"I really want to kiss you right now."
"Then do it."
"I can't."
--
In which Gracie Abrams watches Stranger things and ends up stalking the newest cast member.
Or
In which August isn't ready and Gracie would wait a lifetime for her.
--
Social Media...
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July (flashback)
The field that she was sat in was probably August's second favourite place to be in the world. Her first being in Gracie's arms, where she was also right now.
She had bought an apartment in Hollywood, half an hour away from Gracie, just so she could visit whenever she wanted. An apartment that has now been forgotten.
Gracie had her arms wrapped securely around August's waist as she stared up at the stars. August, despite being the taller of the two, was cuddled into her side, head on her chest. Gracie was murmuring the constellations that she could see as August just watched her.
She was going to choose Gracie, there was no doubt about it. She was going to choose Gracie when she was ready.
Bran's touch was never this soft. Bran never made her feel safe. They never had moments to themselves when they went on dates.
Gracie was the one that she wanted, and she was okay with that. But was Gracie? Did Gracie want August the way August wanted Gracie?
"Hey, Gracie?" August pulled herself out of her grip as they both sat up, facing each other. Gracie rose her eyebrow in acknowledgment, willing August to continue, "I- I really... You know."
"I don't," Gracie frowned.
August didn't know how to say it, so she didn't. She did What Sawyer did. She leaned forward and captured Gracie's lips with hers. The singer didn't kiss back, August didn't blame her. She knew first hand how shocking it felt to be kissed suddenly, and pulled away, looking at Gracie, who was now as ridged as stone.
The actress took in a deep breath and spoke, "I'm not ready for a relationship yet. Will you wait for me?"
She didn't see the faint nod of Gracie's head and she deflated.
A beat passed, then another before August couldn't breathe being so close to Gracie anymore, "I'm gonna go. I'm- im sorry. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have- I'm sorry."
Gracie was too drunk on the kiss to realise why August was running away. Too drunk on it to hear her apologies. The only thing she could hear was her heart beating in her chest. A dopey smile graced her face (no pun intended) as she touched her lips, her crush had just kissed her.
August had just kissed her and chosen her.
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Present
August laid across Conan's legs, staring up at the ceiling. She breathed out a sigh and turned to him, "I'm gonna audition for something."
"Nope," He denied.
August found herself whining in annoyance, "But, Conan-"
"No. You need a break."
"I've had a break."
"For like two weeks in August."
The actress sighed in annoyance, knowing that he was right. She'd been working non-stop since November 2016. Now she has a bunch of interviews lined up. Actually, she should be getting ready for them now.
After realising that, she got up and rushed to change into the outfit that had been lined up on her bed. Conan offered to do her hair and makeup, which she was beyond grateful for, and there was a honking outside. She kissed Conan on the cheek before going down and getting into the car that was waiting for her.
The ride was silent. Her driver wasn't much for conversation and so she just took to messaging Conan instead.
Her first interview was with Ellen, which she was not looking forward to at all, but then her second was with Caleb and Sadie at WIRED and her last was alone again with Jimmy Fallon.
Ellen tried her hardest to make August uncomfortable, but the brunette had studied her enough to know what she was going to do and when she was going to do it. So when a clown popped out from the table, August didn't flinch and continued talking.
Ellen hid her shock well and moved on swiftly. August only faltered when she brought up Bran and she knew Ellen noticed because the grilling didn't stop until the end of the interview. She was more than happy to leave as she waved as the screaming fans and left the stage.
She met up with Sadie and Caleb an hour later, only to be attacked by the redhead immediately.
"Hey!"
"A PR relationship, really, August?" Sadie asked.
August looked like a deer caught in headlights, "What?"
"Oh, please. I'm not stupid. You like what's yours to be yours and you're always seen with Bran- Caleb, would you stop that?"
The actor shrugged unapologetically.
"Couples are seen together, Sadie," August found herself defending their fake relationship.
Sadie rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Yes, but not every week. And your photos look so staged, how has no one called you out on this?"
August sighed, accepting defeat, and lowered her voice, "You can't tell anyone, okay? I mean it, he'll sue me. I can't deal with a lawsuit."
"We won't, but-"
"But Gracie," Caleb squinted, "Does she know?"
The look in August's eye gave them their answer, "I can't tell anyone. Not even my sister, guys. If I could have told her, I would have."
