MEENA HAD a free day for what felt like the first time since her streaming career. She decide to try cleaning up her room from the previous stream she'd had with Leslie and Tina in which they tried making different types of slime and Leslie accidentally spilled glue onto Meena's carpet.

Leslie profusely apologized and told Meena that she would get her a new carpet, but wasn't a big deal to the girl. She would clean it up with no worries and still have time to get dress and go have dinner with Rae, Tina, Miyoung, QTCinderella, and Leslie.

A girl dinner if you will.

That would be the last thing on her mind for now as she sat on her knees and began to pour nail polish remover onto her carpet.

Soon, there was a soft knock on Meena's door and Rae poked her head inside. She smiled before she walked further into Meena's room and sat in her gaming chair. She gently placed the makeup bag onto her desk and faced her mirror that she had sitting there as she began to get ready.

"So, how are you and Blau?"

Meena furrowed her brows as she gently pushed Mika over so he wouldn't step in the nail polish remover and glue concoction.

"Huh?" Meena muttered.

Rae smiled, spinning the chair around to face Meena. "You heard me. You two have gotten closer, no?"

Meena paused, glancing up from the carpet to meet Rae's gaze, a little confused by the question. "Closer? I mean... I guess?" She shrugged, her mind still partially focused on the stain she was trying to clean up, dabbing at it with a cloth.

Rae's smile widened as she watched Meena, an amused gleam in her eyes. "Come on, don't play dumb. It's obvious you guys have a thing."

Meena let out a small laugh, shaking her head as she continued to blot the stain. "A thing? Rae, we're just friends. There's nothing else to it."

Rae chuckled, clearly enjoying how oblivious Meena was. "Meena, he doesn't look at anyone the way he looks at you. Trust me, I've watched enough streams to see it. He lights up when you're around—like, full-on heart-eyes."

Meena felt a flush creep into her cheeks, though she brushed it off with a laugh. "You're making things up. Blau and I just... get along, I guess. We have a good time."

Rae rolled her eyes, smirking. "Sure, you get along. But he's different when it's just you two. He's softer. And it's not just me who sees it—everyone's noticed."

Meena stopped for a moment, considering Rae's words. Part of her felt like Rae was just teasing, but a small voice in the back of her mind started replaying little moments she'd shrugged off before: the way Blau would lean in when they talked, how his gaze lingered, his goofy grin when they shared a joke. But then, she shook her head, refusing to let the thought take hold.

"You're reading too much into things, Rae," Meena said, turning back to the carpet, though her voice had softened. "We're friends. Just friends."

Rae laughed, standing up and walking over to kneel beside Meena, her voice lowering. "Maybe. But you know, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if you weren't just friends."

Meena's eyes widened as she looked at Rae, shaking her head vigorously. "Oh, no. Don't even go there. It would be too weird."

Rae smirked, undeterred. "Weird? Or maybe exactly what you both need?"

Meena didn't answer, focused on her carpet again, but the blush in her cheeks was undeniable. Rae watched her friend in silence for a moment before placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Just... think about it, okay? And maybe, just maybe, don't be so quick to write it off." Rae gave her shoulder a little squeeze before returning to the chair, picking up her makeup bag and continuing to get ready as if nothing had happened.

"Oh," Rae exclaimed suddenly, her eyes lighting up with mischief. "I invited him to dinner on your behalf."

Meena, still kneeling on the floor with the cloth in her hand, looked up in surprise. "Wait, what? Why? I thought it was just girls and—"

"It was," Rae interrupted with a playful grin. "But then Lud found out about it, and you know how he is. He wanted to go, so now it's Lud and QT, Ellum invited himself—because, of course, he did—MJ, Tina, Miyoung, Leslie, you, Blau, and me."

She'd always been comfortable with him, but suddenly, the thought of him being there felt different. Like the easygoing dynamic between them could shift with just one look, one moment where everyone else faded into the background.

She cleared her throat, trying to sound casual. "Rae, you really didn't have to. It's not like that with us. I mean... it'd just be awkward if—"

"If what?" Rae cut in, raising her eyebrows knowingly. "If you two have to sit next to each other all night, eat good food, and maybe—just maybe—have a real conversation that doesn't involve streaming or gaming?"

Meena shot her a look, but Rae just laughed, clearly enjoying watching her squirm. "Relax, Meena. It's going to be fun. Besides, if you two are really just friends, then what's the big deal?"

Meena opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words. It wasn't that she minded Blau coming—she didn't—but now, with Rae's teasing, her mind was spinning with thoughts she'd been avoiding. She could already picture the knowing glances from Rae and QT, the inevitable teasing from Lud, and the way she'd feel every time Blau looked at her during dinner. Suddenly, her plan for a simple night out with friends felt a lot more complicated.

Rae, seeing her friend's hesitation, smiled softer this time. "Look, I'm just saying. You and Blau? There's something there, whether you want to admit it or not. You'll see it tonight."

Meena rolled her eyes, trying to brush it off as she finally stood up, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her shirt. "I don't know what you're talking about," she muttered, even though her racing thoughts told her otherwise.

Rae just winked, picking up her makeup bag and heading for the door. "You'll thank me later." Then, with a playful grin, she added, "Besides, it's just dinner. What's the worst that could happen?"

As Rae left the room, Meena found herself staring at the door, her heart still pounding in her chest. Just dinner, she told herself, but somehow, with Blau there, it didn't feel that simple anymore.

— lucy has something to say !!

this story is getting a lot of reads 🤨 im scared

bye :))))