Always, Arlo [Published]

Chapter 27

Arlo Day.

Val

After that night that I spent with Arlo I can't think straight. It's like my mind is in a constant haze of remembrance. I can only think of his lips on mine and the sensation of his piercing brushing over my skin.

It's almost as if i'm now consumed by the addicting drug that is Arlo Saint. I find myself getting lost in my imagination when revisioning him on top of me.

Getting my makeup done with Nini was now a very sheepish task. She was my makeup artist and I was well, a Lingerie model. There was no room for secrets when I was in literal underwear covered by a silky robe. Her eyes were in pure shock when she noticed the dark purple bruising that marked my neck down to my breasts. I would've tried to play it off cool if it weren't for the fact that Arlo comes into the makeup studio to poke fun at Nini.

With his bruised lip and hickeys that peeked over his button-ups in a sloppy manner almost as if he didn't want to hide the mess. It's like he wants it to be seen, to be known. Nini of course was squealing after putting two and two together. "I knew it." She repeated over and over. She then said she wasn't going to say anything until we did about our little situation.

That's the thing, I don't know what exactly our situation is. It'd be stupid to say we're friends. We both know that friends don't have the tension and connection we have. But I don't want to rush to any conclusions, I just want things to flow with no one's opinions and no rush. We both have had a lot happen in the past that affected both of us and the way we think about relationships.

I don't want to ruin whatever it is I have with him so whatever our situation is, I can only hope it develops into something good.

...

October 25th, 7:45 PM

It was the night before Arlo's birthday, we were all getting ready for his birthday party. It had been a few exciting weeks leading up to this event. The party would last until midnight where then Arlo would celebrate his twenty-fifth birthday.

I had gotten paid again recently and I went out to go gift hunting. Honestly I didn't know what to gift Arlo because he'd been telling everyone left and right that he didn't want any gifts.

I still wanted to gift him something though out of courtesy but it was hard finding exactly what to gift him when Arlo had designer everything. But my gift was a bit sentimental so I hope he valued it on top of it not being something designer or thousands of dollars.

I lay on my stomach on top of Minji's bed, we all got ready here tonight. Noor is beside me brushing through her silky dark hair. Minji sits at her vanity as she stares at herself with frustration trying to get her eyeliner right for the thousand time yet.