper and counted the cars passing. Say something Lance. For God's sake, say something! "So, how long have you been drawing for?"
"I've been drawing since a kid but I saw it as a career when my teacher brought it up when I was looking for a university." Y/n replied. Lance felt his eyes want to look back at her. "What music do you have on?" he asked. Y/n looked up and lifted an airbus out. "Whatever comes up. I'm not picky about music." She said. Lance nodded again. "Mind if I listen?" Y/n handed an earbud to Lance and went back to listening to the music, Lance joining in. They both bopped their heads along with the music, both enjoying each other's presence.
Time passed and Formula 2 had finished at this point. Lance took the earbud out and looked over to Y/n. "I gotta get going. Our race is going to be in an hour." He said, going to stand up. "No, wait!" Lance felt a hand on his wrist, trying to pull him down a bit. "I'm nearly done, just one second. Please." Lance gave in pretty easily and sat back down, allowing her to do the final touches of the drawing before she smiled at her masterpiece. "Okay, ready?" she asked. Lance nodded his head before she turned the sketchpad around and showed him the drawing proudly. Lance felt his lips curling into a smile as he saw almost a reflection looking out onto the track. "Damn, that's really good. I've never looked better." Lance laughed, looking a little bit closer. "Yeah well, I enjoyed drawing you so." Y/n began to rip the drawing out carefully to give it to him. "Why did you enjoy drawing me? You could have finished that drawing of the pits." Lance questioned, looking out at the paddock. "Well, not everyone can get a Lance Stroll in front of them. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity." She explained. "Once in a lifetime unless we meet again." Lance was a bit surprised at what he'd said. It's like his mind didn't think about what he was going to say. "Yeah, well I'll see if I can get to Anymore races. I'll for sure be telling you when I'm going. You're a good man to draw." Neither knew what to say after that. They were both lost for words.
"What is going on here?" Lando's voice echoed around the stand, making both of them look over to the McLaren driver walking towards them with George behind, a toothy grin upon his face. "Looks like a love fest mate." George joked. "Oh you two are so fucking hilarious, aren't you? No, I was just making friends." Y/n said standing up. "With Lance? Have you watched what he's been doing to me while I'm racing?" he asked. Lance felt a bit disheartened at Lando's words but shut his mouth. He'd heard most of the insults before. Y/n scoffed. "Honestly I wish he'd do it more often, I love seeing you lost for words when you're also partially to blame for incidents." George cackled at Y/n's words. Lando was shocked and Lance was just as shocked. "You made her a Racing Point fan mate!" Lando said to Lance. "He didn't. I just think the Racing Point drivers are a lot more laid back than you and Carlos. You two work a mile a minute."
"Just come on! We've all got places to go!" Lando said walking away. "Just wait a second!" Y/n took her sketchpad out and wrote a quick something on the drawing before tearing it out and handing it to Lance. "Just something to remember me by." She smiled. Lance stood up and hugged her. "You'll be impossible to forget." He whispered, quiet enough for George and Lanod to not hear. "I'll see you around the paddock." She winked and walked off with Lanod, undoubtedly going to get a scolding from him. As for Lance, he watched on smiling like a love struck puppy, which didn't go unnoticed by George. "Trust me mate, you've got no chance." Lance furrowed his eyebrows. "What do you mean by that?" he asked as they began walking away. "He doesn't let her go out with drivers." George replied. Lance pulled a face and asked why. "He just knows what drivers are like. He doesn't want her getting hurt. It's his little sister, so it's understandable." George continued on, explaining that many drivers like Charles, Max, even George himself had tried to win her heart but it was no use, especially when Lando was there. Lance scoffed. "Just because he breaks hearts on the daily doesn't mean the rest of us do." George laughed a bit and stopped outside the Racing Point motorhome. "Listen Lance, the easiest way to get out of this is to just stay away." George said, trying to help Lance. "I'll see you out on track." George said wavijng and walking away to his own motorhome. Lance sighed and looked down at the paper in his hand longingly. His fingers began unwrapping them and looking at the picture again but something had changed. He saw a little note on the bottom that made him smile and have hope again.
Good luck Lancelot x