bed chem | drew starkey

CHAPTER 24

EARLY - MID JANUARY 2024

The following days on set felt easier. The air between Aurora and Drew had shifted from the tension of uncertainty to a comfortable, almost familiar closeness. While they still acted like nothing had changed when the cameras were rolling, in private moments, they shared quiet smiles, inside jokes, and moments of silence that didn't feel awkward. They had managed to find their rhythm again, but the question of what came next still lingered in the back of their minds.

One evening, after a long day of filming in the desert, the cast ( everyone but rudy basically ) gathered at a small outdoor bar near the hotel. The warm Moroccan breeze mixed with the sounds of laughter and music, creating an atmosphere of relaxation. Everyone was talking, some drinking, others just enjoying the sunset, but Aurora couldn't help but notice Drew across the room. He was deep in conversation with Madelyn, gesturing animatedly, but his eyes kept darting toward her every so often, as if he was waiting for something.

Aurora tried to push away the feeling that she was being watched, but every time she glanced in his direction, she found his gaze locked on her. She couldn't deny the familiar pull toward him—the same one that had always been there.

After a while, the group decided to take a walk outside. The stars were bright above them, the sound of the people talking on the street providing a calming soundtrack to their steps. Aurora walked with Madison on one side, and Madelyn on the other, talking and laughing, while Drew stayed a few paces behind, just far enough to give her space but close enough to be within reach.

It wasn't until they reached a quiet spot by the water's edge that Drew finally made his move. He casually walked up to her, his hands in his pockets. "Mind if I join you for a minute?" he asked, his voice low.

Aurora glanced at her friends, who gave her knowing looks but didn't say anything. "Sure," she said, trying to keep her tone light as she stepped away from the group.

They walked silently for a few moments, the soft sand crunching beneath their feet. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable, but it wasn't easy either. Drew finally broke it.

"Do you think we're doing the right thing?" he asked, his voice hesitant.

Aurora looked at him, surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, with us... and everything that's happened. Are we just pretending to be okay, or are we actually okay?" Drew's eyes searched hers, looking for an answer, some kind of reassurance.

Aurora took a deep breath, her heart racing as she thought about how to respond. She had been telling herself for days that things were fine, that they could continue as friends and nothing more. But the more time they spent together, the more difficult it became to keep that line clear in her mind.

"I don't know," she finally admitted. "But I think we're trying. And that's enough for now, right?" She glanced over at him, seeing the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his brow furrowed slightly. "I'm not going to pretend it's all perfect. I don't know if it will be perfect. But I do know that I'm not ready to let go of what friendship we had. Just... not yet."

Drew's expression softened, and he stepped closer, so their shoulders brushed. "I don't want to let go either, Aurora. But I also don't want to push you into anything you're not ready for."

Aurora smiled, a small but genuine smile. "Then let's just take it one day at a time. No pressure. No expectations."

Drew nodded, his face lighting up with relief. "That's all I can ask for."

They stood there in the quiet of the night, watching the stars and the waves crash, their shoulders still brushing, but now with an unspoken understanding between them. They didn't need to figure everything out in that moment. They didn't need to know what the future held. All that mattered was that, for the first time in a while, they were both in the same place—together, taking things slow, and figuring it out along the way.