CHAPTER THIRTEEN   ౨ৎ    Lovesick
"Can we pretend that nothing's changed at all?"

Amara bursts into the girls' room, a wide grin on her face as she throws herself onto Lorelei's bed. A groan escaping her lips in response, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Remember that party you guys told me about?"

        Oh! Furrowing her eyebrows, Juliette sits up. "The one we told you about just yesterday? Well, yes, my beautiful! Did you want to go?"

"I wouldn't have broken your door down and jumped on the bed to tell you both about it if I didn't." She replied, her smile dwindling down a bit, causing both girls to shoot each other a glance and look back at her, "We'll go."

Lorelei's jaw drops, she had begged her and that's all it took?

"Seriously!" Amara exclaims, grabbing onto Juliette's hand. The smile from before quickly returning. "It starts at eight, so I'll drive us."

"Wonderful! We'll start getting ready."

        Nodding her head, she eagerly jumps up and rushes out of the room. Most likely to inform Clementine and to get ready.

        "Okay! So, I will be ignoring the fact that it took you not even a minute to finally agree to something I practically begged and left you alone for. This is beautiful," Lorelei straightens up, eyes focused on her closet. "What are you going to wear?"

In her head, she shrugs. "What if I told you I was already planning on going with you guys? And It's clear she wants to see someone, who am I not to agree? For the outfit part, I'm not sure. You?"

"I'd say I hate you. I don't think it's anyone. What if she just wanted to go?" The brunette questioned, "Don't know, let's start planning!"

"Do you want to bet?"

After thinking for a couple moments, "No."

Juliette grins and laughs, as she rises from her bed and hurriedly makes her way towards her dresser. At the same time, Lorelei heads towards her closet. Hands immediately shuffling through hangers.

As they search for the ideal attire, the brunette pauses and retrieves her phone to check the time. The illuminated screen showing 'six forty-six', prompting her to let out a sigh of exasperation before tossing the phone back onto her bed. They resume their mission for outfits, occasionally engaging in small conversations with questions like, "Does this look cute?" as they determine what to wear.

So, this might take a bit!

        It was now seven-thirty. Were they ready? Not even close. The girls ran around the house like their heads were on literal fire. Clementine couldn't find her earrings, Amara didn't know what shoes matched her outfit, Lorelei struggled between wearing red or black, and Juliette couldn't, for the life of her, find what jewelry went well with her outfit.

They didn't finish and feel ready until twenty minutes later. Only then did they all leave their apartment and get into Amara's vehicle, quickly making their way to the party.

Upon arriving, they exited the car and looked around. If one were unaware of the party, they probably wouldn't have suspected its occurrence based on how clean and untouched everything appeared. However, as they gradually approached the front door, their eardrums were inundated with the loud music and chatter coming from within.

Clementine grimaced, "I can literally smell the alcohol inside— do you guys think they have chips?"

"Lor and Julie just went grocery shopping and stocked up on chips. But probably not— they could be stale, or even worse, poisoned." Amara glanced over at her friend, her lips pursing.

Acknowledging her words, she nodded. Stepping forward, they were unsure whether they should knock or simply just... walk in.

It was a party. Walk in.

Juliette grabbed the doorknob and turned it, pushing the door open. As they entered, a strong waft of body odor and alcohol hit them, almost like a slap in the face. The girls gave each other disgusted glances before stepping inside.

"Amara! You made it," a voice shouted, immediately leaning forward as if to pull her in for a side hug. The action causing Lorelei to place a hand on her arm. "I thought you didn't, I couldn't find you. And before you ask, I wasn't, you know, looking for you or anything."

That's when she returns the action, shooting her a surprised look, "Right, of course." The redhead replied, a smile pulling at the corner of her lips. "This is Juliette, Clementine, and Lorelei. They wanted to come!"

The boy smiled, "The more the merrier! Please, come in. There's drinks over there in the kitchen, and people all around as you can see. Just— try not to break anything?"

A laugh leaves their lips, "Yeah, we promise."

With a warm smile, he notices someone signaling for his attention. Politely excusing himself, Lorelei turns towards her. "Care to explain?"

"Explain what?"

Clementine scoffs, "Oh, please. You're so full of shit! 'You made it'? You were invited, by him no less. What's his name? How'd you meet him?"

        Quickly shaking her head, "Do you see where we are right now? I won't be talking to you guys about it at this very moment. I'll tell you guys later! For now, let's get drinks."

        "Told you so." Juliette smiled, nudging Lorelei who stood beside her.

        Side-eyeing her, she muttered, "Shut up."

Making their way into the kitchen, they grab a cup and pour themselves a drink. After some conversation, their group gradually diminished, until only Juliette remained by herself. They had made plans to regroup at the car either at eleven o'clock or when everyone else started to leave.

        Throwing her empty cup in the trash, she began walking around, stopping every once in a while to talk to people she knew. It wasn't at all time-consuming like she had hoped for, but she was glad to have at least something to do even if it wasn't anything more than a minute or two.

        Finishing up a conversation, she turned to leave when she caught sight of a familiar face staring right at her. Her heart dropping instantly.

        As soon as she became aware of Paige's presence, she turned and almost walked away.

Keyword: Almost.

The only thing stopping her was a herd of people in Juliette's way. Talking, dancing, drinking. 'Just say excuse me?' Sure!

...

Turning back around, she refrained from cursing under her breath at the sight of Paige right there. Her phone in hand, a cup in the other. "Jules? I thought these weren't really your thing."

        Stiffening, Juliette shrugged. "Juliette, and I've changed my mind about these." She lied. They still weren't her thing, but she wouldn't let her, of all people, know that.

        Nodding slowly, she hummed. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. You'd be surprised with how much a person can change in six months." The brunette retorted through gritted teeth, noticing the way Paige swallowed thickly.

        Seemingly unimpressed with her remark, Paige rolled her eyes. A scoff leaving her mouth, "You're unbelievable." She told her, using the exact words Juliette had said to her a week ago.

Pursing her lips, "I guess we both are."

"Why can't you just drop it, Juliette?"

When she uttered her name, a chill ran down her spine, her fingers tightening into a fist as she shifted to fold her arms across her chest. "I'm sorry? Drop it?"

"You're being childish and you know it," Paige sighed, tilting her head. "I thought we were fine."

"Childish?" She reiterated, "Sorry I don't want to talk to you? We might be 'friends' and act like it on social media, but that doesn't mean—"

        The blonde huffed, looking around. Upon observing a few people directing their attention towards them, she proceeds by taking a step forward. "Can we not do this here?" Paige interrupted.

        With that, she stammered. "Then I'll leave."

        "Why is leaving always your go-to solution?" Paige asked her, sliding her phone into her pocket to give the girl her full attention. Something Juliette noticed she did every time they talked. Making her sick to her stomach. "Why can't we have a small conversation without it turning into an argument, Juliette. Can you answer that?"

        Feeling her face warm, she looks away. "Are you— what are you on about?"

        "What am I on about?"

        Deciding to give in, "Yes, Paige. What are you on about," Juliette repeated, her tone failing to hide how she felt. Annoyed, frustrated. "Because it doesn't take a genius to know why leaving is my 'go-to' solution."

        "Okay, you're right. I know things between us fell off, and I'm well aware that it was my fault." She admitted, Juliette's eyes narrowing in response. "But I'm trying to, I don't know, resolve things."

        The confession seems to have done nothing but make her annoyance increase. "Resolve things? You ended things, for no apparent reason, might I add, at least not apparent to me— it's too late for that, Paige." The brunette snapped, her jaw clenching. The action making Paige sigh, "I'm going."

        "Juliette, come on." Silence. "If you'd just let me talk..." Her voice slowly quiets down when she sees someone stumbling behind the girl.

        She had expected them to come to a stop, to realize they were about to run into somebody, but they didn't. The sudden impact sent her towards Paige, prompting her to instinctively place a hand on her waist, making sure Juliette was stabilized and to prevent her from eating—

        "Shit, I'm so sorry." The man slurred with a laugh, "Didn't see ya there! You good?"

        Looking over her shoulder, she nodded.

        Paige's expression went stoic as she spoke, "Maybe cut yourself off for the night, she was right in front of you."

        He held his hands up, "Hey, I said sorry. Didn't see your girlfriend there."

        "She's not— Paige, drop it." She insisted, having yet to realize their close proximity and the fact her hands were quite literally on her. As well as the cold liquid from Paige's cup that now soaked through parts of her shirt. "He's drunk, it was understandable. Just leave it."

        She nodded reluctantly as the guy walked away, scoffing at the two. When Juliette turned to look at her, she finally comprehended just how close they were. Feeling the warmth of her hands on her waist, she stepped out from her grasp without hesitation and cleared her throat.

        What!

Paige sighs and drops her gaze to the floor, stopping halfway when she catches sight of something, prompting Juliette to follow suit. That was when she then spotted and felt the alcohol seeping through her shirt, leading a curse to escape her mouth.

"I have a hoodie in my car— you want that?"

"No," she swiftly responded, her voice rising by an octave. "Thanks. No, thanks. I don't need it."

The blonde shook her head, "Are you seriously being stubborn about this? Just come with me and I can give it to you. Please?"

"It's like water, Paige. It's fine."

She rolled her eyes, placing her now empty cup on a nearby table. Her hands move to the fabric of the hoodie she had on, gripping it as she lifted it off her body. Immediately Juliette turns her head away, unbelievable, she thought to herself.

        Paige holds the material in her hand and offers it for the girl to take.

        She doesn't.

         "Juliette," Paige paused, her gaze shifting to the hoodie before returning to hers. "Take it."

         When she fails to take the hoodie from out of her outstretched hand, Paige huffs and uses both hands to swiftly place the hoodie over Juliette's head. Small murmurs of disbelief are heard, making the blonde laugh. Their argument minutes before now completely forgotten to her.

        "That wasn't funny, at all." She grumbles, moving to slip her arms into the sleeves, fixing it. "I said I didn't need it."

        She rolls her eyes for what appears to be the fifth time and shrugs. "You're acting like you weren't going to have to take the shirt off anyways. You hate when you're wearing wet clothes. Something about the feeling irking you."

        "I— okay." The brunette sputtered, unsure of what to say. What to do. This was probably the awkwardest she's ever felt in her entire twenty-one years of living. They had just argued and now they were, well, civil? Avoiding her gaze, she smoothed down the hem of the hoodie. "How'll I give it back to you?"

        Responding with a shrug, Paige spoke, "You know where I live."

        What? Juliette stiffened, "What?"

        "You know where I live," she said once more, "You can just drop it off there."

        "Paige—"

        "Juliette," the girl groaned, "It's seriously not a big deal, you'll stop by, drop it off, and that's the end of it. I promise."

        Opening her mouth and closing it, she settled on a quiet, "Okay."

        With a gentle smile, she promptly pivots upon hearing her name, directing her gaze back at the girl and shifting uneasily on her feet. "So... I'll see you?"

        "Yeah," she blurts out, "I'll... see you." With that, she turns and leaves without a second to spare, rushing to the nearest bathroom. Opening and locking the door behind her, lucky there wasn't a line.

        She, well, first she starts by smoothly taking off her top, grimacing at the wet sensation on her skin, then fixes the hoodie while leaning on the sink, glancing at herself in the mirror. Noticing how disheveled her hair was, she couldn't have done a gentler job? Inhaling sharply, she tries to calm her racing heart.

        They had went months without having any communication or contact whatsoever. But in the past week, there's been semi constant interactions between them, and she couldn't determine how to interpret it.

        She was literally wearing her hoodie.

'Why can't you just drop it, Juliette?' What did that even entail? Or, she knew what that entailed, but her question was why. Why was she, all of a sudden, so adamant on trying to act like nothing happened? Even going so far to say she was trying to fix things.

        'Trying to resolve things', was she serious?

Juliette didn't care. Not anymore, atleast. What will her resolving do now?

Nothing.

        Six months and a week. That's how long it's been since their breakup, she could've tried fixing things then, and it felt like that fact was constantly being thrown in Juliette's face whenever she thought about it.

        What happened earlier was merely an accident, was what she kept telling herself. She'd give Paige her hoodie back, they'd keep up their little 'friends' scheme, and soon go back to being nothing.

Pretend friends, no drama, nothing more. She told herself, blowing out a breath. Juliette sighed while pushing off the sink, fixing her hair and exiting the restroom. The music, once muffled, now blared in her ears as she stepped out to search for any of her girls.

        All she could think about now was to put Paige so far out of her mind and try to have a good rest of her night with her friends. Considering that was the initial plan anyways.

౨ৎ

Evening!! 2565 wc. I'm sick So basically 💗💗💗💗 and Again I know they've run into/interacted with each other unrealistically a lot, this is a fanfic please go with me here Ok.

Belle, Vera hello my gorgeouses!

elena!