WRITTEN IN THE STARS | free de la hoya

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 10 - ʙᴜs ʀɪᴅᴇ *.✧

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WE ARRIVE IN AMERICA.

"Yeah—this is paradise!" Valt cheered, bright, and wowed face still awestruck at the colorful buildings paired with unique structures.

"We have to take our stuff to the bus and then drop them off at the hotel," Kristina explained, equally filled with high spirits as everyone else. "But first we're going to grab some food because a happy squad is a well-fed one!"

"Yum! Lunchtime!"

I giggle at their eagerness to fill up their empty bellies, but I soon return to a more modest-like look when I spot Free.

"Heya!" I wave, walking over.

He did a brief glance to spot who was speaking to him, then gazed away after, though that was only for a millisecond before turning back.

"Hi."

"Aren't you just jolly today...?" I mutter under my breath. "You're participating in the individual tournament right?"

"Right."

       I glance back. The bladers were beginning to move into their own desired groups. Kris was signaling over an 'okay'.

"Oo! We can go now!" I grin with a tilt of my head.

       "Go ahead."

       "Oh!—A-Are you sure?"

       "Yeah."

       "Alrighty. I'll be with Kris if you ever need me!"

"K."

       I had so many places in mind. America was like my second home, and Mikasa's first. She showed me all the popular tourist spots, her lovely home in LA, and all of the local areas that aren't always filled to the street's maximum.

       It was a wonderful place.

"Over here, Y/N!" I heard the magenta female holler at me from outside of a restaurant. I hurry over.

"Hola! We're going here first?"

"Yep-a-roo!"

We both took a chair and sat down. She apparently made reservations beforehand, simply so we could have a chance to chat.

"How's it going with Free, hm~?" Kristina winked, her usual tongue-in-cheek attitude fitting in with the light and cozy atmosphere around us like it was second nature. "You seem like you're relatively close to him now~ Spill. The. Tea!"

"W-Well—um—w-what t-t-tea?!" I switched back into panic mode. "Y-You shouldn't spill a dainty drink like that..."

"Aw c'mon." Kris giggled like a child. "I'm your best friend, Starlight The Magnificent. You can trust me with anything~"

"You're Free's best friend," I replied, a whine-like noise accompanying my words. "Who knows what you'll tell him."

"Let me guess, the both of you hung out yesterday?" A confident smirk on her face, 1000% knowing she'd be right.

"Nope!" I laugh.

'Oh thank gosh I'm a pro actress—'

My flushed cheeks gave me away.

"Ah-hah, I was right!"

I slump down on the table in defeat.

"Fine..."

"Tell me all about it!!"

"You're so brave, Y/N!" Kris praised, finishing up the rest of her meal. "How can you speak with your crush so casually?"

"As long as nobody reminds me at that time that I'm a bumbling, flustered idiot, it's much easier to speak," I reply playfully, mirroring her movements by setting the dishes to the side. A friendly laugh escaped her mouth. I joined in.

"Oh! It's about time to get back to the bus."

"Time flies when you're having fun~" I sing, slipping some cash on the table. Kris had a perplexed expression on her face.

"I was going to—"

"It's an act of appreciation," I reply with a grin, pushing the chairs in. "And besides we need to hurry and get a move on—now."

"Huh? Why?"

"I some fans just spotted us—"

"—let's go."

☆

"Money, power, or good looks," I began talking.  Free was my seated partner for the bus ride. "Which would you have an unlimited supply of?"

I was convincing myself to keep him awake the whoooole ride.

>:)

It wasn't long before he replied.

"That's a difficult decision." The golden-hued male responded, rolling over to the other side to get some shut-eye.

"Soooo, which one?" I grin, poking his shoulder.

"I'm not sure."

"Aw c'mon. At least tell me why it's difficult." I plead. Free turned back around to face me, tired and yawning.

"Well, *yawn*, I'm already set for life if we're talking about money." He sat still in silence for a bit, body lazing on the cushioned seat. I nod as a gesture for him to continue. "I don't want power either. It's not fun making everything up."

"Then you want good looks?" I question, tilting my head. He glanced over to me lazily, rubbing his eyes.

"Are you saying that I'm not good-looking?"

!

       !!

       !!!

!!

        !!!!!!!!!

       'Wait—did I just ask that—'

"W-We-Well—I—uh—" I was on flustered mode. "Erm—a-actually—wai—u-u-um—I didn't mean—y-you're hot—n-nO!"

"Hm," an amused smirk appeared. Shortly after my so-very-elegant response, Free made himself comfy and snoozed off.

'What the heck did I just do—"

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