Mallory

The morning light peers through the window, blinding Mallory even with her eyes squeezed shut. She feels too lazy to get up. Her body aches and fatigue drowns her. She laid still and thought about last night, abut Chris and Chinese food. She felt sick after he left with her all-time favorite book, but resisted the urge to throw up. She couldn't see Chris' love for the foreign food.

After about an hour of laying on her perfectly made bed, Mallory checked her phone. It was 10:32 A.M. She had a text from Chris from six' o clock.

Hey, are you coming in today?

She didn't have to go in until late afternoon, but didn't feel like texting Chris back. She let her phone go, and sprawled out in her bed. She had no blankets on her. She was too tired to grab them last night. Yawning, Mallory closed her eyes again.

-

Her phone rang, filling the room with the idiotic ringtone. Mallory sat up and answered the call. " Hello?"

"Mals, are you coming in today?" Chris' voice shouted loudly into her ear. Mallory yawned again and thought about it.

"Yeah, not for like, another hour though. Why?"

"Oh, just wondering. It's the last day of shooting!"

"I know." She yawned again. God, what was wrong with her?

"Were you asleep?" He sounds shocked.

"Yeah. I don't know why I'm so tired."

"Well, today is the last day, so they'll be spending time editing and all that for another two months." Where was he getting at by this?

"Okay, what is it?"

"I'll be going back to California until the premier."

"Oh." Disappointment filled her voice as she yawned, yet a third time.

"Do you want to talk about it over a coffee?"

"Sure. I'll be ready in a few minutes."

"I'll pick you up."

"Chris you don't have to-"

"Well, Mals, I am!" He laughed and hung up before Mallory could reply. She sighed and set her phone down on the nightstand.

-

After she took a shower, she braided her long, wet hair and tied it off. She put on her glasses, rather than contacts. She felt so brain dead that she couldn't properly function. She fumbled in her closet and pulled out a blue shirt and jeans. She slipped into her blue converse and grabbed her phone. Mallory only took ten minutes to get ready.

Chris didn't show up on time, so she plopped on the couch and opened the book again. Her eyes scanned the pages, but her brain was having a hard time registering the words. She truly couldn't think. Frustrated, she tossed the book onto the coffee table and curled up with the throw blanket. She stared at the door, waiting for Chris.

After last night, she felt so open and comfortable around him... Sort of. Her hands still trembled, but other than that she was totally normal. The thought of him going back to California made her upset, but maybe there was a catch like "come back to Cali with me, Mals!" Or, "Maybe you could come out for a week or so!" She hoped her calculations were right.

A light knock shocked Mallory. She stood up and walked over to the door, ignoring the feeling of her wet hair against her shirt. She opened the door.

"Hey, Mals!" He smiled.

Mallory stepped out of the apartment, locking the door without her. "Hey."

They began to walk quietly out of the building. Mallory squinted when the sun hit her face.

"Want my sunglasses?" Chris asked, taking them off. He squinted immediately and laughed. "Now I feel your pain. But here, take them."

"Thank you," she giggled and slipped on his Ray Bans. The sun's over bearing light rays suddenly extinguished.

"Those look good on you," he stated and winked.

"I need to get a pair holy cow these are great!" She smiled and elbowed him. Her hair, she could feel, was already drying at a miraculous rate.

The coffee shopped appeared in their veiw, and they entered the shaded room, instantly relieved.

Mallory took off Chris' glasses and handed them back to him. He hung them to the collar of his shirt. He looked really good in that white shirt. Mallory snapped out of the thought and looked at the menu.

"I'm not in the mood for anything." She nudged him again.

"You sure?" He asked, his brow raised. He was adorable.

"Positively sure." She smiled and walked away, looking for a seat.

Unfortunately, every seat was taken. She rolled her eyes and went outside, taking a seat under the canopy. A few minutes later Chris walked out with his cup of coffee. He sat down and handed Mallory the glasses again. She smiled strangely, cocking a brow. She loved his glasses.

"So..." He said, clearly trying to sound natural.

"So. You're going back to California?" She asked rhetorically, jumping the gun.

"Yes. I have some movie interview and whatnot with the rest of the cast. I don't really want to go, but it's a mandatory kinda thing."

"It's okay."

"No. It's not. I just met you, Mals, and I don't want to leave you. So, I have made an option available to you. Would you want to come out for a while? You could stay with your family or whatever and we can hang out. But it's only a month. Then I can come back for awhile, then I have to go back for the premier in Hollywood. "

"I can just move back. I have an apartment out there by Hollywood," she pursed her lips.

"But you just unpacked!"

"I've done it so many times, Chris. I can pack once more. It's not a biggy." She hated packing. It was the most torturous thing... But she couldn't say no to Chris. Obviously he was deeply into her.

"Well, great! That's great!" His furrow brows relaxed. Mallory smiled, not really feeling the sincerity in it. "Well, we better get back to the set."

"Right!" Mallory gasped and jumped up. They walked briskly down the sidewalk, eventually calling a cab. Of course, the cab driver insisted on an autograph for his son rather than money. Chris said it was one of the perks of being a celebrity. (He was punning the book Mallory gave him.)

-

The last day of shooting left everyone in tears, as the sudden realization of the ending hitting them. Mallory packed her makeup, and comforting Scarlett, Jeremy, and Robert. Especially Robert. Secretively, Mallory thought he asked for the hug for manly reasons, since Chris DID say she was attractive.

The feeling was not cut as deep, considering Mallory was a replaced for the other head make up artist, Carol. Mallory was only here a week. The cast had been together for months. Obviously the bonds were closer between them.

Mallory caught Chris staring at her a few times, like the old times before he asked her out. She winked, and he smiled, a real genuine smile. It warmed her heart.