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chapter SEVEN an onion with layers .
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starr's dressing room was a flurry of activity as she sat at her makeup desk, her phone propped up on a stand. her stylist worked on her hair while a makeup artist carefully applied the finishing touches, getting her ready for a photoshoot in her gown before the saga awards tonight. it was a chaotic scene, but one she was used to by now. despite the chaos, she was relaxed, chatting away with mason and kairi on a three-way facetime call.
"so, are you both ready to be hollywood royalty tonight?" kairi's voice crackled through the speaker, full of excitement. she was lounging on her couch at home, clearly enjoying being part of the pre-awards ritual, even if it was only virtually.
"please, kairi," mason said, his tone dripping with mock arrogance as he adjusted his bow tie in the camera. "i was born ready."
"oh, please, you probably only figured out how to tie that bow tie ten minutes ago," starr teased, rolling her eyes as she applied a light coat of lipstick. she was already in her dress—a stunning dark red gown that hugged her figure before flaring out dramatically, almost like a ballgown. it was one of those dresses that made you feel like a princess the second you put it on.
"actually, it was fifteen minutes ago, thank you very much," mason shot back with a smirk, leaning closer to his camera as if to show off his handiwork. "but i did it without youtube this time, so i think i deserve some credit."
"should we be impressed or worried?" kairi chimed in, her grin wide as she watched the two of them bicker.
"impressed, definitely impressed," mason declared, flashing a grin that made it hard for starr not to smile back.
"sure, sure," starr said, trying to sound unimpressed, but the grin she was fighting gave her away. "well, if you show up with your tie on backward, don't say i didn't warn you."
"oh, you'll be too dazzled by my charm to even notice," mason replied smoothly, his confidence radiating through the screen.
"dazzled is crazy," kairi mentions, shaking her head.
"yeah, because that's what i'll be focused on tonight," starr shot back sarcastically, though her tone was light.
"you better be," mason teased, winking at her through the screen. "you know, we're both nominated, so technically, we're in competition."
"please," starr said, rolling her eyes again, but she was smiling. "if i win, it'll be because i deserve it, not because i had to compete with you."
"oh damn," mason laughed, clearly enjoying their banter. "i guess i'll have to step up my game."
kairi watched the exchange with a knowing smile, staying quiet but clearly amused by the back-and-forth. she'd seen enough of these calls lately to know that this was just how starr and mason were—constantly teasing, always quick with a comeback. but tonight, there was something different in the air, something more playful than usual.
"so, mason," kairi finally interjected, unable to resist poking the bear a little, "how are you planning to charm starr tonight, since you're so sure of yourself?"
"oh, i've got a few tricks up my sleeve," mason replied smoothly, though he was clearly improvising. "but i'll keep them a surprise. can't give away all my secrets just yet."
"yeah, because you have so many," starr quipped, raising an eyebrow at him.
"i have layers, starr," mason shot back, pretending to sound offended. "like an onion. or a really expensive parfait."
"an onion?" starr laughed, shaking her head. "that's what you're going with?"
"hey, onions are versatile," mason defended himself, though he was grinning. "and they add flavour to everything. you can't deny that."
"yeah, and they make you cry," starr retorted, enjoying the ridiculousness of the conversation.
"only if you're not careful," mason countered with a wink.
"okay, okay, i'm cutting you both off," kairi interrupted, laughing as she waved her hands in the air. "i can't believe i'm listening to you two argue about onions."
"we're not arguing," mason protested, though he was smiling too. "we're... debating."
"sure, let's call it that," starr agreed, her tone teasing as she adjusted her earrings in the mirror.
"anyway, i'll see you at the event, starr," mason said, his tone softening slightly as he looked at her through the screen. "don't let the nerves get to you, okay?"
starr nodded, a small smile on her lips. "you too. and mason? try not to trip on your way up to the stage."
"same goes for you," mason shot back with a grin. "see you tonight."
with that, mason ended the call, leaving starr and kairi alone on the line. the second he was gone, kairi's smirk deepened, and starr could already tell what was coming.
"what?" starr asked, pretending to be oblivious as she continued to touch up her makeup.
"oh, you know exactly what," kairi teased, her tone dripping with mischief. "there is definitely something between you two that isn't just friendship."
"what are you talking about?" starr replied, trying to sound nonchalant, though the blush creeping up her cheeks gave her away. "we're just friends."
"friends who flirt like they're in a rom-com, not to mention you're literally playing characters that are in love!" kairi shot back, her grin widening. "come on, starr, you can't seriously tell me you don't see it."
"see what?" starr asked, though her tone was more playful than defensive. "we just... get along well, that's all."
"uh-huh, you wouldn't have said any of this weeks ago," kairi said, clearly not buying it. "i've seen how you look at him. and how he looks at you."
"kairi, it's not like that," starr insisted, but there was a hint of doubt in her voice now.
"sure, keep telling yourself that," kairi replied, her tone sing-song. "but i'm telling you, something is happening, and it's only a matter of time before you both figure it out."
starr didn't respond, instead focusing on her reflection in the mirror, but the small smile tugging at her lips hinted that maybe, kairi wasn't entirely wrong. and as she thought about the night ahead, starr couldn't help but wonder if there was more truth to kairi's words than she wanted to admit.
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