Page 4

song suggestion: You Should See Me in a Crown—Billie Eilish

I just downed that shot like it was nothing.

Everyone around me was pushing me to do it, and there was no way I'd back down.

Not that I ever would—I don't quit.

I kinda enjoyed it, though , but then I started wondering if I really needed to do that.

It's the fact that Nick is here that's making me lose my mind.

The audacity he has to show up—my blood boils, my fists clench, every muscle in my body tenses.

I'd love to just erase him from existence, but sadly, I can't.

And of course, without even trying, he ended up with my new "roommate".

A roommate I didn't ask for, didn't need, who's already causing problems.

They were sitting next to each other, talking about who knows what—I honestly don't care. They can bond all they want, but not in front of me, and definitely not in my house.

Fuck no.

I suddenly remember my eyes purposely landed on Grace for a few seconds, daring her to hold my gaze when I took that shot.

Her eyes were as blue the ocean—it felt like they were looking straight into my soul.

It was weird.

I definitely read too much into it.

I probably just imagined it.

Yeah—I bet she is the type to judge someone like me. I could see it in her eyes—like she'd already decided I was too much, too rude, too reckless, too rich.

Just too everything.

I bet she hated me already. Good. I wasn't planning on impressing her anyway.

My friend Lily snapped me out of my thoughts with a nudge.

"What's up, you bitch?! You seem lost in thought!" she exclaimed bluntly.

"Don't ask, I'm good," I replied firmly, as I looked around.

She laughed, amused.

"Did someone catch your eye, Maya?" Her voice teasing.

I raised an eyebrow, not falling for her provocation.

"I got everything under control, stop messing with me, Lil."

She sighed dramatically and leaned back on the outdoor couch we were sitting on.

"What about your new roommate, huh? Did she catch your attention, Maya?"

I shot her an irritated look, though I knew it was all just part of the game she clearly wanted to play. My eyes, however, kept drifting, unable to stay still.

I don't even know what I was looking for, but I ended up spotting my friend James in the distance.

"I'm getting myself a drink," I said, pushing myself up and walking away smoothly in my Louboutins.

"You didn't respond me, bitch!" She giggled.

I ignored Lily and made my way over to James, who was actually coming toward us in his usual button-up shirt.

I grabbed his arm and turned him in the opposite direction.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked, clearly confused.

"Nick is here," I said bluntly.

Just saying his name sending a rush of pure anger through me.

"What?" James's expression hardened.

"Who invited him?!"

"No one. He fucking crashed the party." I couldn't help my hands turning into fists.

James's eyes searched for Lily, his expression full of concern.

"Lily knows?"

"No," I shook my head firmly.

"And it has to stay that way."

"Sure," he nodded decisively.

"I'll take this," I said, eyeing his full drink and swapping it with my half-empty one.

"Come on, I bet Lily's looking for you," I teased, making him smile and look down.

We returned to where she was still sitting, and they exchanged a playful smirk.

"Oh, James, we were just talking about our new guest, Maya's roommate..." Lily grinned, picking up where she left off.

I sat on the couch again, giving her nothing, nervously fiddling with the drink I wasn't going to drink.

"I see... a new problem to deal with, huh, Maya?" James teased.

"Nothing I can't handle," I replied nonchalantly.

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Famous last words..."

Of course, James went along with her, his playful grin grew wider. "So, what's the deal with this Grace? Is she trouble?"

I firmly shook my head.

"She's simple, basic, and out of style. One of those who acts like everything has to be perfect." I said, my tone flat, barely hiding the irritation.

"You're reading too much into her. Maybe you should get to know her better." Lily insisted.

Her serious tone caught me off guard since she's never like that.

"Maybe. Or maybe not," I muttered, not thinking too hard about it.

Lily didn't buy it entirely.

"You avoided her like you didn't wanna deal with her, huh?"

"She's keeping to herself." I commented dryly.

I wasn't sure what else to say about that girl.

So controlled, so predictable, so apparently perfect... I bet she follows every rule.

I wonder what might be hiding behind that.

Both my friends burst into laughter, but I didn't get what was so funny.

It was just damn frustrating.

"Keeping to herself?! Oh, come on, Maya! Look who's talking!" Lily exclaimed in the middle of her laugh.

"You're both getting on my nerves," I snapped, standing up quickly. "You'd be perfect for each other."

As soon as I said that, their laughter stopped, and James turned red with embarrassment, while Lily gave me a dirty look.

Exactly the reactions I expected for these two. And we've all been friends since middle school.

I nailed it with that sly, teasing suggestion.

And while they were frozen like that—I started dancing on my own. Letting myself go to the rhythm of the music.

It was a distraction—a way to drown out all the stuff around my head.

The more I let go of these things, the better I felt.

The song I was drawing myself into was: 'You Should See Me in a Crown'

So fucking relatable to me.

A chaotic flow that matched the rush of heat in my veins. My deliberate moves were pulling people in, and a few dared to brush against my body.

The attention was nothing new, but it's not like any of them actually mattered to me.

I shot Lily a look, and she just shook her head, an amused look on her face, knowing all too well that I wasn't even trying.

Yes—this is exactly what I needed.

Forget that girl, forget Nick, just forget everything.

I'm here to have fun.

Throughout the night, many offered me other drinks, but I declined. I'm not the type to get drunk, plus, to my sorrow, I have to drive myself and Grace home, so I can't afford to lose it.

Not that I'm thrilled to be stuck in this nightmare.

About her... I'm starting to get real bored here.

I think I'll wander around, maybe spot where she's hiding and if she's still stuck to Nick like glue.

I was just about to leave by myself, but my bestie got in my way.

"Don't even try, bitch, I'm coming with you." Lily said, smirking.

"Where...?" She raised a brow.

"Don't ask."

She just rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. I gave James a look to come with us, and he caught my hint.

My black Louboutins clicked perfectly against the floor as I wandered purposefully around the house—she wasn't there.

Whatever.

"Looking for a certain someone, Maya?" Lily asked, playfully nudging me.

"Don't even start," I replied firmly.

I'm just going out to the porch.

I sighed, crossing my arms and leaning my back against the railing. My fingers drummed lightly against my arm, the only sign of impatience escaping from me.

But still, I held myself steady, like always.

Nothing to indicate that I wasn't perfectly fine.

Not that I'd let anyone see that in public.

In the meantime, Lily and James were talking and laughing with a bunch of others friends, trying to get me to join their conversation.

I wasn't in the mood.

I averted my eyes, and in the distance—

I caught Grace and Nick walking together.

My jaw tightened instantly.

I pushed myself off the railing, straightening my back.

I shot James a quick, urgent look, making sure he caught on—Nick was here. It took him half a second to get it before he turned to Lily with some random excuse and led her away.

I made sure everything was under control.

Like I wanted it to.

Hm, maybe not everything.

I hummed, catching the rest of the group's attention without even meaning to.

"Miss Perfection is here." I said eyeing Grace.

Suddenly, my eyes landed on the dress I picked for her.

I had to bite my lip to keep from snapping more.

Everyone burst into a laugh, amused by my comment.

It's fine, I'm not bothered.

I really am not.

I'd deal with Grace—on my own terms.

A/N

Too many secrets in this...

It's only going to get more COMPLICATED from here.?? maybe.