But if I kissed you
Will your mouth read this truth?
Darling, how I miss you

Ed Sheeran's lyrics fills the young designer's mind as she sits outside an empty hallway. Rue didn't necessarily hate parties but usually she and Chadwick would have been battling it out on the dance floor but he was pretty occupied with the likes of Penelope Voight, the red-headed socialite.

Rue chides herself as she is reminded that she was the one who set the two up for a date. Oh, life was quite the comedian.

"You need some company?" A voice pipes up and Rue looks to see Chadwick's face with a soft smile. There goes her heart again-beating like a million beats per minute.

Without waiting for her reply, Chadwick occupies the space next to her. They sit shoulder to shoulder with their legs stretched out, his limbs more extensive than hers. He nudges his foot with hers which was adorned with a black stiletto. "You're thinking too much, Rue."

Rue scoffs and crosses her arms. "You're pretty observant tonight, Mr. Boseman, aren't you?" She states in an annoyed voice. After realizing she might have been a little harsh, Rue apologizes. "That was rude of me. I just have a lot on my mind. Fashion week is right around the corner so. . ."

A corner of Chadwick's lips quirks up. "And yet you flew in for this circus. Thank you, Rue."

"That's me. Only a call away. . ." She says dryly.

This time, Chadwick faces her and she mirrors him but Rue really wishes she hadn't. The moment her brown eyes met his, Rue could feel her face flush and her mind going into a frenzy. God, she misses his face and his over-all ability to make her mood unsour. There was something about the way Chad furrows his eyebrows in confusion and how his eyes tries to search for the answer to their dilemma that made her completely lost and. . .

In love?

Rue feels herself inching closer to him but she didn't know if he was doing the same because all she could focus on was their bodies-and uhm mouths-being in such a close proximity. She closes her eyes as she feels one of Chad's hands cradle her face. If this was a dream of some sort, then Rue wishes for just a kiss-a simple kiss from the man who she has been in love for years but so happens to be her best friend.

"There you are, Chadwick!" A squeaky voice blurts out and Rue recoils in horror as she opens her eyes and realizes it was not in fact a dream. It was a mild nightmare because Penelope was standing right in front of them, dressed to impress the whole world.

Rue stands up and clears her throat. She fixes her dress as to avoid Penelope's piercing and curious blue eyes. "I-I have to find Letita. Uhm-" She rambles, "Yes. She mentioned something about a girl's day out. I'll see you around, Chad."

The two women meet eyes and a quiet understanding passes through them. Something along the lines of Rue implying "I'll stay away" and Penelope replying with "You better."

Rue nods in Penelope's direction and gives her a tight smile. "Penelope."

"Miss Watson." Penelope greets back.

And with that, Rue goes back to her world of Ed Sheeran's lyrics with guilt, regret, and dread buried deep in her soul as she walks away from her almost moment.

And it's not complete yet
Mustn't get our feet wet,
'Cause that leads to regret
Diving in too soon