Under My Body

chapter eighteen

         The gang had decided to meet at Mandy's, the kind of fast-food joint where everything came fried, dripping with grease, and yet somehow you left craving for more. Their desserts, though, were what had a legendary reputation, stated by Thali. People swore by their apple crumble with vanilla ice cream, and the chocolate mud cake was something to die for—rich, decadent, and utterly sinful.

Xavier and I were late, of course. Ten minutes. All because Xavier "lost track of time" while soaking in the shower like he was preparing for a photoshoot. His words, not mine.

"I was literally just rinsing off, V," he'd said, throwing on a shirt while running his hand through his wet hair as we left his place. Typical.

As for me, leaving the house today was harder than I expected. It wasn't just about seeing the gang—it was about seeing him. I hadn't spoken to him since that night at the club, one week ago. 7 long days of silence that I had spent hiding away, needing space from everyone. Xavier had begged me to come out today, to stop moping and hiding, and after days of avoiding Asher, I finally said yes. I know I couldn't keep sulking forever. But now that I was here, with each step closer to Mandy's, the nerves came rushing back.

I'd put effort into my outfit today—black skinny jeans tucked into brown boots, a red spaghetti-strap top, all tied together with an oversized brown leather jacket. I'd let my long curly hair down, framing my face, and gone for that "clean girl" makeup look, which, in reality, was the result of a ridiculous amount of product. The irony never ceased to amuse me.

As we walked further in, I spotted the group. The usual crew—Dellana, Thali, and Asher—were already seated, nestled into their booth. My eyes skimmed over, realising Brie-Ann wasn't around. My chest tightened for a second when my eyes landed on him, and a shot of nerves ran through me, quick and sharp.

I forced myself to keep moving, my feet feeling heavier as I approached the group. The conversation from last Saturday still echoed in my mind—the things we left unsaid. The hurt and tension that hung between us. It had been building for weeks, and that night at the club, it all came to a head. Now, I needed space, to think, to breathe. But one look at him, all of those feelings came crashing back, overwhelming me.

There he was, sitting casually but with that brooding air about him, his dark eyes zeroing in on me the second I stepped into view. His gaze didn't waver—it only sharpened. God, that stare. Like he could peel away everything with just one look. My heart thudded against my ribcage, and I immediately became hyperaware of every detail of myself. His eyes tracked from my face, slowly down my body, and to my lips, lingering a little longer than necessary. His eyes were always so piercing, so consuming. He glanced from my head down to my boots and back up, and I could feel my cheeks heating.

Now I can't stop thinking about our kiss.

I felt my cheeks burn. Or do I look bad? I tried to shake the insecurity off, but the way his stare slid over me didn't help. It made me feel bare, exposed in a way that had nothing to do with the clothes I was wearing. No, stop it.

"Took you both long enough," Thali called out, his voice cutting through the tension. Xavier grinned as we approached, but I forced myself to act normal, sliding into the seat beside, while Xavier slid in next to Asher.

"Blame Xavier. He takes longer in the shower than I do," I said lightly, trying to keep my tone steady, even though my heart was doing its own marathon inside my chest.

Thali snorted, already standing up and pulling me into a tight hug. "Missed you, V!" Dellana followed with a hug from behind, adding her own, "Yeah, we've missed having you around."