new year's day [h.s.]

Four

"I love the way you're breaking my heart,

And I can't stand to see you leaving lonely."

SONG: Crash My Car // COIN

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— Harry —

It's Tuesday and I'm nervous.

Why the fuck am I nervous?

I spent the majority of the last few days sitting around Graham and Sierra's place, keeping their cat, Ivy, company while they both either worked or slept. She was a bit skittish at first, but I think I've made myself a new fluffy best friend. This might be because I've started to give her a treat or two every time she starts excessively meowing for no reason, but nonetheless, she's become a nice little lap warmer while I try to keep myself entertained.

I could think of a better lap warmer though.

Saturday evening was spent at the Galaxy match with the two lovers and... the other two lovers, Mattie and Marcus. It was nice getting to know them more, though I found myself mostly talking to Mattie, seeing as her boyfriend was a bit busy yelling down at the pitch. I quickly learned the only reason she tagged along was because one of the defenders is on her "hall pass" list, not because she cares much for football. Minnesota quickly established and maintained a commanding lead through the entire match, so the ride home wasn't much fun – Graham proceeded to "ban" me from all future matches because I was "bad luck."

Was I going to tell him that it didn't look like they stood a shot at making the playoffs anyway? Nope.

Other than meeting up with a couple of people that worked on the Don't Worry Darling set and bringing Graham lunch at work with Sierra, Ivy and I spent a considerable amount of time on the couch. I learned that Eden's got a thing for documentaries, so I binge-watched all the ones on Netflix that seemed even remotely interesting. I've never really been one to sit down and do that, finding it difficult to keep still and stay focused, but after watching two series about different serial killers, I was just about glued to the TV.

Suffice to say, white men in America have some issues.

All of that brings me here, sitting in a car and heading back toward Graham's from downtown. I just left a dinner with my co-star, having only previously met over a video call with our director and wanting to get to know her better before leaving for the retreat. I had initially invited her to join us all for drinks, but she got a text at the end of our meal from some of her own friends and bowed out.

I open up my phone to call Graham as my driver pulls onto the highway, hearing a couple rings before his voice is booming in my ear.

"H! You guys on your way?"

"S'just me, actually. Her friends had the same idea as we did, so she's off meeting with them. Can I assume from the background noise that you lot are already out?" I ask, brushing my free hand through my hair before glancing out at the other cars on the road.

"Me and the boss lady - ow, it was a joke, angel! - are at The Twisted Tit, yeah. Figured we'd grab a drink or two here, then move to one of the pubs with live music once Damien can come with," he tells me, pulling away from the phone to say something unintelligible to Sierra.

"And uh... the others?" I ask, pinching my bottom lip between my thumb and index finger before telling my driver to head to the bar instead of their place. I glance down, smoothing a hand over my black button-down while I wait for Graham to give me an answer.