hey look, it’s my first one!!! posting wHAT??? actual writing??? unbelievable. thank you @notasdryapricots for tagging me!
ok I’m only sharing a small scene that happens wayyyy later because I’m workshopping a lil TOO much, and if I put any beginning stuff out in the world I’ll never be able to recover. not tagging anyone bc wednesday is over pretty much lol. 💛 anyways enjoy (or not, who cares 😌)
Chelsea climbed into the convertible, fanning a hand in front of her face, the Italian sun already beating down on her heavy layers. “Thanks to you Lu, I don’t think I could ever fly in economy with the plebes ever again.”
“Congratulations, you created a monster,” Marisol chimed as she settled into the backseat — a lot more neatly compared to the blonde who was already sprawling her limbs to stretch.
Opening the passenger door for Este, Lucas blinked at her with an amused smile, “Did she just call me ‘Lu’?”
“Everyone gets cut off by a syllable. Es. Lu, Soli, even herself. Chels. Helps her noggin,” she taps her head twice, “Don’t worry, she’s not in love with you.”
Chelsea called back from the backseat, clearing her throat, “… yet!”
Este rolled her eyes as Lucas buckled himself in and revved the engine. As he began to pull out of the airport, Este lowered her voice, “Um, so I was sort of expecting someone else to come pick us up.”
“—Oh, Henny? He’s coming a few days late. You know him. Backpacking his way.”
A lump settled into her throat, and she tried to wave off the nervousness but luckily Lucas's eyes were on the winding road ahead of them.
“No, I meant Hope,” she deflected quickly.
Lucas’ grip tightened ever so slightly on the wheel before him, but relaxed into its standard position after a few seconds. He remained silent, as if filing through his mind of all the reasons he wanted to give instead of the truth.
“I think what you see is what your answer is.”
Este sighed. Fuck. A heartbroken-in-denial Lucas. This wasn’t anything new to her, it was no wonder that he went all out with the this trip. She turned back to check both girls steadily asleep.
“We’ll talk more later?” She placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling some of his tension leave as she did. He then tightened his jaw and nodded in silence.
“But still — I’m calling it,” she shifted her tone,“You’re banned from Chelsea. No moves, you hear me? I won’t allow it.”
“I cannot abide by those terms, unfortunately.” Any hint of broodiness had left him, with only a playful smirk on lips remaining “How about only verbal flirting, no touching?”
Este scoffed, “I don’t think you can manage it.” she paused, “Neither of you, to be honest.”
“You owe me one for setting you up last year!”
She slumped in her seat, “That was different.”
Lucas awkwardly cleared his throat, “We’re gonna have to talk about that, too. Before he comes, you know.”
“Only if you talk about Hope.”
He glanced at her for a moment, as if wanting to say more. He shook it off once a snore erupted from behind them. Whatever he wanted to say, it was going to be when they were alone. Lucas was outgoing and charismatic, sure, but his emotions were sealed tightly. More so than Este herself, and that said entirely too much.
“So, deal?”
“Deal.”
A moment passed before Este felt Lucas shooting glances in her direction.
“Fine! Verbal flirting ONLY. If I see anything past an arm around a shoulder, I'll put you in a dog kennel.”
“Sounds kinky.” He grinned back teasingly. If Este didn’t know him as well as she did, she might’ve just blushed right there on the spot. Maybe she did. Just a little.
y’all, I feel like I’m getting closer and closer to at least publishing a prologue-ish chapter, but your pal is losing momentum and I’m trying my best to get back on track. but here’s a snippet for you because @nerdferatum tagged me (ty for always bullying me 💗)
She didn’t want the moment to end. She drinked in his lingering gazes, silently egging her on. She enjoyed the suspense, got drunk off of it even. It was that perfect hazy level of intoxication, and if she had one more drop in the form of another look of his — she would be left with a hangover for days. Wrecked and motionless, with regrets ebbing and flowing, slowly being replaced with a strange satisfaction.
Every bone in her body knew what was to come next. A feeling far too familiar. She’d sit at the bar with one hand tracing circles on the counter-top, a nondescript beer in the other. In the stool beside her, a pair of soft but needing eyes glancing at her between small sips and awkward breaths. The attention she craved and gladly reaped the benefits of.
But this was different. Or at least it felt that way.
The weeks had flown by in ever-growing anticipation and she still couldn’t decipher whether this was purely lust... or intrigue... all of it combined... or something else entirely.
not tagging anyone because it’s late-ish, but if you see this and get the thought to share something—this is your sign!!!!! post it and say I tagged you to do it 💛
2k words only though, and were originally outlined as a pt. 2, but once again, I do not know how to write in order 😌
(please tell me I’m not the only one who suffers from this. this is literally why I never post writing bc I don’t know beginnings. only middles and ends ashdhfg)
