Sara Lance sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her phone. The screen displayed Thea's name, along with a string of unanswered calls and texts. She sighed, running a hand through her hair. The memory of their kiss—and the way she had pulled away—played on a loop in her mind. She hadn't meant to hurt Thea, but the fear of what it all meant had overwhelmed her.
"I should've handled it better," Sara muttered to herself. She picks up her phone and dials Thea's number for what feels like the hundredth time. It goes straight to voicemail.
"Thea, it's me again. I… I just want to talk. Please call me back." She hangs up, frustration and regret bubbling up inside her.
At Queen Consolidated, Thea is buried in work. She's been spending almost 24 hours a day at the office, throwing herself into her projects to avoid thinking about Sara. Her desk is cluttered with papers, blueprints, and coffee cups, and her eyes are tired but determined.
Isabel Rochev walks into her office, holding a fresh cup of coffee. "You've been here all night again, haven't you?"
Thea looks up, forcing a smile. "Just trying to stay on top of things."
Isabel set the coffee on the desk and crossed her arms. "You're not fine. You're running yourself into the ground. What's going on?"
Thea hesitated, her fingers tightening around her pen. "Nothing. I just… need to stay busy."
Isabel studied her for a moment, then sighed. "You know, avoiding your problems won't make them go away."
Thea's jaw tightened. "I'm not avoiding anything. I'm working."
Isabel raised an eyebrow. "Right. Well, don't say I didn't warn you."
Sara decides to visit the Queen mansion, hoping to catch Thea there. She rings the doorbell, and Moira answers, looking surprised but welcoming.
"Sara! What a pleasant surprise. Come in."
Sara steps inside, glancing around nervously. "Is Thea here?"
Moira shakes her head. "I'm afraid not. She's been spending most of her time at Queen Consolidated lately. You know how she gets when she's focused on something."
Sara forces a smile. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Mrs. Queen."
Sara made her way to Queen Consolidated, her determination growing with each step. When she arrived, she approached the receptionist, who gave her a polite smile.
"Hi, I'm here to see Thea Queen," Sara said.
The receptionist glanced at her computer screen. "I'm sorry, but Ms. Queen is in meetings all day. She's not available for visitors."
Sara's shoulders slumped. "Can you at least tell her I stopped by? My name's Sara Lance."
The receptionist nodded. "Of course. I'll let her know."
At the Queen mansion, Oliver sat in the study with Robert, who was flipping through a stack of documents. Oliver leaned back in his chair, his expression bored.
"Dad, I don't see why I need to go on this trip," Oliver said. "I'm not exactly the corporate type."
Robert looked up, his expression serious. "Oliver, this is important. Queen Consolidated is your legacy, whether you like it or not. I want you to see what it takes to run this company. Maybe it'll inspire you to take on more responsibility."
Oliver sighed. "Fine. But don't expect me to suddenly start wearing suits and carrying a briefcase."
Robert chuckled. "I'll take what I can get."
Sara left Queen Consolidated feeling more frustrated than ever. Thea was avoiding her, and she didn't know how to fix things. She needed a distraction, something to take her mind off the mess she'd made. So, she headed to one of Star City's upscale clubs, hoping to lose herself in the music and the crowd.
The club was packed, the bass thumping through the floor as Sara made her way to the bar. She ordered a drink, downing it quickly before ordering another. The alcohol burned her throat, but it was a welcome distraction. She scanned the room, her eyes landing on a familiar face—Oliver Queen.
Oliver was surrounded by a group of women, his charm on full display as he laughed and flirted with them. Tommy Merlyn was by his side, grinning as he egged Oliver on. But when Oliver spotted Sara, his expression shifted. He excused himself from the group and made his way over to her, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Sara Lance," Oliver said, leaning against the bar beside her. "What brings you to a place like this?"
Sara shrugged, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Just trying to forget about my problems for a while. You?"
Oliver raised his glass. "Same. Cheers to that."
They clinked glasses and drank, the tension between them easing as the alcohol took effect. The music was loud, the atmosphere electric, and soon they were laughing and dancing together, their worries temporarily forgotten.
By the time they left the club, the streets of Star City were quiet, the cool night air a stark contrast to the stifling heat and noise they'd just escaped. Oliver stumbled slightly as he stepped onto the sidewalk, his arm slung loosely around Sara's shoulders. He draped his jacket over her, though it slipped off almost immediately, and he fumbled to catch it.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—got it," Oliver slurred, his words slightly garbled as he clumsily wrapped the jacket around her again. "You cold? 'Cause I'm… I'm not. I'm actually kinda hot. Like, temperature-wise. Not, like, hot hot. I mean, I *am* hot, but—"
Sara burst into laughter, cutting him off. Her own steps were unsteady, and she leaned heavily against him for balance. "Oliver, you're such an idiot," she said, her voice loud and slightly too high-pitched. "But, like, a cute idiot. You know?"
Oliver grinned, his eyes glassy and unfocused. "Cute, huh? I'll take it." He swayed slightly, nearly knocking into a lamppost, and Sara grabbed his arm to steady him.
"Careful, Mr. Queen," she teased, her words slurring together. "Wouldn't want the heir to the Queen fortune to face-plant in front of, like… that random guy over there." She gestured vaguely toward a man walking his dog across the street, who gave them a disapproving look.
Oliver snorted, leaning into her. "Pfft, that guy? He's just jealous. Look at him. He's got, like, a *dog*. I've got… you." He paused, blinking as if realizing what he'd just said. "Wait, that sounded weird. I didn't mean it like—you know what I mean."
Sara giggled, her head tilting back as she laughed. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You're a mess, Oliver. A hot mess."
"A *hot* mess," Oliver repeated, pointing at her as if she'd just said something profound. "That's me. Oliver Queen: hot mess extraordinaire."
They both burst into laughter again, leaning on each other for support as they stumbled toward Oliver's car. Sara tripped over her own feet, and Oliver caught her, though he nearly toppled over in the process.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—gotcha," Oliver said, his voice overly loud. "You okay?"
Sara nodded, still laughing. "Yeah, I'm fine. You're the one who almost fell."
"Did not," Oliver protested, though he was clearly struggling to stay upright. He fumbled with his keys, dropping them twice before finally unlocking the car. "After you, m'lady," he said with an exaggerated bow, nearly losing his balance again.
Sara rolled her eyes but couldn't stop grinning. "Such a gentleman," she said sarcastically as she climbed into the passenger seat. Oliver shut the door behind her, then walked—or rather, wobbled—around to the driver's side.
Once they were both in the car, Oliver turned to her, his expression suddenly serious. "Wait. Are we… are we good to drive? Like, legally?"
Sara blinked at him, then burst out laughing. "Oliver, you're *drunk*. Of course we're not good to drive."
Oliver frowned, looking genuinely confused. "But… I'm driving. So… that's bad, right?"
Sara shook her head, still laughing. "Yeah, it's bad. But don't worry, I'll keep you in line. Just… go slow, okay?"
Oliver nodded solemnly, though his coordination didn't improve much. He started the car, and they lurched forward, the engine revving loudly. Sara grabbed the dashboard, her laughter turning slightly nervous.
"Oliver, slow down!" she said, though she was still giggling.
"I'm trying!" Oliver said, his voice rising in panic as he overcorrected and nearly swerved into the opposite lane. "This is harder than it looks!"
Somehow, they made it to the Queen mansion without crashing, though it was a miracle they didn't get pulled over. By the time they pulled into the driveway, both of them were breathless from laughing.
When they arrived at the mansion, Oliver fumbled with the keys, dropping them twice before finally unlocking the door. He pushed it open with a little too much force, causing it to slam against the wall with a loud *thud*. Sara burst into laughter, clapping a hand over her mouth to muffle the sound.
"Shhh!" Oliver hissed, though he was grinning. "You're gonna wake up the whole house!"
Sara giggled, swaying slightly as she stepped inside. "Oops. My bad," she whispered, though her voice was still loud enough to echo in the quiet foyer.
Oliver grabbed her hand, pulling her further into the house. "Come on, let's not get caught," he said, his words slurred but his tone playful. He led her toward the living room, his steps unsteady as they stumbled through the dark hallway.
The house was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioning. Moonlight streamed through the windows, casting a silvery glow over the room. Oliver turned to Sara, his eyes searching hers.
"Sara…" he began, his voice low and slightly slurred. "I… I don't know what we're doing."
Sara tilted her head, her own words coming out slow and uneven. "What do you mean? We're… we're just hanging out. Right?"
Oliver blinked, his expression a mix of confusion and something else—something warmer, more intense. "Yeah. Hanging out. Totally."
Sara stepped closer, her hands resting on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat, fast and steady beneath her fingertips. "You're such a mess, Oliver," she said, her voice soft but teasing.
Oliver chuckled, his breath warm against her face. "Yeah, well… so are you."
Sara grinned, her eyes locking with his. "Guess that makes us a perfect match, huh?"
Before Oliver could respond, Sara leaned in, her lips brushing against his. Oliver froze for a moment, his brain clearly struggling to catch up, but then he kissed her back, his hands sliding around her waist.
The kiss deepened, their movements clumsy but eager. Oliver's hands tangled in her hair, while Sara's fingers gripped the front of his shirt. They stumbled backward, landing on the couch in a tangle of limbs and whispered laughter.
"Whoa," Oliver said, his voice breathless as he tried to steady himself. "That was… unexpected."
Sara laughed, her cheeks flushed. "Yeah, well… you started it."
Oliver raised an eyebrow, his grin returning. "Pretty sure *you* started it."
Sara shrugged, her smile mischievous. "Details, details."
They kissed again, the alcohol making everything feel hazy and surreal. The world outside the mansion seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in the moonlit room. It was messy, impulsive, and completely reckless—but in that moment, neither of them cared.
The morning light filtered through the curtains of Oliver's bedroom, casting a soft glow over the room. Sara groaned, her head pounding as she slowly opened her eyes. The events of the previous night came rushing back in fragmented flashes—the club, the drinks, the laughter, the kiss. She turned her head slightly, her stomach churning as she saw Oliver lying beside her, his arm draped over her waist. He was still asleep, his breathing steady, but Sara's mind was already racing.
She sat up carefully, trying not to wake him, but the movement was enough to stir Oliver. He blinked awake, squinting against the sunlight, and then froze as he realized where he was—and who he was with.
"Uh… morning," Oliver said, his voice hoarse. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "Well… that was unexpected."
Sara didn't respond immediately. She pulled the sheets around her, her mind spinning as she tried to piece together what had happened—and what it meant. Oliver sat up beside her, his back against the headboard, and let out a long breath.
"You okay?" Oliver asked, his tone casual, as if this were just another morning after a wild night. He didn't seem to grasp the weight of what they'd done—or the consequences it might have.
Sara glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "Yeah. Just… a lot to process."
Oliver shrugged, still oblivious to the tension in the room. "Hey, don't overthink it. We had a good time, right? No harm, no foul."
Sara raised an eyebrow, her voice sharp. "No harm, no foul? Really, Oliver? What about Thea? Or Laurel?"
Oliver blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "What about them? Thea's been ignoring you, and Laurel and I… well, we're fine. She knows how I am. She's not exactly waiting around for me to be the perfect boyfriend."
Sara stared at him, incredulous. "You really don't get it, do you?"
Oliver frowned, his tone defensive. "Get what? Look, Sara, we had a fun night. It doesn't have to mean anything. Thea will get over it, and Laurel… well, she's used to me being… me."
Sara shook her head, a mix of frustration and disbelief washing over her. Oliver's cluelessness was almost impressive. He was so wrapped up in his own world that he couldn't see how his actions affected the people around him—especially the women in his life.
"Oliver," Sara said, her voice firm, "Thea's been ignoring me because she's hurt. She's in love with me, and I… I didn't handle it well. And now this?" She gestured between them. "It's going to crush her."
Oliver shrugged, still not grasping the gravity of the situation. "Thea's tough. She'll bounce back. And like I said, Laurel knows how I am. She's not going to freak out over one night."
Sara sighed, realizing that trying to make Oliver understand was pointless. He was too self-absorbed to see how his actions impacted others. But she could use that to her advantage. If Oliver was going to remain clueless, then she would steer the situation in a way that worked for her.
"You're right," Sara said, her tone softening as she leaned closer to him. "It doesn't have to mean anything. But… maybe we can use this to get Thea's attention. If she finds out about this, it'll force her to talk to me. And you… you can use it to shake things up with Laurel. Make her realize she's been taking you for granted."
Oliver frowned, his confusion deepening. "Wait, what? Laurel's the one taking *me* for granted?"
Sara nodded, her expression serious. "Think about it, Oliver. She's always so focused on her career, on her goals. When was the last time she really paid attention to you? When was the last time she made you feel like you were a priority?"
Oliver opened his mouth to argue, but then hesitated. He hadn't really thought about it that way before. Laurel *had* been distant lately, always busy with work or her studies. Maybe Sara had a point.
"I guess… I guess you're right," Oliver admitted, though he still looked unsure. "But how does this help?"
Sara smiled, her tone coaxing. "If Laurel finds out about last night, it'll make her realize what she's been missing. She'll see that you're not just going to wait around for her forever. And as for Thea… well, she'll have to face me. It's a win-win."
Oliver considered her words, his expression slowly shifting from confusion to agreement. "Alright, I'm in. But let's keep this between us for now, okay? No need to go broadcasting it."
Sara nodded, though her mind was already racing ahead. She needed to see Thea, to make her understand that she hadn't meant to hurt her. And if this was the only way to get her attention, then so be it.
As they got dressed and prepared to face the day, Oliver turned to Sara, his expression thoughtful. "You know, my dad's taking me on a business trip soon. The Queen's Gambit. It's supposed to be this big corporate thing, but… it might be a good way to get some distance from all of this. Clear our heads."
Sara raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The Queen's Gambit? That's your family's yacht, right?"
Oliver nodded. "Yeah. It's a week-long trip. Just me and my dad. But… if you want to come, I could probably swing it. It might be a good way to figure things out."
Sara considered his offer, her mind racing. A week away from Star City, away from the drama and the tension, sounded like exactly what she needed. And if it gave her a chance to get closer to Oliver—and by extension, Thea—then it was worth considering.
"Alright," Sara said, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'm in."
Oliver grinned, though there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. "Great. Just… try not to cause too much trouble, okay?"
Sara laughed, her tone light but with an edge of mischief. "No promises."
As they left the room and headed downstairs, the weight of their decisions hung heavy in the air. Oliver remained blissfully unaware of the emotional minefield he was walking into, while Sara was already calculating her next move. She needed Thea to see her, to hear her, to understand that she hadn't meant to hurt her. And if that meant playing a dangerous game with Oliver, then so be it.
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**Author's Note:**
Hey everyone!
First things first. I'm not sure which of these 2 pics to use for the book cover so pls vote. Feell free to recommend some as well.
Pic 1
Pic 2
Thanks for reading! This chapter dives into the messy, impulsive side of Sara and Oliver as they navigate their tangled emotions and relationships. Things are about to get even more complicated, especially with the Queen's Gambit trip on the horizon. Let me know your thoughts on where this is all heading!