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      » [nonsense by sabrina carpenter] «
0:58 ─〇───── 3:32
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july 27th, 2022

IT WAS A DAY AFTER the whole bar incident, and millie was finally starting to feel like she could breathe again. the awkwardness had faded, and tonight was all about having fun. she was out with audrey and madeline, the three of them in their own little world as they sipped on cocktails and laughed at nothing in particular.

"i can't believe we're actually doing this," madeline said, taking a sip of her drink. "we're writing a song about nonsense."

"it's not nonsense," millie argued, her phone in hand as she stared at the screen, typing away with a drunken grin. "it's art."

"right, because 'you said you like my eyes and you like to make them roll' is totally profound," audrey chimed in, raising an eyebrow.

millie giggled, swiping a lock of hair out of her face. "it's emotional. it's about the feeling of being confused, but also kinda wanting to be confused. like, why do we do this to ourselves?"

"oh my god, are you writing a love song?" madeline asked, her eyes wide with mock horror. "please tell me this is about someone specific."

millie froze for a second, her mind quickly flashing back to the last few days. but she shook it off, her fingers tapping away at the screen again. "no one specific," she said, too quickly. "just... a feeling. you know? about how everything's a little bit messy, but you still kinda want it."

audrey and madeline exchanged knowing looks, but they didn't push it. they knew better than to dig too deep when millie was in this kind of mood.

"alright, let's hear it," audrey said, leaning in. "what do we got so far?"

millie cleared her throat dramatically, as if she were about to perform a grand symphony. "okay, here goes: 'i'm talkin' all around clock.'"

madeline snorted, nearly spilling her drink. "this is genius."

"wait, it gets better," millie continued, her voice getting more animated, as if she was rappinv. "and then, like, 'I'm talkin' hope nobody knocks, I'm talkin' opposite of soft"

audrey and madeline both burst out laughing, the noise of the bar suddenly feeling a little less important. it was just the three of them, and for a moment, everything was perfect.

"i mean, it's true," millie said, looking at her phone with a satisfied grin. "it's all just nonsense, right?"

"honestly, i think this could be a bop," madeline said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes. "you're going to be the next big thing, millie."

millie leaned back in her chair, her heart light. "yeah, if only i could actually finish it. but hey, i'm too busy for that, right?" she shrugs her shoulders, bursting out into laughter.

the three of them laughed again, the night stretching on, full of laughter, drinks, and a song that was, admittedly, a little bit ridiculous but also kind of perfect in its own way.

millie's fingers hovered over her phone screen, clearly in the zone but also slightly tipsy. the laughter from audrey and madeline had died down, and now the room was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and the low hum of conversation around them.

"okay, okay," millie said, suddenly very serious, almost breaking a giggle, "we need more lyrics. this song needs depth."

"depth? millie, it's about nonsense," audrey reminded her, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "how deep can nonsense really be?"

"it's about the emotional nonsense," millie shot back, tapping her phone like it was some kind of instrument. "it's not just random. it's about feeling things you don't understand but wanting to feel them anyway. like, i don't know, texting someone at 2 a.m. but not actually wanting a response."

"ohhh," madeline said, nodding like she was getting it now. "so it's like... 'i'm texting you, but i don't want to have a conversation, i just want you to know i'm awake and thinking about you?' this song about to be catchier than chickenpox is."

"ok pur, slay girl." millie grinned, her face lighting up. "I like the chicken pox part, I'm putting that in. 'this song catchier than chickenpox is.'"

audrey raised her glass in a mock toast. "this is genius. this is art."

"wait, wait, i've got one," madeline piped up, leaning in like she was about to drop a bombshell. "how about something like you can't keep up with me, I'm too young, carefree." as she finishes her sentence, her and audrey burst out into laughter.

millie's eyes widened in delight. "yes! that's so perfect. like, "you gotta keep up with me
I got some young energy.'" she mumble sang, loudly, because she was drunk and had no awareness of noise.

audrey laughed. "wow, we really are writing the best song ever. i'm feeling this shit bro."

"okay, okay, bit more, and we've got a grammy nominated, top of the charts, first dance at a wedding type song," millie said, her fingers flying across the screen. "how about... 'I don't want no one else, baby, I'm in too deep, here's a lil' song I wrote, it's about you and me.' I don't even know, I'm talking nonsense." she shouts, putting her head to the chair.

"oh my god, that's so true," madeline said, nodding sagely. "it's like i've got motherfucking cartwheels in my stomach when you walk into a room.'"

audrey clapped her hands together. "this is it. we've cracked it. we've written the anthem for everyone who's down bad."

millie leaned back in her chair, staring at the phone in her hands like she'd just discovered the meaning of life. "it's beautiful. it's a masterpiece. we've captured the essence of the making of a baby."

audrey snorted into her drink. "i can't wait to hear this played on the radio. 'nonsense' by millie clarke: the song that defines a generation."

"you know what?" millie said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "i think i'm going to send it to harry when we record it."

audrey and madeline exchanged a glance. "ohhh, is this about harry?" madeline asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

"it's not about him," millie said quickly, her face flushing slightly. "it's just... i don't know, it's just a song. it's just, yeah."

"uh-huh," audrey said, clearly not buying it. "sure, millie. totally not about him."

millie rolled her eyes, feeling a little defensive. "fine, maybe a little. but it's mostly about the feeling, not the person."

"uh-huh, sure," madeline said, grinning. "we believe you."

"whatever," millie said, her smile returning, as she downs a shot some random men sent them.

they all burst into laughter again, the song now a perfect combination of chaotic energy and unexpected clarity. millie hit send, her finger lingering on the screen for a moment before she tossed the phone onto the table.

"there," she said, leaning back and looking at her friends. "it's done. i just wrote a song about nonsense, and sent it to aaron. god, he's gonna hate me."

"and it's brilliant," audrey said, raising her glass again. "cheers to that."

"cheers," millie echoed, clinking her glass with theirs. "to nonsense."

౨ৎ

it had been only half an hour since the drunken songwriting session with audrey and madeline, and millie was still buzzing from the chaos of it all. she'd managed to stumble her way through a few more verses, but the whole thing felt more like a joke than a real song. still, the melody was stuck in her head, and she couldn't stop humming it.

just as she was scrolling through her phone, still laughing to herself about the lyrics, another message popped up. it was from harry.

harry!

Got a hotel room booked
Wanna come over

seriosuly?
no one elder theres?

Are you drunm
Just me
Thought we could hang out no pressure

perchance
send me the room details pls xoxoxoxo

౨ৎ

a few moments later, harry sent the address. it was a hotel not far from where they were, just a short walk. millie hesitated for a moment before grabbing her jacket and heading out. she couldn't really explain why, but she knew she wanted to go.

the tube ride was quiet, but millie couldn't shake the feeling that something was different tonight. the carriage was crowded, and she stood near the door, scrolling through her phone absentmindedly. as the train swayed, she felt someone step closer to her. millie glanced up to find a guy standing a little too close, his breath hot on her neck. she tried to ignore it, but he kept edging closer, his body pressing against hers.

without warning, he leaned in, his lips brushing against her cheek, and millie froze. the alcohol in her system blurred her thoughts, and for a second, she didn't know what to do. she could feel his hands move toward her waist, and that was enough.

"what the hell are you doing?" she snapped, her voice slurring just slightly, the alcohol making her words come out sharper than intended.

the guy smirked, clearly undeterred. "come on, don't be like that," he said, his hand still lingering too close to her.

"no," millie said firmly, pushing him back with a force she didn't know she had. "fuck off."

the guy looked taken aback for a moment, but he didn't press it any further. millie moved away from him, her pulse still racing as she found a quieter corner of the carriage. her head was spinning, but the anger and embarrassment were clear. the whole encounter felt like too much, and she just wanted to get to harry's hotel room and forget about it.

when she finally arrived at the hotel, she felt a little more at ease, the tension from the tube ride slowly melting away. she took a deep breath before stepping inside, the lobby quiet and almost too calm for the energy buzzing inside her.

when she reached the door of the room, she knocked softly. the door swung open almost immediately, and there he was—harry, leaning against the doorframe, his eyes lighting up when he saw her.

"hey," he said, his voice soft but warm. "glad you came."

millie smiled, her heart racing a little faster now. she stepped inside, and before she could say anything, harry closed the door behind her, his gaze not leaving hers.

the tension between them was palpable, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. but then, without warning, harry leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a kiss that was slow, soft, and full of unspoken words. millie kissed him back, the moment feeling like it had been a long time coming.

when they finally pulled apart, there was no need for words. the kiss said everything they both needed to hear.

as they pulled away, millie couldn't help but laugh softly, her mind still on the guy from the tube. "you won't believe what happened on the way here," she said, her voice light but still carrying a hint of annoyance. "some guy tried to kiss me."

harry raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and something else. "did you let him?" he asked, his voice teasing.

"of course not, you silly bitch." millie replied, shaking her head. "but it was a bit much. i didn't know what to do, i just wanted to get here."

harry grinned, his hand brushing against hers. "well, i'm glad you came to see me instead," he said softly, his gaze locking with hers. "this is where you belong."

millie smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. maybe it wasn't just about tonight. maybe it was about something more. but for now, she was content to let the moment unfold.

🏹