𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 | 𝘑𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘒𝘭𝘦𝘪𝘯

✰ 7 ✰

"Is there something between you two?"

Alanis and Jeroen had been violently attacking Maeve with questions about her love life. As much as the girl tried to seal it from her best friends, they were ought to catch up with her seclusion. Particularly her silence made the situation even more tense.

"Well...", Evie started, unsure of how to explain what she felt. It was hard to do so when she didn't quite understand it herself.

"Do you like him, Evie?", Jeroen raised his eyebrows inquisitively. Their stares turned into interrogating daggers that sliced her safety shell.

Maeve took a deep breath: "Yes, I do. A lot more than I should."

"Why? Isn't that good?", Alanis said confusedly about her friend's words,"You've been wanting to end things with Nathan for a while now."

"I know, but I don't know how", the Irish girl continued to explain.

"You aren't dating, go with the flow and see what happens with Joost", Jeroen suggested happily. His advice was greatly cherished by Maeve yet seemed unhelpful to her.

°˖✧✿✧˖°

Her finals were approaching. Luckily, Maeve's time in Amsterdam had been extended to last all summer. She would leave in September, to live in Dublin again. Her connection to both cities was strong, it hurt to leave either way.

Maeve was once again bend over her desk overflowing with notes, books and her laptop. The topics were too theoretical for the girl, she shifted to focus on the practical exam.

Photography students were obligated to hand over a portfolio of their own work over their university years. Though she was proud of her collection, it seemed to miss a touch of diversity. The pile of nature and concerts did not have enough contrast.

Her visualisation contained a series of portraits.

"Ali, are you free to shoot right now? I have some additional picture ideas for my portfolio", Maeve peeked around the corner to speak to her roommate.

She clenched her teeth into a tight smile: "No, I'm sorry babes. Appie and I are going out. You could ask Jeroen?"

"Right, thank you. Have fun on your date!"

Since her first choice of model did not work out for her, she called her other best friend. The man reminded Evie of his upcoming shift at the café, leaving her to only one other option.

Nathan being out of the country, Joost came across as the best alternative. To be fair, he hadn't left her mind for months and any time they would meet, her adoration for him grew stronger.

Joost ⭐️

heyyy what are you
up to right now? 💘

Not much, Teun is yapping
about some of his production
stuff I have zero clue about

would you be up for a photoshoot?
my finals deadline is close
and i need some more pictures 😁

Always, I'll come pick you up in 15 :)

thank u thank u thank u
you're a lifesaver!!!!!!

°˖✧✿✧˖°
 
Their destination was a suburban area of Amsterdam. Thankfully, the Netherlands had a great balance of nature and towns to make nice locations reachable.

Joost trusted Maeve. He was unperturbed about her skills, familiar with her creations. In his eyes, she was the best photographer, but that was his opinion. Joost was biased.

It was hard for him to resist his eyes from falling upon every detail he noticed about her. The way Maeve's left eye squeezed shut to look through the lens. Her body adjusting to achieve the desired angle and lightning. Her instructions for him to move certain parts of himself to fit the image.

Joost loved to see Evie flourish in her passion.

When she came over to let him catch a glimpse of the results, he bent down to her level. The closeness of her face to his made Joost's breath hitch in his throat to the point he struggled to breathe. He wasn't uncomfortable but nervous in her presence.

Maeve clicked through the pictures proudly. Her attention was on the device in her hand, unaware of the man's stare.

"I love this one", she pointed out to him.

Joost was glancing up with his mouth agape, holding onto a metal bar. His tattooed fingers were fully on display. The blonde strands of his hair were being pressed down by a cap and hid the sides of his face, not covering his blue eyes though.

"You look pretty."

His eyes shot up to meet her side profile. Maeve's words came out in a low tone, almost certified to be a whisper. Joost wasn't one to compliment himself, regardless of how confident he was on stage.

Evie sensed the burn of his gaze on her skin. She turned her head to find his eyes on her. A small smile creeped up on her face, accompanied by a soft shade of red as she first noticed their lack of distance.

"Eves, please stop me if you don't want this", Joost declared which sounded like a plead.

His serious grimace worried her. She stored her camera in her bag to gather her full attentiveness to the blonde. Joost's fingers brushed over her cheekbone to push the fallen hair away. It gave him time to collect his thoughts, edging Maeve.

The Irish girl's eyes conveyed between his irises. He appeared hesitant. Joost was afraid to ruin their friendship. He didn't want Maeve to have a difficult time. Nathan was constantly in his head, trying to keep him from making moves.

Joost let his hand fall to his side. He observed their surroundings one more time before glancing down at the girl again.
His head voice echoed, fuck it.

With that, Joost leaned in to connect his lips to Maeve's. She was clearly taken aback, for a moment. The pressure of her kissing him back gave him the needed courage. His hands reached up to cup her hot cheeks and pull her in deeper. Evie's fingertips lingered on Joost's torso, gripping onto the puffer vest he was wearing.

They detached whilst breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against one another. The Dutch man bit his lip in attempt to suppress his wide beam, failing miserably. Maeve embraced the happiness of the current event. Her giggles were caught in his touch.

The pair stood in the middle of a circle of buildings and plants where they had previously shot for Maeve's university finals. Now, they were blushing messes with a special secret that was not going to be revealed for the time being, an unspoken rule between them.

°˖✧✿✧˖°

author's note!

in honour of my birthday, here's a chapter where we FINALLY got something to happen tehe

i'm so excited for what's to come