a/n: (pay no mind to the fictional timeline concerning the order in which artists drop their music. i know it's not corresponding to when these songs were released in real life but i'm makin shit up, this my world now. let me cook lemme cook!)
a month passes in los angeles timing, though it feels like nothing. yet, it feels like everything, too. 4 weeks- around 30 days can make a hell of a difference. and it can also feel like purgatory,
that's what y/n believes. because although one night and one joint can do little at face value, it's the long haul that had her worried. and she felt herself going slowly insane at the fact that she had single handedly convinced herself that abel was unwinding. and not in a good way.
because even though she has only seen her best friend touch weed or alcohol a handful of times throughout the following weeks, she knew it was all too good to be true. or rather, too good to be trusted. she didn't want to be a cynic but she refused to play into the trap of naivety when it came to him.
she struggled with guilt and forgiveness as she over analyzed every move he made in her presence. when he reached for his phone, she looked over his shoulder to make sure he wasn't asking for things he shouldn't be asking for from people he shouldn't be talking to; he never was. she made sure he wasn't picking unnecessary fights with bella or letting his jealous bouts get the best of him; he never was.
when they were at events, one's heavily influenced by drugs that aren't legally regulated, she made sure he wasn't disappearing with suspicious characters; he never was. he only turned his cheek, his dimple digging into one side with a smile as he politely declined.
she waited and waited and then waited some more, anticipating him to slip up in front of her but he never was. and that's where the guilt came in. endless self accusations of her lack of trust and where it stems from. surely her cautionary behavior was valid?
i mean...he has a history. a reputation.
she had hopes her lack of faith in him wasn't blatantly obvious despite how often she was showing up to his manor unannounced, her hand coming up to knock on the door in unwavering determination.
his face appears from behind the door taking in the presence of his number one confidant and coworker yet again, same time as yesterday. his eyes squint with a smile following suit in amusement; she rolls her eyes at the expression.
"hello." she says flatly, making a move to walk past him.
his arm goes up, stopping her, "wait- shit! hide all the blow and hookers!" he fakes over his shoulder.
"oh my god- move." she brushes past his chuckling frame, quickly getting comfortable inside his home. she paces around the foyer before heading past the living room and into his home studio. "in here talkin' to yourself n shit." she flops down on the comfiest studio couch she believes she's ever sat on.
"nuh uh. i got charlie sheen hiding round here somewhere."
"god you are so not funny." she rolls her eyes again, the grin eating her face and a small airy chuckle falling out of the corner of her lips.
"and you are so not subtle. yes, i'm still on my best behavior. you baby sit me more than alfred does." he takes a seat at the chair in front of the board, swiveling around to look at his friend.
