His Drug Of Choice

3 - Feelings

You're my best friend, My Only Best Friend
You're Never Lonely or Sad
You Keep Me Company, Through The Night
Cry On Your Shoulder, When I Have A Fright 🎼🎤
- Andreah

Clay's POV

I arrived two days ago and reunited with my best friend, Larah, who took me in. Babygirl was excited; we had been apart for almost four years. Larah was the only person who had shown me genuine kindness—she found me when I had nobody.

I called her immediately when Candice and I got to the mall earlier; I needed to buy a few items for the house. She joined us at the restaurant where we had made reservations. Girls needed food before shopping. 

"Hey, baby!" she squealed, pecking my cheek as she occupied an empty seat between Candice and me. "Hello, beautiful woman," she said, flashing a smile at Candice, who mirrored her smile.

"Hey, noodles," I said, kissing her cheek. "Candice, meet Larah; she's my best friend, and Larah, meet Candice—my colleague."

"Oh, my oh my! Clay told me about you. She says you're very sweet," she said, giving Candice a quick hug.

"I'm sorry, Candice; she's such a hugger," I said, and Candice and I chuckled.

"I'm so sorry; sometimes it just happens involuntarily," we all burst out laughing. "But you give cute hugs, Larah. I could use one each day—do I have to subscribe?" she smirked.

"No, baby, eating together right now marks your lifetime subscription of cute hugs," we all laughed.

We finished eating and headed straight to the mall for house items. I needed to get a whole new bed, bedding, kitchenware, a study desk, and house decor.

"I know she probably has a Pinterest folder on her phone for reference," Larah said to Candice, cocking her head toward me. We all laughed. She was right, though; she knew me well. We bought everything we needed and left. I'm a lover of board games, so I made sure to buy a few. 

Larah mentioned a friend she wanted to introduce us to, so I told her to invite her over for the onesie-themed housewarming chill she initiated back at the restaurant. We decided on pizza and wine for the night.

We all changed into our onesies. Larah and Candice helped me pull a huge mattress into the living room, and we also brought pillows and polar fleece blankets. We ordered pizza, and then Candice rushed to her apartment to bring some wine.

"Candice! You brought six bottles—S.I.X.!" Larah exclaimed. "Why not? Do you have any better plans for the weekend?" Candice asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Damn, I'm not trying to get laid tonight, girl," Candice said, unable to stop laughing at Larah's statement. "Who said you needed to get laid tonight?" she asked between her snorty laughs, which had me laughing as well.

"It's red wine, girl—SIX bottles to SEX," she confidently said above the loud music she was playing.

Honestly, Candice looked kind but a little stiff from the moment I met her. However, seeing her cute interaction with Larah, laughing their guts out, made me swell with joy. She was slowly getting her glow on, and I realized she had a very beautiful smile.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and Larah ran to it, shouting, "Pizza!" Then I heard her excitedly scream, "Hey, sweetheart!"

She came back with what I assumed was Bella, their arms laced together. Larah enthusiastically introduced her, kicking her legs like a baby.

"Bella, this is Clay, the bestie I told you about." I gave her a smile, and she just stared at me blankly, but I was okay with that.

"This is Candice, my new friend and Clay's colleague," Larah continued. "Nice to meet you, Bella! We've heard so much about you," Candice said.