Chapter Text
Andrea Sachs and Emily Charlton had more in common than they’d like to believe. Stubbornness was the one trait they both seemed to let control them.
Andrea was determined to make Emily Charlton like her, and Emily was determined to push Andrea away. It seemed as though they were their own versions of the immovable object and unstoppable force problem.
The sun warmed the Runway building through its glass windows, a small cast of gold glittering through and painting everything in honey. Andrea knew she should be doing her work, but she couldn’t help but peer over from her desk to Emily’s. Emily was enthralled in her work, her slender manicured hands clicking away at her keyboard. She seemed to be paying Andy no mind. Andrea watched as the sunlight danced along her red hair as it softly fell into her face. She knew that if she were any closer to Emily, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from reaching towards her and tucking the loose strands behind her ear.
“Is there something you need?” Emily asked with faux sincerity, catching Andy staring at her. Andy just blinked at her. She was still slightly lost in her daydream about the perfection that was Emily Charlton’s features.
Emily raised a judgmental eyebrow when Andy still didn’t answer her.
“Oh, bloody hell. Are you just going to sit there and gawk at me all day, or do you plan on actually completing your tasks so you and I can go home on time tonight?” she asked, the crudeness of her words slipping out as if it were the easiest thing ever. Andrea’s cheeks burned through her makeup, and she was sure Emily could see it. A small “sorry” made its way out of her mouth, which seemed to satisfy Emily enough as she turned her attention back to her computer.
Andrea fidgeted with the curled ends of her hair. She knew she should be hurt by Emily’s coldness, but deep down it just made her want to get to know her more. She wondered what she was like underneath all the luxury clothing brands and harsh eye makeup. Andrea wanted to know the real Emily, not the one that constantly chased after Miranda’s approval, but the one who could tell the difference between cerulean #2256 and cerulean #2246 without having to look at the label. The one whose eyes sparkled when the collections she helped put together were well received by the masses. Emily was passionate, and anyone could see that. But what was that passion like when she wasn’t bombarded with hundreds of requests from Miranda?
Andrea’s mind drifted into more tantalizing territory. She couldn’t help but wonder if Emily had a boyfriend. It wouldn’t be surprising. Emily was quite the package deal. She was intelligent, successful, beautiful, and despite what some may say, she was in fact very charming. Before the thought could tug at Andy’s heartstrings any harder, she tried to push it away, attempting to focus her mind back on her work.
The day was nearing its end. So, Andy stood up to stretch and began helping Emily carry old issues of Runway over to the paper shredder. Emily moved with quick steps, her black heels tapping against the ground as she walked up to the shredder, and Andy followed with the last stack of issues, residing next to Emily as she passed each magazine through one by one. Andy was so close to Emily that she was surrounded by the sweet but husky scent of her perfume, and her brain seemed to stop functioning completely, her mouth moving before she could stop herself.
“Em?” she asked, her voice a bit squeaky.Emily glanced over at her but didn’t stop what she was doing, and Andy took that as a sign to continue.
“I... I was wonder- are you busy tonight?” she asked, trying to conceal the way her voice faltered slightly. Emily’s eyes went a little wide for a moment as she turned to look at Andrea. Her slightly shocked expression then morphed into one of amusement.
“Hm. I suppose it depends. Why?” she asked, her accent thick with suspicion.
Andy gulped. “Uhm. Well, there’s this vintage fashion market in the city for the week, and I thought maybe you’d enjoy it. I would go alone, but obviously you know about these types of things better than anyone, especially me. I’d just be confused and probably pick out the worst pieces.”
Andy tried to sound casual and failed miserably, her slight ramble giving her away. Her eyes danced around Emily’s face looking for a reaction, but her expression was unreadable. For a second, it seemed as if she were considering it, but of course, that’d be too easy.
“Wow, what an offer, Andy,” she sighed out sarcastically.
“But it’ll have to be a no. I’d rather not spend my evening watching you look clueless around high-end items. I’m forced to do that all day at work anyway.” Emily rolled her eyes as if the suggestion offended her.Andy just nodded, not fully surprised Emily had turned her down. As the last magazine went through the machine, they went back to their desks, and Emily began grabbing her belongings.
“Goodnight, Andy,” Emily said as she walked away from her desk to the exit leading to the elevator. This time, Andrea didn’t care to look up from her desk.
Andrea tried to be mad that Emily had turned her down, but what did she expect? Maybe they just weren’t meant to mix.
Andy thought back to their conversation, the way Emily brushed off the idea. “Wow, what an offer, Andy.” Her thick accent echoed through her head a few times.
Wait.
Had Emily called her Andy? The nickname she refused to use no matter what? Because she was pretty sure Emily claimed herself that “they weren’t friends,” so there was “no need” for her to use anything but Andrea’s full name.
Maybe it was a mistake. But it happened twice. Once in the copy room and again as she was leaving. Emily probably didn’t even notice, but it was progress, and it couldn’t help but put a wide grin on Andy’s face.