𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗧𝘄𝗼

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗧𝘄𝗼:
Red Wine

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗧𝘄𝗼❅

"This has to be the best Christmas gift ever."

I gave Nelli a skeptical look through the mirror, "You're being dramatic," I said, applying more of the green face mask to my skin.

"I'm being dramatic?" she emphasized, setting the face mask applicator down in the bowl, "You guys talked and made up after years."

I jokingly rolled my eyes, even if it was a big deal.

It feels like a big deal.

And I feel so... giddy?

Like I can't stop smiling.

My face fucking hurts.

"And you guys aren't friends anymore," Nelli added happily, sliding up onto my bathroom counter to sit.

I lazily raised my brows, "Whatever that means," I murmured subtly.

Mostly because now that I've had time to think about it...

What does that mean?

We're not you know... dating.

But we're also not friends.

So that leaves us in this weird in-between.

"Just vibe, don't overthink it," Nelli said, already knowing where my head was.

But I don't think I could not overthink this if I tried.

"I just don't like not knowing," I admitted, setting the face mask applicator down in the bowl now that I had finished, "Like what if it doesn't work out, or what if she decides she doesn't want anything serious and I end up like every other girl—"

"Look at you, Vee," Nelli cut me short with a raised brow, "Genuinely look at yourself and listen to what you're saying," she said as I let out a deep stressful sigh, "Maz said no one else could have her if she couldn't have you—if that's not a clear idea that she's serious about you then I don't know what is."

I nodded a few times, "Yeah, yes, you're right," I quickly whispered, glancing down when my phone started ringing.

With the caller ID that read—

Mazin.

Did I forget to answer her text?

No-no, I answered it before we started doing face masks.

I've been responding within the literal second she texts.

So if she's calling me, maybe she wants to talk to me?

"Are you going to answer that?" Nelli suddenly cut into my thoughts.

Which made me blink a few times, nodding as I reached for the phone to answer.

Until I realized the green face mask on my face.

"Oh my god, Nelli," I suddenly whispered, throwing the phone over to her before the FaceTime call could connect.

Which left my best friend laughing as she held the phone up, "Hey, Maz," she said, still smiling as she looked at the phone.

Fuck, I need to get this off—she can't see me like this. 

"Hey... Nelli," I heard Mazin say, clearly sounding confused by my lack of presence near my own phone, "Where's Virelai?"

I immediately motioned my hand across my neck, emphasizing to tell her I'm not nearby.

"She's uh..." Nelli trailed off, pursing her lips together as she thought about her next words, "She's running," she finally said, and I swear I wanted to internally face-palm myself.

That's the best she could come up with?

"Running?" Mazin asked skeptically.

"Yeah, she wanted to run the carbs off," Nelli added, which luckily made it sound more believable.

Meanwhile, I had begun pacing the fucking bathroom.

"Is security with her?" Mazin said, and I could easily hear the seriousness in her tone.

Nelli nodded a few times, "Yeah..." she trailed off, furrowing her brows when she realized how deep this lie was about to get.

"T, call Xavier," I heard Mazin suddenly say.

And as soon as I recalled Xavier—the head of security I had recently met—I knew it was time to drop the lie.

"Wait," I suddenly said, pursing my lips tightly together when Nelli handed me the phone with an awkward look.

She really couldn't say I went to sleep?

Like out of all the excuses?

"I'm actually um right here," I awkwardly whispered, holding the phone up toward the ceiling so she couldn't see my face.

Meanwhile, the camera seemed to be on Mazin, displaying her glowy face illuminated by the bright screen.

She looked like she was outside with possibly a fire going given the orange hue against her face.

"Let me see your face," Mazin said, her dark eyes focused on the screen. 

I drew in a deep breath, glancing over to my ogre of a reflection.

"I... can't," I hesitantly said, glancing over to Nelli with wide help me eyes.

"You can't?" Mazin repeated distastefully and I could suddenly see the blunt that was passed to her.

Now it makes sense why they're outside.

"Virelai put your face in the camera," Mazin repeated herself again, except her tone held no room for disagreement.

"But I have... a face mask on," I said, shaking my head as I truly realized how embarrassing this was getting.

"I've seen your face covered in dirt—put your face in the camera," Mazin said, immediately making me recall the time Tahir had smushed a dirt pie in my face.

And then Mazin not only hit him back with one, but she smeared dirt all over his body.

Let's just say, Lena and Tazmin were not happy with us afterward.

"We were kids, Mazin," I pointed out with a dramatic sigh.

"Put your face in the camera or I'm coming over Virelai," Mazin said as she took a hit of the blunt, still insisting on seeing me.

I remained silent for a moment, internally wanting to bang my head against a wall.

Especially when I slowly lifted the phone—

So that my face was finally in the frame.

Just with a look of disapproval.

"There she is," Mazin said, her lips twitching up in amusement as she took in the expression on my face, "And she still manages to look as beautiful as ever with a face mask on."

I rolled my eyes jokingly, "Whatever, are you happy now?" I said, even if I felt my face burning up from her compliment.

The only great thing about this face mask was that she couldn't see my irritating blush.

"Yeah, just keep your face in the camera for me," Mazin said, letting out a deep exhale of smoke as she passed the blunt over.

Then I suddenly saw Tahir's face pop in the camera.

"Hey Shrek," he said with an amused smile.

I let out a dramatic groan, "Cut it out, Tahir," I mumbled, using his full name so he knew I was serious.

"No for real, cut it out," Mazin said, leaning the phone away so he was out of the camera view.

Meanwhile, Nelli was drawing hearts in the fucking air and making kissy faces.

Which made my face burn up even worse, nudging her leg with a narrowed look.

"So I wanted to tell you about the sip and paint tomorrow night," Mazin said, her attention focused back on me.

"Sounds fun," I said, glancing back over to the phone away from Nelli.

"Good because I want you to come with me," Mazin clarified, naturally making excited knots tie in my stomach.

Mostly at her straightforwardness.

I already knew she wanted me to come but it's just the way she says things sometimes.

"What time is it at?" I asked, hoping I sounded somewhat normal.

Because on the inside I feel so fucking excited.

Like I could run a lap around my apartment right now.

But I'm desperately refraining.

"It starts at eight so I'll pick you up around seven forty-five," Mazin said, already claiming the role of picking me up.

Which made even more knots tie in my stomach.

I need to get it the fuck together.

"Sounds perfect to me," I whispered, feeling oddly thankful for this face mask.

Because I can physically feel the annoying blush coating my cheeks.

I'm surprised it hasn't melted my face mask away at this point.

"Okay, good," Mazin said, her dark eyes still focused on the screen, "Are you about to go to sleep?"

I nodded, "Once we take this face mask off," I said, determining that it was beginning to get late.

And I have stuff to handle at the hotel tomorrow.

"And eat some cookies—thanks for that Maz," Nelli added, referring to the sugar cookies Mazin had baked and put up for me.

"Any time," Mazin said, smiling slightly in amusement as she shook her head, "I'll probably have to make Virelai more by the time you're done."

Nelli laughed, "Oh definitely, I'm planning to make a dent," she said as she slid down from the counter, turning the timer off for our face masks.

And as soon as she turned on the sink and began cleaning it off her face, I joined her—saying goodbye to Mazin when she noticed we were now in the middle of taking our masks off.

Even though I didn't want to end the call with her.

But I had to finish getting ready for bed, and I also don't like being on the phone when I'm in someone else's presence.

I would rather be present with Nelli and these sugar cookies that we're about to eat while watching the newest Christmas movie on Netflix.

Which is something I couldn't fully focus on with my excitement regarding tomorrow night's plans.

I hope the day goes by fast tomorrow.

❅

So the day didn't exactly go by fast.

At least not at first.

But it did help that Mazin kept checking in and texting me throughout the day.

Which quickly sped by me towards the afternoon.

The next thing I knew, I was rushing to be ready in time for this sip-and-paint event.

I just pulled on a black tight jumpsuit given my time crunch.

It was long-sleeved and ran down to my ankles as it outlined my legs.

I pulled on a burgundy puffer vest with black sherpa fur on the inside—just to be somewhat festive.

Then I slid on a pair of black Nike's, wearing my hair up in a ponytail with natural makeup.

I had to rush to spray my perfume, given Mazin texted me that she was here right when I finished getting ready.

And as usual, she waited by her parked G-Wagon, standing by the passenger side.

She wore a leather jacket with a black long-sleeve shirt underneath—which clung to her frame and matched her loose black jeans and high-heeled boots.

Her blonde hair was down while natural makeup emphasized her features.

"Hi," I said as I stopped in front of her, unconsciously smiling when she ran her hands past my waist and pulled me into a hug.

"Hi," she said back as I slid my arms around her neck, "I've missed you."

My smile unconsciously grew, "I've missed you too," I whispered, drawing in a deep breath as her familiar cologne gathered around me.

"How was your day?" she asked me, running her hands up my back to draw me in deeper.

"Fine, I guess," I said, knowing it was only filled with meetings, paperwork, and then overseeing more of the illegal details, "It's just hard to balance with being a professor."

Mazin hummed, pulling back slightly from the hug, "It stresses you out?" she asked, her dark eyes openly trailing my face.

"Just for right now," I assured her, sensing her concern, "But it's only because I'm adjusting to two different roles."

Mazin nodded once, yet she still remained silent.

Almost in thought.

Which made me wonder where her head was at.

"How was your day?" I decided to ask, trying to break the brief silence between us.

"Good—the usual," Mazin said, suddenly pulling away from me to open the car door.

I raised a brow, "And what is the usual for you?" I asked, brushing past her to get in the car.

"You really don't want to know," Mazin said, growing amused by my curiosity.

I dramatically parted my lips, "Clearly I do," I argued her point.

Mazin only hummed in response, "Seatbelt," she reminded me, glancing over to the seatbelt.

Which I reluctantly reached over to pull across my body and buckle—hoping that would get her to discuss more about her day.

"A kiss too," Mazin said, stepping closer as she leaned her face toward mine.

Which quickly made my previous thoughts go blank, leaning into her for a brief kiss.

But as soon as her soft lips were pressed to mine, we both knew it wasn't going to be brief.

Especially when Mazin gently grabbed my neck, pulling me in deeper as our lips moved in sync.

A deep warmth burned down my body as I gently cupped her cheek, caressing the softness of her skin.

Which earned a soft hum from Mazin, pressing a few gentle brief kisses to my lips before she pulled away.

"Now we're ready to go," she determined, pulling away from me entirely to close the door.

And suddenly I was staring forward with flushed cheeks, replaying the kiss in my head even as she slid into the car next to me.

I no longer felt bent on the topic of her day, which ironically felt like what she wanted.

I suddenly glanced down when she reached for my hand in my lap—gently wrapping her own around mine as she focused on the road ahead

The ride was comfortably silent, especially as I relaxed more in my seat—caressing my thumb over the smooth skin of her hand.

I naturally stared out of the window at the various Christmas lights we passed, some were wrapped around palm trees, and others lining different buildings.

Even the building that we parked in front of was lined with lights—the art studio still open for tonight's event.

I let out a deep sigh as we approached the tall double doors, noticing everyone crowded around the table through the tinted glass windows.

"Mazin," I whispered as soon as she slid her arm around my waist.

I heard her hum, halting her steps as she halted her steps, "What is it?" she asked, her dark eyes now focused on me.

I shook my head, "I don't know, I just—no one knows about us, or whatever it is this is, and I feel a little nervous—"

"We can pretend to be friends," Mazin immediately assured me, her eyes trailing over my face, "Does that make you feel better?"

I unconsciously shook my head, which naturally made Mazin furrow her brows with a slow smile.

"Then what do you want, Virelai?" she asked me, lowering her voice between us.

I let out a deep sigh, "I want..." I trailed off, unsure of what exactly I wanted, "I don't want to pretend to be friends," I suddenly emphasized, knowing at least that.

"You're just nervous?" Mazin clarified, gently pulling me closer by my waist.

And I knew by now someone had definitely seen us through the windows.

"Yeah," I breathed out, staring up into her dark eyes.

Mazin hummed, gently squeezing my waist, "I'll be right beside you the entire time," she whispered, her voice full of reassurance, "And we can leave whenever you want."

I nodded a few times almost wordlessly, letting out another deep sigh as I leaned into her chest for a hug.

"I got you always," Mazin said as she hugged me back, holding me so close to her body, "You know this."

I hummed in acknowledgment, knowing how easily she read me—if I wanted to leave, she would somehow know before I even looked at her.

So everything will be fine. 

More than fine actually. 

"I think I'm ready to go in," I suddenly whispered,  pulling back from our hug slightly to meet her dark eyes.

"Okay," she murmured, still eyeing my face for another long moment.

Until she reached for the door—pulling it open for me and allowing me to walk through first.

Just like that, I was enveloped in soft Christmas music, a faint chatter, and the smell of fresh acrylic paints.

Everyone was getting seated—from Tazmin and Lena to Omara and Tahir.

Then there was Alena who sat beside Tahir while Nadia sat with Morana and Zane.

Then Nelli sat with Ronan and her parents—while Mav and Jada sat further down from them.

The last to show up seemed to be us.

Of course.

"Finally," Tahir joked as we approached the long table everyone sat at.

Which was lined with canvases, paints, wine glasses, and plenty of bottles of wine.

"We're only two minutes late," Mazin emphasized to Tahir as we both sat down on the long bench.

Nelli was luckily beside me—while Tahir was on the other side of Mazin.

"Don't listen to him, he just wants to drink," Alena said with an amused smile, especially when Tahir lightly tickled her side—earning a surprised yelp from her before she popped the back of his neck, muttering something in Spanish. 

"She's gonna get you one of these days," Lena warned Tahir as Tazmin handed her a glass of freshly poured wine.

"Shhh let him learn the hard way," Tazmin whispered to her as she briefly pressed a kiss to her temple.

Nadia suddenly clasped her hands together, immediately earning everyone's attention, "So I assume Maz and Vee will be partnered up for this one?" she asked almost purposely. 

Which naturally made my face burn up, suddenly feeling at a loss for words. 

But Mazin's hand pressed to my lower back under my vest seemed to keep me grounded, focusing on her gentle caresses and occasional taps. 

"I think you guys should—you're both great painters," Omara added in, and I couldn't miss how she subtly nudged Nadia beside her with a growing smile.

Mazin rolled her eyes as she reached for a bottle of wine, "You guys aren't low," she said, clearly noticing the same teamed-up behavior that I did.

"Facts, I knew something was up at that cocktail competition," Tahir added as Mazin screwed open the bottle of wine.

Which was weirdly one of the most attractive things I've seen.

It was the way she opened it with ease, hearing the soft pop before she seamlessly tore the cork from the bottle.

The wine looked velvety soft, flowing into the glass that Mazin effortlessly tilted as she poured the dark liquid in.

"Vee?"

I suddenly glanced away from Mazin, abruptly snapped from my heavy thoughts.

"Yes?" I asked, glancing over to Omara.

"Our teamed-up efforts were worth it right?" Omara repeated her previous question with emphasis.

Meanwhile, Nadia seemed to raise a brow, waiting for my answer.

So I nodded before I could think it through, knowing I didn't want to be on either of their bad sides.

"Definitely worth it," I said as Mazin handed me the filled wine glass.

And brushed her fingers against mine in the process.

I drew in a deep breath, determining that I needed to get a fucking grip.

But even as Nadia and Omara began proving their point about their skills, I somehow managed to focus purely on Mazin's leg that brushed mine every so often.

It was something I focused on even as we began painting—not bother to care about the different containers of WingStop Vic sat out while Mav grabbed the containers of Oreos.

I was entirely focused on Mazin's body language, how she would brush me to dip her paintbrush in the glass of water—swirling it in the cup a few times.

And the wine that I sipped on definitely didn't help matters.

I felt looser.

And my thoughts felt... uncontrollable.

I could no longer push them away.

If anything I was entirely submerged in them, in her, even as everyone conversed lightly—eating some of the different wings and tenders.

And it didn't help that Mazin didn't drink—along with a few others.

Like Tazmin, Zane, and then Mav who was apparently driving Vic, Marie, and Nelli home.

The rest of us were wine drunk off our asses, which consisted of a lot of laughter.

Except from me.

I was more quiet and observant, trying to focus on the mini canvas in front of me that Mazin and I were painting together.

"You doing good over there?" Mazin suddenly said, her raspy voice lowered under the light conversation.

I nodded almost wordlessly, dipping my brush into the white paint, "Totally good—really good," I mumbled, focusing on the canvas, "I just want to perfect these squiggles."

Mazin's lips twitched up slightly as she eyed me, "You've been working on those for thirty minutes now," she pointed out, reaching her hand up to mine.

And before I knew it, her hand was wrapped around mine.

"You're going to make it take longer," I whispered in frustration, now only thinking about her warm hand against mine, "I can't focus with you touching me."

I felt Mazin's stare divert to me, "I can let go—"

"No," I cut her short, trying to focus on the almost finished painting, "I don't want you to let go, I just can't focus is all," I mumbled, my voice almost inaudible under the lively conversation around us.

But Mazin seemed to hear me. 

"So then what's the solution here?" Mazin asked her voice even lower as she leaned in closer to me so I could hear her.

I pursed my lips, feeling her warm body pressed into mine, "That you don't let go," I said as if it were the most obvious thing.

And I could easily notice her lips twitch up into a deeper smile, nodding a few times.

"I won't let go then," she determined, focusing back on the canvas as she guided my hand entirely.

And I let her, leaning closer to her side as we focused on finishing the painting together.

Which was a cute gingerbread man with a Santa hat and a soft pastel green background.

He wore a scarf and buttons along with the cutest smile.

I insisted that we hang him somewhere.

The first idea was my classroom for some festivity, but then Mazin reminded me that it was currently eleven o'clock.

Which left me slightly disappointed, wanting to hang up our work of art right in this moment.

"Oh come on, it'll be fine to sneak in," Nadia said as we all walked out of the art studio with our freshly dried paintings.

"Tazmin tell Mazi it should be fine," Lena said, nudging Tazmin who smiled slightly, giving Mazin an unspoken look.

"I'll help you guys sneak it in," Nelli said as Mav held the door open for us all to walk through.

"We should all help," Ronan said, nudging Tahir.

Who nodded a few times in a row, "We'll make it like a mission, come on Maz," he said, nudging Mazin's side as Alena seemed focused on her phone.

"Yes! A secret mission," I said with a wide smile.

That sounds like so much fun.

I want to do a mission.

"Mazin please," I said, tugging at her arm with a frown.

"I'll take you in the morning," Mazin assured me as we walked down the sidewalk toward the familiar G-Wagon.

"But it won't be a secret mission in the morning," I pointed out, earning nods from Tahir, Ronan, and Nelli.

"Well we're not going to be a part of this one," Tazmin suddenly said, guiding Lena further away from all of us, "We'll check back in the morning though."

Mazin shook her head, "You can't leave me as the only sensible—"

"Bye Mazi, love you," Lena said as she walked beside Tazmin who protectively held her waist, "T don't do anything crazy and Omi—don't forget... assignment."

I laughed, finding Lena's drunk mom side entertaining.

"We love you all," Tazmin said as she unlocked the nearby Range Rover.

Mazin suddenly let out a deep sigh, "Mav who's riding with you?" she asked as we stood beside the G-Wagon.

"I got Vic and Marie—"

"We're riding with Morana and Zane," Marie suddenly said, tugging Vic along by her side.

"Well, I'm riding with Mav and Jada!" Nelli said as she ran over to the SUV with Ronan following behind her.

"T?" Mazin said, glancing over to him and Alena.

"I got us an Uber," Alena said, flipping her phone around, "I'm not as drunk as him so we're good."

Mazin nodded almost hesitantly, "Are you sure, you know he gets crazy—"

"Trust me, I know," Alena cut her short with a laugh, "But I'll keep you updated."

I nodded, "She likes for you to text and keep updated," I said, raising my hand up to speak.

Mazin shook her head with a growing smile, "Yeah... what she said," she told Alena as she opened the car door for me, "Just let me know when you make it back."

Alena immediately nodded as Mazin focused on helping me into the car.

"Seatbelt," I said with a serious look.

Which managed to amuse Mazin further as she reached over and buckled my seatbelt for me.

"And kiss," I said, leaning away from the seat toward her.

I smiled when Mazin immediately met me halfway, briefly kissing my lips and then my cheek.

"Now we can leave," I determined, leaning back against my seat. 

"Now we can leave," she repeated back to me, sounding entirely amused as she gently closed the car door.

And by the time she made it around to the other side, I had slumped against the door, leaning my spinning head against the tinted window as I closed my eyes.

I was unsure how long I had them closed for, I just focused on the moving car that somehow lulled me closer to sleep.

It was the way Mazin drove, how smooth the ride was.

Before I knew it, I was opening my eyes to a high ceiling above me.

And dim lights?

I let out a deep sigh, glancing over to Mazin.

Who I quickly realized was in the midst of carrying me.

But it was down a hallway... that I've never seen before?

"Walk—I can walk," I suddenly said, blinking a few times as I tried to break away from my haziness.

"We're almost there, just relax for me," Mazin told me as she continued walking, holding me even more firmly.

I glanced down the hallway, noticing the door at the end.

"Mazin," I whispered with an excited smile growing on my lips, "You took me—we're at your place?" I asked, whipping my head back toward her.

Mazin chuckled once, "Yes, we're at my place," she said, opening the door with one of her hands.

I immediately glanced over to the bedroom that we were now walking into.

Which smelled of soft lavender that grew around me so perfectly.

There was a large bed and nightstands on either side—and then a desk over by the glass wall. 

On the other wall adjacent to the bed was a mounted TV and a long sleek dresser sitting underneath it.

"I like your bedroom so much," I said as she carefully lowered me down to stand, glancing around the space even more.

This space fits her so well. 

"Thank you beautiful," Mazin said as she instinctively ran her arm around my waist to steady me, "How about we go get changed?"

I immediately nodded at the idea, "I want to wear your clothes," I said, now eagerly stepping forward and walking toward the different doors over on the side.

"Wear whatever you want," she said as she reached in front of me to open the right door.

Which led to a walk-in closet.

I hummed in excitement, walking further into the organized closet.

"I like this," I said, immediately noticing the hanging black jacket.

Mazin took it off the hanger for me, "We'll do this then," she said, now opening the drawer under it, "With these sweatpants," she said, grabbing the black sweatpants that seemed to match.

And that's when I realized it was Chrome Hearts.

"Mazin this is so cute," I whispered as she set the clothing down on the nearby bench, "I'm keeping it—this is mine now."

I swear I could sleep in this every night—or anything of hers actually. 

"It's yours," Mazin didn't hesitate to say as she grabbed a white tank top from the drawer.

I smiled wider as she set it on the bench with the other folded clothes, "I'm going shopping in your closet," I determined with a content sigh, now sliding my shoes off along with my vest that I shrugged off.

Which left me in my black jumpsuit.

"I would rather take you shopping instead," Mazin said as she walked over to me, picking my shoes and vest off the floor and setting them neatly on the bench.

"Like a shopping date?" I asked, turning around to her with a raised brow.

I probably shouldn't ask her about a date, but I'm tired of waiting for her to make the first moves. 

I can make moves too. 

I can make really big moves. 

Mazin tilted her head, staring down at me, "No, I mean—yes we can do that," she said, for once stumbling over her words, "But our first date isn't going to consist of shopping."

I smiled slightly, "Tell me what it consists of then," I whispered excitedly, running my arms around her neck and pressing my body closer to hers.

"It would be a surprise," Mazin said, her lips twitching up slightly as she slid her arms around my waist where it felt like they belonged.

"Would be?" I emphasized her words, now glancing over to her soft hair that I had begun playing with. 

I really like her hair. 

"I'm not asking you on a date while you're drunk, Virelai," Mazin said, her tone completely serious with me as she ran her hands up my back.

I let out a dramatic sigh, "But you'll ask me on one right?" I said, staring up at her with a serious look.

I swear this feels like a fever dream right now.

And I weirdly don't care if this is a dream or reality right now.

I think I'll regret that later.

"Of course, I'll ask you," Mazin didn't hesitate to say, her tone growing much more serious with me, "I'm going to ask you on thousands of dates."

I immediately smiled, "And I'll ask you on millions," I countered back.

Mazin shook her head with a smile, "I'll ask you on trillions," she said, easily topping my answer.

"Then I'll ask you on..." I trailed off, unsure of what would be bigger than trillions, "Infinity dates?" I whispered, tilting my head slightly in confusion.

Mazin's smile grew, "You're so fucking cute," she murmured, leaning down to press a fleeting kiss to my lips.

I hummed, tilting my head back, "More kisses please," I whispered, now cupping her cheeks in my small hands.

"Once you get changed and ready for bed," Mazin said, her tone serious again as she pulled back from me.

I let out a dramatic sigh at the idea, "Okay," I mumbled, now motioning her out of the closet, "But you have to leave while I change," I added, not even being able to imagine the idea of her seeing me naked.

Mazin immediately nodded, "Of course," she didn't hesitate to say, backing out of the closet to leave me alone.

And once she was gone and the door was closed, I reached for the zipper of my jumpsuit, which felt a lot farther than it did earlier.

I could barely zip it halfway down my back.

"Mazin," I suddenly called out, trying to unzip it further.

But it felt like no use.

I'm never wearing a. jumpsuit again.

"Can I come in?" Mazin asked from the other side of the door.

"Yes," I sighed out still trying to reach my zipper.

"And you're dressed?" Mazin clarified.

"Yes, Mazin—I need help," I said in frustration, dropping my arms back by my sides.

I glanced over when the door slowly opened—noticing Mazin walking into the closet as she glanced away from my face to my barely unzipped jumpsuit.

"I got it," Mazin assured me, stopping behind me.

I turned my head back around, "But you can't look at me," I whispered, suddenly feeling my nerves poke through.

Which was something I hadn't felt all night.

I think I'm starting to sober up.

Why did I mention a date to her?

"I won't look," Mazin assured me, suddenly guiding us to face the full-body mirror, "You watch me through the mirror—and I'll close my eyes."

I immediately nodded, feeling much more relieved by her idea.

Especially as I stared at her through the mirror, watching her eyes close as her fingers fiddled with my zipper.

Until she smoothly dragged it down my back, exposing my skin to the cold air.

Which naturally made me shiver slightly.

Mostly from her fingertips that grazed my bare skin in the process.

"Good?" Mazin asked me as she kept her eyes closed.

I nodded a few times, wordlessly staring at her beautiful face through the mirror, "Yes," I whispered, unsure of what to do next.

At least until Mazin turned away from me to walk out of the closet, giving me my privacy again.

"I'll be waiting out here when you're done," Mazin said as she gently closed the door.

"Okay," I said, stripping from my jumpsuit and grabbing the soft clothes from the bench.

Which smelled of fresh detergent—something I deeply inhaled as I got dressed.

I pulled on the sweatpants first, then the white tank top, and lastly the zip-up jacket.

Once I was finished, I met Mazin in the bathroom, where she had grabbed the makeup remover and prepared a toothbrush for me. 

I did a small twirl as I walked closer to her, "Do we like?" I asked her as I stopped in front of her. 

"We like a lot," Mazin said, her attention entirely focused on me, "A lot, a lot." 

I hummed, a smile unconsciously growing on my lips, "A lot, a lot?" I emphasized, noticing her eyes trailing my body. 

"Yeah," she whispered, glancing back up to my eyes, "Do another turn for me." 

I pursed my lips together into a small smile, slowly turning around again for another shy twirl. 

Which Mazin undoubtedly watched me do, her dark eyes trailing my body yet again. 

"Perfect," she murmured, sliding one of her arms around my waist. 

I blinked wordlessly, "Thank you," I whispered, feeling my face burning under her intense stare. 

And even as she began helping me take off my makeup, her dark eyes still managed to openly cling to me. 

Even after, I couldn't properly focus on brushing my teeth with her behind me in the mirror, still taking in every edge of my covered body.

Until soon I was finished brushing my teeth, following her into the bedroom over to her bed, where she pulled the covers back and helped me into the large bed.

Which felt like literal fucking clouds as I expected.

Even when I used to sleep in her bed years ago, it was always the most comfortable thing I had laid on.

I always sleep so good in her bed.

And now I realize I sleep even better in her arms.

Which sucks because I have to wait for her to get unready too.

But my eyes are so heavy and I've never felt this tired in my life.

I only planned to close my eyes and not fall asleep yet, but my body annoyingly betrayed me—falling into a deep sleep against my own will.

I blame her bed.