the prettiest star,, timothée chalamet

irl

The party was loud. Friends of all three of the girls came as they drank away.

Tashi was drunk out of her mind talking to some girl. They were in the kitchen cooking food and constantly forgetting the stove was on, leading to them repeatedly burning themselves.

Soleil just blew out the candles with everyone around her singing her happy birthday. Now everyone was playing games, taking, and just being kids. It was a nice sight to see. A baby was probably being procreated somewhere.

Mishti was making sure the apartment stayed clean while Soleil was on the coach calling Timothée.

"I need rescuing," she joked as she hugged her legs. "Badly."

"Ah, but it's your birthday," he reassured. "You should be having fun."

"I was. Until about a few minutes ago when I realized how tired I am and how low my social battery is." A few people passed her by and greeted her hello and happy birthday before walking away. "These people came for the free food and booze. Can't say I blame 'em cause Lord knows I've done that before but still—"

"You'd rather be cooped up in your room writing your book than be there?" he finished. She nodded before remembering he couldn't see her. "How is that book of yours going by the way?"

Soleil gulped. "It's... going."

"Such an amazing answer, Birdie. Very informative."

"Oh, shush," she giggled. "It's good. It... actually might get picked up by a publisher."

"What?" he yelled so loudly the call became laggy.

"Jesus, Tim," she laughed. "You sounded just like Tashi and Mishti when they found out."

"Why am I finding out just now?" From the sound of it, he was running. Running really fast.

"I didn't want to get your hopes up. The plan isn't fully confirmed yet so if it gets pulled—"

"Which it won't."

"—it'll be awkward having to explain that to everyone. Especially you."

"Me?" he sounded almost sadden to hear that. His emotion would've been much clearer if he wasn't so out of breath. "Why me?"

"Because!" she laughed as the music around her grew louder. "You were there when I got the idea for the book. You saw me obsess over my writing and get excited when people told me they loved my work. You were there for it all."

I wanted to be there for all of it. But I wasn't. Not all. "So?"

"I wanted to be fully sure it was getting published before I told you. The cats outta the bag but, hey, at least I tried." Soleil ran her hand through her hair as she sighed, listening to him breathe.

"Society Killed The Teenager, right? That was the name of it?" Timothée heard her clear her throat.

"Yeah, still is. I know you thought it was dumb back then but it fits the story and I couldn't think of anything better."

"I love it, Birdie. I've always loved everything you do," he sighed. "You started that book when we were kids and from what I've read in the past, it was fucking amazing. I know you've only excelled as a writer since then 'cause you're that fucking cool. Those publishers would be crazy if they didn't publish your work. I'd do it myself if I could. Ah, I'm rambling, I know, but I just wanna say: I'm proud of you. I really am."

Soleil's heart fluttered. "Thanks, Tim. It means a lot."

"And if you could come out of your apartment and meet me outside that'd be great 'cause my God is it cold."

Soleil jumped out of her seat. "What?"

"I'm giving you an excuse to leave the party, you dildo." Timothée laughed as he shivered, hugging himself.

Before she could respond to the phallic nickname she ran out her door and scurried down the flights of stairs, forgetting elevators existed.

It took her running down five flights of stairs to finally give up and find an elevator.

She ran outside the door, ignoring the bell boy to find Timothée wearing a black puffer jacket and baggy jeans, talking to his mom in the car parked on the sidewalk. His back was faced to her but once Soleil made eye contact with his mother, she shoved him back making him turn to meet Soleil's eyes. They were a few feet away from each other as Nicole kept swatting her hands in the air, motioning him to go to her. Soleil laughed as she bent down, catching her breath.

As the boy walked closer to her she lifted her pointer finger up in the air, signaling him to slow down.

"Just, gimme a sec," she huffed a large sigh between each breath.

"Did you... run down here?" he questioned, admiring her. She nodded profusely as she stood straight up. "Y'know elevators exist right?"

"And I'm going back into the building," she joked as she quickly turned back around, heading for the door. She would've made it all the way if it wasn't for Timothée wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. He picked her up and brought her back onto the sidewalk, not letting go. People stared and judged but they didn't care. They were the only ones who had to cherish this moment.

"I missed you, Birdie," he mumbled in her hair as he placed his chin on her shoulder. Soleil slowly wrapped her arms around his and hummed.

"It's only been a few weeks, you dildo," she laughed.

"Yeah, well, I'm including the years we lost connection so for me, it's been an eternity."

"Hi, Soleil!" Nicole called from the car. The pair laughed as Timothée helped spin the girl around, letting them both face the car while not moving from their positions.

"Hey, Nicole! It's been a while!"

"It sure has!" she replied.

"I've seen your magazines, y'know. Some are very provocative," she jokingly wagged her finger.

Soleil innocently shrugged. "What can I say? They pay the bills."

"I bet they do," Nicole added. "Y'know, Timmy missed you all those years when you left Hell's Kitchen. He cried and cried—"

"Bye, Ma!" Timothée interrupted, making the two walk backward into the building. Soleil resisted and tried walking closer to her car.

"No, no, let me hear the rest of that story," she urged. Timothée was stronger than that and picked her up, placing her directly in front of the automatic doors. The two bellboys stared but didn't comment.

They discussed a bit more before Nicole had to go, leaving the two in the freezing cold.

Timothée moved his head back in forth into Soleil's back like a horse as they walked in. "Mind if I stay at your place?"

"You wanna stay in that dump? Especially after a party?"

"C'mon," Timothée assured, "I'd stay in the Bronx if it meant staying with you."

Soleil scoffed. "Wow, I must really mean something to you if you'd go all the way to the Bronx for me."

"Of course," Timothée cooed.