"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.
--
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Flashback (February 2021)
Gracie sat alone at the bar, nursing her drink, feeling a mix of restlessness and frustration. It had been a challenging day, and she needed an outlet for her emotions. As she glanced around the dimly lit room, her eyes fell upon a stranger named Hayes (she'd heard him say his name to the bartender), sitting a few stools away.
Curiosity got the best of her, and Gracie struck up a conversation with Hayes. They exchanged pleasantries and gradually began discussing their personal lives. In her intoxicated state, Gracie found herself venting about her girlfriend, August, and her struggles with alcohol.
"You know, Hayes, it's just so hard sometimes," Gracie slurred, her words tinged with a hint of bitterness. "August has this drinking problem, and it feels like she's always drowning her sorrows. I try to help, but it's like she doesn't want to change."
Hayes listened attentively, nodding sympathetically. "That sounds really tough. It's not easy to watch someone you care about struggle with addiction."
"Yeah, it's like I'm constantly on the sidelines," Gracie continued, her voice tinged with frustration. "I feel helpless. I want to be there for her, but it feels like she's slipping away."
As the conversation continued, Gracie found solace in sharing her concerns with Hayes. The alcohol blurred her judgment, making her more vulnerable and open than she would have been otherwise. She divulged her worries, fears, and frustrations, seeking validation and understanding.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Gracie, August was immersed in the world of the Dickinson set, fully absorbed in her work. She had no idea that her girlfriend was at a bar, pouring her heart out to a stranger about their struggles. August had been dealing with her own challenges, striving to balance her demanding career and personal battles.
The hours slipped away, and Gracie's alcohol-induced haze deepened. Her complaints about August's drinking problem turned into a stream of frustration and despair. The more she drank, the more she became entangled in her own emotions, lost in the momentary solace that the alcohol seemed to provide.
Little did Gracie know that her actions would have consequences beyond that night. The words she shared with Hayes, the vulnerability she exhibited, would cast a shadow on her relationship with August. The trust that had been slowly eroding between them would be further tested when the truth came to light.
But for now, in the dimly lit bar, Gracie drowned her sorrows, seeking temporary relief from the complexities of her relationship. August remained unaware, completely focused on her own battles, unaware of the storm brewing in the heart of the person she loved.
"Do you want to dance?" Gracie suddenly asked over the music.
Hayes furrowed his eyebrows, but didn't get a chance to respond before Gracie pulled him to his feet. Gracie and Hayes found themselves swept up in the energetic atmosphere of the crowded bar. The music pulsed through their bodies, filling them with a sense of freedom and abandon. In the dimly lit space, they moved together, their bodies swaying in sync to the rhythm.
