Los Angeles

Jackie

I run a hand through his hair and lock my ankles behind him. Everything about this feels right and I now realize why my mom made us meet in the first place. It wasn't just fate, it was suppose to happen.

The anxiety goes away I and I no longer have the erge to bother my wrist anymore. Even though fame doesn't thrill me, who says he doesn't?

Nic

My thoughts get ahead of me, and some foreign part of me stirs up a minuscule cloud of guilt within my chest. Reluctantly, I pull back and plant a kiss on her forehead before resting mine against hers. I keep my eyes closed, wet my lips, and try to think of how to word what I want to say.

"I truly never thought I'd say something like this before, so feel special," I whisper, "but it might be best if we took things slowly."

If we don't, I'm afraid you'll just end up like the others, no matter how impossible that seems now...

Jackie

I nod and smile at him, proud, "I find it funny, because I was just testing you to see how far you'd go with me. You passed," I chuckle.

Nic

I narrow my eyes at her playfully before pecking her cheek. With a sigh, I close my eyes again and just allow myself to relax. A weird kind of comfort comes with the silence, but the fatigue from before returns a bit too soon.

"So, like, sleep now?" I ask.

Jackie

I nod and sigh, taking his hand and leading him over to the bed. I kiss him on the cheek and lie down, pulling him with me and closing my eyes. I bury my face in his chest, tired too.

Nic

Before I lie down, I kick my shoes off and yawn. I keep my arms around her and find it surprisingly more comfortable than I remember to cuddle with someone. Not that I'd admit it, of course.

"Hey, you know what we should do tomorrow?" I whisper, eyes closed. "My brother needs a life, more specifically a girlfriend, and it bugs the absolute crap out of him when I play matchmaker. So we should definitely get your friend and him together. And then he can't nag me for not being where I'm supposed to be all day, 'cause I don't plan on being there."

Alan

To say The Grove shopping village was busy would be a total understatement. The establishment was packed with men, women and children of all ages, mostly exceptionally well off, who browsed the wares of the many stores within its walls. Despite the chaotic rush many of the Los Angeles citizens appeared to be in, my day had been somewhat uneventful, not a single criminal had I nor CCTV spotted in the past 6 hours, and I found myself slowly becoming on edge- as if something was about to happen. I shook my head to rouse me from my suspicion and paranoia; perhaps this was just a beautiful day in Beverly Hills (though it was never perfect) and no malice hung in the air.

Since it was edging close to noon- my lunch break- I decided to quickly treat myself in the Grove's lobby, to get my shoes looking much more presentable after the countless scuffs that had been caused by clumsy visitors.

The white marble floor was spotless as always, and my friend Ryan was serving the register, his blown-back silver hair and black-rimmed designer glasses always his signature style.
"What do I owe the pleasure of my favourite security guard?" he laughed, moving from behind the till.

"Nothing special Ryan, just a quick buff 'n shine for after my lunch break."

"Certainly, I'll call for Roseline, if you would just kindly take a seat and we'll start."

"Oh, what's the charge?"

"None for you today Mr Miles; I would hate for Ralph Lauren himself to see the state they're in!"

We both laughed heartily.

Jackie

I nod and sigh, "Rayah too. She's...I don't know how to explain it. But, if we set them up won't Jace get mad?"

Nic

I shrug without thinking, keeping my eyes closed. My mind travels back to the last time I tried something like that with Jace, and I can't help but smile. When my smirk fades, I release a sigh and shrug again.

"He might be," I say, "but it'll be worth it."

Jackie

I nod and keep my eyes closed, yawning and slowly drifting off. He's one of the people that I know will always make me happy. Just like Rayah, but a different kind, of Course.

Nic

She doesn't speak again, and after a while I open my eyes to find her asleep. Flashing a smile, I study her features for a moment more before closing my eyes. Slowly, I slip into slumber, and for once I'm sure there will be no dreams. My mind doesn't speed ahead like it usually does, and instead takes a route less traveled.

Jackie

I wake the next morning, atop him, and smile inwardly. My eyes flutter and I take a deep breath, cuddling into him more. His hands are low, on my jeans, and I chuckle inwardly once more but dont move his hands. If he wants them there, he can keep them there.

Nic

Before I wake, I sprawl out and bury myself beneath the blankets and pillows. When I open my eyes, I find myself somewhere I don't recognize for a moment and then remember. I yawn and stretch, twisting myself around to find Jackie close and already awake. With a light smile, I move to lie with my head in her lap and take out my phone.

"Morning," I mumble, turning it on.

I only do it to make sure Jace isn't scouring the city for me, knowing he would. Actually, knowing him... he might just pop in.

Jackie

I smile, looking down at him, "Morning," I whisper, smoothing his hair back, "You should call Jace over so we can play matchmaker."

Nic

I nod and yawn again, scrolling through my messages until I come across the few from him. Texting him back, I let him know where I am but tell him to give me an hour or so. I don't want to share my time with anyone but Jackie right now, and I definitely don't want to share her. Even if we're just going to play matchmaker. Jace can wait.

"He's got stuff to do," I tell Jackie. "He'll be here in an hour or so."