chapter thirty nine,
to me, you are perfect

They were back. They were so totally back. Nailea and Nicholas had finally put the past behind them and were ready to take each other back.

But, Nailea had really gotten the chance to talk to him after she released her latest album – which was obviously directed towards him.

It was hard to miss.

As she opened her phone, she saw the album tag already trending number one on two platforms.

"Guess people relate to my saddness." she said out loud, laughing at the dark joke.

Nailea awoke and began her usual routine. Morning run, everything shower, work calls and planning. It was a schedule she liked and was able to keep consistent with.

Right after finishing a zoom meeting with her manager, Miller, she laid down on her bed. It gave her a chance to finally breathe. And at that moment she realized that her body was tensed up as well as her heart rate being higher than normal.

So, she started thinking about something that could possibly make her mind be more relaxed. Nailea grabbed her phone and texted the first person that came to mind.

Nicholas.

"Hey," she said as soon as he answered. "Do you wanna come over and have a movie marathon?"

She could hear him laughing at the question but didn't bother to say anything. Just wanting him to reply with a yes.

The phone call ended with a happy Nailea and a very excited Nicholas.

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Nicholas had arrived to Nailea's apartment, minutes after she called him. She had already set up her living room into a makeshift movie theatre.

The place was dark and the smell of freshly buttered popcorn lingered. It looked and seemed very cosy and comforting.

The two were sat on the long sofa in the dark as they decided on which movie to watch.

Nailea added, "I'm kinda in the mood for a christmas movie."

She squinted her eyes at the screen, trying to read each title. "You should really be wearing your glasses." Nicholas says as he watches her.
"Nope. I look hideous with them on."

He shakes his head with a grin as he looks away. "Me too."

Nailea frowns, "You look hideous with my glasses on?" she asked.

"No." Nicholas laughed again, "I wanna watch a christmas movie as well."

A smile continued on her lips as she spoke, "You want to watch a christmas movie?" As the words left her mouth she couldn't help but laugh a little.

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They had ended up choosing a classic christmas movie which was a staple to Nailea's movie favourites, Love Actually, a movie she could never get sick of. The two sat on the sofa watching the film play, everything was perfect.

Nicholas glanced at her from the side, watching her reactions intently. "I've never watched this movie," he whispered to her.

Nailea's eyes widened in surprise. "Never?" she asked, turning to look at him in disbelief.

"It's a classic! How could you never have watched it?"

Nicholas shrugged, grinning at her reaction. "I guess I just never got around to it. But I'm glad I'm watching it now."

Nailea rolled her eyes playfully. "You're so hopeless," she joked, lightly poking his arm.

He chuckled, pretending to be hurt.

"Hey, I'm not hopeless. I'm just... selective about my movie choices." he defended himself.

Nailea raised an eyebrow, "Oh, really? So you only watch, what, action movies with explosions and car chases?"

Nicholas feigned offense. "First of all, I'll have you know that I have a very sophisticated taste in movies."

Nailea smirked, clearly enjoying teasing him. "Oh, really? What's your favorite movie then? And don't say Die Hard."

He chuckled at her guess, "No, no. Not Die Hard. My favorite movie is..." he paused for dramatic effect before continuing, "Arthur."

Nailea looked confused for a moment. "Arthur? That old movie from the 80s?"

Her eyes lit up when she heard Nicholas mention his favorite movie. "Arthur, really?" she teased. "Oh wow, you're so cliche."

Nicholas chuckled. "And I bet you're going to say your favorite movie is some obscure indie film no one's ever heard of."

Nailea feigned offense. "Excuse me, I'll have you know my favorite movie is the epitome of a cult classic. It's called Heathers."

Nicholas chuckled as he recognized the title. "Heathers? The one with the teenage murderers? Classic."

Nailea nodded, a grin appearing on her face. "That's the one. Classic teen angst combined with a killer soundtrack. Can't beat that."

Nailea looked back at the movie. "Plus Winona Ryder and Christian Slater are extremely hot."

Nicholas chuckled at her comment, "Is that so? Are you crushing on Winona Ryder now?"

Nailea shrugged, "Can you blame me? She's gorgeous. And Christian Slater isn't bad either."

Nicholas titled his head, and gave a lighthearted chuckle. "I guess I can't compete with the likes of a young Christian Slater."

Nailea rolled her eyes, laughing softly. "Oh, please. You're pretty cute too, you know."

A slight blush tinted his cheeks, flattered by her compliment. "You think I'm cute, huh?"

She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I mean, you're not bad to look at. For a guy anyway."

Nicholas feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. "For a guy? Ouch, that stings."

Nailea rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. "Oh, come on. Don't act like you haven't gotten comments about your looks before."

He leaned back against the couch, a cocky grin on his face. "Well, I can't deny that. But I'd like to think I've got more to offer than just my good looks."

She raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his statement. "Oh, really? Like what exactly?"

Nicholas glanced at her, a sly smile on his lips. "Well..." He paused, thinking for a moment. "First of all I'm a great listener."

She nodded, playing along. "Right. And?"

Nicholas continued, "I'm also very romantic."

Nailea couldn't help but laugh at that last part, "Romantic? I'll believe that when I see it."

He smirked, "Oh, you will. Just you wait."

© lishwritcs,               2024

— alisha's notes !

merry christmas my loves! and of course happy holidays <33

wanted to post another narrative chapter kinda as a present !! lmk how this chapter went