Page 25 of HER SISTER

Safe to say, Mili is probably never going to talk to me again.

And I definitely don't blame her.

It had officially been a week since everything went down and I hadn't heard a word from her—much less even see her.

I texted her asking if we could talk, but she never responded—which seemingly felt like a response.

I seriously can't believe I managed to mess everything up so terribly.

"You look cute," Mya suddenly said from my bedroom doorway.

Tonight was everyone's going away party for the assigned major trip, and honestly, I don't think I could muster up a party mood if I tried.

I forced a sudden smile as I took in my outfit.

It was very simple and basic—the black bandeau top managed to show off part of my toned stomach while the matching pants accentuated my toned legs.

My hair was wavy and down while natural makeup coated my face.

"You look cute too," I said, taking in Mya's pink velvet pants and the matching bedazzled crop top she paired with it.

Mya's short heels clicked against the floors as she walked over to me, "Are you sure you'll be okay tonight?" she questioned, knowing that I hadn't seen Cam since we decided to take a step back.

I nodded a few times, "Yeah, I'll be good," I said, knowing that I was really only upset with everything that went down with Mili.

I still feel like I could cry over it.

Mya let out a gentle sigh, "Okay, but I won't be upset if you leave early," she reminded me.

I shot her a grateful smile as I walked over to my closet to grab my black heels, "I appreciate that, but I really will be okay."

Mya hummed, "Okay..." she trailed off, watching as I slid my heels on, "Want to pre-game?"

I didn't even hesitate to nod, knowing that I didn't even care if it was a Sunday night—besides my classes don't start until ten anyways.

Soon Mya was getting out the bottle of Casamigos and pouring us both shots as we waited for our Uber.

Luckily, the party was at a nearby bar so it wouldn't be too bad of a drive.

Honestly, I thought it was going to be somewhat intimate, but the two-story bar was seemingly packed with Fashion and Music Majors all partying it up while a banner that was hung read:NYFW 2023in bold letters.

Luckily, the shots we had taken allowed me to take the edge off—otherwise I probably would've headed back home.

Frankie, Cam, and Damon practically tackled Mya into a hug with cheers and smiles—clearly excited about their trip.

Everyone seemed to be at our table—even Alyssa.

The only person missing was—

"Mili!" Mya called out.

And just like that, my eyes darted over to the familiar woman who was holding a tray of shots.

I won't lie and say that the sight of her didn't sting.

Even if she looked incredible as always.

From the loose Bape t-shirt she was wearing to the matching cargos—I couldn't pull my eyes away.

Her dark hair was pulled into a low bun with a middle part while she wore her typical shiny jewelry and minimal makeup.

Mili sat the tray down on the table, and while everyone else gathered around, I seemingly felt stuck.

At least, she didn't seem to be here with Alyssa—not with how she wasn't even standing next to her.

"Ana, did you want one?" Mya questioned over the music, but I only shook my head.

"I actually think I'm going to go grab a mixed drink instead," I said, forcing a smile as I walked away from the group entirely.

And as I slid past groups of other drunk people, I swear it felt like my chest was getting tighter and tighter.

Mili was fine—more than fine.

And she deserves to feel more than fine, I'm the one who fucked up.

But it doesn't change the fact that this all doesn't hurt like hell.

Probably worse than hell actually.

An empty sigh fell from my lips as I leaned back in my chair, sipping on the mixed drink that I had ordered from the open bar.

For a few minutes there, I had forgotten that Mili was even here—that she had moved past everything without a second thought.

I actually felt lighter and looser, but when the realization set back in at an intense pace, my thoughts were a mess all over again.

I instinctively looked over when I felt a warm hand pressed gently to the top of my back—and I swear my heart skipped a beat, noticing Mili standing beside me.

"Come on," she said, motioning me up, and I didn't even give the idea a second thought before I slid out of the tall barstool.

I carefully trailed behind Mili, looking over to my group of friends who were now dancing and most likely drunk.

Or maybe past drunk honestly.

Soon Mili was guiding us toward the one-person bathroom—locking the door behind us as the intense silence filtered in around us.

It was odd that I wished for this moment so badly, yet all I could feel was speechless and completely caught off guard.

I didn't think she'd actually talk to me, especially not tonight.

"Before you say anything, me and Cam didn't do anything. I swear—"

"That's what you think this is about?" Mili cut me short, which easily made my brows furrow.

I tilted my head, "Yeah?" I forced out in one breath, analyzing her neutral expression as she stood across the bathroom—putting an insane amount of distance between us.

Mili hummed sharply, "Trust me, I know she didn't touch you," she said, but it was clear that even the idea of that bothered her.

I blinked a few times, "So what is this about?" I asked, feeling as confused as ever.

"We were together that same night—and then you invited her to stay over," Mili carefully said, clearly hoping I would see what was wrong with that statement.

But I only shook my head, "No-no, she popped by unexpectedly—she wanted to talk," I tried to explain.

Mili rolled her tongue over the inside of her cheek, "She came by in the middle of the night wanting to talk to you?" she repeated back to me, clearly unamused.

I nodded a few times, "She wanted to discuss how we left things and I didn't know what to do—"

"No," Mili quickly cut me short, suddenly verging closer to me, "You tell her no, Atiana."

And just like that she was standing in front of me with barely any distance between us at all.

I felt my face grow warm, "She told me about the situation between you guys," I said, knowing that it had been weighing on my mind.

"What? How she fucked my ex-girlfriend? I'm sure she was waiting to get that one off of her chest," Mili said, staring down at me with nothing but irritation, "Who knows, maybe you'll be next."

My brows shot up almost immediately, "Wow, okay," I practically scoffed, hating that she just threw that in my face—that she had basically compared me to Alyssa.

"I'm only pointing out the obvious," Mili said, clearly unbothered per fucking usual.

I clenched my jaw, "Yeah, well, I'm so sorry for fucking up whatever weird revenge fantasy you had," I fired back, even if I never really had any intention of ever spewing my assumptions aloud, it now felt like my only ammunition.

Mili furrowed her brows, "What are we even talking about right now?" she questioned, staring down at me intently.

I shrugged, "Maybe you only wanted me for revenge on Cam—to get back at her for what happened with Alyssa."

And just like that—Mili's furrowed brows were raised.

I tilted my head when a laugh fell from Mili's lips, clearly amused by what I just said.

And even if I wanted to be mad, her sudden laughter oddly soothed my wound-up nerves.

"Do you even hear how insane that sounds?" Mili questioned, shaking her head as her laughter faded, "After all the effort I put in for our date—how I took you to one of my private spots or even stayed the night with you?"

I remained silent, knowing I had officially taken this too far.

I honestly didn't believe she was actually doing it for revenge—it had crossed my mind, but I never actually believed it.

But when we were going back and forth just now, suddenly it felt like the only thing I had to fight her on.

"Honestly, Atiana—if you were just for revenge, I would've tried to fuck you already," Mili said, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes, easily causing her to say, "Don't do that—not while we're having a serious conversation."

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Do what?"

"Catching an attitude with me—it's cute when you're joking, but I'm not playing that right now," Mili said, easily shutting down whatever attitude I previously had.

And I hated that the action was attractive. I hated that it made me want to kiss her until I couldn't breathe anymore.

I let out a sudden sigh, "Truthfully, I know this wasn't all for revenge. We were just arguing and—I don't know..." I trailed off, not knowing how to explain how I felt.

Mili took a sudden step toward me, "I don't like arguing with you," she said, easily sending a familiar warmth through me.

It almost felt like she was waving a white flag.

"I don't like arguing with you either," I admitted, taking a step toward her and easily closing the gap between us.

But before either of us could say or do anything else, there were a few knocks on the bathroom door—easily forcing us away from one another.

It made something inside of me deflate, knowing that we definitely were about to kiss.

"We'll finish this later," Mili said, knowing that we were occupying a bathroom that everyone out there would definitely be needing—especially with them drinking.

I nodded, suddenly walking to the door with her.

And as Mili opened the door—I couldn't miss Arielle who stood there with confusion growing on her face.

Fuck.

"Hey, we're trying to get everyone together for the cake—" Arielle hesitantly looked between us, "—Am I interrupting something?"

Almost instinctively, I said, "No, no not at all."

Mili nodded, "Yeah, Atiana just needed a moment away after all those mixed drinks," she suddenly lied for me, using the drunk card to her own advantage.

But even still, it wasn't hard to admit how suspicious it was that Mili and I were in a one-person bathroom together.

Arielle only tilted her head, "Okay... well, we should probably go," she said, and even I could pinpoint her confusion.

It was painfully obvious that she was already assuming something—if there was even room left to assume.

Would Arielle tell Mya that Mili and I were off in the bathroom together?

She didn't seem like the person to do that, but I couldn't count on who she seemed like right now.

Suddenly it felt like this whole situation really would come crashing in.