LABYRINTH | Scarlett Johansson x Daughter

32 | happy new year.

Feeling hopeful, I make my way into Scarlett's kitchen, phone in hand and shoes already on.

Being New Years Eve, she invited a few friends around to celebrate this evening with which is the reason behind her spending the last half an hour perfecting a cheese board.

She also has a friend who's going to be staying here for the remainder of the weekend due to the fact she's not originally from New York.

I was also told I could invite some friends of my own over too, but Gracie already had plans with friends from her school, Marty is spending it with Asha, and when I mentioned that I would ask Oliver, despite the fact he's also grounded and it would most likely be a hard no from his parents, Scarlett withdrew her offer pretty much instantly.

Her disliking of him could not be more obvious.

"Do you need any help?" I offer, tucking my hands in the pocket of the red puffer jacket I once again am borrowing from her.

"I'm okay thank you, sweetheart," she says, a warm smile on her lips as she lifts her gaze to mine.

"That's okay. I might just uh...I'm going to go for a walk to get coffee then. Do you want anything?"

"Ha. Nice try, but you're still grounded," she quirks an eyebrow, leaning over the counter and resting on her elbows.

"Seriously? I thought that was only whilst I was with Sam and Ryan," I groan, my eyebrows drawing together.

"It was for a week, wasn't it? You still have tomorrow left," she reminds me, earning a roll of my eyes in response. "That's stupid, it's New Year's. I shouldn't be grounded."

"Yes, well, you shouldn't be sneaking out to get high either but sometimes, shit happens."
Her tone is playful which sends the message that she's only joking around, but by the blank expression on my face she very quickly picks up on the fact I didn't necessarily appreciate it.

"Kenz, I was only teasing you," she speaks in a softer manner, "if you'd like a coffee I'll drive you, just give me five minutes to finish this off first."

"Okay, thank you," I agree with a single nod, "I'll wait up in my room then."

"Alright, babe. I'll call you when I'm done. We won't be able to be out for very long though because I think Florences plane is about to get in."

"Are we picking her up from the airport?"

"No, she's getting a taxi but I want to be back before she gets here," she informs me with a gentle smile.

I acknowledge her with a nod before taking myself back upstairs and getting comfortable on my bed to open up my messages.

Me:
I tried but it didn't work, sorry. If you can manage to get out tonight I might be able to sneak out the front for a few minutes when everyone is here?

Oliver:
That's alright! I'll see what I can do. My parents have a dozen people over already so after a few drinks they probably won't notice if I slip out for half an hour or so.

Me:
Okay, just let me know :)

I lock my phone as my fingers anxiously tap on the back of case and I stare at the tv screen in front of my bed. There's nothing playing, but my own thoughts are enough to distract me until I'm brought out of my daze by Scarlett's voice a few minutes later.

"Kenz, you ready?" She calls out from downstairs.

With that, I peel myself off my bed and head down to the car. The drive to the nearest Starbucks is fairly quiet. My mind is so preoccupied that I'm barely able to hold a conversation for more than thirty seconds at a time.