𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆:
Bowling

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆❅

Once we had finished breakfast, Mazin insisted that I get ready and dressed for the day.

She wouldn't tell me why or what we were doing, just to dress comfortably.

So I decided to wear a cream sweater with a pleated leather skirt and black stockings—slipping on a pair of comfortable shiny loafers instead of heels.

Given I washed my hair in the shower this morning, I ended up blowing it out—wearing it down in soft waves.

Then I focused on a light makeup look—just mascara, cream blush, lip gloss, and then I also gelled down my brows.

Once I finished, I focused on checking my email for anything important—given Mazin had left to get ready at her place.

Which made me start wondering what exactly did her place look like?

Does she live in an apartment too?

Maybe a house?

And would I ever get to see it?

It was something I thought heavy about as I scrolled through the endless emails of students confirming that they received my email about class being canceled.

I knew a lot of them were definitely happy about the last-minute cancellation.

And I honestly didn't regret it once I walked out of my apartment building to spend the day with Mazin.

I planned to talk with her whenever we got a chance.

But I also want to bask a little in this light mood...

I'm just unsure if I'm ready to truly rehash the past after everything that's happened recently.

I raised a brow as I walked out of the main doors to my apartment building, noticing the black G-Wagon immediately.

And then Mazin who stood beside it, leaning against the passenger door as she waited for me.

She looked... much more casual than me—wearing an orange Chrome Hearts long-sleeve shirt and baggy light-wash jeans.

Her hair was slicked back into a low bun, wearing light makeup and a pair of Gucci sunglasses that shielded her eyes from me.

But I could easily feel the precision of her stare, especially when she reached up to lower her sunglasses down from her eyes—openly eyeing me with her usual smirk.

"This is casual for you professor?" Mazin purposely asked me as I stopped in front of her.

I jokingly rolled my eyes, "It's just a skirt and a sweater, Mazin," I pointed out, shaking my head when she continued to trail her eyes back down my body.

"Well, you look very put together," Mazin said, glancing back up to meet my stare.

I hummed almost breathlessly, trying not to be affected by her stare, "You look very put together too," I said, unconsciously whispering the words.

"This just can't do then," Mazin determined, gently grabbing my waist and guiding me closer to her, "Luckily, I have an idea."

I tilted my head, "You have an idea to make us less presentable?" I asked almost in amusement, staring up into her dark eyes, "Share with the class then," I said, smiling slightly when Mazin drew in a visibly deep breath at my words.

It was still between us for only a short moment that felt almost timeless, especially with Mazin's dark eyes trailing my face.

Until she leaned down, leaving barely any space between our faces and immediately causing my heart to shoot out of my chest.

I had to draw in a deep breath to somewhat recover, especially as I continued to hold her dark eyes.

That subtly flickered down to my lips as she said—

"Let me mess up your lip gloss."

I felt my face burn up, blinking almost profusely as I registered her words.

Until I unconsciously nodded, closing my eyes when she immediately closed the space between us.

Her lips were soft and warm against mine, gently tugging my waist further into her as I tilted my head back for more.

Mazin hummed as soon as I ran my arms around her neck, leaning in deeper as our lips naturally moved in sync with each kiss.

Until Mazin subtly pulled back, immediately taking all of the warmth with her.

Which left me cold and somehow wanting more. 

Mazin laughed slightly, when I unconsciously pulled her back for another kiss—not even bothering to open my eyes as I pressed my lips back to hers.

And this time, she reached up to gently grab my neck—pulling me in even closer as my fingers unconsciously caressed the back of her neck.

"Just one more to ensure it's messed up properly," I whispered before I pulled back slightly, eyeing her slightly puffy lips and eyes that seemed so focused on my lips.

"Maybe just one more," Mazin suddenly said, leaning back down to press another kiss to my lips—which unconsciously made me smile.

Then somehow Mazin was smiling, briefly kissing my lips again before pulling back entirely.

"We should get in the car," Mazin said, shaking her head as she forced her eyes away from me entirely, "We should really get in the car," she repeated with emphasis, reaching behind her to open the door.

My smile grew, "I could've opened my own door," I said as I pulled away from her to get in the car.

"I always open your door," Mazin said, almost taking offense to my words, "Like... always?"

I felt my smile grow more shy, "Yeah-yes, I was just saying I could've grabbed it myself, like you didn't have to," I quickly explained, recalling how she would always open the door for me even years ago.

Every door actually, not even just car doors.

"But I did have to—I always do for you," Mazin emphasized, watching as I buckled my seatbelt, "It's common courtesy."

I nodded, "Well, your common courtesy is appreciated," I said, glancing over to meet her stare.

Mazin smiled almost in amusement, "Okay Virelai," she murmured, gently closing my door.

And as she walked around the car to the driver's side, I got settled in the cushioned leather seat.

I also rubbed my lips together.

Almost unconsciously.

And then suddenly my mind was back on her lips, replaying the kiss we had just casually shared.

Or numerous kisses.

It made my face burn up, unconsciously pressing my lips tighter together as I tried to push the annoying thoughts away.

"You good over there?" Mazin asked me, suddenly snapping me out of my thoughts.

And that's when I noticed her seated beside me, starting the car at the press of a button.

I blinked a few times, "Yes," I quickly whispered, nodding a few times to myself.

Mazin's lips twitched up slightly, "If you say so," she said, buckling her seatbelt before putting the car in drive.

And as she slowly pulled away from the curb she had parked beside—I relaxed back deeper in the seat with a content sigh.

I had contemplated bringing up the conversation we both knew we needed to have, but a part of me couldn't get the words out.

Mostly because I like the lightness between us.

It's something I find myself appreciating after what happened last night.

Maybe we can talk later, or possibly tomorrow?

Mazin hasn't seemed to bring it up.

Or maybe she's waiting for me to bring it up?

I glanced over, immediately noticing the bowling alley that she slowed down in front of.

"We're going bowling?" I said almost in amusement, glancing over to Mazin as she focused on parallel parking in front of the building.

Which didn't seem that hard given the empty spots. 

"It used to be your favorite," Mazin said, smiling slightly as she put the car in park.

"And what if I said I hated it now?" I purposely asked her as she turned to meet my stare.

Mazin's smile grew amused, "Then we would go somewhere else," she said, turning the car off, "Do you want to go somewhere else, Virelai?"

I pursed my lips when my smile grew, "No," I murmured, tilting my head almost shyly.

Mazin shook her head with a smile, opening her door to slide out of the car.

"Don't," she said as soon as I reached for the handle of my own door.

Which made me awkwardly lower my hand back down to my lap, watching as she closed her door and walked around the car toward my side.

Where she proceeded to open my door for me, gently grabbing my hand to help me down.

"Thank you," I whispered as she closed the passenger door.

Mazin hummed in response, "Common courtesy," she just had to say, earning a fake eye roll from me as we walked toward the modern downtown building.

It was more of a modern bowling alley, with glowy neon lights illuminating the walkways, dark marble floors, and modern light fixtures above.

Soft Christmas music played through the speakers with a light chatter flowing around it from various groups of people.

It only took a few minutes for me and Mazin to get our bowling shoes and our assigned lane number.

Where I noticed Tahir and Alena were already sitting?

Tahir wore a black zip-up jacket with light wash jeans while Alena wore a long-sleeve black shirt with matching athletic leggings.

"Mazin," I said, glancing over to her with an unconscious smile.

"T invited himself," she clarified, immediately sending me back to years ago when he would always crash our plans, "But I think him being here would be nice for you," she added, sliding her arm around my waist to hold me closer.

"It would be really nice," I whispered, trying to ignore the warmth that her arm around my waist caused.

"I tried to get Nelli to come but she had to be in the office for some meetings," Mazin explained as we walked closer to them.

And that's when Tahir noticed us, immediately walking over to us.

Or me, given he immediately pulled me into a hug.

"Wow, miss me already?" I joked with him, laughing slightly as I hugged him back.

And I couldn't ignore how Mazin still didn't let go of my waist.

"I can't say or your ego will get too big," Tahir joked back, pulling away from our brief hug.

"He missed you," Mazin told me with an amused smile, earning a narrowed look from her brother.

"Yeah, sure," he said as we walked over to where Alena was, "How are you feeling?" he asked me, his tone lowering slightly with a more cautious tone.

I blinked a few times, "Well, I uh—"

"Let's just leave that topic alone. We're here to have a good time," Mazin said, earning a relieved nod from me, which Tahir immediately noticed, nodding in agreement with me. 

"We're here for a good time—got it," Tahir said as we stopped by Alena.

Who immediately smiled at me, "Ready to put up with their competitiveness?" she joked, knowing how Mazin and Tahir can be.

"It was much worse when they were younger," I said back, smiling slightly as I watched Tahir slide his arm around her waist, "We still call first though."

Tahir dramatically scoffed, "That's not fair—"

"She said it first," Mazin cut him short before he could argue my point.

It's always been a thing that whoever calls first gets to go first.

However, it slightly backfired years ago when Tahir and Mazin would call first days in advance to a game for game nights.

Lena had to create a rule that you can only call first an hour before a game.

"I think I'll choose the pink ball too," I determined, smiling happily as I pulled away from Mazin to grab one of the bowling balls.

Then I focused on the lane that I began to approach, walking closer as I guided the heavy ball back. 

I took a few deep breaths in, launching it forward down the lane with hopes that I would hit a strike.

I squeezed my eyes shut, listening to the ball crash against the pins that would inevitably fall.

And that's when I opened my eyes again, noticing the two pins left standing.

I turned around with a smile, "Beat that," I said, which inevitably earned a narrowed look from Tahir.

Meanwhile, Mazin seemed to be amused by me as I approached her, doing my small happy dance.

"I forget you're more competitive than me," she murmured as she openly eyed my face.

"More competitive?" Alena suddenly said, grabbing her bowling ball, "This should be an interesting game then."

I felt my smile grow amused, watching as she walked over to the long lane.

"Do you think I'm too overdressed?" I suddenly asked Mazin, noticing how casually Alena was dressed, along with Tahir.

It seems I didn't get the memo...

But I thought a skirt was casual enough.

"Not at all," Mazin said, now glancing down to my body, "I like this."

I raised a brow, even if I felt my face burning up from her compliment, "But is it too much?" I repeated my question.

"Everything you wear is too much," Mazin said, her lips twitching up when I dramatically rolled my eyes, "You make anything look overdressed."

I shook my head, feeling my face burning up even worse, "You sound biased, Mazin," I pointed out in a whisper, annoyingly feeling shy from her words.

"Maz, it's your turn," Tahir impatiently said before Mazin could say anything else.

Which inevitably made me smile slightly, especially when Mazin gave him a narrowed look but walked past me anyway to take her turn.

I watched as she grabbed the dark blue bowling ball and walked over to the lane, guiding her arm back as she aimed the ball before launching it forward.  

And just like that—she managed to hit a perfect strike, immediately making me clap in response. 

It was the best start to the game that I seemed to get a little too invested in.

Tahir and I seemed to be the two most competitive ones here.

Meanwhile, Mazin and Alena seemed to find our seriousness amusing, ordering a pizza and drinks for us mid-way through the game.

But Tahir and I were way too focused to eat right now.

"One bite," Mazin murmured, holding the pizza to my lips as I watched Alena take her turn.

And as she rolled the ball, I leaned into Mazin seated beside me, taking a bite of the pizza as I continued to stare ahead.

I smiled as soon as the pins fell, noticing five still standing.

"Mazin-Mazin, all you have to do is knock down six and we're good," I said, taking another bite of the pizza when she leaned it in for me to take another bite.

"I'll hit a strike if you eat," Mazin tried to negotiate with me.

And I swear I didn't even hesitate to nod, taking the warm pizza from her hand and motioning her over to the lane.

"Boo," Tahir called out as Mazin grabbed her bowling ball, causing Alena to nudge him with a narrowed look.

Which inevitably made me laugh, especially when Tahir stuck his tongue out at me. 

But I was too busy to form a response, noticing my phone buzzing with texts.

I assumed it was Nelli.

Or perhaps my dad.

But it wasn't.

It was texts from the very person I had managed to escape just last night.

Dani: Can we please talk about last night?
Dani: I'm not mad
Dani: I just need to talk to you
Dani: I'm sorry for coming at you like that

I blinked a few times, drawing in a deep breath as I reread her texts over and over again.

She's okay.

And now she wants to talk.

But I don't want to.

I never want to.

I unconsciously flinched, feeling a hand gently grab my shoulder.

"Virelai?" Mazin said, furrowing her brows as she took in my current state, "What is it?"

I shook my head, glancing over to the lane where all the pins seemed to be knocked down, awarding us a strike that I had desperately wanted.

Then I glanced over to Tahir and Alena, who both seemed to be looking at me as well.

Which naturally made me grow more nervous. 

"I..." I trailed off, glancing back down to my phone as I tried to steady my breathing.

I don't have to answer Dani right? 

She'll leave me alone eventually? 

"Let's go over here," Mazin suddenly suggested, motioning over to the side hallway.

I nodded immediately, drawing in a deep breath as I stood to my feet.

But no amount of breathing could help my racing heart or hands that annoyingly trembled.

I hate that Dani has this effect on me. 

It makes me feel so small. 

"We'll be back," was all Mazin told them, promptly guiding us both away from the section and toward the secluded hallway.

And as soon as we stopped walking, I handed Mazin my phone—not even bothering to try and verbally explain.

I watched her brows furrow as she read the messages, noticing her jaw clench as she instinctively reached for my waist.

"You're not talking to her," Mazin immediately said, glancing up from the phone.

I nodded a few times, "But what if she tries to—"

"I want security with you," Mazin suddenly cut me short, glancing back down to my phone in her hand, "And a restraining order pressed against her."

I let out a deep sigh, finding this situation to be so complicated, "But I'm a professor, Mazin, I can't walk around with security," I whispered, unconsciously grabbing her arms to steady myself.

Why does this all never seem to end? 

I shouldn't have let Dani back into my life. 

Now, I can really only blame myself for this. 

"We'll have them blend in—they can sit in the classroom," Mazin immediately suggested, glancing up to meet my stare, "You need security, Virelai—or else I'll have to follow you around myself."

I nodded, but inevitably drew in a shallow breath, "I just really wish this wasn't happening," I forced out, trying my hardest to keep myself together.

But truthfully I just wanted to break down all over again.

It feels like this will never go away.

Like she'll never leave me alone.

"Hey," I heard Tahir suddenly say as he approached us, "What's going on?" he immediately asked, his dark eyes now on me as I glanced down to shield my face.

"It's Dani," Mazin said, running her hands past my waist to my lower back, "We need a restraining order."

Tahir immediately nodded, "I can reach out to Miami PD," he didn't hesitate to say.

"I also want a team of security with her," Mazin added, gently tapping her fingers against my lower back, which is something I immediately focused on along with my breathing, "We can use ours or Virelai can use hers, but I want them assigned to her by tonight."

Tahir nodded again, now grabbing his phone, "I'll handle it for you, don't worry about it," he assured Mazin, gently patting her shoulder.

"You know how to use a gun, yeah?" Mazin asked, now diverting her attention back over to me.

I immediately nodded, "I have one in my apartment," I said, glancing up to meet her dark eyes.

"That wasn't the question," Mazin whispered, her tone as serious as ever with me, "Do you know how to use the gun, Virelai?"

I nodded a few times again, feeling knots grow nervously in my stomach, "Yeah, yes, I can use one," I quickly breathed out, blinking a few times, "I... my dad trained me."

Mazin pursed her lips together, "And that was the last time you used one?" she asked, her dark eyes trailing my face and somehow making me feel more on edge.

"Yes, I mean, I didn't have to use one in Korea and—"

"So if I handed you a gun right now, you could use it Virelai?" Mazin cut me short, halting her hands against my lower back.

And with the seriousness that this has all taken, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed, suddenly wanting to just crawl under my covers and never come out.

I hate this all so much. 

I unconsciously nodded at her question, glancing down when she pulled her hand away from me and reached to her back waistband.

"What are you doing?" I whispered as she gently grabbed my hand, placing the heavy black gun in my hand, "Mazin this—we can't have this out in a bowling alley," I quickly said, glancing past Tahir frantically.

"List everything you know about this gun, Virelai," was all Mazin said, not even bothering to care about the very public space we were in.

But Tahir seemed to notice how much I cared, glancing up from his phone.

"Mazin, chill," Tahir said, lowering his phone, "You're overwhelming her."

Mazin only shook her head, "I need her to be able to defend herself if it came down to it, Tahir," she said, and I could tell by the use of his full name she was serious.

Too serious for my liking. 

I don't think I've ever seen her like this. 

"I just don't want to do this here," I whispered, hesitantly handing the heavy gun back to her, "Please take it," I said, noticing her failing to take it from my open grasp.

"Mazin, we'll handle this later, just take the fucking gun," Tahir said, but Mazin only shook her head, taking a firm step back from me as she dropped her hands from my waist.

Which inevitably made my insides churn nervously, holding the gun out for someone to take. 

And luckily, Tahir swiftly grabbed it from my open hand. 

"We can train her better—"

"I need a minute," Mazin suddenly cut Tahir short, walking past us both before we could say anything else.

Which caused remorse to quickly eat away at me, hating that I had made her mad.

I should've just tried to tell her what I knew about a gun.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to Tahir when he let out a deep sigh.

"It's really not your fault," Tahir assured me immediately, "Maz is just... in a difficult position," he tried to explain, which inevitably made me furrow my brows.

"I put her in a difficult position?" I asked, my voice cracking with regret.

Maybe I shouldn't have involved either of them.

I don't want to put anyone in a bad position.

"No, not like that," Tahir quickly clarified, noticing where my thoughts had gone, "It's just that Maz would have killed her if it wasn't for you, and now she's worried about you not being able to defend yourself."

I pursed my lips together, "So she's mad?" I whispered, glancing away from him when I felt my face burn up.

I hope she's not mad.

I didn't mean to make her mad.

"We both know she could never be mad at you, Vee," Tahir said, his tone softening as his dark eyes trailed my face, "She's just..." he trailed off in search of a word, "Frustrated by this situation, but she'll be good."

I nodded almost hesitantly, "Are you sure?" I asked, somehow still feeling anxious about all of this.

I hate that it all turned into this.

"Yeah, of course—I'm just gonna talk to her real quick," Tahir said, gently pulling me into a brief side hug, "You go chill with Alena and let all of this roll off your shoulders—we're handling this now."

I nodded silently, swallowing the lump in my throat as I unconsciously clasped my trembling hands together—hoping to calm down.

I'm overreacting right now, I just wish my body would realize that and stop being so anxious over nothing.

My anxiety always makes me feel so embarrassed and weak.

"Hey, where did they run off to?" Alena asked me as soon as I made it back to our section.

Meanwhile, Tahir was heading outside to speak to Mazin.

"Uh they just had something to handle," I whispered, fidgeting with my hands as I stood by the table she sat at.

"Then we should finish this pizza on our own," Alena determined, grabbing another slice, "It's only fair right?"

I let out a deep breath at the sight of her genuine smile, "It is," I determined even if I didn't feel that hungry, "Maybe some more pink lemonade too."

Alena immediately nodded, "Definitely some more," she said, now reaching for the touch-screen tablet we used to order our food.

And as she got our pink lemonade ordered for refill, I couldn't help but unconsciously eye the faraway doors—anticipating when Mazin and Tahir would walk back in.