His soft hum vibrates through the space between us, the quiet chuckle he lets out against my earlobe sending a shiver down my spine. His voice is low, dangerous, as he leans in closer, his breath warm against my skin.
"You can keep lying to yourself...
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Song : Girls Need Love | Summer Walker/ Drake 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀 • 𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐒𝐁𝐘 ••••••••••••
Sometimes, I wonder if people see me the same way I see myself.
I've never thought of myself as annoying, or a burden. Not really. I don't spend much time worrying about how people perceive me anyway.
It always felt pointless — as if someone else's opinion of me was reason enough to start peeling myself apart and rebuilding from scratch.
Still, sometimes, the awareness creeps in. That sharp, unrelenting reminder that I am far from perfect.
Like now.
The bathroom door slams behind me with more force than necessary, guilt already knotting in my stomach.
I shouldn't have asked her again.
Kaia looks up from her phone, her face lighting up. "So? Did it fit?" She's already on her feet, moving toward me. "That one's a little stretchier—"
"It's too small," I say, forcing a smile as I hold out the dress. "But thank you, Kai. Really."
She pauses, taking it from my hand with a quiet nod.
I swore to myself I wouldn't ask her again. She's two sizes smaller than me — I knew this. But I had nothing else to wear, and desperation does something rotten to your judgment.
Kaia rustles around behind me while I unbutton my jeans. "So... what's going on with you and Vales?"
My eyes roll before the sentence is even finished. "Nothing," I mutter, stripping off my sweater and tank top. "He's just being his usual, insufferable self."
She laughs.
Now down to just my underwear, I join her by the suitcase, where she's digging through clothes like she'll unearth treasure.
"He was at the party last night, right?" she asks, holding up a top I shake my head at.
"Unfortunately."
Our hands rummage through my suitcase in tandem — a fruitless effort, considering we both know there's nothing in there.
"Let me guess," Kaia starts. "You got drunk and it ended in another epic argument?"
I shoot her a glare. "No," I say flatly, tossing aside another useless top. "He forced me into his car, dropped me on the floor of an elevator, and then waterboarded me."
Kaia whips her head toward me, lips parting in horror.
The worst part? I remember it all. Every horrible, humiliating second.
