Falling With Style {Chris Evans}

thirty-two

The heat back home in Georgia was so much worse than in California: it was sticky from humidity and made ninety degrees feel hotter. Although Mila was in the comfort of the local library, air conditioning and all, she dreaded having to leave in a few minutes as she looked out the window and saw fellow college students of all ages in their summer attire. Tank tops, shorts, cropped tees, sandals, and here she was wearing a hat and a tee shirt to look somewhat less recognizable without totally giving herself away.

Nowadays she never really went out in public, even when she was back home. She had been able to make arrangements with the department chair and her professors to finish her last few classes online for safety and privacy reasons and she barely was able to adjust. At least it was now all over, though she still had an internship under the city manager to finish up.

That wasn't even the reason she was sat at the library. Ashley wanted to meet at the local coffee shop next to the library to talk about some big announcements coming up. Mila had gotten there early only for Ashley to postpone by an hour and Mila didn't want to wait around there alone until then so she waited next door at the library instead.

She was sat in front of her laptop, revising the city manager's monthly speech for May and making a few adjustments while she waited. A text message pulled her from her train of thought. She smiled at the recently updated contact name m, but it quickly faded upon reading the text message.

From Hunny 🍯😉 11:32 AM
I know you're in a meeting, but please look at Ashley's last vlog when you get a chance.

It was easy to confuse tonality and context when messaging people, but she could tell something was wrong. She immediately opened a new tab for YouTube and popped in some earbuds as Ashley's channel loaded.

"Fashion week and answering your questions," Mila read the title aloud to herself as the video opened. She wasn't sure what to expect.

She immediately recognized the background. Behind Ashley and Dominique was the house they had just been staying at in Hollywood, thanks to Chris and his generosity. This can't be good.

"Hey guys! As promised, today we'll be answering a few questions you all have sent in. Hopefully it'll clear some things up and we'll see you at fashion week this summer and fall!" Ashley cheered. Next to her, Dominique excitedly nodded her head as she began to scroll through her phone and show the camera her screen that had numerous tweets under a hashtag for them to answer.

Questions started off asking about details from the endgame premiere after party, what they had planned for fashion week, their skincare routines, and eventually these questions got more intense. They asked about their "first time", what it was like for them in high school, and even mentioning Mila and of course, Chris.

Ashley shook her head at the question asking about the truth regarding what happened with Vince and Miranda, and Dominique lowered her head adamantly. Ashley said, "You know, people will believe what they want to believe in the moment. Whatever entertains them the most is usually what pays the bills for these tabloids. It has been proven over and over, that the tabloids can't help but making everything into some sort of scandal because it works. It's no one's fault. It's human nature to be curious. All I will say is that Mila would never do anything to hurt anyone. She lives her life for other people and I am finally seeing her at her happiest with someone that just so happened to be well known. Despite all the drama, rumors, and blatant lies that people from their past will create, I have never seen a love like this, nor have I ever seen Mila smile so bright."

Mila had to admit that this had her smiling. It felt like Ashley was speaking to her, reminding her that it was all worth it. However, she reminded herself that Chris wanted to see this video for a reason. It could possibly stir up drama and more views than anticipated. It could get out of hand. She finished the video, somewhat relieved to see that the rest of it was mostly questions regarding Ashley's future brand in the making and Dominique's unofficial makeup palette coming soon.