I've Come So Far to Meet You Here - A7X/M Shadows

The Day After

Nora woke up in a different room than usual. She looked around and saw a clock that read 10:30 am. Why was she in this bedroom? Better question, why was she in her underwear? She laid back down and tried to piece together the night before. She remembered smoking with Matt, writing, talking, and...the kiss. Her memory was hazy but she remembered coming inside after that and laying on the couch with Matt, just listening to music. But she couldn't remember anything about taking her pants off or going into this strange bedroom.

Just then the door creaked open and Matt came in wearing just a pair of basketball shorts.

"Good morning sunshine", he said with a smile. "Care for some coffee?"

"Yeah that actually sounds really good" Nora said, "um, do you know where my pants are?"

Matt laughed and grabbed her sweatpants from the end of the bed. Nora was afraid to ask how they got there so she just put them on and followed Matt to the kitchen table and sat down.

There was a silence between them but it wasn't awkward. Nora watched him start the coffee and grab some mugs. Why was she suddenly so attracted to him? What happened last night?

"So do you remember last night?" Matt asked as he poured some coffee.

"Uh, no not really" Nora said with a nervous giggle.

"I don't remember everything either, that weed was some crazy shit", Matt laughed, "but I do remember waking up on the couch with my arm around you so I woke you up and we went into my room. Taking your pants off was all your idea." Matt said, laughing again.

"Oh god, I'm sorry", Nora said with a sigh, already she was taking things too far.

"No it's really okay, you just got in bed and went to sleep." Matt said.

"At least I didn't have sex with him and not remember", Nora thought, "But we definitely kissed last night."

She looked up and made eye contact with Matt as she took a sip of coffee. He looked at her and started laughing which made her laugh too.

"What's so funny?" Nora asked.

Matt shook his head. "Nothing, I just had a lot of fun with you."

What was that supposed to mean?

***

Later that day, Nora was in the guest house doing some writing when she got a text message from Matt.

"Hey we have a record label party tonight in Hollywood at 8 do you wanna come?"

Nora's first reaction was an anxious one, she didn't do well with parties. Either she was too reserved and sat in the corner playing with the host's dog or got shit-house wasted and made an ass of herself. But a tiny little part of her was excited at the prospect of going to this event, especially with Matt.

"Sure, sounds like fun", Nora replied.

"Ok just come in the house when you're ready."

Nora looked at the clock, it was 5:30. She meandered to the dresser where she'd put her clothes, thinking about what she could wear. She wasn't sure if it was going to be a more casual event or not, either way she didn't have anything fancy. She decided to wear a black ruffled tank top that showed a bit of midriff and some dark wash jeans. She had already showered that morning so she just changed clothes, put some anti-frizz cream in her hair and brushed her teeth. She wasn't sure what exactly was going to happen so she kept the makeup simple. After some deodorant and a couple sprays of woodsy perfume she was ready.

She decided to just bring her cellphone, a wad of cash and her chapstick. The less she had to keep up with, the better. After turning off the radio and the lights she made her way across the yard to the main house. As she approached she could see Matt through the back door, he was sitting at the kitchen island engrossed in his phone. She was about to open the door when Matt looked up at her. Nora could see something in his expression but she wasn't sure what. He smiled and stood up to meet her at the door.

"Wow that was quick, most girls can't get ready in 20 minutes." Matt said with a smirk.

"Well it's not like I had to do a lot, hopefully this isn't a formal event..." Nora trailed off.

"It doesn't matter, I guarantee all the chicks in there who spent hours on their outfits won't look half as good as you do."

Nora wasn't sure what to say, so she smiled. Thankfully Matt turned to walk toward the kitchen because she felt her face getting red and hot.

"When is everyone else getting here?" Nora asked, mostly to break the silence.

"Oh I got us a driver for the night, Zack and Syn are meeting us there." Matt responded, walking toward Nora and giving her a cold bottle of water.

Nora thanked him as she cracked the lid and took a sip. Matt was looking at her with a mischevious smile. She gave him a questioning look.

"Drink up", Matt quipped, "you're gonna need to be hydrated for tonight."