chapter eighteen.

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MALLORY'S POV

We were about a half hour into the game, which consisted of most of us drinking anyways to get more drunk. We were gathered around the living room sitting in a circle. I sat on the couch next to Mads, and Drew stood behind me and Chase stood behind Mads, next to Drew.

"Okay wait, here's an easy one. And if you don't answer I'm gonna assume you just didn't watch the show." Maddie said from across the room. "Mallory, what's your favorite scene from season two?"

I raised my eyebrows, not expecting her to ask me that question. "My favorite scene from season two?" I asked and she nodded as she took a sip of her drink. "Easy." I shrugged. "When the pogues reunite in Charleston."

"Oh that's a good one." Mads agreed with me as she held out her drink, to which I clinked mine with hers.

"What about your favorite Rafe scene?" Rudy now questioned.

"Hmm," I raised my eyebrows, having to think for a second. To be completely honest, though Rafe wasn't a good character, I admired Drew's acting so much that any scene with him was my favorite scene. "Oh, I know." I announced. "After we think Ward is dead, and Rafe is in his closet putting on that blazer. The music, the silence, just everything about that scene is," I paused, imitating a chef's kiss, which resulted in everyone laughing.

"She's right Drew," JD chimed in. "You looked smokin' in that scene." He commented and we started laughing again.

That was primarily why that had to be one of my favorite scenes with Rafe, because he looked so good in that scene. He really looked good in every scene, but something about that one hit so different.

I looked up at Drew who was behind me, and I saw he was shaking his head while laughing. I didn't know whether I had just embarrassed him or what, but I didn't care. He was so hot in that scene, and we all knew it.

We continued on with the game for a little while longer. Once dinner time rolled around, we all agreed on ordering some pizzas. I had stopped drinking for the time being. I was on a good level and I didn't want to get any worse. 

While we were waiting for the pizza to get here, Maddie, JD and I got lost in our own conversation. JD was so unintentionally funny, I couldn't stop laughing. I had gotten to know pretty much everyone in the group now, and they got to know me, and they were seriously some of the coolest people I had ever met. I was so thankful Drew introduced me to them. 

As we were talking about something random, I looked over at Drew, who seemed to be out of it. He was with Chase and Rudy, and he seemed to be zoned out and not active in the conversation.

"Does Drew seem off to you guys?" I asked Maddie and JD and they directed their attention to Drew.

"He gets like that sometimes." Maddie shrugged. "He's probably socially burnt out."

Though Drew had mentioned to me before that he can only take so much social interaction before he gets burnt out, I felt like there was something more to it. If he were burnt out, he would've left. 

"I'm gonna go check on him." I told them as I now made my way over to the guys. Rudy was dancing like an idiot and Chase was recording him on his phone, while Drew was leaning against the kitchen counter. It seemed to me that he was faking a laugh. "Hey," I smiled softly as I walked up to Drew.

"Hey, Mal." Drew now smiled at me. "What's up?"

I looked around to make sure no one was listening to us. "Seriously," I now looked up at him. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," He nodded. "Yeah, I uh," He cleared his throat. "I'm just tired." 

I wasn't buying that response. I raised my eyebrows and pursed my lips as I crossed my arms over my chest. "Going live on Instagram and playing a game with your friends made you tired?" I questioned him.

I noticed that he was his perky, silly self before going live on Instagram, and once the live was finished, he seemed to be lost in his own world. I didn't know what people were commenting on the live, but I was wondering if someone's comment got to him. 

"Look," Drew sighed as he looked around. "It's not a big deal. We'll talk about it later, okay?" He said softly.

"It is a big deal if it's been bothering you for like the past two hours." I said to him. "Do you wanna go somewhere and talk?" I asked him quietly.

"Alright," He nodded. "Yeah, uh, come with me." He said as he took my hand and took me down the short hall to Chase and Mads' office. 

We entered the room and I closed the door behind us so we could have some privacy. I was starting to get nervous about what was bothering Drew, and I was hoping it had nothing to do with me or our relationship. I cared about him and his feelings, so I wanted to know what was wrong so I could help him in any way I could.

"What's going on?" I asked him softly as I looked up at him. 

"So uh," He started as he ran his fingers through his hair. "I-I guess I never really thought of something when I first started hanging out with you." He continued and I felt my heart drop. I had no idea where this was going.

"W-What's that?" I hesitantly asked, nervous for what he was thinking and what he was going to say. 

"I-I have fans, right?" He asked and I nodded. Of course he had fans, I was one of them. "A-And now that I'm like somewhat well-known, those fans and the public can find out anything and everything." He told me and I couldn't help but crack a smile.

"You're kinda famous, Drew." I nodded to what he was saying.

"Well, with being famous comes the fact that your privacy is no longer respected." He said and I furrowed my eyebrows. I was so confused at what he was saying, and I didn't know why he was saying this. 

"What are you talking about?" I asked him, feeling puzzled. 

"We've only known each other for a week, right?" He asked and I slowly nodded. "And people already know about you." 

"What?" I asked, still confused as to where this was going.

"T-The fans, the public, the media, they already know that you're in my life. In the live, most of the comments were asking who my mystery girl was or who I was dating. I-I know we've gone out in public together and stuff, but we've only been approached like once or twice out of the past week. They know that I recently started following you on Instagram. They know about you a-and I don't want it to scare you off or get to you." He said softly now, and it all made sense.

I knew something happened during the live.

I couldn't help but smile at what was bothering him. He was worried that something like this was going to scare me off.

"Is this what's been bothering you?" I asked, almost in a whisper. He nodded in response and I stepped closer to him. "Drew," I started as I studied his face. "That kind of stuff is not going to scare me away from you. It was a matter of time before your fans found out about me, whether you put it out there or not. The devil works hard, but dedicated fans work harder." I chuckled, but Drew still had a serious look on his face. 

"They will send you death threats, Mal. This isn't a joke." He shook his head and I immediately dropped my smile. "I-I mean, I know it's not that serious now, but it can, and most likely will, get to that point. People were hating on Mads for dating Chase, and they play the biggest couple on Netflix right now. And when Rudy started dating Elaine? People were ruthless towards her. I-I just need you to know what you're getting yourself into with me, with us." Drew expressed and I nodded to what he was saying.

"You're right." I said quietly. "You're more experienced in this industry than I am. You know what can happen."

"You know my friend Odessa?" He asked me and I nodded. "People were going around sending her stupid shit because they thought we were dating. All we were doing was filming a movie together."

"Doesn't Odessa have a girlfriend?" I asked, confused as to why people would send her hate.

"Exactly." Drew nodded. "But that didn't stop people from being bullies. So when word gets out about us, I want you to know what you're getting yourself into. I-I wanna make this right, and I'm gonna do what I can to protect you from them."

I couldn't help but smile at how considerate Drew was of my feelings. Within the past week, the media hadn't been on my mind and I hadn't thought about our relationship this way, but he was completely right. 

"And I want you to know," I started as I wrapped my arms around his torso, looking up at him. "That as long as I'm with you, I don't care." I smiled.

I saw Drew smile before he leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Everything's gonna be fine." He whispered.

"Everything is gonna be fine." I repeated softly. "Okay?"

"Yeah." He nodded.

"Good." I smiled. "Now c'mon, before everyone starts to get the wrong idea." I giggled as I removed my arms from him.

I turned around for the door and I felt Drew place his hand on my back, lightly rubbing it up and down as I opened the door and we exited the room. 

He had no idea how much I loved the small gestures he did to me. The forehead kisses, the light back rubbing. Just when I thought my stomach couldn't erupt into anymore butterflies, he would do something to prove that wrong. 

We went back out into the living area where our friends were. It seemed as though no one noticed we were gone for a few minutes, which was good because they easily could've gotten the wrong idea, and that was the last thing I wanted right now.

Drew went over to the cooler where he grabbed two drinks, opening one and handing it to me before opening his. Another gesture that made my stomach erupt into butterflies, getting me a drink without asking and opening it for me.

I smiled up at him as we clinked our beers together before taking a sip. 

Drew made me so incredibly happy, I've never felt this way before. I felt so special and it warmed my heart about the fact that he was looking out for me when it came to the media. I knew that we would be brought to light eventually, and he was ready to fight that battle for me when the time came. 

*****

a/n:

happy mondayyy

ok so i was going to publish my rafe story today but there are still some things i want to edit/add so i'll most likely be publishing the first couple chapters either on wednesday or friday. i'll let yall know when i update the next chapter of this

my rafe story is going to be very mature like complete opposite of this (smut, violence, drugs, etc.) so just an fyi (there is going to be some smut in the future of this story but like there's gonna be quite a lot in the rafe story)

anyways hope y'all liked this chapter

see u wednesday<3

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