As the sunlight casts its warmth on me through my master bedroom window onto my king sized bed, I roll over to grab my phone and check the time. It takes a few rolls to get to the other side, and I frown and wonder if I should purchase a smaller bed as no one else sleeps in it anyways. I am quite tall, around 6'1 last time I checked, but I've never been the type to have the largest and grandest size of anything, contrary to many celebrities I know. I tap the glass box and the screen awakens, telling me its 8:23am on Friday, the 16th of February.

It is a special day as it's one of my closest friends birthdays. Our relationship is strange, and has changed throughout the years of knowing each other. I met Lizzie in high school, we were both in the same graduating class, class of 2013. I guess I always had a crush on her, I mean come on she's such a beautiful person inside and out, but I never acted on it as I was afraid she wouldn't feel the same, or be weird about my condition. Ignoring that feeling was stupid however, as I later found out she felt the same the whole time. That was great and all, but after graduation she moved to New York to go to school at NYU to study theater and acting, while I stayed and went to UCLA on a scholarship for basketball. We remained close friends though, and we would fly out to see each other whenever possible. I guess the looming feelings of attraction remained over our heads all those years, and we hooked up one of the times I flew over to New York.

She saw me for me, and not for my body or past or anything else; something I valued so much because it's a feeling I had never experienced before. We would mess around every now and then after that, and even more once she moved back to Los Angeles as she started to pick up more roles in movies. While all that is fun, we both realized that the love we felt for each other was just on a friendship level, and every time we tried to make it anything more than that it didn't work.

Today, Lizzie is arguably one of my best friends. We are each others biggest supporters within both our respective careers, and I wouldn't trade our friendship for the world, and tonight I get to celebrate her 26th birthday and cherish another year of friendship with her. She's throwing a big party at her place, which is unlike Lizzie but she explained to me that she just wanted all her favorite people together whilst having fun, and of course I agreed even though parties aren't really my style thanks to my anxiety. You would think that a "famous" athlete like I am is super outgoing and loves social environments but it's a common misconception that all celebrities love to go out and are always surrounded by other people.

I get up out of bed and throw on a shirt and basketball shorts over my boxers and slip into my slides. While I cut up the fruit for my protein shake I give Lizzie a call to wish her a happy birthday.

"Gosh Jayden it's 9am can't I get some beauty rest on my special day?" Lizzie asks while I sing the happy birthday song to her over the phone.

"...Happy birthday, to you!" I finish.

"Thank you Jay, you're so sweet. You know, you're always the first to call me each and every year?"

"No need to thank me, just another duty of mine as your best friend."

"Will my best friend be attending my super fun and awesome party tonight"? She asks, and I can almost picture her smiling across the other end of the phone as she asks me.

"Of course Liz, I wouldn't miss it for the world." She squeals when she hears my response.

"Okay great! Oh and by the way I have someone I want you to meet."

Here we go again, Lizzie trying to play matchmaker and introducing me to people who she thinks would be a good match for me. I appreciate the efforts, but every girl she introduces me too ends up the same, it just never goes anywhere. I guess Lizzie is tired of seeing me alone for so long.

"Who is it this time. It better be Scarlett Johansson or something, if not, I'm not interested." I cheekily remark.

"God you've always been obsessed with her, and no it's not her but she will be there tonight."

It takes a lot in me not to drop my phone in the blender after hearing her say that my childhood crush will be at this party tonight, only making me even more nervous. Lizzie has been friends with Scarlett for a while, since Lizzie joined the Avengers for Age of Ultron. I have had opportunities to meet Scar at different events but I either couldn't go because there was a game, or I didn't get the chance to cross her path.

"Okay wow I am now ten times more nervous than I was before! Scarlett Johansson and being introduced to a girl? How much do you think I can handle Lizzie?" I remark.

"You can handle a lot Jay, but not as much as I can. We both know that very well."

"Yeah yeah. Ok so who is she?" I ask.

"Not telling. You will see for yourself! Bye!" And with that she hangs up and the call drops.

Great, now I am left in mystery for the rest of the day until the evening. Who could it be?

---

One of my favorite things to do after a hard workout at the practice arena is to come home and take a cold shower. A lot of people look at me funny for it, but it just feels so good. Today's practice went well, the team was doing drills and running plays in almost perfect unison. My shots were going in and I was making good assists, its a good feeling.

It's almost 5:30, and Lizzie asked me to get to her place at around 7, so I am starting to get myself ready and presentable earlier. I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my waist and head towards the closet to decide what I am going to wear. I begin by putting on my boxers and sports bra, along with plain white socks. I reach for a buttoned down black and white short sleeve shirt, with off-white slacks and my Doc Marteen loafers, along with some simple jewelry and rings.

I place the finishing touches on my hair and spray my cologne and head out the door of my house and into my BMW.

When I arrive at Lizzie's she greets me outside and gives me a big hug and thanks me once again for coming. She walks me back into her house, which I have been in almost a million times by now but seeing all the people inside talking makes me start to get nervous.

It's like Lizzie read my mind and she holds onto my arm, giving it a small squeeze.

"Hey you're okay Jay, just walk with me it's okay I am right here."

She walks me to a group of people talking, and right away I greet the people I have already met before, which includes Brie, Aubrey, Chris Evans, and Renner. I then turn behind me when I hear the raspy voice I know all too well.

"So, a little birdie told me you were excited to see me." She looks up at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Scarlett so nice to meet you, I'm Jayden, Lizzies best friend." I reach out my hand, but she pulls me in for a hug.

"I know who you are, Jayden." I almost shiver when she recognizes me. "Collin loves watching the WNBA he's a big fan, and so am I."

"Oh wow, um, that means a lot to me thank you, I'll have to get you guys tickets one day." She smiles and looks as if she is about to say something else but is cut off by strong presence.

"Well if it isn't JC3! A hand slaps my back and I turn to see Robert Downey Jr himself, standing beside me."

"Hey RDJ, it's a pleasure to meet Iron Man himself, don't shoot me with a repulsor or anything now." I joke, earning some laughs from the group.

The night continues on and I sit around with Aubrey and Brie watching the others play drinking games and sing karaoke. As the night goes on, I become more comfortable and make good conversation, which I am proud of myself for. Every so often, Lizzie checks in on me and asks if I am okay, each time she returns a little more tipsy than the last, it's cute and funny at the same time. I take a look around the house and there are different groups of people in each section, reminding me of high school cliques almost. Lizzie has so many different friends from all the projects she's worked on, that it's no surprise to see this many people here.

Taking me out of my train of thought, Aubrey sparks up a conversation with me.

"Lizzie is single right?"

"What?" I reply shocked at the randomness of the question.

"You heard me Jayden."

"Oh, uh, yeah she is, why?" I ask.

"Just checking, and just to confirm there's nothing going on between you two. I see the way you look at her."

"Oh no, no Lizzie and I are just friends, we have always been just friends, nothing more." I lie, feeling a little guilty for not telling the complete truth but Lizzie and I chose to keep our situation private, and plus I have only met Aubrey a couple times I don't feel comfortable sharing that with her.

"Whatever you say Carter. But thanks for the top secret information." She says while bumping her drink into my arm.

Aubrey's question leads me into a sort of overthinking spiral, with flashbacks of our past coming forward. I decide it would be a good time to step outside for a while to get some air and escape from the commotion indoors.

I step onto Lizzie's back porch when I notice the figure of another person looking out to the California hills. I walk closer hesitantly, not wanting to disrupt them as they probably are out here for the same reason I am. But then I hear them on the phone.

"Yeah Griffin I'll talk to you tomorrow. Yes I'll get the food for family dinner tomorrow. Okay I got to go, I'm at a party. Tell Dwight I say hi. Love you big bro, bye." She hangs up

She almost jumps up when she notices I am standing behind her, not expecting anyone to be out here. She's wearing a black long sleeved shirt with a brown dress on top, along with these shiny high top black boots. I won't lie, she looks stunning.

"You're Jayden right?" She asks me, almost in a nervous tone.

"Y-yeah, thats me, how do you know my name?" I question back to her.

"Lizzie showed me your picture, told me you would be here tonight." So this is who Lizzie wanted to introduce me too, but I guess she was so caught up in her own celebration that she forgot, and I don't blame her.

"You're Hailee Steinfeld, why didn't Lizzie just tell me it was you?" I've known of Hailee for a little while now, I remember her from Pitch Perfect and Bumblebee. The Edge of Seventeen was great also.

"Listen I've only know her for a small period of time, but she can be forgetful."

"So how do you know Lizzie?"

"Well, I'm kind of not supposed to tell you this but I got casted as Kate Bishop in the new Marvel show Hawkeye, it's still in the works but I'm so excited. Lizzie thought it would be a great idea to come tonight so I could meet my future co-workers I guess. And about that first part, don't tell anyone or Kevin Feige will be really mad at me."

"My lips are sealed." I say while I pretend to zip my lips closed and throw away the key. "How come you're out here?" I ask.

"Just needed to get away from everything inside, I'm an outgoing person but meeting that many new people back to back is a little tiring." She tells me honestly.

"No I totally get it, I get worn out too from socializing too much. It's natural, we all need a break sometimes."

"You're right. I'm glad I came out here then because if I didn't I wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting you. You're great by the way, my brother loves basketball you know."

My cheeks start to turn crimson and I turn away in hopes that she won't notice, although its hard to miss. We are both standing next to each other now, arms rested on the balcony ledge.

"Uhm. Yeah, yeah you are great too, I've seen you in a few films and they play your songs at the gym sometimes, you have a nice voice if I do say so myself." Now her cheeks turn red at my comment, and I can feel my hands start to sweat so I transfer them into the pockets of my pants.

She lifts her hands back up from the ledge, looks at her phone, and says, "Well Jayden, it was nice to meet you thanks for accompanying me outside here, it was a little lonely until you got here." She says while smiling at me. God she has such a beautiful smile. I almost forget to answer her when she calls my name again.

"Anytime. Hopefully the next time I see you it wont be on a dark balcony, Lizzie needs to get more lights out here." She laughs at my comment.

"You're right. Have a nice night Jay, get home safe." She turns to walk away and I turn back to looking out at the view.

I find it strange when I don't hear the door open and the music flood onto the balcony. Is she still standing there? I turn around to find her facing the door. She turns around and walks back towards me.

"Wait, before I leave give me your phone." She asks, and I give her access to it. I watch as she types in her number and hands it back to me. "I probably looked like an idiot standing there, I didn't know if it was embarrassing or not to go back up to you after I already said bye, and just- I'm sorry I'm overthinking it, but here, my number, call me anytime. Okay I'm actually leaving this time. Bye Jay, you look great tonight." She says as she walks away

I am stood there in a trance with my phone still in my hand exactly as she placed it. I don't even say goodbye back as I'm left standing there with her looming scent around me, a scent I could get used to. It smells like lavender and orange, with a hint of musk, who knew a scent could be so attractive. I frown when her smell diffuses and mixes into the night air, wishing I could be back in her presence again.

Who knows, maybe Lizzie might have done a good job this time around?

---

2743 words

THE MOON upon her fluent route

Defiant of a road,

The stars Etruscan argument,

Substantiate a God.

If Aims impel these Astral Ones,

The Ones allowed to know,

Know that which makes them as forgot

As Dawn forgets them now.

- Emily Dickinson