bed chem | drew starkey

CHAPTER 9

LATE OCTOBER 2023

Aurora was sitting in a dimly lit café, the kind where the air was thick with the smell of espresso and the sound of quiet chatter. She felt a strange calm in the space, something familiar about it, like she'd been here a hundred times before. Across the table from her, Drew was leaning back in his chair, his usual playful smirk on his lips. His gaze lingered on her, but it wasn't the usual teasing look. No, this was different. This felt deeper, more real.

"Are you ever going to admit it?" he asked, his voice low and smooth like it was a question they both knew the answer to.

Aurora laughed softly, but the sound felt hollow, distant. She tilted her head, pretending to think it over. "Admit what?"

He leaned in, his hand brushing against hers on the table. The touch sent a jolt through her, and for a split second, everything else faded into the background. Her heart raced as he whispered, "That we're not just friends anymore."

Aurora's breath hitched. Her pulse quickened, and the memory of the kiss they'd shared on set—awkward and rushed as it was—flashed through her mind. It had been for outer banks, a scripted moment. But this? This felt different.

She opened her mouth to respond, but the words never came. Instead, he cupped her chin with his hand, gently tilting her face up to meet his. She felt her breath catch in her throat as he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just inches from hers.

She closed her eyes, ready to finally feel what she'd been imagining for so long...

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

Aurora's eyes flew open, her heart hammering in her chest. The sound of her ringtone filled the room, ripping her out of the dream with a jolt.

"What the hell?" she muttered to herself, sitting up quickly in bed, her pulse still racing. The remnants of the dream clung to her, the image of Drew's face so clear, so real. It felt like something that could've actually happened—something she wasn't ready to confront.

She glanced at the clock: 4:45 AM. Sighing, she grabbed her phone off the nightstand and immediately dialed mia's number.

"Pick up, pick up, pick up," she muttered under her breath as it rang.

After a few beats, Mia's groggy voice answered, "bruh what it's early as shit."

"Mia, I need you to come over. Like, now," Aurora blurted out, her voice urgent.

"Uh, okay? Is everything alright?" Mia asked, clearly still half asleep.

"Just—just come over. I need to talk," Aurora said, her words spilling out faster than she could catch them. She couldn't shake the feeling that the dream had meant something more.

"alright, I'll be there in 15," Mia replied, and the call ended.

Aurora lay back against her pillows, staring at the ceiling. What the hell was that?

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Aurora paced in her living room, anxiety bubbling inside her chest as she waited for Mia to arrive. She knew it was ridiculous, but she couldn't shake the feeling that the dream meant something. And she had to tell someone.

The doorbell rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She rushed to the door, opening it to find Mia standing there in oversized pajama pants and a hoodie, looking half asleep but clearly amused.

"Okay, I need you to promise me something," Aurora said quickly, stepping aside to let Mia in.

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Promise what?"