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mickey

ever since greta introduced lily-rose depp to haley, the two girls became instant friends. they only knew each other beforehand from various fashion shows and modeling events and sure, they knew each other as "timmy's ex". fortunately, it didn't make things uncomfortable between them because he and lily were actually on speaking terms and remained friends.

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they arrived at haley's apartment after she had a long day of filming out in new york. lily dropped her bags upon entry and sprawled on the couch like she did countless nights before.

"did you see that trending interview of timothée and zendaya? it's all over twitter and instagram, everything," mentioned lily.

"there are lots of trending videos of them, lily. be more specific. is this the bff test? from buzzfeed?"

"so you watched it!" haley's friend exclaimed triumphantly.

"i was bored," shrugged haley, trying to appear as nonchalant as possible.

"his apartment really is a mess. but no, that's not it, it's the one where he's giving this deep-ass answer and zendaya's just like 'huh?' because he's being too eloquent for no good reason."

"oh i think i know that. 'you are the master of your fate, you are the captain of your soul?"

"girl, you miss him baddd," lily observed.

"nah, i just saw it on my for you page. it was just like, a few seconds. everyone thinks he's so amazing for being so deep when actually he's quoting this poem, invictus. he actually recited it in a play he did, i think it was called the prodigal son? with the dead poets society dude."

lily just stared.

"i'm just saying!" haley raised her hands in surrender. "it's not original."

"i think you should talk to him."

"i don't." shot back haley.

"i want pizza."

"want me to doordash something?" she replied.

"no, i want to experience the thrill when it comes to buying pizza," lily said, grabbing her friend's arm and pulling her out the door.

haley began to protest and tried to drag lily back inside when they they heard a set of footsteps coming from the stairs beside them. an old man carrying four boxes of pizza came into view, and somehow, he made his task look elegant, walking with a unique sophistication and grace. he definitely didn't look like someone who should be carrying four pizza boxes all alone.

"mr. wilson!" haley exclaimed, in recognition of her neighbor. they never spoke except for a couple of hellos and how are yous here and there, but she was familiar with what he looked like. he stopped in front of the door across hers, struggling to put the boxes down and find his keys.

"i can help you take that—" haley offered, holding her arms out for the boxes.

"oh, well, that's very kind of you darling," he said in a posh south london accent, handing over the boxes to her and lily.

"i have a grandchild about your age," he told them, like all old people like to do. "would you like to visit tonight? they're arriving from the airport. my grandchild! mickey!"

"oh no sir, we couldn't possibly intrude." began lily, while haley tried to refuse. it's safe to say though, that deep down, both girls actually wanted to. a little bit.

"oh, well then. take one. you two must be starving!" he nudged the stack of boxes towards them, eying their small, thin frames.

lily didn't hesitate. she took a box and, after giving their profound thanks, dragged haley back inside.

"FREE PIZZA!"

"oh god," groaned haley. "that's all you wanted?"

"well, you didn't want to pay the old man a visit. he seemed really nice, his grandchild does too."

"PLEASE. i've never even met them."

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two hours passed and the two girls were still up, even though it was getting late. then out of nowhere, they heard a loud knock on the door. never mind; it was plural. many, loud, irritating knocks on the door kept coming.

"the hell?" haley groaned.

"get it!" lily pushed her off the couch towards the door, covering her eyes with a nearby sweater.

haley looked through the peephole to see who it was. it was no one she knew, that was for sure. a girl stood behind the door, waiting impatiently.

"HOLD ON A SEC!" haley hollered. then she proceeded to run to lily and shook her hard.

"what?" she hissed.

"a girl is standing outside my apartment and i have no idea what to do or why she's even there in the first place," haley whisper-yelled.

"why are you whispering?" lily whispered back.

"because--"

haley was interrupted again by the knocking.

"i know you're there, so if you aren't coming out then just tell me and i'll leave." a strong voice from outside said.

"just answer her, man." lily pulled haley towards the door.

"hi." haley flashed a nervous smile at the stranger, whose wavy hair was a shade of strawberry blonde, cut unevenly. her bangs fell across her forehead. she had a nice nose, a mouth that seemed to frown downwards, and piercing eyes that seemed familiar. she looked like a mix of a female cole sprouse and kristen stewart. "sorry, who are you?"

"fuck, did grandpa not tell you? he lives right across," the girl said, thumbing behind her. it was surprising to haley because the girl's voice did not suit her at all. she expected some light, smooth voice, but instead it was deep and rough. she liked it, though.

"i'm mikayla." the girl said.

lily's eyes widened with surprise. "mickey?" haley didn't expect his granddaughter to sound so... american. but then again, she did herself, despite being half british.

"damn, grandpa," she cursed under her breath. "he likes to call me that, yes, but i'd prefer to go by kayla if you don't mind."

"of course. to what do we owe the pleasure?" asked lily. she was doing most of the talking here, since haley felt a bit too intimidated to talk at the moment.

"oh. well, old victor over there said he gave y'all pizza, and was wondering if you'd like cake or something?"

"cake." haley repeated, dubiously.

"you got something against that?" kayla rolled her eyes and turned around. "it was just an offer, jeez louise. it's really good cake." she added, as she made her way to the apartment across.

"chocolate?" haley asked. it sounded like a challenge.

"what else would it be?"

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so that's how lily and haley found themselves in the middle of the sprawling, aptly decorated apartment that belonged to victor wilson at 10pm. it was full of bright colors and inviting furniture, and had walls covered in various paintings and framed art pieces.

"mikayla was an art student in los angeles and stays there whenever she please to do freelance." victor explained loudly, washing dishes in the kitchen sink. "those paintings are all hers, ranging from when she was ten, until now."

"these are beautiful," breathed haley, touching a frame in awe.

"just some stuff i made when i was bored," kayla replied, picking at her nails. she headed to the kitchen to help victor.

"she's spending a little time here with me, her old sod of a grandfather, i presume. her parents on the other hand, well." the old man continued, scoffing. "that pair couldn't care less about their only child."

"grandpa," kayla reprimanded, imitating his accent. haley heard him curse in french, then remind her in the same language: don't take that tone with me child, you know as well as i do that i may as well have birthed you myself. at this, mikayla just rolled her eyes again.

she and lily widened their eyes. they both understood french and spoke it fluently, but the grandfather-granddaughter duo didn't have to know that.

"grandpa." she said again, gesturing at haley and lily to sit down.

"what?"

"i think our guests are fluent in french." kayla said flatly, taking a seat.

"well damn, because that's the only other language i speak!" he remarked, as he set a large cake in front of her and began to sing. "happy birthday-"

"wait!" haley said, horrified. "it's your birthday?"

"it was the other day." kayla said, giving victor a pointed look. "we don't talk about birthdays here."

they sang for her nonetheless.

"you have a beautiful voice, darling." victor remarked, over his third glass of wine. "what was it you said you did again?"

"she's an actor, a model, a singer, an internet sensation, and a part time physician." said lily, proudly.

"oh. and you?"

"just an actor and model."

"you know," victor said with a hiccup, "i met princess diana once. i was a stylist back in the day. most elegant, sophisticated, classy person i've ever met. and kind, too."

"she was so pretty," sighed kayla. "i never liked that charles."

"mickey here has a theory that diana was secretly a bisexual," her grandfather informed them. he was swaying a little. "told her that there was a very low chance of that happening."

"it could be!" kayla insisted.

"haley darling, do you... ah, how do i say it again, dear?" he looked over at his granddaughter.

"grandpa. no."

"do you listen to the... ah, girl in the red?"

haley looked over at lily, with even wider eyes than before.

"forget about it," mikayla insisted.

"i do listen to sweater weather a lot," haley shrugged, a small smile playing at her lips. she enjoyed the stunned look on kayla's face before taking a sip of her drink.

"wha's tha' s'posed t' mean?" victor slurred.

"i'll tell you later grandpa," kayla said hastily. "let's get you to bed. hang on," she added to the two other girls who were about to get up, before helping victor to one of the rooms.

lily gave her friend a look once they were alone. haley made a face. i don't know why i did that, she communicated with her eyes. she received a tight, bone crushing hug, and a comforting pat on the back afterwards.

"hey." mikayla said, her eyes shining. "it's so late, y'all are probably so tired. so sorry to keep you late, but thanks so much for coming. it meant a lot."

she wouldn't meet their eyes.

"we had a blast. you're grandpa's really cool." lily replied, smiling.

"thanks for tonight," haley said softly, as they were ushered out the door.

I MISS YOU, I'M SORRY