invisible string | c. leclerc

twenty-four

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome."

Charles then moved to open the door for her from the other side of the car. Thalie watched from the same side he was leaning on. So, when Charles opened the door expecting for her to be just behind him, he was confused to see her still in her place.

He raised an eyebrow at her, "Cherie? You okay?" he asked. She let out a breath and nodded, "Yeah. Sorry." She said and walked to the other side and got in the car.

She watched as he jogged to the other side of the car and got in, buckling, he turned to her. "You ready?" he asked her again.

Thalie smiled and buckled herself in, "Yep." She simply answered and off Charles drove to the restaurant he had reserved for the night.

Silence is what accompanied the pair. Except for the occasional hum of the model. She glanced at the radio and then to Charles. Something that made the driver chuckle, "You know you can turn on the radio Thals." He said.

She blushed and chuckled, "I know." She said as she picked a random broadcast. A soft tune playing making Thalie to look back outside, studying the passing view of their hometown.

You've been hiding in plain sight, and it appeared, oh I know

Charles glanced at her, a small smile appearing on his lips as Thalie started to hum with the song. A comfortable air around them.

Loving you once only feels wrong, I need you

I always knew I'd find you, to be here is worth the wait to

I'm not lying when I say, "I've been stuck by the glue onto you"

Thalie took this time to glance at her best friend. Charles now focused back on the road but can feel the stare he was receiving from his best friend.

The model took this moment to study him. The amounts of bracelets on his wrist, the way his lips were playing on wearing a smirk or a smile, the flashes of his face from the street lights of Monaco.

It wasn't the first time the two will have dinner, but it was the first time that there was a sense of romance in anything they did with each other. It was different looking at Charles in that way.

Suddenly the car stopped, he turned to her, catching her staring at him. He smiled, "We're here Cherie." He said. She looked out and realized they have indeed arrived at the restaurant, "We are."

Charles chuckled, "Let's go?" he asked. She hummed and nodded, "Okay."

The two best friends got out of the car and walked in the restaurant, Charles making sure that he was guiding Thalie where they were supposed to be at. His hand settled softly on her back, his touch making her smile.

When they were brought to their table, Charles didn't know how to start the conversation, something that made Thalie laugh. He pouted and huffed, "You're laughing at me." He pointed out.

She sighed with a smile, placing her hand on top of his, "Relax Charlie. It's just me." She said. He hummed and nodded, "Yeah. But it's a date. Our first date." He reasoned.

Thalie got his point. They weren't just best friends, they were best friends on their first date. She cleared her throat, "Well, what should we talk about?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we don't need to know each other's names, family, friends, work, we both know that already." She started, explaining her point. Charles stared at her as she smiled, "What should we talk about?"

Charles wracked his brain, she was right. Nathalie Clement knew everything about him, except for his newly found and realized feelings. "Then how about we talk about that." He suggested.

Thalie looked at him confused, her eyebrows furrowed and her head tilted to the side a bit, "What do you mean?"

The driver chuckled and leaned forward, intertwining their fingers together, "Remember when we were young and I appeared in front of your door at 2 am just to drive around?"

And with that, a chest of memories was opened. The two best friends started to reminisce of their past. Talking about their adventures and stories. Sharing laughter and smiles.

They found solace in their memories. Like they were the only people who had memories and goodness growing up. They talked about late night drives, sneaking out, grocery runs, flower picking, and paper rings.

And as the dessert rolled in, they didn't realize that the chest is empty. They had talked all about their past. And Thalie took that opportunity to talk about their future.

"You'll win. I know for sure." She said pertaining to a WDC title. Charles chuckled and shook his head, "Not this season I assume. George is killing it." He said.

Thalie smiled at him, "There's always next season. And the one after that, and the one after that." She said with a giggle. Charles smiled at her, Thalie always believed in him.

"And you'll be the most highly requested model around." He said. She pursed her lips, "Yeah?"

He nodded, "And I'll be your biggest fan." "Like how I am to you?"

"Yeah..."

They stared at each other, "You promise to be there?" He nodded and pulled on her fingers, "I promise. Do you promise to be there too?"

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else Charlie."

They have made this promise towards each other before. But this time, it felt more real. They were older, more mature, words aren't just words anymore. Something else was there.

After dessert, the two found themselves driving back to her apartment, Charles turned off the engine and accompanied her to the front door. He smiled at her and she smiled back.

Thalie let out a breath, "Did you have fun?" she asked. Charles chuckled and nodded, "Yeah." He said. The model smiled in relief, "Good. I hope you know that you don't have to look for anyone Charlie. Love comes to you, and I hope you felt that tonight." She said and moved closer to him.

Standing a bit on her tippy toes, she pressed a soft and light kiss on his cheek. Charles' jaw dropped, "Thalie-" "Good night Charles." She said and patted his cheek, sending him a warm smile before turning back to the door and walking in.

Leaving Charles there in shock. His cheeks growing warm and red, his breath taken away, and his heart beating way too fast for his liking.

"Good night Thals." He whispered before touching the spot where she kissed him good night. A permanent smile etched on his lips before getting back in his car and driving away.