lovelorn - wroetoshaw

chapter 17

tw: light drug use

BELLA

After quite a bit of persuasion on my end, I manage to get Harry up from bed and starting to get ready. I'm still not completely comfortable, since I've never met Will or Gee. Harry insisted that I'm not inviting myself, that Gee is close with Freya and Talia and really wants to meet me. Pushing my insecurities aside, I distract myself by picking out an outfit.

I can't go with anything to over the top, since it's not my birthday or party. Do the girls usually go formal for these parties or is it a causal thing? Over or underdressing would leave a bad impression, I mean I'm probably going to meet a lot of new people tonight. Fuck, I'm overthinking again. I'll try on something, and I can always ask Harry or Frey.

Sifting through my closet, my eyes land on a short brown dress. I almost forgot I had this, my old dorm-mate Lilla gave me this for a birthday. Peeling off my clothes, I slip the fabric over my head, tightening the sinches by the sides of my thighs to make a slight ruched effect. Adding some gold necklaces to make it less bland, I pull my hair back temporarily to see the dress in its entirety. This could work? I think, as more of a question than a statement. The ruched effect makes me bum look pretty good actually. I stifle a giggle before turning to head into the hallway, to Harry's room.

"Harry?" I ask, knocking lightly on the wooden door a few times before he signals for me to come in. He's sat on the edge of his bed, slipping on a white pair of sneakers. Hair messy as ever, he's wearing my favorite jumper. A light blue sidemen one with one slightly darker and lighter sleeve. It sounds cliche but it really does bring out his eyes.

Right before I can tell him that, he speaks. "Bee that's perfect. I told you you'd be fine." He finally stands up, stepping towards me and planting a reassuring kiss on my forehead.

Wrapping my arms around his neck lightly, I respond, "Thank you baby. Did I tell you thats my favorite one of your jumpers?"

"I kind of figured that out after you borrowed it for the tenth time," he jokes, making me playfully scoff and tap his chest.

"Oh piss off. I need to go do my hair and makeup and then we can head out with the guys, is that alright?" He lightly nods before I peck his cheek and turn around back towards my room.

❁❁❁

Shifting out of the backseat of Tobi's car, I keep one hand gripped tightly on the small blue gift bag with a bottle of Hendrick's, which is supposedly Gee's favorite, while my purse is slung over my immobile arm. Filing into the cramped lift, I'm squished between Tobi and Ethan, squirming to try and make some more room.

"How many introductions do you reckon I'm going to have to do to tonight?" I ask the group, making them laugh at my random question.

"Just follow me Belles and I can introduce you to everyone." Ethan offers. I nod in response before the lift doors open.

Once we enter the flat, we're greeted by a series of cheers. Ethan introduces me to many unknown faces which I find out are Chip aka Josh, Reev, Gib, and Theo and Janine, who are dating. Creeping out from behind the guys, I look around for a blue haired woman. I see her talking to Talia, so I walk up to them both and give T a hug.

"It's so great to meet you, I'm Bella!" I greet as I pull her into a hug. "You too! I'm Gee but you've probably already heard that from that one." She laughs, pointing over at Talia.