35. he smiled

'Wow.' Rae took a deep breath as she stepped outside her balcony. 'This is so beautiful. I love this weather.'

Jack, Brooke and Nade all smiled at the girl who for the first time in the trip had spoken something. The 100T team had finally arrived at Washington and had pre booked a villa to stay for the weekend. Jack had been narrating and illustrating details about his hometown and everyone else were intently listening.

'I know right!' Jack said rubbing his hands for some warmth, 'This weather is at the best time. It's just the right amount of cold with the sunny. Oh, how much I missed my home town. Argh.'

Everyone chuckled at the dramatic Jack and soon withdrew to their rooms. Rae was sharing one with Brooke for the weekend and then once they'd be done shooting for their videos, Rae would leave to stay at Imane's house which was a half hour drive away. Janet would directly arrive there but only a day prior to Imane's birthday because she was a bit preoccupied.

Things were much better and lighter in Rae's head now that the she was in a different place and she could feel the soft vibes of Washington soothe her anxious mind.

'So you've settled?' Imane asked over the call as Rae sat on the lawn chair with a hot mug of chocolate. 'Everything good?'

'Yes yes, Imo. Everything's perfect. And we're all resting for today. Nade says we'll be shooting early in the morning.' Rae explained, relaxing in the evening breeze.

'Well, perfect then.' Imane beamed from the other end. 'You could join us for dinner!'

'What?'

'Yes. You'll be shooting tomorrow right? And Alex is out for a meeting tonight, so it'll just be the two of us today. Oh, Rae, I'm literally dying to see you here!'

Rae chuckled, as she watched Jack sleep like a log in the living room while Brooke watching a sitcom on TV. Everyone were resting from the tiring road trip they just finished.

'Um, I'll ask Nade.' Rae said, as she calmed Imane's excitement. 'And you better pick me up from here cause I'm definitely losing my way.'

'Yes bitch.' Imane chuckled, as Rae finished her chocolate. 'This is going to be good. Imma cry.'

'Oof. And people call me dramatic.'

'It is what it is.'

The phone call ended on another loud excited cheer from Imane and a chuckle following suit from Rae. It was after months that Rae was meeting Imane and it felt like an eternity that they stayed apart.

Which was a little exaggerated way to say it, but nevertheless it was true.

As much as Rae wanted to believe that everything happens for a reason, even the stupid break-up she had to go through twice, Rae felt a little pang in her heart. Just something missing, something she couldn't place her finger at.

But she soon would.

_

'Okay. Geez.'

But Imane just couldn't not stop hugging Rae, and no amount of Rae's pleadings would stop Imane from squeezing her best friend to death.

The moment Imane took the low spirited Rae in her warm soothing arms, the latter felt like ten times better already. For the first minute she hugged Imane back, finding the familiar daisy scent bring a sense of home to her. However the next minute Rae could feel herself tearing up already.

She didn't wanna cry again now. And now bore Imane with her unending sob stories.

'Imane!' Rae said, trying to be loud but it just came off as a faint whisper.

That just made Imane hold her a little more closer, 'I am so proud of you, Boo. You've come so far. So strong.'

And that was it from Rae for holding her tears because she soon felt few drops leave imprints on Imane's top as she hugged Imane back now. Resting her head on her shoulder, trying to breathe better.

'That was so tiring, Imo.' Rae sighed, as they broke the hug and Imane smiled at the now better looking girl. 'So exhausting.' Rae wiped her tear and Imane held her hand, gently squeezing it.

'Yea. But the best part is that it's over.' She told the hoodied girl, touching her chin. 'And everything from here onwards is just going to be amazing. Trust me.'

Rae smiled back, holding Imane's hand and the two girls shared a quick hug again, clearly having missed each other's company.

'Amazing huh?' Rae asked, still doubtful. 'How do you know?'

'I know babe. I know.' Imane smirked, shrugging as she pointed to herself. 'I'm just kind of a bitchy fortune teller myself.'

To that Rae rolled her eyes, playfully and immediately scrunched her nose as a strong smell hit her nostrils. 'Does a bitchy fortune teller knows her food is burning?'

And that made Imane run towards the kitchen, cursing both the food and Rae who broke into hysterical fits of laughter.

'Shut the fuck up Rae. My beautiful rice is burnt.' Imane cried as she stirred the pot rice she was done with. 'Thankfully the gravy is good.'

It didn't look good, but Rae didn't wanna get beaten by Imane so she nodded.

The house was comfortable and a cozy three room apartment on the 10th floor with a nice cityline view. Alex and Imane had managed to make a beautiful homey house for themselves and the vibrant colors of yellow and brown just gave Rae the sweet comfy vibes she desperately needed.

'Ooh, Alex messaged me an hour back.' Imane spoke from the kitchen as Rae walked around the house.

'What did he say?' Rae replied, touching the green creepers from outside the balcony.

'It says their meeting got postponed and they are heading home here for dinner.' Imane replied smelling her gravy and finishing her last minute sauté for the sauce. 'They will be here anytime now.'

'Okay.' Rae answered as she glanced at the room she was to stay in soon and then it struck her. 'Wait, what do you mean by they?'

Imane's answer was drown by the doorbell and Rae offered to open the door.

'Wow, Imane, your food is just like you.' Rae commented while crossing the kitchen.

'Aww. You mean hot?'

'No. I mean spoiled.' Rae laughed and escaped Imane's deadly stare as she opened the door, still laughing.

However her laughter froze when she saw the tall familiar man standing outside the door, looking extremely neat in his business suit. His black dark eyes a little surprised to see her, his hair neatly tucked and a smile hit his always formal face.

Rae looked up at James, who was smiling sweetly at her, like he was happy to see her. Or he was an absolutely good actor.

Never had she seen him this uplifted and happy. Or she never noticed before.

'Hi.' He said, his voice a bit more easy-going than cold. 'Uh... This is a surprise.'

'It is it is.' Rae smiled back, softly and this time being a lot more cautious about herself than usual. 'Um, come in.' She cleared her throat, welcoming him in.

'Thanks.' James hesitated, clearly out of words too. 'Alex is parking the car, he'll be up soon.'

'Okay.' Rae said, softly as they kept their gaze on each other.

And Imane just shook her head at the two most oblivious, idiotic adults.

'Oh Mimi.' Imane told her cat, who sat on the window sill. 'Get ready to be in an awkward mess for two so weeks.'

Mimi only purred in response, completely agreeing to Imane.

_

A/N

Didn't you say alternate days update?

Yes. But I write whenever I'm having a mental breakdown (or close to having one) and I have one everyday lol.

If not then alternate day for sure.

Vote. Comment. Share.

Video: tinykunno compilation if anyone's having a bad day ♥️