Babushka ✔, Valkyrae

35. he smiled

35. he smiled

'Wow.' Rae took a deep breath as she stepped outside her balcony. 'This is so beautiful. I love this weather.'

Jack, Brooke and Nade all smiled at the girl who for the first time in the trip had spoken something. The 100T team had finally arrived at Washington and had pre booked a villa to stay for the weekend. Jack had been narrating and illustrating details about his hometown and everyone else were intently listening.

'I know right!' Jack said rubbing his hands for some warmth, 'This weather is at the best time. It's just the right amount of cold with the sunny. Oh, how much I missed my home town. Argh.'

Everyone chuckled at the dramatic Jack and soon withdrew to their rooms. Rae was sharing one with Brooke for the weekend and then once they'd be done shooting for their videos, Rae would leave to stay at Imane's house which was a half hour drive away. Janet would directly arrive there but only a day prior to Imane's birthday because she was a bit preoccupied.

Things were much better and lighter in Rae's head now that the she was in a different place and she could feel the soft vibes of Washington soothe her anxious mind.

'So you've settled?' Imane asked over the call as Rae sat on the lawn chair with a hot mug of chocolate. 'Everything good?'

'Yes yes, Imo. Everything's perfect. And we're all resting for today. Nade says we'll be shooting early in the morning.' Rae explained, relaxing in the evening breeze.

'Well, perfect then.' Imane beamed from the other end. 'You could join us for dinner!'

'What?'

'Yes. You'll be shooting tomorrow right? And Alex is out for a meeting tonight, so it'll just be the two of us today. Oh, Rae, I'm literally dying to see you here!'

Rae chuckled, as she watched Jack sleep like a log in the living room while Brooke watching a sitcom on TV. Everyone were resting from the tiring road trip they just finished.

'Um, I'll ask Nade.' Rae said, as she calmed Imane's excitement. 'And you better pick me up from here cause I'm definitely losing my way.'

'Yes bitch.' Imane chuckled, as Rae finished her chocolate. 'This is going to be good. Imma cry.'

'Oof. And people call me dramatic.'

'It is what it is.'

The phone call ended on another loud excited cheer from Imane and a chuckle following suit from Rae. It was after months that Rae was meeting Imane and it felt like an eternity that they stayed apart.

Which was a little exaggerated way to say it, but nevertheless it was true.

As much as Rae wanted to believe that everything happens for a reason, even the stupid break-up she had to go through twice, Rae felt a little pang in her heart. Just something missing, something she couldn't place her finger at.

But she soon would.

_

'Okay. Geez.'

But Imane just couldn't not stop hugging Rae, and no amount of Rae's pleadings would stop Imane from squeezing her best friend to death.

The moment Imane took the low spirited Rae in her warm soothing arms, the latter felt like ten times better already. For the first minute she hugged Imane back, finding the familiar daisy scent bring a sense of home to her. However the next minute Rae could feel herself tearing up already.

She didn't wanna cry again now. And now bore Imane with her unending sob stories.

'Imane!' Rae said, trying to be loud but it just came off as a faint whisper.