SHINING STAR II OUTER BANKS CAST II REAL LIFE

rumors

"We're fine, are we?", Chase asks me as soon as I've opened the door for him. I didn't know he would stop by and I especially didn't expect him to be worried about our friendship. Yet here we are and it feels weird to stand in front of him. It's been two weeks since my friends have organized this break up party for me and Chase and I haven't spoken since then. 

It's been so weird between us but no one was mature or courageous to begin a conversation. Of course, I've missed him. Now that I see him again I know that I've missed just being around him or simply grabbing a pizza together or drink a glass of wine on my balcony and talk to him. I know why we've been so distant but both of us were too shy to speak of it. 

"Of course we are", I nod smiling at him politely. This feels so weird. I would never smile at him politely. I'd always make a bad joke or anything else that belongs just us. But people have been sharing this rumour about Chase and I saying our friendship has led to the ending of his and my relationship and now it's just the two of us.. This is so stupid. 

"You haven't spoken to me in two days." I know, Chase, I know. It was killing me not to speak to him. Chase and I have grown so close over the past years and we got even closer when him and Madelyn broke up. We've met each other almost everyday since then. So when we stopped to spend this much time together so suddenly, I felt like I wasn't completed. Something's been missing. 

"We both know why it's been so weird, right?", I speak my thoughts out loud, "On three?" "One, two, three", Chase starts counting. "The rumors." "Austin." "What?", I exclaim after we've said something completely different. Austin? Why would he mention Austin? Austin and I have kissed more than three years ago, that's it. Crazy.. I didn't accidently flirt with Austin.. did I? Weird.. 

"You've clearly been flirting in the evening at your party. It seemed like you'd be having fun in the night." "No", I shake my head heavily looking at him with wide eyes, "Why would that even matter? Have you really not been speaking to me for two weeks because you thought that Austin and I made out?" 

"No", Chase quickly denies, "I mean.. halfway. I've heard about some rumours and I knew you didn't break up with Rudy for Austin but I could tell that he wouldn't be a bad choice to make you forget about your worries. You've been flirting at the party." "So what?", I raise my eyebrow. What is he trying to tell me? "The rumors were either it's me or Austin and I didn't want the fans to believe that I would butt in your relationship. You seemed like you were glad about a break."

"I wasn't glad about not seeing you, dumbass", I scrunch obviously feeling differently than how he thought I'd feel, "I was trying to do my best as long as I can and ignore rumors as much as possible." "You could have talked to me anyways", Chase states but his voice softens, "But I'm sorry for not talking to you either." "I'm sorry, too", I sigh heavily and let Chase pull me into a tight hug. Yeah, definitely missed this.

Chase and I luckily managed to ignore any bad comments about our friendship and cherish it instead. We finally started to meet on a regular basis again. I kind of see Chase more than Drew or Austin. Chatting on the balcony with a glass of wine of going for a walk with Milo is what we enjoy the most at the moment. 

We were about to go for a round of kart go kart racing when people were staring at us so we knew that we'd have to be at home in order to stay away from rumours. This is actually driving me insane as we cannot even enjoy our free time to the fullest but it also gives me more time to work on my music or call my parents back home which I did a lot more thanks to Chase. It's working out just fine at the moment. 

Chase and I have helped each other to find ourselves again after going through such a sad breakup each of us. Madelyn seems to be over Chase. I think he's also over her, it's just that he's quite senstive when it comes to people he used to share his life with. Just like me. I need a lot more time to get over Rudy and I when he's already been going out with Elaine after a few days. I've been surprised but not hurt. It wouldn't hurt me.

"How was your date?", I ask Chase interestedly when I open the door for him on a wednesday afternoon. Drew and Austin are out and I'm just in our living room watching a movie. I knew he'd be on a date so I'm surprised that Chase would come here afterwards. Doesn't look like it went well. "Well.. let's say I've found out a lot about some random tiktokers. Not that I've been interested in that." 

"Sorry, bud", I chuckle lightly, "Come on, grab yourself a glass of wine and sit down to watch the bachelor with me." "That's almost as bad as some random tiktokers", Chase mumbles and takes not only a glass but the full bottle with him. "This bad?", I ask Chase surprised. "She asked me if we could do a tiktok together, on our first date may I add. So yes, this bad. Just buy a new bottle of wine. It's not like you don't you made subscription anyways." 

"Hey, don't let this out on me", I laugh as he's taking my glass and holding it higher than I can reach so I lean over him trying to get my glass back. "Chase", I complain laughing, "I've told you before that she won't be a good option. You didn't want to listen to me." "Don't act like I'm a kid", Chase taunts me holding my glass even higher so I support myself by pressing my hand on his upper leg as I'm trying to get my glass back. 

"I didn't do anything. I only knew she's too young for you stubborn dumbass. You wanted to go on this date so desparetely as if you'd still miss Madelyn." Chase looks at me surprised and lowers his arm automatically so I take this chance to finally grab it but I land on Chase upper body.. this is close.. a little too close for friends. 

I feel Chase' breath on my neck and slowly lean back as Chase seems to watch exactly what I'm doing. "Sorry for mentioning Mads", I quickly apologize. Chase shrugs pretending as if nothing has happened. Yeah, right.. This night, the words start popping in my head and I begin writing as soon as Chase leaves.