𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐈 | 𝐂𝐋𝟏𝟔

𝐗𝐗

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February 25th 2023

ZAHRA NICHOLS

Keir and I found ourselves standing with a small group of reporters from our team as the airport buzzed around us.

"Alright, everyone, boarding passes," Anderson announced as he approached us, holding a stack of boarding passes. He seemed entirely unfazed by the insanely loud and crowded airport. 

"Row 23: Cox, Nguyen, Hansen, Parker," he said, handing each reporter their boarding pass. "Row 22: Walsh, Nichols, and myself."

I took my boarding pass and slipped it into my bag. We still had some time before we could check in, but the terminal was so crowded, we didn't find any seats. Instead, we walked over to a quieter corner and leaned against a wall.

"Alright, let's kill some time. Top three things your mom has done that still make you laugh." Keir suggested.

I smirked, already thinking of a few contenders. "Okay, number one: she once did a tarot reading to a guy that I brought home. It wasn't pleasant,"

Keir burst out laughing, shaking his head. "That's brilliant. My mum once tried to surprise my dad with a new recipe and ended up setting off the fire alarm. We had to eat out that night."

"Nice," I said, chuckling. "Number two: she has a crystal collection on display in the hallway, she's really proud of it. And she knocked over the entire thing trying to kill a fly,"

Keir chuckled. "My mum has a thing for giving life advice at the worst possible times. Like, right before a big exam or a date."

I laughed again. "Moms are the best. Okay, last one: she once tried to use a dating app to find me a boyfriend. It was a complete disaster."

Keir's eyes widened, and he laughed so hard he had to clutch his side. "Oh man, that's gold. My mom once tried to fix me up with her friend's daughter. It was the most awkward dinner ever."

"So, do you think Anderson ever smiles?" I asked, glancing over at Anderson, who was busy on his phone a few feet away.

Keir shook his head, still grinning. "I doubt it. He probably practices looking serious in the mirror every morning. But hey, maybe we'll be the ones to make him laugh."

"Challenge accepted," I said with a wink.

We'd arrived in Bahrain later that evening, the warm desert air greeting us as we stepped off the plane. Keir and I shared a cab to our hotel, where we discovered we both struggled with sleeping alone in new places. It quickly led us to book a connecting room—far enough to maintain our boundaries, yet close enough so that if I ever wake up in the middle of the night, I'd be greeted to the sight of Keir asleep. God I can't wait to see if he snores.

Our rooms were spacious, with large windows giving us a stunning view of the city skyline. After a quick unpacking session, I collapsed onto the bed, scrolling through the email Anderson had sent us with the week's schedule.

Keir appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame. "No free days and almost daily meetings. Anderson's really not giving us a break, is he?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Not at all. Oh look, Anderson's taking the team out for lunch tomorrow,"