No Strings

Lunch

Marina's POV

I wake up to my 12:00 alarm beeping

"Shit.." I mumble, glad that I set it. I knew I'd sleep in.

Honestly, I should've given myself more time. I want to make sure I look good today. Not for her, for me. I do want her to want me, but I need to feel as confident as I can or else I might not function - I can only manage texting her as it is.

I don't know if I'll even be able to speak, let alone make conversation with her. I feel like I maybe shouldn't have agreed.

I decide it's time to get out of bed. I'm going to be rushing. But at least I don't have to worry about my hair when I'm dressed as Electra, I can rely on wigs. And the outfits are easy enough because I have them pre-picked. I want the era to be consistent.

By the time I'm ready, I do kind of feel hungry enough to eat, but also too nervous to. So I skip breakfast and call for a car to come get me so I can eat there.

I'm running a little late, which I like, because it shows her I'm unbothered. Seeming like I don't care will be the easiest way to handle this, and I'm quite good at pretending so hopefully it should go okay.

On the way there, I think about how nervous I am. I don't even know what we're gonna talk about, or if she's gonna bring up our hookup in London. I hope she doesn't. This is the least 'no strings' thing ever.

We pull up and I thank my driver as always. It's weird being driven around but it makes my life a lot easier. There are a few paparazzi outside the restaurant, probably because Lana picked the most expensive celebrity hotspot in L.A. I didn't expect anything less.

I look closer at the paparazzi and see them snapping Lana. She's completely eating it up, and it makes me smile even though I don't want to. She's enjoying the fame, and it's kind of sweet. Soon though, she looks over and sees me. She smiles and gets rid of the paparazzi, then comes over to me.

I feel myself go cold again, but I have to stay composed. So I act like I'm not nervous and just take it as she comes up to me.

"I thought I'd make use of the spare time whilst I was waiting for you. You're late - did it take you all this time to pluck up the courage?" She smirks.

So much for coming across as unbothered.

"If that's what you'd like to believe." I just dismiss it, she pouts a little. "Shall we head in?" I take control of the conversation. It feels good.

"We shall." She replies. Before I can do anything, she takes my arm. I'm about to pull her up on it, because we can't be gay in public. But then I remember it's probably only gay to us and no one suspects anything.

So I just put up with it and shut up, with her leading me in like I'm her bitch.

The paparazzi aren't allowed inside, but they can still take pictures through the window. She seems to have this taken care of though, because our table seems to be away from the window and definitely out of camera-shot.

"Alright, sit down. Let me buy you a drink" she pauses "pay you back for London" she smirks, I roll my eyes

"Just get me a Diet Coke." I wish it wasn't too early for vodka.

"Will do" she smiles then goes up to the bar. If I liked her, I'd say that she was cute just then. But I don't, so I won't.

I have to say, I do like when places let celebrities do normal people things, like going up to the bar instead of waiter service. You can do either, of course. But it's nice to have the choice.