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TWENTY SIX
Last Updated:
2024-12-27 11:37:40
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Let's be Together TWENTY SEVEN
The firelight flickers, casting warped shadows across everyone's faces as they all sit in stunned silence. My heart pounds, the heat from the flames nothing compared to the one now searing under my skin.Tristan shifts awkwardly beside me, while Buzz Cut lets out a loud laugh, cutting through the tension."What kind of question is that, bruh?" he teases, and Quinn joins in, chuckling. "Yeah, Grace, where did that even come from?" Her laugh is light, but Millie's eyes stay locked on me, unflinching, serious. She's not laughing, not letting me brush this off like a stupid joke."Sip, people! If you've done it!" Tristan announces, holding up his bottle, trying to bring the game back to lighthearted territory. But no one sips—not even Millie. And that stings. Because she's lying. I know it."Millie, you're not sipping?" I ask, my voice carefully casual, forcing a smile that feels paper-thin.She raises her chin, giving me a look that's dead serious. "Do you think I should?"The urge to c
Last Updated : 2024-12-27Let's be Together TWENTY EIGHT
“Where were you two?” Felicity asks, her voice sharp and suspicious. She’s standing by the dying fire, arms crossed, her scowl aimed at us like we’ve committed some grand betrayal. Before I can answer, Quinn bounces over, her tone all sugar-coated concern. “We thought you left, Grace. Did we offend you or something?” Millie beats me to it, her grin easy and playful as she drapes an arm around my shoulders. “Relax. Grace and I just needed to hash some stuff out.” Her eyes glint mischievously as she sneaks a glance at me. My cheeks burn instantly. I’m sure my face is the color of a ripe tomato, but I try to play it cool, brushing nonexistent dust off my skirt as if I haven’t just been kissed senseless in the dark. Millie adds a quick tease about my “serious debate skills,” and the group erupts into laughter, myself included, though it’s more out of relief than humor. This—her laughter, the warmth in her voice—is the Millie I know. The Millie I’ve missed. Her smile, the one
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Let's be Together TWENTY NINE
The second I shut my bedroom door, I grab my phone and hurriedly dial James’s number. Each ring feels like a taunt, my nerves tightening until he finally picks up on the third try. His voice filters through the speaker, smooth and full of amusement, the deep sound of his laughter catching me off guard.“Well, if it isn’t pool girl,” he drawls.“Why are you still calling me that?” I mutter, leaning against the edge of my bed.“Because it’s cute,” he says with a chuckle. “Why else?”I ignore the way his tone makes me want to roll my eyes into another dimension. “Why did you call me earlier?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation back on track.There’s too much noise on his end—music, chatter, maybe even some yelling—and his response comes out garbled, lost in the chaos.“What?” I press, my voice louder. “James, I can’t hear you. Say it again.”“Hold on,” he says, his voice cutting in and out as the background noise shifts. “Give me a second.”Two painfully long minutes later, the nois
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Let's be Together THIRTY
The classroom gradually fills with students, their laughter and chatter drowning out the ticking clock. Millie and I exchange a glance, our wide eyes silently conveying a mix of relief and tension as we work to steady our breathing. My bag is already slung over my shoulder as I grab Millie’s hand, leading her out of the classroom quickly. My lips curve into a nervous laugh as I say, “That was a close call, huh?”Millie doesn’t respond.The hallway is a chaotic blur of students brushing past us, but Millie’s silence cuts through the noise like a blade. Her grip on my hand feels heavier than usual.I finally ask, even though I know the answer, “What’s wrong?”She stops abruptly, pulling me to a halt with her. Her face is a mix of vulnerability and frustration as she turns to face me. “Are you embarrassed of me?” Her voice is low. “Of… this?” She gestures between us, her hand dropping to her side.The question knocks the wind out of me. “God, no, Millie,” I say quickly, my voice thick wi
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Let's be Together THIRTY ONE
The cafeteria erupts in a cacophony of laughter and chaos. It’s like a goddamn reality TV show, and Millie and Ryle are the main event. I glance around, my stomach twisting into knots as people cheer and holler."Say yes already, Millie!" someone shouts, their voice dripping with glee at the drama unfolding.Ryle, poor guy, stands frozen, his face burning bright red. His friends are egging him on from the sidelines, though even they look a bit nervous now.Millie, meanwhile, remains maddeningly calm. She tilts her head slightly, raising an eyebrow at Ryle like she’s trying to decide if this is worth her time. Is she pissed? Amused? Annoyed? I can’t tell, and it’s driving me insane.Finally, she sighs. A long, drawn-out sound that silences the room for a moment.Then she looks at me.And takes my hand.My breath catches in my throat.What the hell is she doing?I whisper sharply, “Millie, what—?”She squeezes my hand and mutters, “I got this.”Got what? My panic? My rapidly beating hea
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Let's be Together THIRTY TWO
Two days. Two uneventful, suspiciously calm days. No weird stunts from Ryle, no cryptic messages, nothing. Maybe he really was just spewing bullshit in the heat of the moment. Still, the quiet feels...wrong. Like the calm before the storm, and I can’t help but stay on edge.Mariam groans beside me, dragging her feet as we head to PE. “Why do we even need this class? I hate running. I hate sweating. I hate Kepler.”It’s been two days since she finally resurfaced, looking sheepish as she explained her absence—her grandma’s funeral in Florida. I felt like shit for all the angry texts I’d fired her way, so I’ve been extra nice to her since. Not that she’s noticed; Mariam’s too busy lamenting the hellscape that is PE.Fredrick Kepler, our middle-aged PE teacher, is already yelling his lungs out by the time we step onto the court. “Straight line, people! I said STRAIGHT LINE!” His voice bounces off the gym walls like some kind of cruel joke, and I stifle a laugh. This guy’s got way too muc
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Let's be Together THIRTY THREE
This is maddening.The air between us crackles like a live wire, charged and humming with anticipation. Millie’s knee presses between my thighs, and a moan escapes before I can swallow it, the ache building into something unbearable. My back arches instinctively, the cold tiles pressing into my heated skin, but it’s nothing compared to the heat radiating from her.The towel is gone, forgotten on the wet floor. I’m bare, vulnerable, pressed against her drenched clothes, the contrast electric. My skin prickles, a shiver rolling down my spine as the cool water drizzles over us. Millie pulls back, just enough to look at me, and I feel the weight of her gaze. Her eyes roam over me slowly, deliberately, like she’s memorizing every inch, and I can’t help but squirm under her attention.Her jaw tightens, a flicker of something wild and hungry crossing her face. My breath catches, and I feel the heavy thud of my pulse in my ears. The air feels thick, suffocating, yet I don’t want her to stop.
Last Updated : 2025-01-02Let's be Together THIRTY FOUR
The City Hospital is chaos personified.Doctors in lab coats rush past, clipboards in hand, barking orders. Nurses zigzag between patients on stretchers, their shoes squeaking against the tiled floors. The sterile smell of disinfectant clings to the air, sharp and unrelenting, mixed with the faint metallic tang of antiseptics. It’s a smell that screams hospital, and it’s unsettling as hell.Millie and I bolt for the elevator, weaving through the crowd with one goal in mind: the first floor. That’s where her dad is. I grip her hand tightly, feeling the tremor in her fingers. She’s shaking like a leaf in a storm, and it guts me to see her like this. The elevator dings, and we step inside, the doors sliding shut with a mechanical groan. The silence is heavy, save for the hum of the elevator climbing floors. I steal a glance at Millie. Her eyes are fixed on the display above, but I can tell her mind’s spiraling.“It’s gonna be okay,” I whisper, though my own heart hammers in my chest.Sh
Last Updated : 2025-01-04
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Let's be Together SIDE STORY (2)
The first time I have a sleepover at Millie’s house, I almost get banned from ever stepping foot there again.It isn’t my fault. Not entirely.Okay, maybe seventy percent my fault, but I have reasons.Millie and I are seven, inseparable as always, and she has been begging me to come over for weeks. Every day at school, she leans over and whispers conspiratorially, “Gracie, just ask your mom. It’s not like you have a bedtime anyway.” Which, first of all, rude. I do have a bedtime—it just isn’t strictly enforced.But after relentless pleading (and Millie practically bribing my mom with her big green eyes), I finally get the okay.The plan? Fun, chaos, and destruction.The reality? Worse.It starts with an innocent idea. We are in Millie’s room, surrounded by an explosion of toys, her bed covered in a mix of stuffed animals, half-dressed Barbies that I bring with me, and one sock that she swears isn’t dirty. I’m wearing my best purple pajamas, and Millie is in her favorite dinosaur onesi
Let's be Together SIDE STORY (1)
The arcade is alive with flashing neon lights, the constant clinking of coins, and an upbeat playlist thumping through the speakers. The air smells like buttery popcorn, sweet candy, and the distant tang of something fried—bacon, maybe. It’s chaotic, loud, and smells a little questionable, but it’s undeniably fun. Millie, of course, is thriving. The squeak of my rental shoes matches my groan as I chuck the basketball toward the return box. “This is so unfair,” I whine, crossing my arms in defeat. Millie chuckles next to me, effortlessly sinking another ball into the hoop with that confident smirk of hers. She glances my way, her green eyes glinting under the neon lights. “What’s not fair?” she asks, tossing the ball back like she does this every day—which, I mean, she kind of does. I huff, pointing dramatically at the scoreboard. “I suck at basketball, and you’re basically a pro. This is a scam. I’m calling foul.” She shrugs, effortlessly tossing another ball through the hoop, not
Let's be Together BONUS: A CHRISTMAS STORY
MILLIEThe snow falls in a quiet rhythm, dusting the streets of our little town in white, like some Hallmark movie—except this one has its fair share of chaos.Grace and I trudge along the sidewalk, arms linked and breath misting in the air. She's bundled up in her ridiculous oversized scarf that could double as a damn blanket, her cheeks red from the cold. She looks adorable, not that I'd ever admit it outright. Not right now, at least. I'm saving the sap for later."Are you sure it's this way?" she asks, narrowing her eyes as she squints up at the barely lit street sign."Trust me, baby," I say, giving her hand a squeeze. "Have I ever steered you wrong?""Do you want me to list the times or—""Okay, okay," I cut in, laughing. "Not tonight, Dimples. Tonight, I am a woman with a plan."We're headed to Samantha's annual Christmas bash, a tradition infamous for being equal parts festive cheer and utter debauchery. The last time we attended, someone set the tree on fire—not exactly the k
Let's be Together FIFTY
Taking a deep breath, I turn to face the crowd. Their faces blur under the haze of party lights and the glare of too many phone screens, like vultures waiting for a spectacle. My hands tremble slightly, gripping the microphone as though it’s the only thing tethering me to this moment.I’ve been a coward for so long. Scared of rejection, judgment, and whispers behind my back. But now, watching Millie stand there, her green eyes shimmering with defiance and something deeper—something only I see—I know I have to be brave. Not for me. For her.“This might be fun and amusing for all of you,” I start, my voice cracking at first but gaining strength. “But it’s not for us.”A hush falls over the crowd, their curiosity sharpening like blades. I dare to meet their gazes, my chest tightening, but I refuse to look away.“Millie and I... we’ve been friends for a long time. Since we were kids.” My voice softens, the weight of the years tugging at my words. “I’ve loved her even before I realized wha
Let's be Together FORTY NINE
The pool area is a chaos of sound, light, and bodies. Music blares from hidden speakers—something loud, raw, with a bass drop that rattles my chest. It’s not Kendrick Lamar, but it’s close enough. The crowd surges with movement, students packed like sardines in costumes that range from ridiculous to barely-there. My grip on Jugyoung tightens as I’m jostled on all sides.“I can’t find her,” I mutter, my head darting around to scan the sea of faces. “Do you see Harley Quinn?”Jugyoung raises an eyebrow. “Who’s Harley Quinn?”“Millie.”“Your Harley Quinn? Cute,” she smirks and stretches on her toes to search. Even with the extra height, no luck. I’d texted Millie, but there’s no response, and the more time passes, the more restless I feel.The music is cut, leaving only Shawn Jones’s voice echoing through the speakers. The poolside party transforms into an attentive audience, fixated on him as he stands at the center of the lounge area, bathed in dim orange lights. He’s decked out in an
Let's be Together FORTY EIGHT
The night air claws at my skin like icy fingers, making me regret every single life decision that led to me standing in front of Kenzie McCoy’s house underdressed and freezing my ass off. The house is loud enough to be mistaken for a concert venue, pulsing with music that spills out like the lifeblood of the party, dragging half the damn school into its chaotic orbit. Different colored lights flash through the windows like the place has been turned into a second-rate nightclub, and the garden is already trashed.“This better not turn into another ‘strip or swim’ situation,” Mariam groans beside me, tugging at the brim of her pointy black witch hat. She looks great, honestly—classic and witchy, though the scowl on her face doesn’t quite scream "magical and mysterious."Millie leans in closer, a devilish glint in her eye. “If it does, it might be funny to see you finally skinny-dipping.”Mariam spins around, shooting Millie a glare that could freeze molten lava. “Not happening.”I arch
Let's be Together FORTY SEVEN
I have no idea what the hell is going on. Millie and I are perched on the couch in my living room, my palms damp against hers, while Mom sits across from us with an amused smile that’s doing nothing to ease my nerves. I mean, it’s weird enough that she called Millie my girlfriend—which, okay, true, but hearing it from her just felt... surreal. Millie’s grinning like she’s enjoying the whole thing, and honestly? That’s making it even weirder.“So,” Mom starts, clasping her hands together like she’s about to lead a goddamn family therapy session. “Millie, are you the one who proposed to my daughter first?”Millie glances at me with a soft, teasing look, then turns back to Mom, her cheeks flushing ever so slightly. “Yes,” she admits.I shoot Mom a look that screams please stop, but she just waves me off like I’m being dramatic. “Oh, don’t be shy now,” she teases, her eyes twinkling with mischief.I internally roll my eyes so hard they might as well fall out of my skull, but Millie, ever
Let's be Together FORTY SIX
"Yeah, I posted it," he says, leaning back on his heels as if he’s proud of himself. "So what? What the hell are you gonna do about it, Larsen? Cry to your mommy? Run to Principal Henderson and tell her a big, bad boy hurt your feelings?"He shoves his hands deeper into his pockets, his sneer widening. "Go ahead, file your little complaint. No one’s going to believe you. You’ve got no proof I was the one who took the picture. For all they know, it could’ve been anyone."His words stab at my composure, but I keep my expression neutral, biting back the retort bubbling inside me. He has no idea that admitting this to my face was the exact proof I needed. Millie stands a step behind me, her arms crossed and her jaw tight, practically vibrating with restrained fury.“Ryle,” I say slowly, tilting my head, “do you know what cyber harassment is?”He snorts. “Oh, here we go. You think you’re gonna scare me with your big words?”“I’m serious,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “You illegally post
Let's be Together FORTY FIVE
Millie texts back, suggesting we meet near the old science building—a spot few students ever visit. Yes, the school has many old buildings. The place has a weird reputation for being creepy, and most people avoid it like the plague. Perfect for a private conversation.I reply with a quick Okay and head out of the algebra classroom. Ipsa spent the entire period trying to pick a fight, tossing snide comments like daggers. I did my best to ignore her, even though my patience was paper-thin. A bitch will always be a bitch, and she’s not worth the energy.Stopping by my locker, I shove my books inside. The crisp autumn air greets me as soon as I step out of the building. October has settled in, bringing the kind of chill that seeps into your bones. Tugging my jacket tighter and shoving my hands into my pockets, I make my way to the old science building.As I approach, I pull out my phone and call Millie. She picks up instantly, her voice smooth as ever. “Look to your right.”I turn my head
