it was a rare day being off with renees tour schedule and the three of you, renee, you, and your friend alex, hand landed yourselves in chicago with nothing to do but explore

the city was cool and breezy, the kind of fall air that made denim jackets feel just right. renees hand kept brushing yours between scooter rides, subtle reminds of the way she always managed to tether herself to you even in a crowd

alex was fiddling with the brakes on one of the electric scooters with his hoodie sleeves shoved halfway up his arms "i swear this ones possessed" he muttered, making you all laugh

the three of you had been zipping around the area most of the morning, dodging food trucks, weaving between tourists, and occasionally screaming when one of you hit a pothole too hard. you had your phone tucked into the waistband of your pants, occasionally taking pictures of renee. she didnt mine. she smiled a little every time

you pulled up beside her near a corner cafe with big glass windows and hanging plants inside, breathless but happy "thats three times i beat you" you said while panting

renee squinted at you "okay. relax fast and furious. these scooters are governed" she was smiling too "you won one ice matcha but only because i love you"

alex groaned "if you two make out while im still chewing on a croissant im walking into traffic"

you and renee both flipped him off which just made him laugh harder

the three of you locked up your scooters and stepped into a few shops. one with vintage band tees and another that smelled like lavender and sold overpriced handmade soap. renee dragged you into a tiny record store tucked between a bar and a tattoo parlor. she wandered off with alex while you flipped through a few dusty vinyls only to feel arms wrap around your waist from behind a few minutes later

"found anything?" she mumbled into your ear

"besides the love of my life? not yet" you replied without skipping a beat and she squeezed you tighter

by late afternoon, your phone was full of goofy photos. renee sticking her tongue out with a peace sign, alex pretending to fall off a scooter, and you wearing heart shaped sunglasses you had no intention buying. you didnt need to go anywhere fancy today. the city was the backdrop but renee was the view