𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐀𝐑𝐈 | 𝐂𝐋𝟏𝟔

𝐗𝐋𝐈𝐗

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August 26th 2024

ZAHRA NICHOLS

I sprawled out on the hotel bed, remote in hand, scrolling through endless options on the TV. The smell of freshly delivered pizza filled the room, the warm, cheesy scent mingling with the faint scent of aftershave on Charles. He was lounging beside me, legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles, looking way too comfortable in my space.

"Oh, they finally have 'Love Island' season six," I said, stopping on the show's thumbnail. "Wanna rewatch?"

Charles glanced over, raising an eyebrow. "Bold of you to assume I watch these things. Like, ever."

I turned to him, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. "See, Charles, now that's where you've made a mistake. Now we have to watch it."

He sighed dramatically, but there was a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. "I'm not sure I can handle that level of drama and freakiness."

"Oh, come on," I teased, poking him in the ribs. "You live for drama, and it's not that freaky."

He laughed, shaking his head. "Fine. But if I start losing brain cells, it's on you."

I hit play, and the intro music filled the room. As the opening montage rolled, Charles leaned back, arms crossed, clearly trying to pretend he wasn't interested. But he's a bad liar, I could see the way he looked at the screen with just a little too much focus. Oh, I am so changing his phone's ringtone to the 'Love Island' notification later.

We made it through the first few minutes before the commentary started.

"Seriously? He thinks that's going to work on her?" Charles scoffed, shaking his head as a contestant made a grand, but clearly ill-advised, gesture.

"Hey, it's Love Island," I said, laughing. "It's not supposed to make sense."

He rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. And I was grinning, too, feeling that warm, comfortable buzz that only came from being with someone who just got you.

"Is Aaron supposed to be here?" Charles asked, his brows furrowed in confusion as Aaron made a sudden appearance on screen.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Explain."

"He looks like he's there for Rob! I'm serious, is it bromance or more?" he said. "And, it's worse because I hate Rob!"

"Yeah right, Leah deserves more."

"Okay, I have to admit," Charles said, glancing at me, "it's kind of addicting." 

"Told you," I said, nudging him with my elbow. "Welcome to the dark side."

As the episode played on, we moved closer together, my shoulder brushing against his arm. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, the way his focus was shifting more to me than the show.

I turned my head slightly, and there he was, already looking at me with that intense gaze that always made my pulse quicken. Our eyes locked, and without thinking, I leaned in.

His lips met mine, and just like that, everything else faded away.

The show played on in the background, but we were lost in our own moment, the sounds of the TV blending into the background noise as we made out like teenagers sneaking away from a party. His hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer, and I couldn't help but smile against his lips.