Brand New

Chapter 9: Earth To Dria

Adriana looked out to see Drake turn back and look at her. Why did it have to happen today of all days? Any other day she would have been ecstatic to meet him. But today, she wasn't even dressed. She was dressed to be at home chilling by herself. She felt so bad for leaving him standing there.

She walked up to the counter and told them she was there for a pick up and gave them her name. The lady behind the counter told her it was just finished and turned to grab the bag. Adriana payed for it and turned to walk back outside. She was only in there for about five minutes. So when she stepped back out she looked in the direction she saw Drake walk to see if she spotted him. She didn't. She walked to her car and opened the passenger door first. She set the food on the seat and walked around to the drivers side and climbed in.

She pulled in to Christopher's apartment complex and texted him so he could be ready to buzz her in. She walked up the steps and he was already standing outside his door waiting for her with a smile on his face. She smiled back at him.

"Hey Chris" she said and hugged him.

He hugged her back. "Hey Dria. Thank you for coming. You are the bestest friend ever!"

"I know this!" she said and smiled at him again.

He took the bag from her and they walked inside. He set it on the counter and pulled out some plates. "Let's see, I have some cherry Pepsi, water, fruit punch or some champagne. What will you have?"

She smiled at the mention of champagne and the phrase champagne papi replayed in her brain. "I'll just take some cherry Pepsi. Thank you Chris" she said and started making their plates.

"You got it!" he said pulling two glasses out of his cupboard, dropping some ice cubes in them and pouring the soda in them.

She took the plates and set them on the long coffee table in his living room and he followed behind her with the drinks. They both sat down and Chris started showing her some of the designs. They both picked at their food in between friendly conversations and discussing the designs and possible photoshoot ideas.

Adriana took another bite of her pasta and stared off into space. A smile spread across her face when she remembered the look on Drakes face when he realized she wasn't going to give him her name.

Chris studied he for a second before saying anything. "What's up with you Dria?" he asked. She didn't answer him. She just stared at nothing and smiled. "Dria? Hello, earth to Dria!" he said again.

"I'm sorry. What?" she asked finally hearing him.

"I said what's up with you? You're like out of it and you had a big smile on your face? What's up?" Chris asked her.

She smiled. "I ummm. I kind of ran into Drake when I was picking up our food."

Christopher's eyes went wide. "WHAT?! Drake, Drake? Like Young Money Drake?, October's Very Own Drake?"

Adriana laughed. "Yes, that's the one."

"How? What did you say? What did he say? Why wasn't that the first thing you told me when you got here? This is huge for you Dria!" he said.

"Ummm, I may have blown him off?" Adriana said biting her lip.

"What do you mean you may have blown him off?" Chris asked her.

Adriana proceeded to explain everything that happened. "Wait hold on. So you just left him standing there? Why Dria? Meeting Drake has been one of your bucket list goals for a long time. I mean, I know you're going to meet him tomorrow. But you had him right in front of you today!" Chris exclaimed.

"Chris do you see me right now? I mean, I know I'm not trying to date him or anything. But that's not reason to look a hot mess when I meet him" Adriana said.

"Please tell me you didn't walk away from him because of the way you were dressed Dria!" Chris said.

Adriana put her head down. "It is Chris. I know it's stupid but whatever."

"Hold up, NO! You didn't! Dria we are talking about the guy that said "sweatpants, hair tied, chillin with no make up on. That's when you're the prettiest" and you're telling me you basically dissed him because you were wearing sweatpants and had your hair in a ponytail. Wow Dria, just wow! Do you really not know how beautiful you are?" Chris asked her.

"What?" she asked looking up at him with her brows furrowed.

"Look, you're my best friend, that's what it's always been. I love you to death and I'm in no way trying to hit on you. But just because I'm your best friend doesn't mean I'm blind Dria. You are beautiful. Naturally. You don't need to put on a bunch of make up or get all dressed up and do your hair. You do know that right?" Chris asked her.

"Thank you Chris. I appreciate that. Oh my God Chris! What if he recognizes me tomorrow? What am I going to tell him?" she asked.

"There's no if. If he got a good look at you today, he's going to recognize you. Especially since you basically blew him off. I'm sure that doesn't happen to him often" Chris stated.

"That's perfect! Just perfect! What am I gonna say? 'Hi I'm the girl that totally dissed you yesterday but in all actuality I've been a huge fan since day one?' That's terrible Chris" she said and laughed.

"You mean you've been a fan since his Degrassi days? You went hard for Jimmy!" he said and laughed.

"Shut up!" Adriana said laughing too. "Jimmy was the truth. Leave me alone Chris" she said and smacked him on the arm.

"Hey, I'm not judging you" he said. "Just be ready tomorrow cause he is going to recognize you" Chris said and took a bite of his food.

Adriana checked her watch. "I better get going. I have to be up early tomorrow to pick Tori up and catch our flight to Vegas."

"Alright, you two be safe. Text me when you get home okay? And when you land in Vegas" he said and hugged her.

"I promise I will" she said and headed out the door.