invisible string • Gracie Abrams

028 run-ins

alex monaghan was much more detailed in person than what charlottes seen online. he was really tall, soft chestnut hair covered by a ball cap. he had dimples and a stuble covering his sharp jawline, and dark green eyes. he looked at charlotte with a smug smile before diving his hand into his jacket pocket, pulling out a joint and his lighter as he leaned against the wall of the building they were beside.

"um, it's nothing," charlotte mumbled, staring him up and down wondering if he recognized her.

"hi weenie," he said, bending down to pet weenie who instantly remembered alex and jumped up his legs, his tail wagging rapidly. "guess charlotte took over my duty of walking you huh buddy."

charlotte mentally cursed him out, hating that he striked up a conversation while knowing who she was.

"how's gracie?" he asked, taking a puff.

"um, she's fine," charlotte saltily said.

"yeah," alex chuckled. "hey wait a sec," he said when he noticed charlotte starting to turn away. "c'mon, we haven't properly met. i'm alex, you probably know," he smirked.

"charlotte," she nodded and shook his open hand, his grip was firm and even hurt a little, he's fingernails creased into the back of her hand.

"i've been wanting to meet you, y'know ever since you popped into the news hanging out with gracie," he said. charlotte tensed up, which he noticed. "here," he said, thrusting the joint into her hand.

"um thanks," she mumbled and took a small hit. "look i—"

"what're you doing out this late with her huh?"

"nothing," charlotte sharply said, folding her arms.

"i thought uh you guys were enemies," he said, taking the joint and blowing the smoke right in her face.

charlotte crinkled her nose, "it's none of your business what we are. i don't even know you."

alex rolled his eyes, "oh come on parker. she got a new boyfriend?"

charlotte didn't respond, she just stared down at weenie and ignored it.

"or are uh... you two a thing?" he smirked, raising an eyebrow. where the hell did he learn that from? "makes sense if you are i mean, why else would you two be hiding from the public right? a friendship with you, that'd piss her parents off but a relationship?" he whistled. "that's a real reason to hide."

charlotte stared at him with creased eyebrows, "oh fuck off. no, we're not."

"look don't shit on me for this but take it from me, i'd get out of her life as soon as possible. she's nothing, you could do a lot better, even better than that cover you posted on instagram, what's his name uhh matthew?"

"what're you fucking stalking me?" she spat.

alex shook his head, "just checking in on who my ex hangs with. trying to help em escape," he chuckled, blowing the smoke once again in charelotte's face.

"thanks but i don't need your help," charlotte said, meeting his eyes.

"cocky," he said, folding his arms. "hey your friend sadie sink, she's cute huh."

charlotte dropped to a glare, "what?"

"c'mon everyone knows who she is she's huge," he said. "kinda wanna get to know her maybe ask her—"

"hell no, she doesn't need you."

"you could give me her number," he replied.

"sadie's kinda with someone already," she said in thought to caleb, even though sadie is still uninterested in caleb as it seems. "and even if she wasn't i wouldn't get her involved with you. shes gotta be enough for you right?"