Elite Hearts - Chaennie (gxg)

Tenth

Jennie

After convincing Sophia to take her mother’s car, we got ready for the café opening.

“What about Sarah?” she asked, glancing at me while I checked out the jeans and crumpled shirt I had borrowed from her in the mirror.

“I told you, I’m just hooking up with her, not dating,” I replied, grabbing the car keys.

“You never are,” she teased, picking up her purse.

“And what about you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes. Truth is, neither of us ever dates seriously, but we’re always hooking up with someone. “Ready to go?” I asked, and she nodded.

As soon as we got in the car, I pulled out my phone and opened the GPS app. I typed in the café's name and realized it wasn’t far. I started driving, and Sophia and I played rock-paper-scissors to see who would hook up with the prettiest girl of the two we were meeting.

When we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The place was more than just a café; it was a mix of a bar and a restaurant, with a cozy yet spacious vibe.

“Do you think they’re here already?” Sophia asked as we got out of the car. “We really should’ve gotten Mariana’s number.”

“You’re way too nervous,” I said, laughing. “Relax. You’re scared of a girl you haven’t even met yet.”

“Shut up,” she muttered, crossing her arms and looking around. Her eyes landed on a table where two girls were sitting. “Look, I think that’s them,” she pointed out, noticing the redhead waving at us.

“Great, let’s go ask,” I said, walking toward them.

“Wait! They look older than us,” she whispered, taking a deep breath. “Let me compose myself.”

I rolled my eyes and grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the table. “Them being older is a bonus,” I whispered back. “Just watch and learn.”

I approached the table confidently, dragging Sophia with me. The two girls—one with striking red hair and the other with curly brown hair—smiled warmly as we neared. The redhead waved again, and I figured she must be Mariana. They looked about four years older than us.

“Hey, girls!” I said with a grin. “Have you been here long?”

The redhead smiled back. “No, we just sat down. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I pulled out a chair and sat next to her, while Sophia sat across from me, next to the curly-haired girl.

“So, what do you think about taking a walk?” I asked casually. “The café’s getting crowded, and I thought we could grab some drinks and go for a drive. Once it’s busier, we can come back and mingle.”

Mariana and the other girl exchanged amused glances before laughing. “I’m in,” said the curly-haired girl, introducing herself. “I’m Lauren, by the way.”

Mariana nodded in agreement. “That sounds like a good idea.”

I went to grab some beers, energy drinks, vodka, and snacks, and by the time I got back to the car, they were already waiting for me.

“Are you an alcoholic or something?” Mariana joked, eyeing the drinks I had bought.

“Totally under control,” I laughed, raising my hands in mock defense.

We all piled into the car and started drinking. Lauren played some upbeat Spanish songs on the sound system, and Sophia quickly got into the vibe, drinking more than anyone else in the back seat.

I turned up the music, making the car vibrate with the bass. As I drove, I glanced out the window and watched the city lights blur into streaks. I opened the window, feeling the cool wind rush in. With each sip of my drink, the lightness intensified, and a sense of dizziness began to creep in.

“This song is awesome!” Sophia shouted from the back seat, waving her arms. Mariana and Lauren joined in, laughing and drinking, and soon I was laughing too, letting the alcohol’s effects wash over me.

“Everyone sing!” I exclaimed, and they cheered in agreement. I cranked up the volume even higher, the car zigzagging slightly as I sang along, my focus on the road slipping away.

As the fun escalated, my attention started to drift. The lights outside became fuzzy, and I knew I should slow down, but the combination of alcohol and laughter was disorienting.

Suddenly, I saw someone crossing the street. In an instant, I couldn’t react in time. The car hit the person, and panic surged through me. Adrenaline kicked in, and the car swerved off the road, crashing into food stalls.

“HOLY SHIT!” Mariana screamed, her voice merging with the chaos around us. The car swerved violently, and I completely lost control, heading straight for a pole and hitting it hard.

....