The professional lighting equipment and ceaseless flashes would've overwhelmed Thalia if she hadn't gotten used to them over the years, just as she's gotten used to the makeup artists, stylists and photographers watching her every move.

She wears an intricately designed outfit that accentuates her features, adhering to the brands aesthetic.

The photographer directs her movements, stopping once an assistant rushes in with a note.

"You have a visitor, miss Verlice."

She steps out of frame, expecting Juniper or Finn. She watches with lifted eyebrows as Pierre nervously strolls in, carrying a small cup of espresso.

"You look..." he stammers, "you look really pretty."

She snickers, grabbing the coffee and taking a tiny sip. "Thank you. How'd you know I was here?"

"Oh... your friend Finn was at the cafe earlier and I may have asked him."

A smile covers her face as she glances over her shoulder, finding the photographers listening in on their conversation with focus.

"Well, I should probably return to that. You can sit over there and, you know, watch me stun." She flips her hair to the side with flair, earning a giggle from him.

"I would love to."

As the photoshoot resumes, Thalia sneaks occasional glances at him between shots, noticing a consistent gleam in his eyes with each click of the camera.

Heels echo on the polished marbled floor as Thalia makes her way through her home, halting at the living room. The sight she stumbles upon tightens a knot in her throat, a sensation she swallows down.

Finn and a girl, presumably the one he went out with, occupy the couch. Her head rests on his shoulder, his arm draped around her.

Their giggling and teasing creates a whirlwind in Thalias mind, the weight on her chest returning.

Unable to endure any more of it, she frustratedly opens and shuts the refrigerator door.

The loud noise grabs their attention, just as she intended. They turn their heads toward her.

"Hey Lia." Finn smiles while the girl beside him waves. Suppressing a scowl, Thalia walks over to them.

"This is Camille. We're watching Finding Nemo because she's never seen it."

"Well, I'm not really big on animated movies." Camille giggles, nestling her head further into Finns shoulder.

Struggling not to gag, Thalia forces a smile. "Well, I hope you enjoy it. I'm heading up to my room; I've got some work to do."

She pivots on her heels, swiftly exiting the scene. She'd rather be anywhere but here.

Thalia slams the door shut, channeling her inner angsty teenager, and flops backward onto the comforting expanse of her bed.

The plush pillows and silk sheets welcome her, creating a soft haven for the turmoil in her mind.

She shouldn't be grappling with these emotions in the first place. Having feelings for Finn is inherently wrong, and she bears sole responsibility for allowing such somber to break loose within her. It's her fault.

It would be even more disheartening if she had held any hope of the possibility of something more between them.

This isn't how things should be.

They are supposed to have a completely ordinary friendship, and she should be glad that her best friend has found someone who brings him joy.

She tightly shuts her eyelids, attempting to drown out her own thoughts.

Sighing, her eyes flicker open before she gazes upwards to find her poster of Marilyn Monroe. Perhaps staring at it can fix her mood.

She flinches at the audible notification emerging from her phone, leisurely reaching beside herself to grab it.

##########

helloooooooo!!!!!!!

I don't even have to ask who this is.
Hello, epitome of a golden retriever boy.

hi epitome of a black cat girl
i can't pronounce epitome btw

Of-course you can't.
How'd you get my number?

juniper

My friends have to stop
making moves on behalf of me.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh wow.

what?

That's a lot of exclamation marks.

sorry

It's okay, you're forgiven.

:)

Is it way too forward
and frankly crazy of me to
ask if you're free right now?

no
and i am

Address?

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚

Thalia lies there, gazing at the ceiling with her figure revealed yet veiled by the sheets.

The room is shrouded in darkness, the reality of her recent actions reverberating in the white noise of the ceiling fan.

She glances beside her, swallowing a lump in her throat as Pierre sleeps peacefully.

This is something no one knows about Thalia, a method of distraction she employs when faced with something she'd rather not confront.

It's not a source of pride for her - the one-night stands, the 'forgetting' to call them, and then the eternal ignorance of their existence.

Usually, executing this leaves her emotionally unfazed. Yet, this time, involving a guy she genuinely doesn't find bothersome stirs a twinge of regret within her.

Moreover, the very thing she's been desperately seeking to escape persistently resurfaces, gnawing at the edges of her consciousness.

Finn.

His eyes, his smile, his hair, his voice, his touch, his laugh - Finn.

Stealing one last glance at the silhouette beside her, Thalia reluctantly rises from the bed, fully aware of the routine that follows.

This is the worst part.

Fumbling for her clothes, she swiftly dresses herself before silently tiptoeing out of the darkness.

Pausing for a moment, she takes a final, appreciative glance at the small and cozy apartment before making her exit.

Thalia sighs, entering her home with the expectation of encountering Finn.

Intending to ask if he wants to go to the beach again, she approaches the guest room door, preparing to knock.

Her hand freezes mid-air as she observes the locked door; He never locks it.

Thalia is left with a sinking feeling. The realisation bites at every surface of her body, intensifying the growing sense of regret.

He's not in there alone.

The chance of something more between them, if it had ever even existed, has now for certain slipped away.

AUTHORS NOTE

I'm so melodramatic.

I wanted a short chapter just to show Thalias imperfections. She's still my bae though, I love her 🖤

I was looping poison tree by grouper while writing this. Grouper >>>