**how Cara looks in the picture above is how I pictured her looking in this chap. (-:

As I suspected, the boredom that was long over due for me to feel has crept up on me. I kept myself busy for as long as I could after Lana left-- I even cleaned. But for some strange reason, even re-watching episodes of Parks & Recreation like I am currently doing hasn't managed to keep me entertained enough, and that, is a major problem. And I blame it on Lana's absence. I didn't know it was possible to miss someone so soon and so much. I'm not sure if I like it.

Getting up off the couch as one episode finishes, I make my way towards the kitchen to refill my glass with water in a hurry so that I don't miss the beginning of the new episode. I quicken my pace as I hear the theme song for parks & rec begin to play and settle into the couch just in time to see my phone's screen lighten from the corner of my eye. Picking it up from beside me, I see the message is from Lana and immediately feel a smile creep up on my face.

Got here a while ago, will take much longer than I thought /:

The message says. A second one comes in then.

Make sure to stay in your birthday suit for me (;

I frown, but a smile replaces it as I read the second message. I begin typing out a reply.

Wouldn't dream of greeting you any other way baby ((;

When will you be back?

Her reply is almost immediate

Past 12, maybe a little before. Miss you already

I smile

miss you more

I exit my messages with her and notice another message that I must have missed. I click on the conversation with Michelle and read the new message.

Just in case you get bored, make your way down here (;

with a home address attached. I realize that must be the address to the party she was telling me about. I give it some thought then. Should I go? I am bored after all, and Lana won't be back for quite some time. It wouldn't be so bad to go out. Taking a look around at the empty flat, I come to a decision.

I'm going.

I get up and walk to Lana's bedroom and put on some black denim jeans, my brassiere following afterwards. It always feels odd putting on a brassiere after not having one on for a while. It makes me question why I even bother wearing one.

Giving a look around in search of my jumper, I spot a longish black t-shirt on top of the pile of clothing Lana has been meaning to put away for the past 5 years. I walk towards it and slip it on, noticing the smell of her still lingers on it.

Satisfied enough with what I have on, I grab my leather jacket and wallet from on top of the unpacked luggage and head out of the room.

I grab my phone off of the couch and call the cab company, ordering a cab that should be here in 5 minutes. Thank god. Cabs are much quicker here in Los angeles than they are in London.

I turn off the telly along with the Xbox and I make my way towards the coach one last time to get Chuck's bag of vegan chips and place them back where I found them in the kitchen, hoping she won't notice they went from being a sealed bag to a less than full one.

I shut the front door and begin loosely tying my hair at the nape of my neck, whipping out my phone from my back pocket to shoot Lana another text message once the hair is tamed.

Got too bored so I'm going to head out for a bit. Let me know when you're on your way back to the flat! (~:

I then go to my messages with Michelle and type out a late reply to her message.

I'm on my way, you better be there!

I shove my phone back into my pocket then and see a yellow cab pull up followed by a honk. I walk down the porch steps and go towards the cab, reading the address Michelle sent me to him once inside.

"Alright, I got it." the cab driver tells me. I tuck my phone away and begin putting on my seat belt as he drives away. I feel my phone buzz and check to see who it is.

Been here. See you (;

Michelle's message reads. I exit my messages then go onto my social media.

I manage to entertain myself with my phone the rest of the ride to the party and notice upon arrival that I may be underdressed. Michelle didn't really mention the attire, but it shouldn't be too fancy should it? I pay the driver what I owe and walk towards the front door of the flat that has the most life inside of it. I can hear the music playing fairly loud from out here and see movement from the windows. Beginning to grow nervous, I wipe the palm of my hands on my shorts and walk up the steps of the flat at a slower pace.

Should I knock? I doubt anyone would hear even if I did. Oh whatever. I turn the knob of the door and discover it is unlocked. I make my way inside right after.

The music gets even louder and I look around the somewhat crowded flat. A few heads turn to look at me as I walk through, but most are too caught up in their own little bubble to even care.

I realize then I should have called Michelle when I had gotten out of the cab to meet me at the front door. She probably wouldn't have been able to hear me if I did call her, now that I think of it. I'll just text her.

Just got here, wya?

I continue to move awkwardly through the living area until I reach the kitchen. I spot some bottled drinks in a cooler by the marble counter table and walk over to grab a beer. The music isn't as loud here, and I think that is the only thing that allows me to hear the ding that notifies me I just got a message. I see it is a reply from Michelle when I pull my phone out from my back pocket.

where are you? I'll find you sooner than you'll find me.

That's true.

In the kitchen

Her reply is immediate.

Omw hot stuff

I reread the message and decide to not think anything of it. While hanging out with Michelle, Chuck, and Mila, Michelle would use similar terms for all of us. It must simply be her way of being. I put my phone back into my pocket and see a bottle opener on the other side of the counter.

I walk around it to open my Blue Moon and am just about to take a sip of it once when I feel two hands come in contact with my back, causing me to jump in a scare. I turn around and see Michelle there, a wide bright smile on her face.

"Did I scare you?" she asks. I settle down and lightly shove her.

"No, not at all. I love it when people come up from behind when I am unaware." she laughs and I join in. She looks down at the drink in my hand and then back up at me.

"Drinking already Miss Delevingne?" she scolds teasingly.

"Tuff habit to break." I say. She smiles longingly before replying.

"C'mon, come meet some people. They aren't half bad."

"If I hate them, I'm leaving." I warn.

"You'll be fine." she assures me.

"Alright." we make our way through what seems like hundreds of bodies, walking the same path I took when I came in until making a right. We reach the spot where a group of people are gathered in a kind of circle.

"Well, why don't I introduce you to these decent human beings?"

I let out an amused huff and follow her as she leads me the rest of the way to the group of people she was with before. I notice all of them have a drink in their hand.

"Guys," she catches the groups attention. They all turn to us and I offer a small smile. "This is Cara. Cara, this is Erin, Giselle, Brick, and Mary." she points to each individual to differentiate who is who.

"Hello." I greet, and they all reply with a greeting. I take a seat on the arm of the couch cushion that Michelle has taken a seat on and answer the common questions they throw at me as I occasionally take sips of my drink.

We eventually all slip into an entertaining enough conversation that I enjoy from the get go and several minutes into it, I feel glad that I came after all. Waiting for Lana to return was borderline torture. I might have actually died of boredom. This is better. The energy here is great, music not half bad, and the group of people are as comical as one could hope for.

"Really?" Mary questions me, excitement in her tone.

"Scouts honor." I reply.

"Well miss Delevingne, in that case, I'd like to ask for your hand in marriage." I laugh.

"It's true!" I laugh. "I can assure you. I just wish I had pictures to show you!" I express.

"How does May 2nd work for you as a reception date?" the brunette asks, and I laugh again.

"That's perfect." I tell her.

"I better be the flower girl." Brick inputs. The group laughs and I feel Michelle tug on my wrist.

"Cara can you join me outside for a bit?" she asks.

"What for?" I question.

"Ugh her usual smoke." Erin informs me. "You better go with her Cara, the rest of us can't stand the smell for long."

"It'll be quick. We'll come back right after." Michelle assures me.

"Oh." I say. "Well, okay yeah."

I get up from my spot and decide to pull my phone from my pocket then to check the time. 10:53. Lana should almost be home by the time I get back to the flat. I'd like to be there when she arrives.

"Actually, I better leave after your smoke." I hear the complaints from the group then. "I know. Sorry guys, i'll see you soon hopefully."

I begin to hug each individual goodbye and when I reach Mary she reminds me May 2nd, and I laugh lightly before proceeding to hug the others. Michelle leads the way to somewhere in the backside of the house, and I follow silently behind. She must have a smoking spot here already.

I follow her as she walks somewhere in the far back of the flat and I begin to realize just how much bigger this place is that I originally thought. We reach a flight of stairs and I look at her skeptically.

"Are you sure we're allowed up there?" I ask.

"Sure." she answers.

"You don't sound so sure." I tease her. She turns and smiles at me.

I follow her the rest of the way up and through the dimly lit hallways until we reach the last door to the right. I follow her in with out question and see light come in from a glass sliding door.

"Is that your smoking spot?" I ask.

"The very one." she says. "C'mon you'll see why." she takes my wrist and drags me toward the door, sliding it open so that we can go through. I take in the view once on the terrace and immediately get what she means.

"I hadn't realized we were right on the beach." I let out. "This view is beautiful."

"Right?" she takes a seat on the cushioned porch couch. "Buddy of mine owns this place, this is the room I stay in when I spend a night."

"Oh. So you're not just a creepy snooper." I smile. She laughs and shoves me lightly as I take a seat next to her.

"No I am, just not in this case."

"Right." I confirm. She reaches into her knitted cardigans pocket and takes out a pack of cigarettes along with a lighter.

"Want one?" she asks.

"No I'm fine, thanks." she places the cigarette in her mouth and begins to light it.

"I should order my cab already actually." I think out loud. I whip my phone out and decide to order the cab through the app instead of a call this time.

"Why in such a hurry to leave?" Michelle asks curiously. I lift my eyes from my phone screen to look at her and see her eyes are already on me. I finish up the order and tuck my phone into my pocket.

"I'm expecting someone." I say.

"This late?" she blows out some smoke.

"Believe it or not." I smile.

"I'm not one to stick my nose in someone else's business, but usually when someone is expecting someone else at this time, it is a booty-call, Miss Delevingne." I let out a laugh. She isn't entirely wrong.

"One would assume that." I play on, blush creeping up onto my cheeks.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for the booty-call type. Then again, you are always surprising me." she smiles.

"Good thing?"

"Very." she assures. My stomach warms.

I smile at her and hold it before turning my attention over to the ocean, admiring the beauty of it as I watch the waves crash onto the shore. The beaches in California are much better than those in the United Kingdom. To me, mostly because of the heat, but then again there is just something about them. Probably the same reason everyone raves about them so much being it.

"You're amazing, you know that?" I hear suddenly. I turn my eyes back to Michelle and see a smile on her face. I muster an awkward laugh.

"How so?" I ask.

"You're real, genuine. That's hard to find here in Los Angeles. Never lose that."

"I'll try, cap." I assure.

I see her eyes flicker from my mine to something below, and I swallow the saliva that has suddenly gathered in my mouth. I see her lean in, but by the time I am able to process what it is she is doing, it is too late. Her lips are on mine.

My eyes widen in shock, and it isn't until a few seconds pass that I am able to take ahold of her from the arms and push her off.

"What... what's wrong?" she asks, insecurity in her voice. I freeze momentarily.

"I can't kiss you." I finally tell her.

"Why.. why not?" she asks, a hint of hurt in her voice.

"Because I'm... I'm in a relationship."

"With who?" she asks. I suddenly don't know what to say, or more, I don't know if I can say. Lana and I never discussed this, if we were going to be private about our relationship or not. From what got, she is a private person.

"Lana." I finally blurt out after a while. I see her features shift then, from hurt and insecurity... to, pity?

"I'm sorry, did you say Lana?" she asks, as if to confirm she isn't hearing things.

"Yes?" I say, realizing I am the insecure one now. She tries to hide her frown, and stops her brows from furrowing. But I have already caught on.

"I'm sorry if gave you the impression that I... liked you. In that way." I add.

"Cara, I'm sorry. I just.. Lana?" she questions again. "We are talking about the same Lana, aren't we? Elizabeth?" she says, ignoring my previous statement.

"Well... of course we are." I answer. "What other Lana is there?"

She nudges her head towards me and takes in another drag of smoke into her lungs, her brows furrowing again.

"I'm sorry, I just find that a little hard to believe." I stare at her, confused.

"And why is that?" I mutter.

"Do you, know where Lana is tonight, Cara?" she asks me in a regretful whisper.

"She had to take care of some things with her work, why are you asking?" Her question is ridiculous, why would Lana's location matter right now? How does that prove we are together?

"Really?"

"Yes, really." I tell her, starting to grow frustrated. She stays quite for a moment before getting up on the couch and walking to the bars at the porch.

"Michelle?" I question. I see her take in one long drag and turn around to face me again, this time, I am almost certain the look she wears is pity. She walks towards the couch again and puts out her cigarette on the ashtray on the small table beside the couch.

"I'm sorry Cara," she starts. "Can you come with me downstairs really fast?"

Why is she acting this way? What is going on?

"Wh- why?" I ask.

"Just- come. Please." I stare at her for a moment before finally giving in and getting up off the couch. I follow her into the guest bedroom, through the hallway and down the stairs. She doesn't speak as we walk, only confusing me further.

Once we are on the first floor again, she leads me further into the house. We reach what I assume is the end of it and I see people gathered in what I assume is a large den, conversing, drinking, smoking. There is music being played here as well, but not as loud as in the main part of the house.

"Why are we back here?" I ask her after briefly scanning the room. She gives me yet another sad look, and I feel like shaking her until she speaks.

"Michelle-" she gestures her head.

"Take another good look around." is all she says, and I am yet again, left confused.

I look away from her and take another scan around the large room for my sanity's sake. But I spot nothing of significance, until I see a familiar face sitting with a group of people. Laughing, with a cigarette in hand. I feel my heart drop as I see Lana take a short break from her laughter to take a drag from her cigarette, leaning into the man next to her who currently has an arm around her shoulder.

Wha... what is she doing here? She said she would be at the studio late- why would she be here? And why wouldn't she tell me? I look back at Michelle and finally connect her pitiful looks. She knew she was here.

"Why didn't you tell me when I got here?" I ask her.

"I didn't know I had to, I didn't even know you two were a... thing." I glance back over to where Lana is at and see a girl with jet black hair that seems to be a part of Lana's group, looking at me. I see her point in my direction and watch as the others' heads turn to look at me too.

When Lana finally looks at me, her face goes still. As if she is seeing a ghost. That is all I need to confirm what I am already thinking.

"We aren't." I answer Michelle.

I turn on my heel and begin exiting the flat.