‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

PARIS CHARLES DE GUALLE AIRPO
paris, france
monday
june 24, 2024
8am

"can i just hear that i'm right?" alexa said after i filled her in on what happened between drew and i last night. i would've told her last night, but she was far too drunk to comprehend anything.

i groaned and took a sip of my coffee. of course she wanted to hear she was right. "you were right, he liked me all along. happy now?" i said, my tone laced with sarcasm.

she smirked victoriously, leaning back in her chair. "i knew it," she said smugly, her satisfied smile telling me she was absolutely elated she'd been correct.

"yeah, yeah." i muttered, rolling my eyes. despite my feigned annoyance, i couldn't deny the warm feeling knowing drew liked me back gave me.

alexa continued to gloat about her "amazing intuition" for a few more minutes. i tried to keep a straight face, but her excitement was infectious.

alexa then spoke again in a more serious tone, "so are you guys gonna hang out back in los angeles?"

i thought for a moment before replying, "maybe. we didn't really get a chance to discuss it much."

although i'd love nothing more than to see him again as soon as possible. but i also didn't want to seem too eager and scare him off. it was a tricky line to balance.

alexa nodded in understanding. "just don't let it sit, okay? you two are definitely good together."

i smiled at her supportive words. it meant a lot to have her encouragement.

"thanks, lex." i said appreciatively. i took one last sip of my coffee. "well, i guess we should start getting ready to board soon."

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

AZARIA'S HOME
los angeles, california
9am

i sighed as i walked into the familiar space. it was quiet, untouched and peaceful.

i dropped my bags by the front door and looked around. the place didn't look any different since i'd left it, but for some reason, it felt slightly different.

something about the encounter with drew shifted something inside me. perhaps it was the knowledge that he reciprocated my feelings.

i glanced around the familiar space and suddenly, the feeling of loneliness began to creep in.

the silence of the house, once comforting, now felt deafening. i walked over to the windows and pulled open the curtains, letting the sunlight pour in.

i sat down on the sofa and tried to collect my thoughts. being back in my own space should be a comfort, but right now, it was anything but.

though i quickly remembered something, i grabbed my phone in a panic and dialed alexa's number.

"jesus, az, you're calling me already?" alexa's slightly groggy voice answered the phone.

"he doesn't have my number!" i yelled into the phone.

there was a slight pause before alexa responded, her voice now confused, "excuse me?"

i sighed, "drew...he doesn't have my number, i forgot to give it to him and he forgot to ask. we were so in the moment. or maybe he didn't want it? maybe he just wanted a kiss at that moment." i rambled.

i could almost hear alexa rolling her eyes at my panic. "oh my god azaria. take a breath." she said, her voice now more commanding.

i drew in a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "i just feel so dumb. why didn't i give him my number?" i said, frustration evident in my voice.

alexa spoke gently, "listen. i'm sure he was just as caught up in the moment as you were. there should be no reason why he wouldn't want your number. and if he didn't ask for it, there's probably a reason. he has you on instagram so, just give him time to contact you. it literally just happened."

her words were like a cold shower of logic, cutting through my panic. "you're right," i said reluctantly. "you're right. i'm just being paranoid, and overthinking as usual."

"you are, as per usual." alexa said matter of fact. "just take a cold shower and relax. and if he still hasn't reached out by the time you're done, then you can freak out."

i laughed softly at her comment. "alright, alright. i'll do that. and thanks, for being a voice of reason."

"you know that's my specialty." she chuckled, her voice taking on a more light hearted tone. "now go shower and don't call me again until you're at least semi calm."

"will do." i replied before hanging up the phone. i shook my head and smiled. despite alexa's ability to get on my nerves, she always had a way of calming me down.

with a resigned sigh, i got up and headed to the bathroom. a cold shower might just be what i need to chill my racing heart and thoughts.

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

9:45am

i emerged from the bathroom, a towel around my slender frame, the steam from the hot shower still clung to the air around me.

i walked over to my bed and picked up my phone. my heart skipped a beat as i glanced down at the screen - no notifications.

how do i stop thinking about him? i said to myself as i walked into my walk in closet, changing into sweats.

i threw on a black hoodie, the fabric soft against my skin. as much as i tried to push thoughts of drew out of my mind, it was like they had a mind of their own. the memory of his touch still lingered on my skin.

i walked out of the closet, my phone clutched in my hand. still no notifications.

i lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, but the silence and inactivity began to get to me. i needed a distraction, something to keep my mind busy.

i reached for my phone and began scrolling through my contacts. doing something tonight with a friend seemed like just the thing to get my mind off drew.

~~

MESSAGES

mila

azaria
hey girl!
i'm back in la and
thinking we could cook
some dinner together
tonight? my place?

mila
girl! finally!!
i've been craving your
lasagna. what time
should i come by?

azaria
omg!! well i'd love
to make it. how's 5?

mila
perfect! see you then.
can't wait 😁

~~

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

TRADER JOE'S
los angeles, california
3:40pm

i walked through the aisles of trader joe's, my basket half full, on a mission to buy ingredients for the lasagna. the familiarity of the store felt grounding.

i grabbed a block of cheese and dropped it in my basket just as my phone buzzed.

my heart leapt with anticipation as i reached for my phone. disappointment washed over me when i looked down and saw it wasn't a notification from drew.

instead, it was a message from one of my old friends, asking if i were available to meet up sometime this week.

i sighed, stuffing my phone back into my pocket. i couldn't hide my disappointment. i missed him, and it had only been one day. with a shake of my head, i continued to shop. this was ridiculous. i was acting like a teenager with a crush.

as i walked through the wine aisle with a look of dissatisfaction on my face, i noticed a familiar figure. amo's.

my eyes widened in surprise as i spotted amo's tall frame, unmistakable even from a distance. he was focused on a shelf with a serious expression on his face, clearly trying to decide on a purchase.

as i walked closer, debating whether or not to approach him, he suddenly looked up and our eyes met. a smile spread across his face and he called out my name.

"azaria?" he said loudly over the distance between us. his tone was unmistakable, he was genuinely happy to see me.

i walked over to him, my basket in hand. "hey," i said in a friendly tone, trying to keep things casual.

his eyes roamed over me for a moment, taking me in. "it's good to see you," he said, his voice holding a hint of something i couldn't quite place.

"can't choose?" i said as i looked at the two bottles of red wine in his hand.

he chuckled, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "you know me. i try to look refined and sophisticated when i have dinner guests." he looked down at the bottles in his hands, expression turning contemplative. "i just can't decide if a cabernet sauvignon or a merlot is better for a second date."

i raised an eyebrow at his dilemma. "second date? i see you're not wasting any time." i teased, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

he shrugged casually, the hint of a smile still on his lips. "what can i say? i move quickly." he looked at the bottles in his hands again, a frown creasing his forehead. "but seriously, i can't decide. which do you prefer?"

i leaned in, examining the labels. "i'd go for the cabernet," i said, pointing to the bottle on the left. "it's bolder, less fruity. pairs better with certain meals."

he nodded, seeming pleased with my choice. "you know your wines." he said appreciatively. "i'm taking your advice." he picked up the bottle off the shelf and placed it into his basket.

i smiled, feeling a hint of nostalgia at the familiarity of the situation. "good choice." i said, my voice unintentionally softened by the memory. i picked up a bottle of chardonnay and put it in my bag. "guess you inspired me to get a bottle as well."

"got a hot date?" he teased, his voice casual yet laced with a subtle undertone of inquisition.

i shook my head, a small smile on my lips. "with mila, yes." i said softly, he knew mila was one of my best friends and we would always hang out at each others homes.

he nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer. his eyes flicked down to the rest of the items in my basket. "lasagna? cooking?"

i nodded, my fingers gripping the handle of the basket tighter. "yeah, mila's been craving an authentic meal, so i told her i'd cook tonight."

"i see some cheese in there, too." he observed, eyeing the block of cheese peeking out of my basket. "god, you're gonna make me crave one too."

a smile tugged at the corners of my lips at his words. "i'll have to send you over a piece when it's done." i said, a hint of teasing in my voice.

a grin spread across his face, his eyes meeting mine. "you'd be my savior," he responded, his tone strictly joking.

"oh i've been called that from many people," i quipped back, matching his tone.

he feigned a mock hurt look, placing a hand over his heart. "well damn, don't go making me feel special."

i couldn't help but laugh at his dramatic display. "well sorry to burst your bubble, but i make lasagna for just about everyone i'm friends with." i countered, my voice edged with gentle sarcasm.

his mock hurt expression didn't go away, and he let out a dramatic sigh. "i thought i was special," he grumbled, causing me to roll my eyes at his theatrics.

"bye amo." i said as i started to walk away.

he chuckled at my dismissive tone, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "see you around, azaria." he said as i started to walk away.

i could feel his gaze on me as i walked down the aisle, but i forced myself to keep moving, pretending i didn't notice.

‿︵‿︵୨˚̣̣̣͙୧ - - ୨˚̣̣̣͙୧‿︵‿︵

AZARIA'S HOME
los angeles, california
5pm

together mila and i cooked my famous lasagna while soft jazz music played in the background. i filled her in on everything that happened while in paris. her face got more and more surprised with each word i said.

she couldn't wrap her head around the fact that amo and i had broken up and she definitely couldn't wrap her head around the fact that drew starkey and i are in the situation that we're in.

after cooking, we sat down at my dining table and started to eat our meals. i then got a notification, i sighed and looked at her. "i swear, getting notifications today and them not being him...it's like a stab in the heart." i said half-joking half-serious.

mila gave me a sympathetic look, her fork stopped midway to her mouth. "he really has you tied up, huh?" she said, her voice filled with a hint of amusement.

"is it bad for me to be like this when we only kissed?" i asked her seriously.

she shook her head, her expression sincere. "no, azaria. you've always been the type to fall a little too hard...and that's okay." she responded, her voice gentle yet straightforward.

i smiled at her and picked up my phone to look at the notification. automatically, my jaw dropped.

mila's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity. "what is it?" she asked, setting down her fork and looking at me intently.

"holy shit! he dm'd me!" i exclaimed with a smile.

mila's eyes widened with excitement. "oh my god, for real?" she said, practically lunging across the table for my phone. "lemme see!"

~~

INSTAGRAM
DIRECT MESSAGES

drewstarkey
4M followers • 6 posts
you follow each other on instagram
you both follow blonded and 6 others

drewstarkey
did you make it back to la safely?

azariaraine
yes, i'm home! are you?

drewstarkey
nope i wish i was. i had a 12pm
flight, but they delayed it until
tomorrow.

azariaraine
i'm sorry, that sucks.
any reason why they delayed it?

drewstarkey
no idea. they just said that
"maintenance needed to
happen" and that my arrival
time would be moved. i was already at the
airport when i heard news, so here i
sit. they better give me
compensation.

azariaraine
omg 😭😭!!!
why aren't you at a
hotel???

drewstarkey
i didn't see the point in
spending money on a hotel
room for one night,
when i'd be leaving at 6
tomorrow morning
anyway.

azariaraine
you better hope no
crazed fans take photos of you
sleeping at the airport.

drewstarkey
oh believe me, they've
been trying to sneak
photos ever since
they saw me walking
through security.

azariaraine
you sure you're not just
saying that? i bet you
like the fangirling.

drewstarkey
oh, you caught me. i do
like the fangirling.

azariaraine
i knew it. you're such an
attention hog.

drewstarkey
can you blame me?
anyway, what are you
up to?

azariaraine
just finished making lasagna
and spaghetti for myself and a friend.

drewstarkey
stop. why did you have to
send that photo?
now i really crave spaghetti.

azariaraine
maybe i'll make you
some when i see you
again 🍝

drewstarkey
please, it's like you want me
to be even more excited to see you.

azariaraine
oh i know, i'm just trying to
get you all worked up.

drewstarkey
believe me, you don't have to
try to do that. you already have.

azariaraine
i know. i can tell 😉
let's plan to meet soon. you know,
when you're not a sitting duck
at the airport.

drewstarkey
sounds good. i'll let you get
back to your friend. i'm going
to go sit at the bar and
complain to the bartender until
i get a free drink out of it.

*azariaraine reacted '❤️' to a message*

~~