We're learning about kindness. Your quote to "enjoy life and be kind to others" has helped the kids to understand the importance of helping others. We want to share our kindness and happiness with you, so each student has written you a letter that we have made into a book. We will all be supporting you for years to come.
summary: when formula 1's newest world champion comes back to visit where it all began, you aren't expecting yourself to feel a certain way about him. but then you find lando to be kind, thoughtful, and good with kids, so maybe falling for him might not be as hard as you think. (5.7k)
warnings: r is a year 3 teacher, no use of Y/N. lando with kids. that's all i have to say ;)
a/n: been trying to finish this one since the content of lando's winter break visit to chew stoke dropped back in february, so it's been a long time coming!
"You ready for today?"
It takes a few seconds for your co-teacher's question to sink in on account of how early in the morning it is.
How they can be so chipper at half past seven is unknown to you, and quite frankly, you don't want to know. You let out a quizzical noise as you collect your papers from your assigned mailbox tray in the front office where they've cornered you.
"It's about to be pure chaos in here. I hope the kids don't go too crazy over him, 'cause that would be a bad look on us. Can you believe he went here as a kid?"
You whirl around, blinking at them from behind the travel mug of coffee balanced on top of everything else in your arms, puzzled. "Wait, pause. What are you on about?"
"Seriously? Lando Norris is coming to visit? They told us last week and had us prepare our students for it?"
Your heart drops down to your feet, eyes going wide with the realization that you've forgotten something majorly important.
"Shit, that's today?" You dig your phone out of your pocket and pull up your calendar. Surely you would've remembered if Formula 1's newest world champion was coming to Chew Stoke today—
And there it is. Lando Norris visit, buried between print vocabulary worksheets and put bin out on curb today.
Ah. Great.
Out of all the things to have forgotten, a major celebrity coming for a visit has to be one of the worst.
You don't quite keep up with Formula 1 as much as some of your friends and coworkers do, but you know the name. The reputation.
How could you not?
Lando is one of Britain's biggest names in sports right now.
You also know that he's very cute, and good with kids—there was a video on social media with him and a little girl visiting him a while ago that had made your heart swell when you saw it.
Part of you suspects that he'll be the talk of the town amongst the staff and children for weeks to come, but for different reasons for both groups.
Luckily, you'd already had your class draw some pictures for Lando and come up with some good questions to ask during assembly, so you aren't too behind in terms of preparations, but you do have to move the maths quiz to tomorrow morning instead of today.
Though, somehow you suspect your students won't mind one bit.
Lando shows up an hour later, rolling up to the front drop-off area at the curb in a large, shiny black SUV with darkened windows.
The student body have gathered in the yard eagerly awaiting his arrival, some holding hand drawn signs, most waving little checkered flags. Your littlest ones can barely stand still, they're so excited, but they know not to rush him the moment he walks in.
A small hand finds its way into yours, curling around your palm tentatively.
You already know who it is. The sweetest little girl you've had the pleasure of teaching, seven year old Annabelle is bright and artistic and creative beyond her young years, and despite being pretty quiet and reserved most times, she's taken to you quite well.
Reminds you of yourself when you were her age.
Annabelle doesn't care much for large crowds, and honestly sometimes you feel the same. You're slowly working to bring her out of her shell a little bit, but days like these are a little more complicated than others.
You look back up and there's Lando, looking effortlessly casual in an all black outfit with a matching cap perched backwards on his head and a big smile on his face. You can't see him clearly yet on account of the distance, but he shakes hands with the head teacher politely and laughs at something they say, and you get this funny feeling in your stomach like you've just been shot forward on a roller coaster.
"He's cute, isn't he?" The same co-teacher from earlier whispers not all that quietly, bumping a shoulder against yours as they lean in close. Out of all your fellow teachers, you'd say they're your closest friend and who knows you best.
You manage a vague sound of acknowledgement that can't be construed as a yes or a no. (Even though the answer is a resounding yes.)
"Say, you're single, right?"
"Oh, stop it," You hiss, nudging them with an elbow.
Lando starts to make his way down towards your end of yard, greeting the kids with high fives and grins all around, and as he gets closer, you lock eyes. There's that feeling again, only this time it feels more like you've just done a nosedive.
You blink, push it down until you can't feel it anymore, plastering a polite smile onto your face as he approaches. A whiff of his cologne wafts your way when he comes to a stop right in front of you, something strong and heady but not overwhelmingly so.
"Mr. Norris, thank you so much for coming. This means the world to the kids," You say gratefully. His palm is broad and warm where it meets yours in a handshake, long fingers wrapping around yours, gaze lingering on you a few moments longer than usual.
You introduce yourself and your co-teacher, and Lando shakes their hand as well, though it doesn't last nearly as long as yours.
But that doesn't mean anything, you tell yourself. Hell, you've quite literally just met the guy.
"Please, call me Lando. And of course, anything for the kids. I have nothing but good memories at Chew Stoke, decided why not go back to where it all started?" He cocks his head towards the little grassy area in the far corner, the one all the kids love to traipse through in their wellies after a particularly rainy few days, amusement dancing in his captivating eyes. "The amount of mud and dirty water I'd gotten in my mouth must've done something irreversible to me. Like Spider-Man or something, y'know?"
"Don't tell the kids that, or they might get some ideas," You say lightly, almost teasing.
Lando cracks a grin and laughs, eyes crinkling at the edges.
That fucking smile. You think it might get you into trouble the longer he flashes it at you.
His eyes drift down to Annabelle and he crouches down to her height, expression melting into something tender. "Hello there," He says softly, holding out his fist for a bump. "I'm Lando. What's your name?"
"Annabelle," She mumbles, taking a half step behind you. Even so, she touches her fist against his carefully.
"Well, it's lovely to meet you, Annabelle. I love your jumper. Dogs are my favorite."
You watch on carefully from above as Lando chats with her casually, about her favorite breed of dog, about how her morning was and how he definitely doesn't miss waking up early for school, about the weather and everything in between.
She doesn't give more than a few words of an answer to his soft questions, but it's beyond amazing to see Annabelle talk to someone completely new. You can even see the beginnings of a smile twitch the ends of her mouth.
You beam now, heart swelling at the brief interaction.
"Mister Lando, mister Lando, I bet I'm faster than you!" Shouted from behind Lando, you clock another one of your students running up excitedly. Maxwell is the human embodiment of an energy drink, as most kids are at the age he's at.
Annabelle shrinks behind you yet again, startled back into silence by the outburst. You're bummed the moment is over, but just a few minutes of conversation is more than enough to reassure you that she's making great strides.
Lando ruffles Maxwell's hair, chuckling at his wild energy. "You think so? Let's test it out then, mate!"
"I'm the fastest kid in year three!" He exclaims, already bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"I might be setting myself up for defeat here, aren't I?" Lando tuts, looking up at you. All you can do is offer him a shrug and a look that says maybe, maybe not. His attention shifts back to Annabelle, who now peers out at him from just around your hip. "I'll be seeing you later, Annabelle. I might even have something cool to show you," He hums, holding his hand palm up for a high five this time.
She smacks her hand against his gently, but with more enthusiasm than the earlier fist bump, and he smiles warmly again, rising to your eye level.
Thank you, you mouth.
Not many people would take the time to chat with someone as introverted as Annabelle, but Lando has gone above and beyond in just these few minutes.
To him, it may mean nothing, but to you, it's everything.
He winks, dimples on full display.
"Do we know if he's single?" Your co-teacher again, this time with that same underlying tone in their voice you hear in overly curious kids from on a daily basis as soon as Lando keeps moving down to the end of the line.
You aim a sideways glance at them, equal parts skeptical and mortified at just the mere thought of walking up to Lando and straight up asking about his relationship status.
Granted, it most likely isn't the weirdest question he's ever been asked, but he's probably seeing someone. Not that it matters.
They shrug, arms crossed nonchalantly. "What? I could ask, if you want me to."
"Do not do that, I am begging you."
-------
The assembly goes off without a hitch. At first, yourself and the other teachers had been concerned putting all the students in one room with Lando would turn out in chaos, but everyone behaves perfectly.
Taking turns speaking, using their big voices so he can hear them, not acting disruptively. It goes as well as you'd all hoped, maybe even better.
Lando talks about a lot of things, both racing related and about his life off the track, even brings a few of his old helmets for the kids to pass around. The way he explains things so they can understand and takes his time answering their questions makes has you smiling like an idiot. There aren't many things sweeter than a man who's good with kids.
Down to earth, humble, funny when the situation calls for it—you can see why Lando is a favorite of many people.
After the assembly, he gets roped into stewarding a scooter race between a handful of younger kids, large checkered flag in hand at the finish line that he whirls it around with the expertise of a man who sees it for a living.
All the while, the giant grin never leaves his face. Lando truly seems like he's having the time of his life being here, and it makes you want to smile too.
Not that you're watching him from the window of your classroom as your kids take their quiet reading time. Definitely not watching Lando run around having a blast with a bunch of five year olds, and it definitely doesn't make your head spin.
You're having the class do some racing themed coloring pages instead of maths review as a fun treat for behaving so well around Lando when he pops his head into the room, giving a little knock at the open door that has everyone's eyes on him.
"Hey, guys! Hope I'm not interrupting anything," He chirps, looking to you for confirmation. You nod him in with a smile, and he ambles in like he belongs, inhaling a breath of surprise at seeing what they're doing. "Oh, mint! Coloring sheets, I need to get in on this!"
Coincidentally, the only open seat is next to Annabelle, who, until Lando had walked into the room, had been laser focused on her worksheet. She stops coloring as he takes a seat in the empty chair, marker hovering over the paper, and for a second you think she might bolt. But then she does something you'd never have expected.
She scoots her chair closer to Lando, carefully placing her collection of coloring utensils between the two of them, and offers him an orange crayon.
"For your car," She says, pressing the small crayon into his outstretched palm. "Mine is orange too."
"I like the way you think, my friend," He hums, going straight to work filling in the front wing neatly.
He's only been coloring a few seconds before he glances up again, this time directly at you. Your cheeks flame embarrassingly hot at being caught looking at the two of them, but Lando smiles again, this time bigger, and tilts his head subtly at the little girl beside him. He shrugs then, as if to say I'm just that good.
You sneakily snap a quick photo to send to Annabelle's parents later, as you're sure they'll be just as happy as you are that their daughter is opening up a little bit.
Soon enough, it's time for your class to go to their art block. As the kids clean up their workspaces, Annabelle makes her way over to your desk, placing her coloring sheet on the table gently.
"Can I give my drawing to mister Lando?"
You try your absolute hardest to quell the pride splitting your face as you nod. "I think he'd love that."
Annabelle gnaws on her lip, shifting on her feet slightly, pensive eyes darting towards where Lando is still at her desk, then back to you. "Can you give it to him for me?"
"Of course I can, darling."
It doesn't take long for the kids to tidy up, and then it's off you go, with Lando deciding to tag along due to their begging.
A text pops up on your phone as you double check the time while escorting them through the building, from your co-teacher and very simple.
So I did some digging around on social media and it looks like your potential man is free and single.
You fight the urge to react physically with a roll of your eyes with Lando right next to you, not wanting to draw his attention.
Another message pops up as you're reading the first, and this one really does make you roll your eyes. Do with that information what you must xx
Lando laughs from next to you, shoulder bumping against yours, and for a second you think he's seen the texts. Hurriedly, you tuck away your phone as if that would help your case at all, but he isn't even looking at you, too focused on waving to gawking students as you make your way down the corridor together.
It takes a while for you to actually get the kids to actually go into the classroom they need to be in, because none of them want to leave Lando, but eventually it happens. Annabelle is the last to go, lingering between the two of you for a few seconds longer. When she finally does get the courage to step away, it isn't without one last fleeting glance back. But much to your surprise, it isn't aimed towards you.
Rather, she looks at Lando for comfort.
"Go on, get in there," He urges, jutting his chin towards the door with a gentle smile aimed down at her. Annabelle doesn't move. The wrinkle between her furrowed brows grows deeper, little mouth turning down into a pout. "What's the sad face for, kiddo?"
"I don't wanna go."
Lando bends down to her level, hands on his knees. "You don't wanna go. Mind if I ask why?" Annabelle shrugs wordlessly, and he lets out a hum, bobbing his head. "Mm. Well y'know, your teacher says you're quite creative. Maybe one day you could help me design my new logo—think you'd like that?" This question of his garners him a tiny smile and a nod. "Yeah, me too, but only if you keep up the great work and practicing, and that means going to art class."
The wheels seem to be turning in her brain as she blinks at him for a few moments. But then, she nods again, firmer this time. "Okay."
"Okay?" Lando seems surprised, like he hadn't thought his tactic would've worked on her. But as someone who's had their fair share of bargaining with children before, you knew she'd take him up on the offer hook, line, and sinker. "I mean, mint! My people will call your people, then."
He crouches down and holds his hand out for a shake, mock serious, the way someone would close a business deal.
Annabelle takes one look at his outstretched hand and steps around it, throwing her arms around his neck in a hug, on her tiptoes as she hugs him tight.
"I like it when you're here, mister Lando," She says quietly, almost too quiet for you to hear with her chin hooked over Lando's shoulder.
Lando all but melts instantly, curving a gentle arm around her back. "I like being here too."
It's the sweetest sight that could very well make you tear up in the middle of hall right now.
"Alright, my friend. Go on, get outta here," He urges playfully, guiding her lightly towards the open doorway. This time, she goes without a fuss, scurrying into the classroom with a little more pep in her step.
You remain in awe.
Lando brushes his hands off on the front of his pants and straightens to his full height, looking proud as his gaze meets yours. The corridor around you seems to fade away, until it's just the two of you, connected by some invisible tether.
You blink once. Twice. The clamor returns.
Lando inhales sharply and lets it out as a breathy chuckle. "Didn't think that would work, honestly. I do good?"
"You did great. Before I forget, Annabelle wanted me to give this to you," You say softly, passing him the drawing. Lando takes it into his own hands with the utmost care, the way someone would handle something precious, and grins big, looking touched at her thoughtfulness. "She's never done this before, just so you know. Taken to someone so quickly the way she has with you."
"Really? But I'm just…me."
"She's comfortable with you, and that doesn't happen easily for her. Take the win, Norris."
Lando's mouth morphs into an amused little smirk at that, but he doesn't say anything on the walk back to the classroom. He helps you collect their coloring sheets and put away boxes of markers like it's second nature, helping you tidy up the room without asking if you needed any.
You've always been quite an independent person, but his effort is much appreciated.
As soon as the room is cleaned enough, you meet back in the middle, him leaned back against a desk with his arms crossed over his chest, you perched the tabletop just across the narrow aisle. Your foot brushes his knee as he bounces his leg like some sort of nervous tic.
"Thank you for all your help, Lando," You say softly, grateful for him in more ways than one.
"I didn't do much. They're a great group of kids with an amazing teacher, and it shows."
Your cheeks grow hot at the genuine warmth in his words.
As a newer teacher, sometimes you feel like you don't know what you're doing half the time. You do the best you can, but you haven't quite figured out the best way to handle everything that the job entails, both professionally and emotionally.
But right now, coming from Lando, it makes you feel like you're doing something right.
"Thank you. Seriously, that means a lot," You reply, leaning forward. Lando mirrors the same, a small smile gracing his face.
"You're really good with them too. You must have some kids in your life that taught you to the best way to negotiate with children."
Lando laughs, eyes crinkling on the outsides as he bobs his head. "Yeah, I've got two nieces I love to death and probably spoil far too much. Y'know, I think they'd really like you, actually. Here, I've got some pics of 'em."
He lets you flick through photos of his adorable nieces and you chat about various things for a while, conversation bouncing seamlessly from topic to topic. He's funny and a good listener, so it's easy with him. Scarily a little too easy.
You aren't aware of just how much time has passed until an alarm on your phone cuts through the conversation, startling the both of you. In the process of talking, and completely unbeknownst to you, you'd drifted closer to each other over the short time, sharing the same desk.
Shooting Lando a sheepish smile, you scramble to turn it off. "Sorry," You breathe, silencing the ringer. "Totally lost track of time."
"Duty calls, huh?"
"Always does. I take it you'll be sticking around for a bit?"
"Yeah, a little while more. I should probably branch out, go pop into some other classes and chat with the kids," He says, hands shoved into the pockets of his joggers as his leg continues to bounce. "Unless…I dunno, d'you need any more help? I can't say I'm great with spelling, but I'm halfway decent in maths."
You want him to stay, but you know he shouldn't. It'd be better if Lando left now, and it would save you any heartbreak too. Because the longer he stays, the more you feel yourself slipping, harboring some fleeting schoolgirl crush on a guy like him.
"Yeah, no, you should—you should definitely go see what everyone else is up to. They'd love that."
"Right. Of course." He bobs his head, crossing his arms, uncrossing them. His hands fidget like he doesn't know what to do with them. "You probably have better things to do, huh?"
"Not sure I'd call grading spelling quizzes better than hanging out with a man of your talents."
Lando lets out a snort of laughter, cheeks flushing a rosy red to go along with his crinkle eyed smile. "Careful. Don't want my ego to get too big now."
"A big ego? On a professional athlete? That's unheard of," You tease. You aren't really sure why you're this comfortable to jest at him now, but he takes it in stride, nudging your foot with his playfully.
"Flattery will get you everywhere."
-------
Lando doesn't leave your mind the rest of the morning. Even though your focus should be on the new phonics unit you're starting today, your concentration is shot, mind too preoccupied with a certain guy with the swoon-worthy smile and sparkly eyes.
By lunchtime, you're all out of sorts. After dropping your class off in the cafeteria, you decide to try and get some prep work done for tomorrow while you eat your own lunch to reset your mind. You feel quite ridiculous letting yourself get so wrapped up in Lando's attention.
Before long, a knock at your door draws your focus, and there's Lando once more, looking sheepish as he aims a heartstopping grin at you. "Hi again. Hope you aren't too sick of me yet."
"Never," You say, letting yourself grin. You honestly hadn't thought he'd stick around this long, thought he'd be long gone by now, but the fact that he's still here makes your smile grow even more. The rest of his body emerges from the corridor, and you spot the plastic lunch tray in his hands. "Ah, I see they hit you with the Chew Stoke special."
"I'm a sucker for nostalgia, what can I say? Nothing screams home like steamed veg and beans on toast," He sighs, nodding solemnly. "Mind if I hide out here with you?"
You oblige with a nod, tilting your head at the chair next to you. "Be my guest."
The way Lando folds himself into the tiny seat is almost comical, food tray balanced on folded knees that nearly reach his chest, shoulders hunched.
"I'm sorry," You breathe, pressing the back of your hand to your mouth to stop the giggle threatening to spill out. "I don't have any bigger chairs for you."
"No, no, it's fine. Love it when my hands can touch the floor," He jokes lightly. His eyes land on your food from home on your desk and he clicks his tongue, lips twisting to the side in thought. "See, you're smart, bringing your own lunch. I'll have to take a page out of your book next time."
"Next time?" You echo. In your mind, you think you sound only slightly gleeful about it.
"Erm…yeah, I would. It's been fun here, and the kids—" He cuts himself off with a chuckle, shaking his head. "They're great. Like…a breath of fresh air I don't get very often." His eyes flick to yours then, something hopeful glimmering in them, and he smiles almost bashfully, head tilting. "Though maybe not just for them."
"Oh?"
One word is all you can muster without feeling like you're going to say something stupid, because surely he isn't implying what you think he is.
"Listen, I'll be around for a few weeks, and I'd like to see you again. Buy you coffee, take you to lunch, steal you away for twenty minutes of silence during the kids' break time. Anything," He says, shifting forward in the small seat. He looks nothing but sincere, almost earnest. "I just—I think you're really cool, and I'd love to get to know each other some more."
You blink. Once, twice. A third time. Three blinks is all it takes for Lando's proposition to sink in.
Lando wants to see you again. Wants to spend time with you outside this school, and is willing to squeeze in that time whatever he can get.
Your stomach flips again, heart hammering against your ribcage. Of course you want to see him again. Of course you want to spend time with him. It's actually one of the many things you'd been thinking about all morning.
Coincidentally, three blinks is all it takes for Lando to jump to a conclusion.
His eyes widen, cheeks going pink, and he holds up his hands in what you think might be surrender or embarrassment. Perhaps a mix of the two. "Unless you're seeing someone and I've misread this whole thing. I am so—"
You scramble for a response now, an attempt to clear the air before awkardness fills it.
"No! No, I'm not—I'm not seeing anyone. I just…I don't know if it's a good idea."
The moment the words leave your lips, you know they aren't true. Subconciously, you're trying to protect yourself. It's a defense mechanism, one you've been guilty of your entire life.
Lando tries not to let his face fall, you can tell, but you can also see right through him. You continue, trying not to take the kicked puppy-esque look in his eyes to heart. "Our lives aren't very compatible for each other. I spend nine hours a day with kids, you race cars all over the world, and it—we might not even work together."
"But you don't know that," He says, a little louder than necessary. He must seem to realize that a split second later, because then he clears his throat. "Sorry. I meant, you can't know that for sure."
Part of you knows he has a point, because he's right. There's no way for you to know how things between the two of you will turn out if you don't take the chance to find out. The other part of you tells you that you aren't bold enough to take that leap.
"I don't think it's that easy, Lando. Look, I think you're great too, and if it were under different circumstances I'd probably take you up on the offer, but I just—I don't know. I'm sorry."
Lando smiles softly, a little sadly, shaking his head. "That's alright. I get it."
It doesn't take long after for someone to come and find him. His people had probably been wondering where he was all this time.
A slightly severe looking man bursts through the door, eyes glued to the phone in his hand, only looking up for a split second to confirm the person he's looking for is present. "There you are! What're you doing hiding in here? Actually, nevermind, we've gotta go."
Lando deflates a little, lips pressing into slight grimace. "Can I have a few minutes?"
The man's eyes flick between the two of you and he sighs, nodding. "Sure. Make it quick though, yeah?"
As soon as he leaves the room, Lando turns back to you, mouth turned down in a frown. "Sorry about that," He says, looking embarrassed. "They have me on a tight schedule. Like I'm a show pony, or something."
"Duty calls, what can you do?" You joke.
"Alway does," He chuckles, echoing your sentiment from earlier. "So I guess this is goodbye for real then, huh?"
"Looks like it."
"Thank you for coming, Lando. The kids are gonna be talking about this for ages, you've made all of their days. And it really does mean the world you took the time to visit us and stay a while. To the staff, the parents."
To me.
There it is again, that invisible thing that makes you feel connected to Lando in this moment. You can't tear your eyes from his, and he doesn't either, the rise and fall of his chest shallow as his tongue darts out to lick his lips.
If you aren't mistaken, his gaze flicks down to your mouth. Almost imperceptibly, but you notice.
Lando moves suddenly and with purpose, reaching across you for the cute notepad and matching pen by your laptop, scribbling down a jumble of numbers before ripping it off and pressing it into your palm gently.
"Saturday. Lunch. Whatever you want, wherever, I'll be there," He says, curling your fingers over the page. "That's my number."
"Lando—"
"I know you said you weren't sure, and I can respect that. But if you decide to give me a chance, text me. If not, no worries. I completely understand."
A sharp knock at the door interrupts whatever train of thought you have and you pocket the paper, still a little stunned.
Another hurried goodbye and then Lando's gone with one last smile, leaving you behind with your mind running a mile a minute.
The safest bet would be to play it safe and forget about Lando. To throw his number out and move on, to keep yourself from possibly getting hurt.
At the same time, you don't want to be the kind of person who lets fear and uncertainty dictate what you do in life. It isn't what you teach your kids, and it isn't the example you want to set for them either.
And that's what has you moving, hurrying towards the front of the school before Lando leaves and you lose your chance to be brave and take that leap, uncertainty be damned.
Pushing open the heavy door, you spot him just about to climb into the back of the big car idling at the curb and call his name, and his head whips towards the noise quickly. He smiles when he sees it's you, taking a few steps to meet you where you come to a stop.
"You forgot this," You breathe, holding out Annabelle's drawing. Lando's eyes go wide a moment, and then he sighs gratefully, tucking the paper carefully into his backpack.
"Whew, thanks! Can't believe I almost forgot my future merch designer's resume."
"Could've been a nightmare for your merch team."
That gets a huff of laughter out of him, a nod of his head as well. "Could've been. Is that—erm, is that it?"
"No, it's not," You admit, suddenly growing unsure. Still, you push through it, shifting back on the balls of your feet. "You said lunch on Saturday."
The beginnings of a smile quirk up the edges of Lando's mouth. "I did, yeah."
"There's an Italian place in town I've been meaning to try. Does, uh—does noon work for you?"
"Noon is perfect."
Now you're the one fighting a smile, teeth digging into your bottom lip to quell it. "Cool. I'll text you the address then."
"You could text me more than that, if you want. Maybe…tell me your favorite flower?" He asks hopefully, tilting his head.
"Maybe I will."
From somewhere deeper inside the car, someone clears their throat—a well and clear sign that Lando needs to get moving, now.
"I think they might murder me if I don't get in the car now," Lando sighs, shakes his head faux exasperated.
"Ah, the never ending obligations of a show pony."
"I'm tellin' you, it's killer. Though I don't doubt you have it harder than me, y'know—shaping the minds of our future and everything. Talk about pressure."
"I don't really have to do much," You sigh, feeling the smile grow on your face as you think about your students. "The kids, they're already so bright and understanding and kind, it's like…I'm learning from them as much as they're learning from me. And when they grow up, they might not remember me, but I'll always keep them with me."
"Trust me, they'll remember you. You're pretty hard to forget."
The soft lilt in his voice, the tilt of his head, the way he leans in to hold your attention—it almost makes you want to close the dwindling gap and just kiss him. It would be far too much, far too soon, and in front of people you definitely shouldn't do it in front of, but you can't say that the thought doesn't cross your mind.
A sharp knock on the darkened car window interrupts yet again, and this time Lando squeezes his eyes shut, letting his chin dip down towards his chest.
"Right, now I definitely gotta go. But I'll see you Saturday," He hums, shooting you a wink. "Or sooner, if the fancy strikes you. I wouldn't object."
You roll your eyes playfully, backpedaling a few steps towards the school building. "I think I'll just see you then. And don't be late, or you'll owe me!"
"Don't tempt me with a good time!"
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