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IRL!
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↳ ❝PEANUT
ALLERGIES
SUCK! ❞

Chris's brothers won't let it go. His brothers, Matt and Nick, keep teasing him about his alleged crush on the girl in the airport terminal. Sure, she's pretty, and Chris can't deny the flutter in his chest when their eyes meet. But he's not sure that those are the qualifications for a crush. Chris brushes off his brothers' teasing, pretending not to care, though his mind keeps drifting back to her.

"You guys are so fucking annoying," Chris scoffs, trying to appear nonchalant. But his eyes betray him as they involuntarily wander back to the girl across from him. Their eyes meet once again, and for a brief moment, the world seems to slow down. She smiles at him, a fleeting gesture that sends a rush of warmth through his veins. Chris can't help but smile back, his heart pounding in his chest.

She's more than just pretty— she's captivating. But he keeps those thoughts to himself, not wanting to reveal his growing interest because his brothers will never let him hear the end of it. Instead, he focuses on maintaining an air of calm and collectedness, even though a whirlwind of thoughts swirls in his mind.

Lovette's focus is shattered when her twin brother, Levi, sits back down (he had told her he went to get a snack). She eyes his can of soda—he got her favourite, an orange Crush. Right as she reaches over to take a sip, Levi slaps her hand away.

Levi's eyes narrow into slits, moving the soda away from his sister, "Did you try asking first?"

As Lovette leans back into her seat, she rolls her eyes in annoyance. She presses the palms of her hands together in a prayer motion and asks, "Fine, can I please have a sip of your soda?"

Levi's mouth turns upward, the smile not quite reaching his eyes. "No."

Lovette guffaws and crosses her arms over her chest. "Levi, what the fuck?" she scoffs.

He shrugs, cracking open the soda and hearing the satisfying sound of the carbonated drink fizzing, "Even if I wanted to, you couldn't have it."

Levi reveals his snack of choice—Reece's Pieces— which his sister is deathly allergic to. The allergy was first spotted when she was four years old at a birthday party. She innocently snacked on a peanut butter brownie and suddenly was in anaphylactic shock.

"Fuck you," she huffs, "you did that on purpose—you've never liked sharing."

"Well, that's the funny thing," Levi pauses, taking an exaggerated sip of his drink. He retorts, "Because you can't prove that."

"Peanut allergies suck!" the girl mutters to herself, getting up to get her own snack from the vending machine.

Lovette's footsteps echo through the corridor as she embarks on the seemingly endless trek to the vending machine. She gets a little lost along the way but eventually finds herself eyeing the last can of Crush. Making a quick decision, she also decides that she wants a Hershey's bar. However, her initial excitement dwindles when she realizes that the machine does not take Apple Pay, nor does she have any cash on her. Not only does she have to sit in this airport— with a flight that has been delayed not once, but twice!— but she has nothing to snack on. With an exasperated sigh, she quickly turns around, only to be met with the boy she was sitting across from.

He's cute, she mentally notes. Her eyes are drawn to his shaggy brown hair and the logo on his black and blue sweatsuit that reads: 'FRESH LOVE.' Curiosity sparks within her as she realizes she hasn't heard of the brand before. However, Lovette tucks away the logo's name at the back of her mind, realizing she's keeping the boy waiting.

Lovette quickly snaps back into focus and gestures toward the vending machine, her voice tinged with an apology. "Sorry you can go ahead, I realized I don't have cash on me right now."

The boy blurts, "Can I pay for you?"

"Do you usually pay for strangers' snacks?" Lovette jokingly questions, raising her eyebrows in surprise.

Unaware that he's speaking aloud, he mutters, "For pretty strangers, I do."

Lovette feels her cheeks warm at the comment and she clears her throat to regain her composure, "What's your name?"

His blue eyes briefly flitter back to her warm brown ones, "Chris." He reaches down to grab the can of Pepsi that was dispensed. "What's yours?"

"Lovette."

"Well, Lovette," he nods his head toward the vending machine, "what do you want?"

The extra emphasis on her name makes her smile. As stupid as it sounds, she likes his voice. "You don't have to do that." She assures.

A grin spreads across Chris's face. "Yeah, I don't have to — but I want to."

Lovette bites her lips, her eyes bouncing between Chris and the vending machine.

"Can I get an Orange Crush?"

Chris's gaze lingers on the tattoo peeking out from Lovette's wrist as he nods, and a genuine curiosity sparks within him. As he hands her the soda, he can't help but voice his admiration.

"I like your tattoo," Chris states, his tone filled with intrigue.

Lovette follows his gaze, glancing down at her wrist where the numbers '6:07' are inked. A soft smile graces her lips as she appreciates the significance of the tattoo.

"Oh, thank you," Lovette replies, her voice carrying a hint of warmth.

"Can I ask what it means?" he inquires, genuine interest evident in his eyes.

"It's my twin brother's birth time," she explains, a soft fondness colouring her words. "We decided to get matching tattoos on our 18th birthday last week."

The pair fall into step, heading back to their gate. Chris' interest in Lovette continues to grow, prompting him to seek a deeper understanding of her life.

"When was your birthday?" he asks, a gentle curiosity in his voice.

She cracks open her soda, the sound punctuating the air as she takes a refreshing sip. "August 2nd," Lovette shares, her eyes meeting Chris's.

He opens his own can of Pepsi, his expression lighting up with recognition.

"Oh, we turned 19 on August 1st," Chris discloses.

Lovette tilts her head, her curiosity piqued by Chris's words.

"'We'?" she repeats, seeking clarification.

A playful smile graces Chris's face as he confirms Lovette's curiosity.

"My brothers—I'm a triplet," he reveals, his voice filled with a touch of amusement.

Lovette takes a sip of her soda, contemplating his words. A smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she playfully raises an eyebrow. "That must be quite the dynamic."

Chris chuckles at her comment while he sips his Pepsi. "Yeah, they're my partners in crime, for better or worse."

Lovette walks beside him, their steps falling into a steady rhythm. As they move forward, she lifts her soda to her lips, savouring the fizzy sweetness that dances on her tongue with each sip.

"I get it," Lovette says, her tone reflecting a sense of understanding. "There's an unspoken bond that's hard to explain."

They approach a row of empty seats near their gate and choose to sit down, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Lovette finds herself enjoying Chris's company, his easygoing nature putting her at ease.

"Where are you headed?" Chris asks, leaning back into his seat.

He hopes it's Boston, but he doesn't want to assume. After all, she was sitting near his gate, but that didn't necessarily mean they had the same final destination.

"Boston," Lovette replies, her voice tinged with a mix of nervousness. Her eyes briefly meet his, a flicker of uncertainty in her gaze, before she lowers her gaze to her can of soda. Lovette absentmindedly traces her finger along the condensation-soaked surface, a cascade of thoughts swirling within her.

While she had always planned to go to Massachusetts, the untimely death of her parents had cast a somber shadow over the trip. It was a bittersweet moment, a fusion of excitement for new beginnings and a lingering ache for what had been lost.

"Oh shit, so am I," Chris exclaims, his surprise evident in his voice.

Lovette's eyes widen, the glimmer of astonishment reflecting in their depths. She can hardly believe the coincidence unfolding before her.

"Really?" she asks, a hint of incredulity in her tone.

Chris nods, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he thinks about his hometown.

"I've lived there my whole life," he shares, a sense of familiarity seeping into his words.

Lovette's smile widens, a surge of excitement replacing the weight of her grief.

"I'm moving there," she confides, fiddling with the ring on her finger.

Lovette's eyes linger on Chris' face as she catches him with a hint of a smile on his lips.

Before he can say anything, an announcement booms overhead, echoing through the bustling terminal. The words cut through the air, delivering news that the flight to Boston is being delayed yet again.

Lovette mutters under her breath, her frustration evident. "You've got to be kidding me. This is the third time in an hour."

Chris, who was momentarily lost in the depths of Lovette's gaze, simply hums in agreement, his calm demeanour contrasting with Lovette's growing exasperation.

Lovette turns her head towards Chris, her eyes searching his face for answers. "You're not annoyed," she observes, her voice tinged with curiosity. "Why aren't you annoyed?"

Chris shrugs, "It's out of my control," he explains, his words carrying a quiet acceptance. "Me obsessing over it won't change anything."

Chris' words crashed into Lovette's consciousness like an icy wave, jolting awake memories and emotions she had carefully tucked away. The words mirror the sentiments her father shared with her before he passed, the reminder that some things are beyond our influence.

A flicker of vulnerability dances across Lovette's features as she gazes at Chris. "Yeah, you're  right."

At that moment, gratitude fills Lovette's chest at this stranger-turned-companion.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚

"I made a friend!" Lovette exclaims, plopping down beside Levi, her voice filled with genuine excitement.

Levi furrows his brow skeptically. "Who could you have possibly befriended in this airport?"

Lovette's eyes sparkle with amusement. "His name is Chris," she begins, "and he's also heading to Boston. Since our flight is delayed, we're going to hang out with him and his brothers."

Levi dryly chuckles and shakes his head. "We? Who is this 'we' you're talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, Levi," Lovette retorts, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips. "It's not a good look on you. By 'we,' I mean you and me, hanging out with Chris and his brothers."

Levi's skepticism gives way to a reluctant smile as he realizes Lovette's persistence. Despite his initial resistance, he can't deny the appeal of new friends. He quickly agrees, realizing that he has nothing better to do.

Meanwhile, across from Lovette, Chris shares a similar conversation with his brothers.

"I spoke to her!" Chris exclaims, his voice brimming with excitement.

Nick glances over at him. "Spoke to who?" he asks, leaning in closer.

Without missing a beat, Matt interrupts with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. "No way. You actually talked to 'airport girl'?"

A faint blush creeps up Chris's cheeks, a combination of embarrassment and pride. "Her name is Lovette," he corrects them, hoping to move past the silly nickname his brothers had coined for her.

"And?" Nick prods, his eyebrows raised expectantly.

Chris leans in closer, his voice dropping to a hushed tone. "She has a twin brother, and they're moving to Boston," he reveals, his words tinged with intrigue.

Matt's eyes widen, his mouth slightly agape, while Nick's expression shifts into genuine surprise.

"What are the odds," Nick muses, a hint of wonder in his voice.

"And since our flight is delayed, I suggested that we all hang out," Chris says, stuffing his hands in his hoodie pocket. He looks over at Lovette, who gives him a small wave. He returns the gesture with a wave of his own.

"Wow, Chris, you have no game," Matt chuckles, observing his brother's interaction with Lovette, earning a snort from Nick.

"He's trying his best," Nick teases.

"But seriously, we don't have much to do here anyway. Might as well," Chris interjects.

Nick shrugs, his indifference evident. "I'm not opposed to the idea."

"Count me in too," Matt agrees, his enthusiasm evident in his voice.

Chris feels a sense of victory wash over him. "Great, thanks."

Nick and Matt exchange a quick, knowing glance, their eyes communicating a silent conversation that speaks volumes.

Matt purses his lips, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he raises one eyebrow, a playful challenge in his expression.

'He must really like her,' Matt's eyes seem to say, recognizing the spark between Chris and Lovette.

Nick nods in agreement, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he responds to Matt's unspoken message.

'This is gonna be fun to watch,' Nick's wordless reply echoes in their shared understanding, a shared excitement for the unfolding connection.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚

The initial awkwardness of meeting someone new didn't seem to affect the group of five as they walked through the airport. Their conversations flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and animated gestures. The group unanimously decided to seek solace in pizza as their delay continued to stretch on.

As they stood in line, the scent of freshly baked dough and savory toppings filled the air, Chris strategically positioned himself beside Lovette, drawn to her infectious energy. They were engrossed in their side conversation, creating a bubble of intimacy between them.

"You know," Chris began, his voice carrying a touch of playfulness, "I never expected to make a friend in an airport."

Lovette's laughter rang out, blending harmoniously with the surrounding chatter. "And I never imagined striking up a conversation with a complete stranger. Life works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?"

Their eyes met, a shared understanding and a hint of something more passing between them, until their moment was abruptly interrupted by Nick's boisterous voice breaking through their private exchange.

"So, why are you guys headed to Boston?" Nick inquired.

Levi, always the reliable spokesperson, chimed in. "We're actually moving there for college."

Lovette, as if completing his thoughts, added with a smile, "And our older sister already lives in Boston, so we'll have a familiar face at least."

Nick nodded, absorbing the information and filing it away in his mental catalogue.

"Are you guys going to the same college?" Matt asks as they move further up the line.

"No, actually. I'll be attending MIT for Computer Science with a minor in Math, and he's heading to Harvard for Neuroscience and Psychology." Lovette explains with a warm smile.

Nick, always quick with a witty remark, chimed in with a teasing tone. "Oh shit, so you guys are like geniuses then?"

Levi snorts, his eyes flickering to the menu, "She's the brains and I'm the brawns." There's a brief moment before he adds, "I'm also the beauty."

Amidst the laughter from Levi's comment, Lovette swiftly smacks his arm, causing him to hiss and move his arm away from her. In response, Levi slyly rubs the side of his eye, a subtle and inconspicuous middle finger aimed at his sister.

Lovette rolls her eyes, watching as her brother hits it off with Matt and Nick. All jokes aside, Lovette's glad that she decided to head to the vending machine.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚

As the hours ticked by, an announcement echoed through the airport, signalling the imminent departure of their flight. The group's conversations gradually subdued and Lovette's desire to give Chris her number was intensifying by the minute. However, the watchful gaze of her brother creates an unnecessary obstacle she will have to overcome. As the conversations over pizza continue, Lovette's mind is divided between engaging in the discussion and plotting her discreet move.

Her eyes dart to her trusty lilac bag resting by her side, containing a pen and a journal. A flicker of determination ignites within her as she realizes this might be her chance. With a swift motion, she unzips her bag, careful not to draw any attention, and retrieves the pen and a torn corner of her journal. Lovette steals a quick glance at Chris, fully engrossed in the passionate discourse with Levi and his brothers.

It's now or never, she thinks, seizing the opportunity to get his attention in a subtle way.

With a steady hand, Lovette delicately inscribes her name and number on the small piece of paper, the ink flowing smoothly. Lovette takes a deep breath, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She discreetly slides the paper closer to Chris, placing it within his peripheral vision without arousing suspicion. She returns her focus to the ongoing conversation, concealing her anticipation behind a facade of casual engagement.

Chris, engrossed in their conversation, momentarily glances down at the table, his eyes widening with surprise as he notices the folded paper that was not there a moment ago. A smile tugs at the corners of Lovette's lips as she continues talking, her heart pounding.

Careful to not draw attention, he deftly picked up the folded paper and slips it into his hoodie pocket, concealing their secret exchange from prying eyes. His lips curled into a playful grin, a silent acknowledgment of Lovette's move.

The final boarding call resounded through the airport, a gentle nudge urging the group to bid their farewells. Lovette's heart swelled with a mixture of hope and trepidation as they exchanged hugs and words of encouragement. Each step taken toward the departure gate was imbued with the weight of possibility, a farewell that carried the whispers of a future reunion.

As Lovette looked back one last time, catching Chris' gaze, their eyes locked for an instant, a silent promise lingering between them. With a knowing smile, Lovette turned her attention forward, ready to start a new chapter in her life,  driven by the flicker of hope that their paths would cross once more.

And so, the group dispersed, going their respective ways, leaving behind memories of laughter, shared pizza, and the subtle exchange of a folded piece of paper—a small gesture that held the potential to bloom into something special.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

long first chapter but I've kept you guys waiting for so long, so i thought you deserve it!

anyways, i hope you guys are liking it so far, even if this is only chapter one lmao

until next time <3!