MALLORY'S POV

My dinner with Drew ended better than I ever thought it could. I would have never expected it to end the way that it did, but I wasn't complaining. After our dinner together, we danced to a song that I had been waiting to dance to with someone who made me feel so special. Drew was that someone.

Though we did have a few drinks, it gave me the liquid courage I needed to tell him to do something I had been wanting to do since I first met him. I wanted him to kiss me.

And that was the best thing I could've done for us, because after our kiss, he finally confessed his feelings to me. He made me feel an insane amount of butterflies, not only last night, but every time I was with him. I had never met anyone who made me feel the way he makes me feel.

It felt so surreal, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world that Drew Starkey had feelings for me. I didn't know what I was expecting when I first moved to LA, but this situation certainly was not it.

After Drew told me how he felt and after I did the same, we ended up talking about our feelings towards each other. He had even told me about how he hasn't been interested in anyone after his last relationship, which ended about three years ago.

I was surprised he had never taken interest in another girl after his last girlfriend, but I also couldn't blame him because relationships suck and people suck. I just couldn't believe that out of all people, he had feelings for me. I felt like I was on top of the world.

The rest of our night together consisted of laying on the couch in the living room and watching movies together. We watched a couple rom-com movies, since they were my favorite and it just seemed appropriate to watch.

Drew took me home around midnight and during our drive we began to discuss ideas for what to do the next day. It seemed like we had always went out to eat, but I threw out the idea of getting brunch. I had been craving breakfast food, and if we did brunch, we'd both be able to sleep in for a little bit before we got our day started. He thought it sounded good, so we decided to start our day with that.

Because I was going to Charleston in a week, there was no need for me at the office in LA, so my boss informed me that I had the week off until it was time to fly out to South Carolina. Since I didn't have to be in work for the rest of the week, I was able to hang out with Drew any time during the day, along with everyone else in the group. I hadn't seen anyone, besides Drew, since Friday, so I was looking forward to seeing them again.

Drew and I were now at brunch, and he took me to this cute little café. It was very modern and chic, and the music that was playing was a vibe. They had a special that included bottomless mimosas, so I was enjoying this place a little too much.

Drew sat across from me at the table and I couldn't help but admire him while he was in the middle of telling me a story. I loved the way that he had a middle part in his hair, and his white t-shirt contrasted his tan skin so well. He was so cute and charming without even trying.

While he was in the middle of talking, I couldn't help but go on my phone and snap a picture of him. I was loving the way that he looked right now, I had to capture this moment.

"Did you just take a picture of me?" He chuckled once he realized I was smiling down at my phone.

"Maybe," I smiled. "You just look so good right now, how could I not?"

He chuckled as he ran his fingers through his hair. "Let me see." He demanded and I handed him my phone so he could look at the picture.

"Can I post it on my Instagram story?" I asked him softly. I hadn't posted anything on social media yet about me being friends with Drew or anyone from the Outer Banks cast, but I loved this picture of him and I wanted to show it off.

"Sure." He answered as he handed me back my phone. "I don't see why not." He shrugged.

I smiled as I looked back down at my phone, admiring the picture, before I added a quick caption to it. I posted the picture and put my phone down so Drew and I could continue our conversation.

We somehow got on the topic of our driver's license, and we ended up taking ours out to compare them to each other. I took his and he took mine, both of us studying each other's license.

"You're middle name is Jane?" Drew asked as he looked up at me. "Why did you tell me you didn't have a middle name?"

"Because I hate it." I lightly laughed.

"Why? Mallory Jane sounds cute. Do people ever call you MJ?" He asked and I shook my head. I did like the way he said it, though. "Can I call you MJ?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "I like the way that sounds coming from you," I paused as I looked down at his license before looking back up at him, a smile creeping on my face. "Joseph."

"Okay, okay," Drew said as he now snatched his license back from me. "That's enough." He said as he handed me back my driver's license.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that Drew went by his middle name and I hated mine so much, I pretended like it didn't even exist. I did like the idea of Drew calling me MJ though. It was different than Mal, which was what my friends and family called me.

We both put away our IDs, and I noticed my phone began blowing up with a bunch of texts from my best friend from home, Savannah.

anna da banana🍌

Today 11:56 AM

MAL
MALLORY
MALLORY JANE HUDSON
WHAT THE FUCK IS ON YOUR STORY
ARE YOU KIDDING ME
ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW
MALLORY I STG
WHAT HAVENT YOU BEEN TELLING ME
EXPLAIN THIS RN

She sent me a screenshot of the picture that I posted, and I couldn't help but laugh at her texts. I hadn't told anyone about Drew, not even Savannah, who has been my best friend since kindergarten. I didn't want to say anything to anyone because I didn't want to jinx myself on the relationship Drew and I were building.

"What are you laughing at?" Drew cracked a smile as he took a sip of his drink.

"Just my friend," I told him. "She's freaking out that I'm with you."

"Does she not know that we're friends?" He asked and I shook my head.

"I haven't told anyone about you. I didn't want to jinx anything." I said.

"Ah," He nodded. "Makes sense."

I quickly responded to Savannah, telling her that I would explain everything later. Though I have talked to her almost everyday since moving out here, I hadn't gone into full detail of what's been happening in my life. She didn't even know that I was going to Charleston yet.

"I'm sorry about that." I apologized for being on my phone. I put my phone down once again and focused my attention on Drew.

"You're good," He nodded as he finished chewing his food. "So, MJ, are you good with heading over to Mads and Chase's place after this?"

"Okay, maybe don't call me MJ. It sounds weird now." I laughed, not being used to hearing that. Though I thought it was cute for him to call me something different than everyone else, it didn't sound right. "But yeah, totally." I nodded as I took a sip of my mimosa. I was excited to see them, especially Mads, since it's been a few days since the last time we caught up.

"We still have to announce that season three is coming, and we have to celebrate. I know it's only Tuesday, but everyday is Friday when you work for the Pate's. Speaking  of the Pate's, I can't wait for their house parties. I swear Mal, they throw the most fun house parties you'll ever go to. We're gonna have so much fun in Charleston, I-I just," He paused his rambling as he shrugged and I couldn't help but smile at his excitement. "I seriously can't wait."

I smiled as I watched him in complete adoration. The way that he was so excited about getting ready for season three, the way he couldn't wait to be in Charleston, he was too cute.

"I'm so excited." I grinned. "I couldn't believe I was going to Charleston to begin with, but now with you and everyone else, it's gonna be so awesome. I mean, I knew you guys would have to go out there at some point, I just figured that since I was helping them get ready for filming, I didn't expect you guys to be going out there already. But since we're all going out together, it's gonna be so fun. I can't wait to see you guys in character." I told him.

Drew and I continued to talk about our excitement to work in Charleston together, and he was telling me nothing but good things about working for Jonas Pate or the rest of the crew.

We soon finished up our brunch and once we were back in Drew's car, I figured that would be a good time to call Savannah. I told Drew a little bit about her and about how we watched both seasons of Outer Banks together, so she was a huge fan.

I facetimed her and it rang a few times before I saw her beautiful face.

"Hello!" Savannah greeted.

"Hey, Sav." I chuckled. "What's goin' on?"

"What's goin' on with me? Dude, what the hell is going on with you?!" She laughed.

"Hey Sav," Drew mimicked me and both him and I let out a small laugh.

"No way," Savannah gasped. "Mal, is that-" I now directed my phone at Drew and she saw him driving. "Shut up!" She screeched.

"Pleasure to meet you." Drew nodded.

"Oh my God." Was all she said and I think she was left speechless. "You did it, dude." She said after a few seconds of her trying to absorb who I was currently with. "You're in the big league now."

"What makes you say that?" I asked her, confused on why she said that.

"You're literally hanging out with Drew fucking Starkey." Savannah laughed in disbelief. "And you're currently living in LA working for the biggest streaming platform in the world." She emphasized. "What the hell else has been going on?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at what she was saying. It sounded so crazy, but it was all true.

"Look Sav, I'll explain everything to you later. Okay? I just wanted you to meet Drew." I told her. When I got a free minute, I'd be able to tell her everything that has been going on.

Savannah and I said our goodbyes, and Drew and I were left alone once again.

"The big league, huh?" He cocked an eyebrow as he looked over at me before turning his attention back to the road.

"Ever since we were little, we've always talked about making it big. I wouldn't say I've made it to the big league just yet, but I think I'm on the right path." I told Drew.

"Well considering you're hanging out with Drew fucking Starkey," He mocked what Savannah said, a smile on his face. "I think you're pretty damn close."

I smiled at Drew, loving how he was so cool with the way my friend fangirled over him. I was worried she would scare him off, but he seemed to find the way that she reacted to be funny.

Drew pulled up to his apartment complex after a few more minutes of driving, and I was left the rest of the day hanging out with Drew fucking Starkey and the rest of the OBX cast.

*****

a/n:

ahh i thought this chapter was so cute. but it all makes sense now huh!!
how do we feel about adding pictures into the chapters like this one? i have so many pics of drew that i feel like i could make up chapters with so lmk what y'all think and i'd be so happy to add them!

also, ik a few chapters ago i asked that if i started a rafe story if anyone would read it. only one person answered that question (which is totally fine) buttt i have been writing one and i think i'm gonna release the first couple chapters sometime next week. i'll obvi keep y'all updated but yeah

ok see y'all fri<3