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CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE—
"keep his hands"

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THE VELVET PIECE shone brightly, reflecting the soft texture under the lights that skimmed through the expensive material, almost like tiny diamonds embedded in the fabric. The light bounced off the fabric in tiny, sparkling bursts, creating a sense of movement and life. Fingertips gently grazing the delicate cloth, Carabella reviewed her reflection in the mirror for the umpteenth time, her coil smile plastered on her face right from the moment we stepped into the boutique.

Today was supposed to be my sleep-in day, however nothing ever summed up the way I wanted as my plans went out the window and at quarter to nine, both Bella and Jess had pulled me from my slumber and into their whirlwind of shopping plans. Austin had earlier informed us about the party he planned to throw at his house on New Year's Eve, which was why those two decided to pull me out of bed and into the mall to find the perfect dresses. While I sat, watching in boredom, Carabella meticulously inspected each dress, debating its merits and drawbacks. It was quite the sight to behold.

Accentuated with an off shoulder wrap red mini cocktail dress, Carabella looked breathtaking, the tiny fibres of the velvet material reflecting tiny lights like a million tiny stars. "I don't think this shade suits me," her melodramatic voice broke the train of my thoughts. Her hip was jutted out, fingers tangled in her jet-black hair, staring at me with a sullen expression.

I couldn't help but laugh at her dramatics even as I rolled my eyes. "It does."

"You're right, I look hot," she grinned, twirling around, only to stare back at me, our smiles warming the air. Her palms brushed against the creased sides, smoothening down only to reach for the zipper.

She walked back to her changing room whilst I glanced down to my lap, where different clothing articles laid aimlessly. And as she exited the room with the dress hanging in one arm, the other holding a pair of black stilettos, Jess stepped out of the changing room adjacent to hers.

Clad in a slinky slip dress, her ebony skin glistened under the lights. The dress clung to her like a second skin, its silky fabric caressing her curves, the deep black hue accentuating her skin. The cowl neckline dipped low, exposing a tantalizing glimpse of her chest, and the high slit revealed a hint of her toned thigh.

"How do I look?" The question floated in the air, light and playful, like a soap bubble, but underneath, I sensed a hint of insecurity, a quiet plea for reassurance. She stood there, her body stilled, waiting for my answer.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. The words flowed from me, filled with honesty and affection. "Aww, you look absolutely stunning. It looks so good on you," I beamed.

Carabella's eyes fell on Jess and a wide smile tugged at her lips as she took in every detail of Jess's outfit, and then she pronounced her verdict, with a dramatic flair that brought a smile to our faces. "Now this is what we call, drip!"

Carabella walked up to me. "Try this out." She tapped on my shoulders twice, holding a red piece of clothing, and waving it around, only to add more emphasis to the item. It was a red dress, and to say it wasn't gorgeous would have deemed me as blind, however, I still shook my head.

Raising an eyebrow, I emitted a soft sigh, all whilst staring at the velvet piece."I thought you guys knew me already, dresses are not my style, besides it's going to be freezing cold on New year's Eve. Jean would do just fine."

"You always wear Jean, at least give this a try," Jess stared at me blankly.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. Words couldn't describe how much I wanted to try something new, but the dress was more revealing than she was used to. However, I wanted to see his reaction when he sees me in it. Would he like it? Would he be impressed, or would he think it was too much? I somewhat longed for his approval, but I also wanted to remain true to myself.

Noticing my mental arguments, Carabella chucked the velvet piece in my arms, gesturing with her arms, and then pushing me in the direction of the changing room. "We don't have all day, come on, I can even call Valen to turn that frown upside down, you know," her comment only made me to playfully scowl at her, however, I stepped inside the room regardless.

I stared at the one-shoulder dress in my hand, the fabric a luxurious silk that was smooth to the touch and had a subtle sheen that shimmered in the light. The colour was a deep crimson, almost like blood and the seams were perfectly sewn and nearly invisible, every stitch precise and delicate, like the work of a master tailor. I peeled of my clothes and stepped into the dress before turning to stare at my reflection in the mirror.

The gown was like a second skin, hugging every curves. The dress had a one-shoulder strap that was delicate and elegant, and a neckline that plunged low, but not too low, revealing just a hint of cleavage. The bodice was fitted to accentuate my figure, but it wasn't too tight, allowing easy movement, the dress ending just a little above my knees.

The door creaked open and I stepped out of the room, standing before my two friends who had their eyes fixed on me, their anticipation palpable. The moment felt frozen in time, the air filled with a sense of expectancy until Carabella's squeal broke the silence, her excitement ringing out like a bell. "Oh my God! You are fucking sexy!" She rushed towards me, her face lit up with joy as she couldn't contain her glee.

"I feel like I'm exposing too much," I said, my hands brushing across my stomach.

"Girl, its beautiful," Jess grinned, "if Valen sees you in this, won't be able to keep his hands to himself."

As the statement hung in the air, I felt a flush of heat creeping up my neck, but I tried to play it cool, clearing my throat and shrugging nonchalantly. "Fine, can we leave soon? You both promised me food." I pouted.

"Sure," Carabella chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, "I'll just grab some shoes while you change."

I stepped back into the changing room, closing the door behind me with a soft click before unzipping the dress and stepping out of it, careful not to snag the delicate fabric. I hung the dress on the hanger and changed back into my outfit, the sound of laughter and chatter from outside the room, permeating my senses as I stepped out of the room, handing the dress over to Carabella. I raised my hand to pat my hair down, smoothening down the waves as she and Jess picked up the rest of the clothes from the soft cushion.

The trio of us strode across the pristine marble floor, my shoes tapping across the surface while Carabella and Jess' heels stroke the surface with a rhythmic clack. The sound echoed throughout the cavernous space, reverberating off the smooth, polished stone. As we approached the register, we caught sight of a young woman standing behind the counter, her eyes focused intently on the customer she was assisting.

As we placed the article of clothings on the counter, the hangers clattered against the metal surface like tiny cymbals, their metallic sound ringing through the air. The lady's acrylic nails tapped against the tabletop with a sharp, staccato rhythm, the sound reverberating through the air and as the other customer departed, the lady turned to us with a warm, professional smile, her eyes,  a deep shade of brown, flecked with gold, like polished mahogany.

"I hope you ladies found the perfect dresses." The lady's words were warm and welcoming and her smile was genuine, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

We smiled back at her, our lips forming perfect half-moons as we met her friendly gaze. Carabella's hand was steady as she reached into her purse and withdrew her credit card, her fingers brushing against the soft leather interior. Her voice was clear and confident as she responded, "Yes, we found everything we were looking for." Her words were laced with satisfaction, the same satisfaction one might feel when completing a long-awaited task.

I refused to look at the bill because I knew the dresses would as hell be extremely expensive. I barely had enough time to protest about how expensive the articles were all before I heard the sound of a credit card being swiped and processed, the machine whirring softly.

As we exited the store, our arms laden with shopping bags, we made our way to the mall's food court. The smell of fresh-cooked food wafted through the air, mingling with the scents of coffee and soft pretzels, and the sounds of conversation and clattering dishes filled the air, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. We chose a table near the window, where we could watch the crowds of shoppers pass by. The light from the skylights filtered down, casting shadows on the tables and chairs. It was a busy, yet relaxing space, perfect for a midday break.

My eyes skimmed through the menu reading the descriptions of their offerings and trying to decide what to order as there were so many delicious options to choose from.

We finally decided on what to order, the waiter coming few minutes later with our food. The food was delivered to us on brightly colored plastic trays, the aroma of it wafting through the air; The pizza was steaming hot; the pretzel a deep, burnished brown, flecked with sparkling salt; the cheeseburger a towering stack of savory goodness; and the iced coffee was a frosty, creamy delight, topped with a swirl of whipped cream.

"I have to post this on my Instagram story. This food looks insane," Carabella gaped, her eyes wide with excitement as she looked at the food, her mouth hanging open in awe. She picked up her phone, the screen lighting up with a flash of color. She positioned the tray in the frame, making sure to capture the vibrant hues of the food.

The moment the photo was taken, a flash of light filled the air as she turned the camera to Jess and I. We both grinned at the camera, our cheeks flushed with color. Our eyes sparkled with delight as we took a bite of our cheeseburgers, the melted cheese adding a layer of indulgence, causing us to hum in delight as she took the photo.

She turned the camera around so that the lens was facing the three of us, holding it up high and angling it so that our faces were visible. The light hit our faces, illuminating our features and highlighting our expressions. The phone clicked as the photo was taken, capturing the three of us in the frame. Our eyes were bright, our smiles wide, our hearts full.

Carabella's fingers moved quickly, tapping and swiping, as she prepared to share the sight with her followers, my phone lighting up few seconds later with the notification that she tagged me in her story.

We all explored the food in front of us, our energy levels coming back, the food filling our stomachs and our souls. It was the perfect respite from our shopping adventure, allowing us to catch our breath.

"We girls deserve this outing, Christmas is in few weeks," Carabella's words were muffled by the food in her mouth, but her enthusiasm was unmistakable.

"I really can't wait for Christmas." Jess' voice was full of excitement, the prospect of Christmas clearly filling her with joy.

I could feel the same emotion bubbling up inside me, the idea of the holiday season bringing a smile to my face. "Me too." I added.

"Since today's all about us, let's totally have a girl's night today!" Jess exclaimed.

"Yes, that's perfect!" Carabella clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling. "We should start with a manicure, then, we can do avocado face masks for a smooth skin."

"Sounds like the perfect pampering session!" I said, getting into the spirit. "And then we can order pizza and watch a movie."

"That's the best way to end a girl's night!"

"Let's go get ready for girls night then!"

We finished up quickly and left the food court, the smell of grease and coffee still lingering in the air. Just as we stepped out into the wintry air, my phone pinged with a message. As I walked closely besides Carabella and Jess, I balanced the three bags on my left hand and reached into my pocket with the other before pulling out my phone. I stared down at the illuminated screen to see a message from Valen, quickly tapping his name and opening our chat.

Valen:
how was shopping with the girls?

I looked around at the bags strewn about us; bags of different colours and shapes, but they all seemed to have one thing in common: they were heavy. Jess was carrying two bags in each hand, her face strained with the effort while Carabella was carrying five bags, two in each hand and one slung over her shoulder. I was the lucky one, with only two bags to juggle. With an amused smile on my face I typed out a response.

Me:
Fun. Bella literally bought the whole store ^^

His reply came immediately.

Valen:
As expected. So wbu? What dress did you get?

Me:
You'll see at the party, just like everyone else

A party I didn't even know if I was going to attend. Everyone was out planning and buying clothes for the party and Carabella even went as far as paying for mine—and I didn't even know if I'd come. The thought of my mom's reaction if I told her about the party made my stomach twist into a knot. She would definitely not allow me go after what happened with Evan.

My phone pinged with another message.

Valen:
At least tell me if it's beautiful, gorgeous or. . . ;)

Me:
Oh, it's sexy alright ;)

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AFTER THREE ROUNDS OF 'Never Have I Ever', the empty bottle of apple juice sat in the middle of our circle, a few drops of the liquid still glistening on the sides and the empty shot glasses were scattered out on the floor. The normal game would've required alcohol, but the no drinking policy I had was respected. The three of us were sprawled out on the floor, blankets and pillows scattered around us. The room was filled with the sound of our laughter, the sweet scent of apple lingering in the air.

"Alright," Carabella's voice was filled with excitement as she spoke, and her eyes sparkled as she stood up. She gathered the empty bottle and glasses, carrying them over to our little kitchen, her feet padding softly on the carpeted floor. "I'll go get my beauty stash and we can make our masks. This is my favourite part of sleepovers."

She came back with a medium-sized baby blue box, placing it on the floor. She opened it, revealing different bottles of nail polish, cuticle oil, nail polish removal and cotton balls. The box was filled with everything we needed for a fun night of pampering. She also pulled out a small bowl and some avocados, the room smelling like a mixture of fruity nail polish and avocados.

The ripe, green avocados felt smooth and slightly squishy as we cut them open, the sweet scent of the lemon juice mixed with the earthy aroma of the avocados, creating a soothing, fresh scent. We scooped the creamy green flesh into a large, ceramic bowl, watching it fall in thick, gooey pieces. As we added the honey and mixed it all together, the mixture turned a vivid shade of green, and it was glossy and smooth.

As we applied the avocado mixture to each other's faces, the cool, sticky texture felt soothing and calming against our skin. We looked at each other in the mirror, our faces covered in green, and we couldn't help but giggle at our alien-like appearance. We carefully placed the cool, refreshing slices of cucumber over our eyes, and the sensation was almost instantly soothing. As we leaned back against the wall and closed our eyes, the tight feeling of the mask started to dry against our faces. The skin on our faces felt tingly, and the mask was beginning to feel firm and solid.

After a few minutes of talking and relaxing, we finally washed the avocado mask of, leaving our skin feeling smooth and soft. The smell of cucumber filled the air as Carabella opened the first bottle of nail polish, working on Jess's nails first, the nail polish brush gliding across her nails and leaving a trail of glossy pink in its wake.

Carabella's expert hands made quick work of the nail polish, and soon if was my turn. She took my hand in hers, and I relaxed as she started to paint my nails a soft shade of lavender. As the first coat of polish dried, Bella carefully applied the second coat, creating a smooth, glossy surface.

When it was my turn to apply Carabella's nail polish, I took extra care to make sure that each brush stroke was precise, but not before asking if she was okay with the colour to which she nodded approvingly.

After admiring our freshly manicured nails, we three sat back and relaxed. But just as I started to sink into the comfortable silence, Carabella spoke up.

"Now tell me—" she suddenly lifted her head up to meet my eyes with a cunning grin, "—what's up with you and Valen?"

I paused as my cheeks suddenly flared up;
I hadn't told them about what went down in the kitchen at his apartment. The memory of was still fresh in my mind; the feel of his hands around my waist, the way his breath had tickled my ear as he leaned in close, the intensity of his gaze as our eyes met. It was all so vivid. Of course, Carabella had noticed the frequent glances Valen and I shared and the little scene where he pulled me flush against his chest back at the house, hands buried under this T-shirt and around my waist.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I clenched my thighs together just at the mere thought of that little moment, whilst trying to articulate my thoughts, "Nothing really. .just touches and kisses here and there."

The two girls in front of me were staring at me, with Carabella wearing a mischievous grin. I could see her delight as she watched me bring the can of soda to my lips to hide the smile that teased my lips.

"This is the most slow burn thing I've ever seen in my life, when is he going to ask you out?" Jess said, "Everyone can see the sexual tension between you two, the looks you exchange and the way you both get flustered when the other is nearby. There's obviously a spark." Jess's words made me choke on the soda, and I coughed as I tried to catch my breath. Bella let out a peal of laughter, the sound piercing through the air like a siren.

"Oh my god, look what you did," Carabella said as she clapped me on the back, trying to help me regain my breath. "I'm sorry, that was so funny."

I regained my breath before looking at Jess. "Honestly, I don't know what we are."

Carabella turned to me. "Maybe he's waiting for the perfect moment, but don't worry, when he sees you at the party in that dress, he's gonna want to claim you so no other guys would." She smirked. "So, I think you should be prepared for him to ask you out soon. And when he does, you'd better say yes!"

As Carabella and Jess continued to tease me about Valen, I felt a swirl of emotions inside. On one hand, I knew they were just joking around, but on the other hand, there was a part of me that wanted to believe they were right. Valen and I had kissed a few times, and there was something undeniable between us. But I was terrified of putting a label on it, of ruining the easy friendship we had.

"What time is the party by the way?" Jess asked, pulling me out of my train of thoughts.

Carabella pulled out her phone, eyes skimming through, all before it flicked back to Jess. "Austin said the party would be at nine, he would drop the direction to his house while we're back home."

Then, like a bolt of lightning, Carabella's eyes locked on mine, her expression shifting from playful to serious in an instant. "Speaking of Austin, that reminds me. . ."

"Of what?" Jess asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"It's kind of hard to explain," Carabella began, her voice trailing off. Then, as if she'd made a decision, she plunged ahead. "At Valen's apartment the other night, I noticed something strange. Austin kept staring at Carla, like he couldn't look away. It was just. .weird, so weird."

"Yes, I noticed it too." Jess interjected, "I thought I was imagining it."

"I don't know, he's been behaving weird since we got back from Thanksgiving break." I said.

"How weird?"

I went on to tell them about our encounter at the cafe; I told them how he had looked at me with such intensity, his eyes lingering on my lips and my body in a way that made me uncomfortable. I told them how his words had been filled with a flirtatious undertone, his voice low and smooth like silk. And I told them how his thumb had brushed against my lips, his touch feeling invasive.

Carabella's eyes narrowed, her heavily winged eyeliner accentuating the sharpness of her gaze. Her gaze shifted from Jess to me and back again, before settling on me. "He's into you," she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

The rims of my eyes widened by a fraction when comprehending her words, nearly choking me. "Excuse me?!" I managed to choke out, my voice barely a whisper.

"You guys don't see it?" she questioned, "It's so obvious."

"He shouldn't—he can't be into me, he knows there's something between Valen and I."

"Oh, so you do agree," Jess smirked.

"Fine, I admit. I...I really like Valen," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "I like being around him, talking to him, spending time with him. I think about him all the time, and I miss him when we're not together. I don't want whatever Austin is feeling to come in between whatever Valen and I have."

Jess's eyes softened, and she gave my arm a gentle squeeze. "I completely understand."

"Maybe it would help to just focus on how you feel about Valen, and leave Austin out of it for now? He should be wise enough not to ruin things." Carabella added.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to take a deep breath. When I opened them again, I could feel the concern radiating from Jess and Bella. The knot in my stomach had loosened, and I felt a bit more at ease. "I'll try to focus on what I feel for Valen," I said, my voice more confident now. "And I'll try not to worry too much about how Austin might feel."

"That's a great start," Jess said, a warm smile on her face. "You can't control other people's feelings, but you can control your own. And that might make it easier to navigate whatever happens next. And if you ever need to talk, you know you can always come to me or Bella. We're here for you."

I felt a rush of gratitude wash over me, and I gave Jess and Carabella a grateful smile. "Thank you, you guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You're not getting rid of us that easily," Jess joked. "We're like the three musketeers."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "That's probably the cheesiest thing you've ever said, Jess."

"Alright, enough talk, let's start the movie!" Carabella exclaimed as she leaped to her feet and hurried over to her laptop and I could feel the energy in the room shift as we all settled in for the night. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she searched for the movie, and the glow of the screen casted a soft light across her face. I could feel the tension in the room melt away as we all relaxed and got comfortable on the bed. The lights were dimmed, and the bowl of popcorn was passed around as the movie began to play.

For a moment, I forgot all about my worries and let myself be transported to another world. I was surrounded by friends, and for a little while, I felt like everything was going to be okay.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

hey, I'm back with another update and this time, I hope I'm not that late hehe. also, If you noticed, I began using the name 'Carabella' instead of ''Bella' as I normally did because that's her actual name and  I feel like 'Bella' should only be used when the characters are addressing her not when I'm writing about her—if you get what I mean 😅

anywayyyy, I hope you enjoyed this chapter regardless. Don't forget to vote, comment, share—and THANK YOU for 77k + reads!😭❤️

—Love, Jessie❤️✨