𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻:
Decorating

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻❅

After cleaning up the kitchen from breakfast, Mazin and I got ready for the day.

And considering I was only following along with her, I decided to wear one of her leather jackets with a t-shirt and a pair of leggings.

She matched me in a more vintage leather jacket, wearing a turtle neck underneath with jeans.

While Mazin slicked her hair back into a low bun out of her face, I decided to keep my down, running some of the hair products Mazin had through my dark strands.

I also kept my face bare, using the skincare she had as well.

Then we left her house—in a Range Rover instead of her usual G-Wagon.

She even had the Range Rover wrapped in a matte burgundy vinyl for Christmas.

Which was something I definitely expected from her.

The first stop was the familiar ship docks that I normally went to.

Which was a nice start considering I already knew the ins and outs of all this.

I even got to check on my shipments personally before we left—driving back into the city.

Downtown Brickell to be specific.

And naturally, I began wondering where she was taking me or what could possibly be next on the list of business.

Which is why I was a little confused when we pulled up to the movie theater.

The same one where we had the movie night and I was still tolerating Dani.

It was also where Mazin and I had kissed for the first time after years.

"Are we taking a break to watch a movie or something?" I asked her as she held my door open, helping me down from the SUV.

Mazin smiled slightly, "Not exactly," she said, closing the car door.

I furrowed my brows even deeper as we began walking toward the entrance, feeling Mazin's arm instinctively slide around my waist.

Soon we were inside the familiar movie theater that smelled of fresh buttery popcorn—weirdly walking past the staff without buying a ticket.

And they let us, nodding once in Mazin's direction as she guided me past the main area to the hallway.

We passed numerous theaters showing recently released movies until we eventually made it to the end of the hallway.

Where double doors were.

Mazin seemed to know the code for these doors, unlocking them quickly and guiding me through by my waist.

I furrowed my brows as I walked through, noticing it was the same hallway—but with different theaters to go in.

Except the signs above declared that they weren't showing anything.

"Mazin," I said as we walked into one of the theaters, following the long hallway.

Which led to—

A gun range?

How is there a gun range back here?

It would have to be extremely soundproofed.

But why?

And has this been here the whole time?

I used to watch movies here even as a child...

"I just want to see what your aim is looking like," Mazin told me as we walked into one of the booths.

"Has this been here the whole time?" I asked as she closed the booth door behind us, walking over to the cabinet.

Mazin hummed in acknowledgment at my question, nodding as she put the code in and opened the cabinet.

"Even when we were kids?" I clarified as she grabbed two ear covers that looked like headphones.

"Yes, Virelai, even when we were kids," she said almost in amusement, rising to her height as she turned to me.

"I'm having a little trouble processing this," I admitted as she gently grabbed my chin to tilt my head back.

"I can see that," Mazin said, her lips twitching up almost in amusement as she slid the ear covers over my head, ensuring they were on properly.

"So do you guys always use this?" I said, even if I could barely hear myself talk.

Hopefully, I'm not yelling.

But given Mazin's growing amusement, I think I'm definitely yelling.

"Yes we use this," I heard her say, although her voice was muffled slightly.

I nodded, deciding to remain silent given I didn't want to yell again.

Instead, I watched Mazin remove the gun from the case, loading in a clip before handing it to me.

That's when her hands were back on my waist, gently guiding me over to the opening where a target was a few feet away.

I felt a heat shoot down my spine when her hand smoothed down one of my arms and guided my arms up to aim.

I waited for a moment, focusing on the target as I clicked the safety off before she could tell me to do so.

Then I took my first shot.

Which was... a little off.

Or maybe way off.

I was aiming for the chest and shot the open white space around the outline.

A few of my first shots were like that until Mazin took more control, firmly holding my hands as she helped me aim.

That's when I finally hit one of the targets.

And I seemed to hit two others with her help.

Until she let go of my hands, settling her grip on my waist.

Which was enough to distract me.

I probably couldn't even shoot the white space of the target like this.

Not with her hands on my waist and her warm breath against my neck.

It made my grip tighten around the gun.

Before I lowered it entirely, clicking the safety on as I set it down.

Mazin's brows were furrowed when I turned around to her, sliding my ear covers away from my ears which caused her to do the same with hers.

"I can't focus with you behind me," I explained, motioning her to the side.

Mazin tilted her head, almost pretending to act confused about why standing behind me would affect me.

"I was guiding you," Mazin explained, glancing down to my waist that she gripped more firmly.

"Until you weren't guiding me," I emphasized, watching as her dark eyes openly roamed my body, "If you want me to at least shoot the white space, Mazin, I'll need you away from me."

She suddenly glanced up from my body, almost reluctantly.

Then her hands were removed from my waist, "Yes ma'am," she purposely murmured, taking a large step back as she motioned me back around.

But I couldn't miss the amusement on her features at my previous request. 

I huffed as I turned back around, pulling my ear covers back on as I picked the gun back up from the ledge.

Then I clicked the safety off and began shooting again.

And to say this is humbling would be an understatement.

I didn't realize how much work I needed when it came to shooting.

But then again it had been years since I had used a gun.

And that's when I was trained.

I just assumed I still had the skill.

That it was like riding a bike.

Otherwise, I would've taken my dad's offer of teaching me again.

"You're not done," Mazin said as she grabbed a fresh clip to load into the now-emptied gun, "I want to do a few more rounds of this before we leave."

I pursed my lips, "You can tell me if I'm really bad," I said as she handed the now-heavy gun to me.

"It's a skill baby—I think it would be unfair to say you're bad at it without giving you a chance to perfect it," she said, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

Which naturally made my face burn up slightly.

"Now go again for me," she said, gently grabbing my waist and smoothly flipping me back around with ease.

I drew in a slight breath, blinking a few times as I tried to ignore the warmth her actions caused.

I'll never understand how she can be so effortlessly attractive.

It's almost like she can't even help it.

Even standing off to the side wasn't enough for me—not with her leaning against the wall with her arms crossed and her stare on me.

It still made it hard to focus on the target I was shooting.

"How about you give me a break and you have a turn," I said as I slid my ear covers off and set the gun down.

Mazin shrugged, and I assumed she would've picked up the gun I had been previously using.

But instead, she grabbed the one from her waistband.

One that I had never even noticed was there with her baggy leather jacket.

The safety was off in a matter of seconds, holding the gun with one hand and shooting numerous times back to back.

Which made me quickly slide my ear covers back on, watching her more than the target itself.

It was the way her jaw subtly tightened with each shot, gripping the gun firmly with only one hand.

Which I definitely couldn't do yet.

Maybe this really isn't for me.

I suddenly shook my head, no-no it takes practice.

I just need more practice.

I glanced over to the target when Mazin lowered her gun, noticing how she hit each point dead on.

Whether it was dead in the chest, the stomach, or even the head.

"Let's call it for today," Mazin said as she clicked the safety on, sliding her gun back into her waistband where it seemed to belong.

I nodded immediately, given we had already been here for a few hours.

I happily handed her my ear covers and gun, ready to see the light of day.

Or evening—given it was now six.

"We'll finish this tomorrow—we have somewhere we need to be," Mazin said as we walked out of the movie theater.

I raised a skeptical brow as we approached the car, "We do?" I asked, unaware of these plans.

Mazin smiled slightly, "Yeah, and we're already late," she said, unlocking the Range Rover and opening the passenger door for me.

I grew even more confused, sliding into the passenger seat as Mazin gently closed my door.

And as soon as she rounded the SUV and slid into the seat beside me, I began asking her numerous questions—wondering where she was taking us.

But Mazin didn't seem to contribute anything to give me a single hint.

The only thing I noticed was that we were headed out of the city.

Which didn't really narrow it down for me.

At least until we were driving through the familiar neighborhood.

One that I recalled riding bikes through on hot summer days as Lena called us inside for the popsicles she made.

The house was the exact same as I recalled it—black siding with light stone running up it.

They apparently had this house since before Tahir was born.

Although, they bought the two houses on either side of it to merge together a few years after Omara was born.

I remember the hotel penthouse my dad let them stay in during the construction of it all.

I was so happy to have them all on the same floor as me.

Mazin and I had just started third grade, running around the hotel causing all kinds of trouble instead of doing our homework. 

"Someone's quiet now," Mazin said as she pulled past the gates into the rounded driveway.

"I'm just trying to figure out why we're here," I admitted, noticing the familiar navy Range Rover.

And I now noticed the custom tags a little better than I did the night prior.

TMORRETTI was written on them, matching Mazin's plates entirely.

Omara probably had similar tags, but I knew her car had to be in the large garage off in the back past the rounded driveway.

I remember her mentioning that she liked living at home still—at least until she figured out what she wanted to do after college.

"It's Christmas decorating night," Mazin finally told me as I stepped down from the car.

I smiled as she closed the car door, recalling the Christmas decorating nights I used to be apart of before I moved away.

It used to be on the first of December.

And it's the fourteenth?

"I figured you guys would've already done it by now," I admitted as we approached the front doors.

"Yeah, but we've all been a little busy," Mazin said as she opened the unlocked door, motioning me in first.

Soft Christmas music immediately flooded my ears, smelling soft peppermint combined with the aroma of food.

Really good food given my mouth instantly began to water.

I quickly slid my shoes off with Mazin, leaving them by the front door as we passed the side hall and the staircase off to the side.

Then we were in the familiar open living space, where Lena was over in the kitchen—and Tazmin and Tahir were opening the different plastic containers of Christmas decorations.

Alena was already over by the tree, hanging ornaments.

"Finally," Lena said, immediately noticing our presence.

Specifically, mine, given she seemed to immediately smile.

"And you brought Vee—perfect," Lena said as she slid her black apron off.

"I couldn't let her miss another decorating night," Mazin explained as she guided us over to the kitchen.

Everyone else in the living room seemed too preoccupied to even glance over to us.

"Or the amazing food we make," Lena added, motioning over to the different dishes on the kitchen island.

And suddenly all I wanted to do was eat, eyeing the burger sliders with melted cheese and shiny buttery buns.

There was also a dish of mac and cheese that I knew Tazmin had made given it was her signature.

She always made the best mac and cheese.

I swear I could eat ten bowls of it.

"Omi also made a double chocolate cake too—it's over here," Lena added, motioning over to the chocolate cake covered by a glass topper, "She's also making hot chocolate but she's been up in her room studying for her last exams," she explained.

"This all looks so good," I said to her, noticing Tahir now approaching us from the living room.

"Yeah, can we eat now?" he asked, walking around the kitchen island to briefly hug his sister beside me before hugging me, "Everyone's here now," he pointed out as he pulled away from me.

"Omi isn't finished studying yet," Lena told him as he naturally eyed the food.

"Mom can you get Omi," Tahir suddenly said to Tazmin, who finally glanced up from the plastic container.

And immediately noticed Mazin, visibly glancing from her to me before suddenly walking over to us, past the kitchen island.

"She's studying T," Tazmin told him as she approached us and pulled Mazin into a brief hug, "Hey, Mazi," she murmured to her, briefly pulling back from their hug, "And Vee," she said with a smile, now pulling me in for a brief hug.

I smiled slightly as we pulled away, "Hey," I said, glancing over to Tahir when he let out a dramatic sigh.

"She can't take a break? It's probably really stressful for her to be studying for long periods of time," he purposely told Tazmin.

Who suddenly pursed her lips, giving his words some thought.

I swear when it comes to Omara, Tazmin doesn't play.

"Maybe she should take a break," she suddenly determined, glancing over to Lena, "Mil?"

Lena's lips twitched up in amusement, "Yeah, then we could eat and Omi could get a break," she said, immediately making Tahir smile.

"Alena," he suddenly called her over from the tree she was focused on, "We're eating now beautiful."

I felt Mazin lean in closer to me, "We need to get our plates before T," she told me, her breath warm against my ear.

I nodded almost wordlessly, unable to focus with her so close to me.

"I'll make our plates, you get our drinks and sit down," she instructed me, briefly tapping my waist.

I nodded yet again, walking over to the fridge to grab us both bottles of water—while Mazin went ahead and began making our plates.

Soon Omara was downstairs and Alena was seated at the table with me, also waiting for the plate that Tahir was making for her.

Lena and Omara seemed to join us given that Tazmin was making their plates as well.

And I swear it felt like any worries I previously had were out of the window as everyone sat down around me.

Mazin was by my side while Omara sat on the other side of me.

Then Lena and Tazmin sat across from us with Tahir and Alena.

Christmas music still played lightly in the background as we began eating and conversing.

And then later we focused on decorating, sipping on the homemade hot chocolate Omara made.

She even arranged the marshmallows to be an adorable snowman.

Once we finished with our hot chocolate and decorations, Lena began cutting the cake Omara made, preparing our plates as everyone headed out to the back patio to sit by the fire pit. 

Although, Mazin seemed to keep me inside, bringing me upstairs to her old room. 

Which was just as I recalled it. 

Specifically how cold it always was and then the floor-to-ceiling black-out curtains by the large king bed. 

The desk was empty unlike it used to be years ago—while her bed was tucked with sheets and a fluffy comforter. 

"It's weird to see it now, right?" Mazin asked me, sliding her arms around my waist from behind. 

I nodded wordlessly, staring at the large bed, "It is, but somehow, it's just the same," I said, leaning back into her warm body. 

Every memory seemed to flood back in, especially the ones right before I left. 

Like the kiss we shared after that party. 

Mazin hummed, sending vibrations through us both, "We have some interesting memories in that bed," she said, her mind clearly in the same place as mine. 

I shook my head when I felt my face burn up, "Is that why you took me up here, Mazin?" I decided to ask her as she nuzzled her face down in my neck, "You want to recreate those memories?" 

Mazin chuckled against my skin that she placed a soft kiss to, "No—or yes, I wouldn't mind recreating that kiss with you," she quickly corrected herself, trailing soft kisses up the side of my neck, "But I brought you up here because I want to ask you something." 

I raised a brow, suddenly turning my head to curiously meet her stare. 

Until I just decided to turn around in her arms entirely, wanting to lay eyes on her fully. 

"Ask me then," I said almost impatiently, wondering what she was planning. 

Mazin drew me in closer by my waist as I unconsciously ran my hands up her arms. 

It was silent between us. 

Almost tensely silent. 

Especially with our bodies pressed together like this and our faces barely inches apart. 

"Kiss me first and I'll ask you," Mazin whispered, subtly shifting down closer to me. 

I hummed breathlessly at her words, feeling my face burn up as I tilted my head back—leaning up to meet her halfway and press my lips to hers. 

Mazin instinctively gripped me closer to her, running her hands under the jacket and shirt I borrowed from her. 

And as soon as her hands were pressed to the bareness of my back, caressing my skin, I had long forgotten about what she wanted to ask me. 

I hummed as I reached for her neck that I firmly wrapped my hands around, tugging her even deeper into me. 

The warmth of her tongue slid past my lips with each kiss we shared, subtly guiding me back towards the bed. 

And I let her guide me, soon feeling the edge of the bed against the back of my knees before she grabbed my waist and gently pushed me back. 

Our lips had only disconnected for a brief moment, but as soon as she lowered back down to me—situating her leg on one side of mine and the other between my own legs, her lips were pressed back to mine. 

My face burned up. 

My entire body burned actually, curving into her as she wrapped her hand around my neck that she subtly squeezed. 

"Mazin," I breathed out against her lips, trying to fight the urge to shift myself against her knee. 

But there was this desperation that had swallowed me whole, feeling the unfamiliar heat in my lower stomach again. 

Along with this pulse between my own legs. 

All I knew was that we couldn't do this in her room at her parent's house. 

Even if everyone was downstairs and outside. 

I'm sure they know something is up by now. 

I hummed when she gripped my waist and tugged me deeper against her—but my hum was more drawn out for once. 

More softer... and so unfamiliar. 

Which seemed to make Mazin deepen the kiss even more, somehow gripping me even closer. 

"Go on a date with me," she suddenly said against my lips, not bothering to put her words as a question. 

I nodded immediately, unconsciously smiling against her lips.

It felt like a storm of butterflies had taken up my stomach. 

"Yes... I would love to," I whispered to the best of my abilities, feeling so beyond breathless.  

I felt Mazin smile against my lips, "Good, that's what I wanted to hear baby," she murmured, kissing me so much softer and less rushed. 

I nodded a few times, gently running my hands up her back as I pulled her against me entirely. 

And that's when she broke the kiss, leaning down into my neck with a soft deep breath. 

I let out a few wavered breaths, feeling beyond breathless now that we had broken the deep kiss, now wrapped in a hug. 

But we didn't move, or even say anything. 

We just sat there, not caring about the fact that we had snuck off away from everyone else. 

We just held each other, our breaths slowly falling in sync with one another. 

Time passed by us entirely unmeasured. 

Until finally, we pulled back and Mazin briefly kissed my lips before standing from my lap. 

Then she helped me up with her, gently grabbing my hand as I stood to my feet. 

I ran my hands through my hair, adjusting the jacket I wore along with my shirt that had ridden up. 

I also adjusted Mazin's shirt, ensuring she looked presentable as well. 

"They're definitely going to say something," I whispered to her as we walked out of her old bedroom. 

Mazin smiled slightly, "Definitely," she said, not bothering to sugarcoat it for me. 

I let out a dramatic sigh, trying to fight the warmth on my face away at the idea of the attention on us. 

"We can leave?" Mazin offered, glancing over to me as we walked down the hallway, "You can go wait out in the car, and I'll say our goodbyes." 

I smiled slightly at her offer. 

And the fact that she referred to it as our goodbyes. 

"I really appreciate that," I whispered, gently squeezing her hand in mine, "But I don't want to be rude, and I also feel like randomly leaving might make it more obvious."

Mazin's smile grew amused as we walked down the stairs, "Make what obvious?" she purposely asked me, openly eyeing my face, "That we just made out and I was on top—" 

"Mazin," I cut her short with a dramatic groan, giving her a narrowed look when she laughed. 

"Go wait in the car Virelai, I'll handle the rest," she said, smiling even more in amusement as we made it to the bottom of the stairs. 

Luckily, everyone seemed to still be outside by the fire pit. 

"The keys are over by the door," Mazin added as she placed a brief chaste kiss to my cheek, "I won't be long." 

I nodded as she let go of my hand, "Okay... but tell them that I love them and that I'm sorry—" 

"I got it, baby," Mazin gently cut me short as I began walking past the kitchen, "Don't stress about it," she added, knowing me entirely too well. 

I nodded a few times, letting out a deep sigh as I walked down the hallway toward the foyer. 

Where Mazin's keys sat on the table off to the side with Tahir's keys as well. 

And almost immediately I caught sight of myself in the mirror above the table, noticing my flushed cheeks and puffy lips. 

At least my hair wasn't frizzy or all over the place. 

I let out a deep sigh, grabbing the keys from the table and opening the front door to head out to the car. 

Now that I was alone with my thoughts, I could finally process the fact that Mazin had asked me on a date. 

She... we're going on a date. 

I can't wait to tell Nelli. 

I can't wait to go on a date in general. 

Our first date.