𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 (𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐧)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞

𝐋𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I've been trying to avoid Kaia for the past few days after that interaction with the fans outside of Lino's shop. I don't know what's going on with me or why I reacted the way I did but, I didn't like the feeling the situation left inside of me. Yes, you may say it wasn't anything big and ideally it wasn't but, it's like something unexpected overtook me.

"Hey babe, can you pick a tie? I want to wear this one but I don't think it says I'm going into a meeting about closing a huge deal for the band." my fiancé Robbie spoke distracting me from my thoughts as I stood on the other side of our bedroom.

"Huh?" I asked as I looked over at him. "You okay?" he asked as I finally got out of my own head. "Yeah, sorry, I was just trying to think if I sent in my audition tape yesterday. I was so swept up with Mary-Kate and Ash that I don't think I did it." Robbie nodded before grabbing a black tie and a blue plaid striped tie and dangling them both.

"Which one?" He asked again as I could tell he was beginning to panic. "The black one, the plaid one looks like someone threw up on the tie." I said as he clearly ignored what I said.

I opened my mouth to speak when Robbie grabbed his keys off the nightstand before rushing over to me to give me a kiss. "I'll see you later tonight, I can't be late." He smiled as he headed out of our bedroom. Without a second lapsing he was gone. "I love you." I mumbled seeing as he didn't even say that before he left.

I looked at the time realizing I needed to head out. I was meeting up with Scarlett and Chris for lunch.

.  .  .

I entered the trendy Los Angeles café smiling as I walked in. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the buzz of animated conversations filled the air, creating an atmosphere of bustling creativity.

I looked around before spotting Scarlett and Chris at a corner table, their infectious yet loud laughter making me spot them easily.

"Hey you!" Scarlett waved, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she stood up hugging me. I turned to Chris, hugging him as I smiled settling in a seat beside him.

We began to catch up on all sorts of things, mainly auditions, what was next for us in the Marvel world. We were going to be shooting a new movie soon and I was really excited about it. Mainly because I was tired of the excruciating workouts to get into form for my part.

"So, Lizzie, how are the wedding preparations coming along?" Scarlett asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity. "Well things are going great, the twins and Kaia have been tremendous help. Robbie and I are going cake tasting this week so yeah."

Scarlett just raised her eyebrow as if she was trying to ask for more. "Anything else?"

I opened my mouth to speak but quickly shut it. I won't lie and say I'm not nervous about the whole wedding thing. "When did you know you were ready to marry Colin? Did you have any reservations?" I asked as I looked up at Scarlett.

Chris leaned in, nudging me with his shoulder, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously. "Come on, Lizzie, you know you're going to make it down that aisle. Just don't trip over your own feet." I chuckled, grateful for Chris's lightheartedness, but my mind remained fixed on the question that lingered.

Scarlett's eyebrows furrowed, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. I could sense some suspicion in her eyes, but I pressed on, desperate for guidance. For a little while now, I've been feeling unwarranted feelings and I'm confused on what the hell is going on.

"Well, Lizzie, marriage is a leap of faith," Scarlett finally responded, her voice carrying a gentle wisdom.

"There will always be doubts and uncertainties, but ultimately, it comes down to trusting your heart and believing in the love you share with Robbie. If you don't want to marry him, no one's holding a gun to your head and if you're not ready to tie the knot, you could always hold the wedding off and stay engaged."

I nodded, as my mind swirled with conflicting emotions. "What's got you so spooked all of a sudden? Waiting on Ms. Summer's proposal?" Chris joked trying to lighten the mood but, that only made my head spin more.

I gave him a dry laugh to try and break the tension but, that didn't help.I glanced out the window, the warm California sun casting a golden glow on the bustling streets outside.

.  .  .

I walked along the Venice Beach boardwalk as Kaia and I strolled side by side, our steps synchronized like a well-rehearsed dance.

Laughter spilled effortlessly from our lips, echoing amidst the lively chatter of beachgoers. As the sun began to set over the bustling city of Los Angeles, our laughter mingled with the sound of crashing waves.

It was kind of our thing to just go walking or hiking or something together.

Kaia playfully nudged my shoulder, teasing me about the time I puked at homecoming in front of my then crush, Theo. "Oh, come on, Lizzie. You can't deny that was the funniest thing ever," Kaia said, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

"Okay but, you don't understand what that does to someone, he even texted me after asking if I was okay and that he thought I was going to end up puking up my intestines." Kaia continued laughing which practically turned into wheezing making me playfully roll my eyes.

"It's not that funny." I mumbled as Kaia threw her arm over my shoulder. "Oh don't get all butt hurt Liz, I'm only joking."

I took a deep breath before turning to look at her as the smile on her face was less noticeable. We walked together in comfortable silence before she struck up conversation. "Oh I totally forgot, are you chiming to the party?" Kaia asked as she looked at me shining her toothy grin. "Yeah, why would I miss it?"

"Well you know, you're a big movie star and all so I don't know if you have time for me anymore-" Kaia said jokingly. I stopped, cupping her face in my hands, "I always have time for you." I smiled.

Kaia's arms wrapped around my body and I knew immediately what she was going to do, "No- Kai!" I said before Kaia giggled, picking me up off the ground and spinning around as her giggles filled the air. "Put- me down" I laughed out as she finally set me back on the ground as her hands lingered on me.

"I told you to stop doing that." I pouted as Kaia continued to laugh at me. She turned slightly sympathetic as she noticed I was still pouting.

She snaked her arms around my waist as she looked down at me. "I'm sorry." she said as my green eyes locked onto her brown eyes. I was taken aback by the flutters arising in my stomach as my eyes started to drift off to her eyes before a voice startled us.

"You two are so cute together, it's nice to see young people in love." Kaia and I smiled as the older couple smiled at us passing by.

I couldn't help but to smile to myself as my mind started to imagine how things would be for us as a couple. As they went out of reach further down the pier, Kaia started laughing. I turned to look at her as she smiled.

"Come on." she smiled as we continued to walk. Was it really that funny? We get the comments all the time. "Does it bother you?-" I looked over at Kaia as she walked beside me, her hand brushing against mine. "When people suggest or assume we're dating?"

"Not really- why?"

"Well you just kind of laughed it off over there and thought it was the joke of the year." I said slightly mumbled. "Well I just thought it was funny, there's nothing more to it, we're best friends, it's not that deep." Kaia shrugged.

I couldn't help but to be a bit upset about how she doesn't really seem to care. "Have you ever- " I started. Kai raises an eyebrow waiting for my question but I looked down, not knowing if I really wanted the answer. "Never mind." I said cracking a fake smile.

Why is she so nonchalant and fine or maybe I'm the one doing too much? I don't even know anymore.