FT | aaron & lily

[lily mccarthy]

FACETIME BETWEEN: Lily McCarthy - Aaron Eklund

It was decided, then. Conversations no longer defined by a dark phone lighting up or the familiar tone of a Facetime tune, Lily swiping the camera down quickly to text her management team the request before she forgot. It was true, what she had said earlier - everything blurred over time, thoughts slipping one into another, to-do lists hazy at best if she wasn't being ordered to do something. "Luckily my team, and friends, keep me pretty grounded," Lily says softly, a mental list of introductions already starting to form. Some he'd likely run into in the crowd or backstage, idly wondering if Zac would be in that mix. If she'd stare out into the endless crowds and look to them both. The phone hums against the desk to bring her back down, her tour manager already quick to confirm receipt. "You'll probably get a call from a Dave with a Washington area code tomorrow - he'll get everything figured out and let you know how to get in." It's a new mix of exhaustion and excitement, Lily stifling another yawn as she feels the conversation draw effortlessly to a close. "I'm glad you are too. Again....very unique circumstances, but can be a funny story to tell too. And we'll give something for those two to hold over our heads for a little while." She can already imagine Sylvia's face at the realization, eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment before they slid back open. "I might have to go soon, sleep rarely calls and when it does I try to answer. Talk soon?"

[aaron eklund]

FACETIME BETWEEN: Aaron Eklund - Lily McCarthy

IT was happening. Stretching beyond a passive comment of Sylvia’s, a conversation with Jack over beers. He’d agreed, waved it off and then went on his way, expecting nothing until an unfamiliar number popped up in his notifications. And here they were, FaceTiming from across the country, talking about their hobbies and interests, giving themselves to this intriguing exchange. Maybe it would have been easier if conversation was uncomfortable and stilted, or alarms raised early so they could have called it off instead of putting any stock into it. Instead they are making plans and promises, inviting this to become a reality and go from there. Aaron listened diligently to her details, impressed she could orchestrate something so easily—while multitasking, nonetheless. “You’re thorough, I appreciate that,” he remarked with a single nod, adding in a thanks for her invitation and effort. But he can read the exhaustion setting into her features, how much of a toll it takes to fire on all cylinders day in and day out. They’d briefly bonded over the trials of insomnia, so Aaron welcomes her honesty, nearly drawing a contagious yawn out of him as well. “Hey don’t miss sleep on my account,” he agreed, checking the time, surprised how long but easy this call had been. In his seat he adjusted, rattling his body out of its relaxation, gaze set to the screen like he could reach in and wish her sweet dreams. “Talk soon and see you eventually. Have a good night, Lily.”