FEBRUARY 2024

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Maybe Sophia secretly always wished she'd get a chance to move back to England. Because when she finally did get that chance, she was beaming.

After receiving the news, she didn't waste a second in going house-hunting (online). It took her a few days of endless scrolling until she found the perfect apartment within her price range, after which she started packing up everything she owned.

Thankfully, the apartment was furnished, so she only had to take her belongings with her. Dina had stayed with her to help her move, which Sophia would be eternally grateful for. However stoked she was about moving, it was never an easy process, physically and mentally.

Flash forward to today, in Sophia's Woking apartment, where she is getting ready for her very first day at work. Actually working at the McLaren Technology Center. She's so excited that she's willing to overlook the fact that she'll be working with (or even for) her ex.

She woke up extra early, giving herself more than enough time to have breakfast, do her skincare routine and quickly iron her clothes, which consist of a McLaren T-Shirt and black jeans. The orange—papaya, she'll have to get used to that—compliments her tan skin, making a somewhat unflattering color look good.

Quickly spraying some perfume, Sophia grabs her bag, double-checking to make sure her notebook is still there, snatches her keys from the table and is out the door.

The drive to MTC is only ten minutes, the lack of traffic combined with a good singing session making it bearable. Sophia finds parking easily, thanking God that her day started out well and with no complications.

She takes a minute in the car, mentally preparing herself. With a deep breath, she focuses on the positive. I have my dream job.

Determined as always, she gets out of the car, locking it and making her way to the entrance of the building, which, needless to say, is huge. She'd totally get lost if it wasn't for the lady at the front who points her to the right direction.

Her job this day is to report for duty and let the other, far more experienced mechanics show her around, and get a glimpse of the cars and the supplies. So, technically no real work, but a beginning nonetheless.

Sophia got whisked off by someone, presumably another mechanic, who led her to where she now is, a room with boring white walls, where one car sits on the floor, some of its parts removed, as two men in matching papaya T-Shirts inspect it.

Sophia gets a pat on the back from the woman who brought her here, urging her to introduce herself.

"Hi," she says, forcibly getting rid of the nerves evident in her voice. "I'm Sophia, I'm new."

She's immediately greeted by happy introductions, the team welcoming her like one of their own already, making her flush.

Meeting these pleasant people helps get rid of her anxiety immediately, as she realizes working here would be more enjoyable than she thought it'd be.

They spend the next couple hours touring the building, showing Sophia the best spots to hang out on break, and advising her on what foods not to try, as well as what type of coffee to avoid. Sophia is utterly thrilled. The place is amazing, the people welcoming and the job the one she's always wanted.

Nothing can ruin her first day.

Except Lando Norris showing up. Which he decides to do at that exact moment.

Sophia hears his voice before she sees his face. All he says is a simple "Hey" and that's enough for her to spiral. She freezes in place where she's leaning against a wall in a quiet corner of the building, three other team members next to her, all taking a break.

Her back is facing him, so he doesn't recognize her immediately. He greets the others, before they remember Sophia exists and wants to fall in a hole right now. She knew this was inevitable, yet she can't help the dread pooling in her stomach.

"Oh, this is Sophia, she's a new addition to the team," one of her coworkers introduces her and she makes a swift show of turning to face him, needing to be over with this quickly.

The moment their eyes meet, she regrets ever coming here in the first place.

Lando's smile drops, as realization washes over him. A feeling she can't quite place is written all over his face, making him look thoroughly miserable.

Every memory Sophia's ever kept stored away in a box in the back of her brain, comes running back now, rolling like a film reel in front of her eyes, starting from the first time they met, and ending on the last time they ever saw each other. Beginning with bright colors, finishing with dull black and white.

"Sophia?" Lando finally says, her name posed like a question, though he already knows the answer.

"Yep. Hi," she responds, hating the awkward atmosphere they're creating.

"How... Wow."

"You know each other?" someone asks, pulling Sophia back together.

"You could say that," she explains, avoiding eye contact with Lando, while he's desperately trying to get her to look at him again.

When nobody speaks, Sophia makes a show of checking her watch, grasping for an escape. "Break time's over!" she declares, already marching off without looking back.

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dear reader!

this is a mess