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chapter TWENTY EIGHT
wrap party .
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the air was thick with excitement as the wrap party for regretting you kicked off, the lights twinkling against the soft hum of chatter and laughter. glimmers of glittering decorations adorned the venue, where a spacious room overflowed with cast and crew, all celebrating the completion of months of hard work. starr stood by the drinks table, holding a glass of something fizzy, watching the festivities unfold around her.
mason was across the room, chatting animatedly with a small group, his infectious laughter ringing out like music. next to him, ahliya leaned in, a hand on his arm, her flirtatious demeanor clear as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. starr felt a pang in her chest as she took in the scene. it had been a long journey, filled with laughter and late nights, but seeing mason with her was a reminder of the lines they were crossing between professional and personal.
just then, starr felt a presence beside her, and she turned to see kairi, her best friend, beaming as she clinked her glass against starr's. "look at you, so glam! can you believe it's finally over?" kairi asked, her eyes sparkling.
"i know, right? it feels weird. like... an end of an era or something," starr replied, forcing a smile as her gaze drifted back to mason. "i just can't believe it's all finished."
kairi followed her line of sight, her expression shifting to something more knowing. "and i see he's still with her. i thought they were just playing it up for the cameras, but it seems like it's sticking," she said, her tone a mix of disbelief and sympathy.
starr sighed, pushing back the urge to snap at her friend. "yeah, well, that's showbiz for you. the world loves a scandal," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness.
"you should talk to him," kairi urged gently. "like, get it all out in the open. it's not like you both can keep playing pretend forever, right?"
"right. because pretending to be okay with all this is what i do best," starr muttered, her frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
