𓅨
Packing It Up,                    written by mads.
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Act One,                                  Chapter Two.
( Dallas. )

INCOMING CALL —— dayadayadaya

In her room, DALLAS HUGHES is clicking away on a laptop keyboard. Her phone lights up and begins vibrating.

DALLAS:
Hello?

ZENDAYA: (O.S.)
Hey, Dallas.

DALLAS: (cheerfully)
Hey, Daya. What's up?

ZENDAYA: (O.S., laughing lightly)
Girl, what isn't. I feel like it's a new press run or interview every day on top of the two I already knew about.

DALLAS:
Well, that's what happens when you're in one of the biggest movies of the year, if not the biggest.

ZENDAYA: (O.S.)
You're giving it too much credit with that last part.

DALLAS: (chuckling)
No, I don't think I am. Hun, everyone is raving about it from critics to fans alike. And the movies not even officially out yet. Don't knock that. You should be proud. You all should.

Shuffling can be heard on the other end of the line.

ZENDAYA: (O.S., slowly)
Yeah, I know. It's just—it's just so out of my comfort zone still, that I can't help but think it's not actually going to land as well as we're expecting.

DALLAS:
And I get that. But, Daya, I know you. There's no way you haven't put your entire heart and soul into this project—just as you do every other one—and I know that's going to show through the screen. I have the utmost faith in you, and the entire project.

DALLAS pauses when no voice comes through the other end of the phone. They sit for one, two beats.

DALLAS: (jokingly)
And hey, if it does flop, we'll just blame Mike and Josh.

ZENDAYA chuckles weakly through the phone.

ZENDAYA: (O.S.)
I like that plan. Even if they have been wonderful this whole time.

DALLAS: (casually)
Eh, better them than you, I think.

ZENDAYA: (O.S.)
Definitely.

DALLAS:
Personally, I can't wait to see it. I know, no matter what you might fear, that it's going to be extraordinary.

ZENDAYA: (O.S., remembering)
Oh, right. Well, actually, that's why I was calling.

DALLAS:
Oh?

ZENDAYA: (O.S.)
I'm hosting the New York premiere on the 24th, and I wanted to invite you.

DALLAS: (flattered)
Oh, really? You know I'd love to, hun.

ZENDAYA: (O.S., smiling)
Good, I'm glad. I want to see you, and I'm sure others will too.

DALLAS: (chuckling)
Yeah, I want to see you, too. And these mysterious others, I'm sure.

ZENDAYA: (O.S., fondly exasperated)
Yeah, yeah. No, Mike's inviting Rachel, and she asked him if you were coming. I told him I had plans to ask you, which I did, and I think you two seeing each other will be good.

DALLAS nods, even thought ZENDAYA cannot see it.

DALLAS:
Oh, yeah. I think so. Haven't seen him in a few years.

ZENDAYA: (O.S., sarcastic)
Must be nice.

DALLAS: (laughing)
Yeah, okay. You can't fool me, I've seen the interviews. You like him well enough.

ZENDAYA: (O.S., curious)
You've seen the interviews, have you?

DALLAS: (bashful)
Of course, I have. Where else am I going to get to see your beautiful face when you're running around the world filming?

ZENDAYA: (O.S., disbelieving)
Mmm, yeah, okay. We'll go with that.

DALLAS: (sputtering)
Wha, What?! That's the truth!

ZENDAYA: (O.S., soothing)
I'm just messing with you, doll. Don't worry. Listen, I have to run, but I'll text you all the details later, okay?

DALLAS:
Yeah, 'course. That sounds perfect. I'll talk to you later, Z.

ZENDAYA: (O.S.)
Definitely. Bye!

The call disconnects. DALLAS drops her phone, groans into her hands, and picks it back up.

IMESSAGES

songbird
( rachel   )

miss cowgirl
I heard from a little birdie you're going to
the Challengers premiere in New York

songbird
Only if that little birdie also invited you
as she was telling you this

miss cowgirl
Lucky for you
She did

songbird
Yes!!
Oh that's so exciting
Obviously I was already excited to go
But now even more so 😌
It's been too long since we've gone out
together

miss cowgirl
Not like we're really going out though,
is it?
Not that it won't be fun!!
I'm sure it will
But it's more so going to be a red carpet
and a movie with a stuffy after party
You know how those things go

songbird
Maybe
But we could ditch the after party and go
out instead!
I'm sure I'd be able to convince Mike to dip
out early, too

miss cowgirl
At his own premiere?

songbird
What
Are you doubting me?
Like you couldn't convince Zendaya 🤨

miss cowgirl
At the premiere she's hosting?

songbird
Dallas.

miss cowgirl
Yeah alright
I mean probably

songbird
Exactly!!
Come onnn it'll be funnn

miss cowgirl
Why are we discussing this like it needs
to be decided now
The premiere isn't for another two weeks
Let me worry about what I'm going to
wear before anything

songbird
Pfft
That doesn't matter
You're gonna look good no matter what
it is
Have everybody drooling after you like
normal

miss cowgirl
Doesn't matter unless it's you ;)

songbird
Oh, I'm sure it will be 😏

miss cowgirl
So you'll help me pick an outfit out then?

songbird
Oh definitely
As long as you help me with mine

miss cowgirl
Without a doubt
When are you going to be home btw?

songbird
Probably like twenty-ish minutes
Why?
Are you okay?

miss cowgirl
Yeah!
No I just didn't feel like making dinner
and was gonna ask if you wanted to pick
something up?

songbird
Sure! I didn't have any ideas either so
Any suggestions?

miss cowgirl
Texas Roadhouse?

songbird
You just want more rolls
This is unhealthy

miss cowgirl
The orders queued, let me know when
you're otw!

songbird
Yes ma'am 🫡

Authors Notes.

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𓅨 Shorter chapter with no real writing section and completely unedited, but I still love it, and it's very important to the plot *smirks*

𓅨 Kinda spoilers. (Not really at all) Dallas is going to be very naturally flirting with everybody (she's a piece of me with that) except for when it actually matters. So, you'll see her start out the same with Mike, and then there'll be development...and I can't wait to get there (and I apologize in advance for the slight miscommunication it causes)

𓅨 Let me know what you think!! Do we like the transcript-like writing? Am I doing a good job with the characters? Are you having a good time? Just check in, I love you all so much xo