In Front of My Eyes (Ansel Elgort Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

As the car pulled up to the airport, Lara checked her phone for the time. The group had a solid hour before takeoff, indicating lots of waiting and a ton of catching up to do. As she unlocked her phone, Lara saw a message from her boyfriend.

Don’t be late tonight! –Derek

Since her freshman year in college, Lara saw herself with Derek Hale, the bad boy of her university. He was a known heartbreaker, but being just like every other girl, she couldn’t get him off her mind. When he finally asked her to hang out with him at the local club, Lara could do nothing else but accept his offer. 

The beginning was beautiful, as any girl would blush at the thought of a bad boy turning good just for her. Despite her friends’ warnings and his exes’ advice, Lara saw nothing wrong with him – or just didn’t realize. She typed back a quick response, making a mental note not to be late again.

Won’t be, love you x Lara

The car finally reached the lobby, the driver opening the door to let them out. Lara hopped off and grabbed her suitcase, standing near the entrance while she waited for everyone else. Her small red suitcase was nothing compared to Shai, Nat, Ansel, and John’s – two months of filming required a lot of clothes. As they walked approached the check-in desk, Ansel and Lara walked side by side.

“How’s Derek?” he asked coolly.

She can never forget the nights when she’d tell him about Derek and he’d scoff, or the days when she’d endlessly blabber about this date or that movie night, and she’d pretend not to hear Ansel say “asshole” or mutter some curse at her boyfriend. 

“He’s fine, we’re doing good,” She replied.

“Still together, then?” Ansel said, trying to mask his disagreement

“Yep. Just like you and Viv.”

He flashed a smile, not noticing Lara’s sarcastic tone, or if he did, ignored it. As they approached the check-in desk and waited for the counter lady to finish with their boarding passes, Lara found herself wandering near Shailene. She replayed last night’s events and feared being treated differently for admitting that she was a fan of Shailene’s, but the actress turned out to be quite friendly.

As they both talked about books and movies and countless embarrassing stories about Ansel, the two girls connected and it was obvious that Shai had taken a liking to Ansel’s friend. The two walked together to the boarding gate and even sat next to each other, giving Lara confidence as Ansel left to get McDonalds, prompting conversation with Nat and John as well.

“Lara, Ansel talks about you so much,” Nat said with a sly smile on his face.

Shailene stifled a laugh as she looked over to Lara, preparing to playfully hit Nat for making the new girl feel nervous. She understood that Lara and Ansel were really good friends, but being a new up-and-coming actress, she couldn’t help but see that Lara must be nervous. Her nervousness, Shai knew, was not because they were famous celebrities – there was obviously some element of that, too – but because Lara cared so much for Ansel, and Shai didn’t doubt that it was the other way around.

Lara laughed a little before she replied with a joke, “I have to say it’s the other way around with you as well…sometimes I don’t know who he’s dating – Violetta, or you.”

“You know what, Lara?” John asked, “I think we’ll get along just fine.”

Lara’s nervousness yesterday melted upon seeing John’s behavior today. The group was so welcoming and so different from the harsh entertainment industry that it felt good to relax for a while. 

“I think you better watch out for John as well, actually. There’s this thing called ‘Johnsel’ and you’re not gonna like it,” Shai teased.

The group broke out into genuine laughter as the awkward acquaintance state they were in yesterday slowly transformed into a casual beginning of a potential friendship. As the conversation went on, Lara confessed about her sister’s ‘Naked Brothers Band’ obsession, further embarrassing Nat as he was plagued with Shai’s jokes, and John talked about Ansel’s massive talent, and the four found more things in common than they expected there would be. 

As Ansel returned to the group and joined the conversation, seated beside Lara, they had fun with their burgers and fries, further expanding their chemistry -- especially once Shai started on all the embarassing things Ansel did on set, and once Ansel tried to get revenge by exposing Lara. When the boarding call was finally heard, they embarked the plane happily. 

All five of them were seated in the same row: Ansel in the window, Lara in the middle, John in the aisle -- then Nat and Shailene separated by the aisle but next to John. After take-off, each was busy with their own thing: Shai was reading a magazine, John was asleep, Nat was watching a movie, Lara was reading a novel and Ansel was listening to music. Halfway through the flight, when the flight attendants were making their rounds for food (and a young attendant took photos of John asleep, clearly a nerdfighter), Lara felt a nudge from her left.

She smiled at the sight of Ansel, saying, "What's up?"

"Nothing, just bored."

"Any plans for when you're in New York?"

"First on my list is to see Vi, obviously.", he stated, "Then, I guess we should catch up."

"She must really miss you," Lara said, "With filming and everything."

"She's a good girlfriend."

"I'm sure she is. I guess we're both happy about our love lives, then?"

"You know that I never really liked Derek."

"I don't know why.", Lara countered.

"Yes, you do," Ansel replied, "And you know that I'm right, Lara."

Lara refrained from responding, keeping quiet for a few seconds before returning to her book. After a few seconds, she jolted as she felt someone touch her hand, only to return it back to its place when she saw Ansel lacing his fingers through hers. 

"Lara, I'm serious. Please just..." he trailed off, trying to choose the right words to say, "...take care of yourself."

She braced a smile and nodded, taking in her friend's advice but not wanting to dwell on the subject.

"Okay," she said, squeezing his hand softly, "Thanks. I'll be fine."

The rest of the conversation was mostly on life back in New York -- how Lara was looking for Broadway shows to audition for, how Ansel could only stay there for a few days before leaving for filming in Amsterdam -- though to come back three days later, which he confessed was inefficient, and their plans to meet up again soon. Ansel would be staying in a hotel with the cast, and not his apartment, and Lara would be in her flat, but they promised to keep in touch as they always did.

When the flight finally arrived and all was done, Lara had to go her own way. The cast had to go to the hotel, but Lara's place was in another part of town, she'd have to take the subway. Hugs and cell phone numbers were exchanged, and the cast vowed to meet up with her again once they were back from filming. 

"I'll see you soon, okay?" Lara asked, pulling Ansel into a hug.

"Remember what I said," he whispered into her ear, "I don't want you getting hurt."

"I'll be fine, Ansel, don't worry", she replied, leaning her head on his shoulder.

When they pulled away, Lara really did have to go. She waved to the cast and grabbed her suitcase, taking the escalator down to the subway, finally back in the city of dreams.

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Hey guys! What did you think? And what do you think is up with Lara and her boyfriend?

Comment, vote, and tell me what you think of the third-person POV rather than from Lara's! :)

-Leesh