Holliewood (Completed)

chapter ten

I found early mornings to be quite soothing, especially around six am. The fresh breeze of a new day, coupled with the cold air sweeping my face had been my favourite sensation growing up. I also loved how the peaking light from the rising sun would wash away any darkness in its path.

I often found myself overlooking the city from my balcony poolside. The skies were washed with a hue of dark orange and blue, and tiny circular lights moved through the city.

After coming back from the club, I managed to get three hours of sleep in and alcohol was the reason for that.

♪ Sunrise on the city of Angels
Every day more friends are feelin' like strangers
But you and me always feel right
Gotta go home but I'll see you in the mornin'♫

As Tinashe's beautiful voice softly echoed from my Bluetooth speaker, I relaxed with a blunt dangling from my lips, watching smoke trails vanish into the air. In that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility, the most peaceful I had felt in a while.

Time seemed to rush by, which made sense given the phrase "living life in the fast lane." My lane was particularly speedy, with unexpected bumps, including the incident at Q's place. Although people had practically stopped discussing it, I found myself dwelling on it whenever I had a moment to think. I wasn't sure if it constituted as trauma, but I simply couldn't shake it off.

I shook my head at it all. I was bound to a one-year contract? I still found it hard to believe. And the fact it was a relationship contract at that. Me? Holliane? I had to put on a show for the whole world to see with a man I barely knew.

I heard the sliding door open behind me, and with that, I flinched and looked back. He was up. He had on his sweat shorts and his dreadlocks were tied above his head. I quickly adjusted my white spaghetti top and loose shorts. I didn't need anything peeking out.

"Sorry for scaring you," Raymond weakly chuckled, "why are you up so early?"

"Drank too much, so I woke up to a little bit of nausea," I informed him, "was the music too loud?"

"Nah, not at all. I woke up for some water," he sat down beside me.

I took another pull from the blunt, focusing on the view ahead. The music played in silence until he spoke again.

"You came out here to think?"

"No," I shook my head, turning to look at him. That was a lie.

His eyes looked somewhat sleep deprived. I don't know how to explain it, but if it were up to me I'd tell him to go back to bed. Based on how comfortable he was making himself, I doubt he'd be going back to sleep soon.

"You know what noticed about you? You're in your own little world sometimes," he stated.

"I am?"

"Yeah, and that's not to say you're not present or anything, but I feel like you probably think a lot. Sometimes it wouldn't hurt to share your thoughts."

I finished my blunt with a final long pull and placed the remnants in an ashtray, "the last time I shared my thoughts I offended you."

"At the studio?"

"Mhm"

"Nah, not really," he remembered

"I don't know. It might happen again."

"So you're saying you've been thinking about me all this time?" He smiled as if he was impressed

"Boy, please. It's not even like that," I rolled my eyes as he smiled.