Until Then. // denis shapovalov - sascha zverev

1.5 - pastel lilacs

The rest of the interviews today went by godawfully slow. My interviews with Domi, Denis, and Alex were scheduled for tomorrow, so everyone else on today's schedule were unrecognizable to me. Plus, my mind was somewhere else. Denis asked me out on a date, and I'm so excited for it, I'm just worried about Alex. I know there was something between going on between us last night and the night he brought me to the café, but then how come he hasn't made a move then? Despite the lack of time I've had with Denis, he's now made it apparent that he's interested in me, but not Alex.

So maybe Alex doesn't like me. And what does that matter? After my conversation with Domi today, I've been really taken aback. Since I was little, I've told myself that I'd never be with a cheater. My feelings and emotion matter more than for someone to play with him and if he's done it before, what's stopping him from doing it again? Cheating's even worse than a break-up because it means that they're actively choosing someone over you but keeping you around for fun. At least, with a break-up, they're preserving that part of you, that you weren't just a "toy" to them. Thinking about Alex with another girl puts an uneasiness feeling in my stomach, but thinking about him cheating is ten times worse.

"Alright, Willow, I think we have all the footage we need for today," Mike, the cameraman, smiles to me as he starts to pack up.

"Sounds awesome, does anyone else need anything from me?" I ask standing up from my seat on the floor. "It looks like were ten minutes early which is nice."

"We're all good," everyone collectively answers.

"Sweet! Well then grab a good dinner and lots of sleep! I'll see you all tomorrow for, yet, another exciting round of interviews!" I smile.

We all say our goodbye and I slip out, checking my phone. It's seven forty-five, fifteen minutes before when Denis should be done. I decide to wait outside the Stadium for him. It was still so crowded inside, as matches can go on to past one in the morning, and I think one of the big three players are playing today. I squeeze my way through the large group of people and finally find my way out. I find a bench to wait at and I put down my backpack and take out my phone to text Denis, but before I can, I hear someone call my name from behind me.

I turn around and spot Denis just a couple feet away with a bouquet of pastel lilacs.

"Denis!" I gasp as he walks over to me, handing me the flowers. "How'd you have time to get this?!"

"It's no biggie," he shrugs. "I convinced my mom to let me off a few minutes early! I saw this local flower shop on my way here the other day, so I just jogged over there!"

I grin and smell the flowers, "Well, they're perfect, Denis. Thank you."

"Of course, Willa," he smiles, pulling me in for a side hug as we start walking.

"So where are we headed?" I ask him.

He readjusts his tennis bag around his shoulders before saying, "How about Eddie's Sweet Shop? They're not too far of a walk from here and Felix told me they have amazing sundaes and flavors?"

"Sure!" I answer. "I've never been! I've literally only stayed within a half mile radius from the hotel this entire time."

"Then I'm glad to be the one taking you a quarter mile further," he beams. "So how was your day today?"

-

"Can we get strawberries and chocolate chips, please?" I ask the employee.

"Oh, and sprinkles and chocolate syrup!" Denis chimes in.

The employee nods and asks, "Cherry on top?"

Denis and I both respond in unison, "No thanks!" We look at each other and just start laughing.