𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐄, 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐲

EIGHT

(REAL LIFE AND MESSAGES)

"don't prove im right"

PRESENT

The next day, Elizabeth tried to go about her usual routine, but thoughts of the premiere and the avalanche of social media buzz were never far from her mind. She spent most of the morning keeping herself busy, running errands and meeting Madison for a coffee to escape the endless comments and notifications.

When she walked into the coffee shop, Madison was already there, waving her over with an exaggerated grin. "Hey, superstar," Madison teased as Elizabeth took a seat across from her. "You've basically broken the internet."

Elizabeth groaned, taking a sip of her coffee. "Don't remind me. People have... a lot of opinions."

Madison leaned forward, her voice softer. "Yeah, I noticed. But remember, you don't owe anyone an explanation. You went to a premiere with him. It doesn't mean you're back together."

"I know," Elizabeth replied. "But I didn't expect the backlash to feel this intense. I knew people would talk, but seeing it... it just brings everything back."

Madison nodded. "It's a lot, but I know you. You wouldn't have gone with him if you didn't feel like there was something worth exploring again."

Elizabeth gave a small smile, appreciating her friend's support. "Honestly, part of me wants to see where things go with him, but another part is scared of being hurt again. What if I'm just setting myself up for the same heartbreak?"

Madison put a reassuring hand on her arm. "Look, you're not that same girl from a year ago. You know what you want, and you're way stronger now. Besides, I think he knows that if he messes up again, you're not going to just walk away—you'll run."

Elizabeth laughed. "You're right. I just... I wish things didn't feel so complicated."

Their conversation was interrupted when her phone buzzed with another message from Drew:

Drew: Any chance you're free later? I'd really like to talk, maybe clear the air a bit.

Madison raised her eyebrows when she saw Elizabeth's expression. "Is that him?"

Elizabeth nodded, biting her lip. "He wants to talk. Like, actually talk."

Madison tilted her head. "Then maybe that's what you need. A real, open conversation. Just be honest with him about where you're at and what you need if you're going to even think about moving forward."

Elizabeth took a deep breath. "You're right. If we're going to have any kind of future—whatever that looks like—we need to lay everything out on the table."

Later that afternoon, Elizabeth met Drew at a quiet spot in the park, away from the crowds and prying eyes. He looked nervous, shuffling his hands in his pockets as she approached, a hint of relief crossing his face when she arrived.

"Hey," he greeted softly, offering her a tentative smile.

"Hey," she replied, sitting down on the bench beside him. For a moment, they were both silent, the weight of everything unspoken lingering in the air.

Drew finally broke the silence. "I know last night was a lot, and I'm sorry for putting you in the spotlight like that. I didn't think about how much attention it would bring... or how hard it might be for you."

Elizabeth shook her head. "I knew what I was getting into, Drew. It's not just the attention that's overwhelming. It's... us. Everything we've been through."