𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐄, 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐲

SEVEN

(REAL LIFE/MESSAGES and SOCIAL MEDIA)

"and please please please"

PRESENT

LIZZIES PLACE
san fransisco, california

The week before the Outer Banks season three premiere, Elizabeth was still wrapping her head around everything. Drew hadn't just asked her to attend as a casual date—he'd invited her as his guest to one of the biggest nights of his career. He'd been part of the Outer Banks cast from the very beginning, and for three seasons, Elizabeth had watched his star rise from a distance. Even when their relationship had ended in heartbreak, she couldn't avoid seeing his face in magazines, on billboards, and in social media posts that tagged him in glamorous settings far from their small, shared history.

She hadn't expected to ever be part of his world again, but here she was, a week away from walking the red carpet alongside him. And she had agreed.

What was I thinking? she thought to herself as she sat at her vanity, getting ready for the night. It had been months since that fateful conversation outside the grocery store, months of cautiously reconnecting with Drew. What started as awkward texts turned into phone calls, and then, eventually, a few meetups. They hadn't defined what they were, but it felt familiar in ways that were both comforting and terrifying.

Elizabeth slipped into her dress, a sleek, navy blue gown that hugged her figure but didn't feel over the top. She wanted to look good, but not like she was trying too hard. After one last look in the mirror, she grabbed her clutch and headed downstairs, her heart already racing at the thought of the night ahead.

Drew was waiting for her outside in a black SUV, looking effortlessly handsome in his suit, his usual laid-back energy still present despite the big night. When she stepped out, his eyes lit up, and for a moment, it felt like the old Drew, the one who used to look at her like she was the only person in the room.

"You look... incredible, Liz," he said, stepping out to greet her, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

"Thanks," she replied, feeling a flutter in her stomach. "You don't look too bad yourself."

They made small talk on the drive to the premiere, Drew telling her about how excited he was for the season's release and dropping a few hints about the storylines without giving away spoilers. But as they neared the event, Elizabeth's nerves kicked in. The reality of walking a red carpet with him—the Drew who had cheated on her, the Drew who had broken her heart—was starting to sink in.

"Hey," Drew said softly, sensing her unease. "Are you okay? You don't have to do this if you're not ready."

Elizabeth took a deep breath, meeting his eyes. "I'm fine. It's just... a lot. I didn't really think about how much attention this would bring."

"Yeah, about that..." Drew scratched the back of his neck, sheepish. "I won't lie, the paparazzi are going to go a little crazy when they see us together. I know we've kept things low-key, but tonight... they're going to notice."

"Right," she muttered, already anticipating the questions, the flashes of cameras, and the whispers about their history. "Let's just get through it."

When they arrived, it was as if the world exploded in lights and noise. The moment Drew stepped out of the car and helped Elizabeth out, the paparazzi swarmed, flashes going off in rapid succession. As they made their way down the red carpet, Elizabeth could hear the murmurs and whispers growing louder.

"Is that Drew Starkey with her?"

"Are they back together?"

"I can't believe she took him back after what he did!"