𝑳𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑶𝑵𝑺 & 𝑳𝑨𝒀𝑼𝑷𝑺

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄; 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒*

Sloane was hunched over the vanity in her and Haven's dorm, fixing her lashes. The excitement of partying hummed between them as they got ready for the New Year's party they'd been looking forward to for about a day.

Haven, perched on her bed, slipped into a sleek black dress that hugged her curves. "So, you're finally gonna see Paige right?" she asked, glancing at Sloane through the mirror.

"Yeah," Sloane murmured, pressing her curling iron to a stubborn lock of hair. "She just got back today. We decided it'd be easier to meet at the party."

It had been almost a week since she'd seen Paige, and the separation had felt heavier than Sloane expected. Christmas had been amazing, but the holiday whirlwind and the few days apart after had her feeling all kinds of needy. Her phone buzzed with a text from Paige: *Can't wait to see you baby

Sloane's heart did a little flip. "I miss her," she admitted to Haven, not even trying to hide the longing in her voice.

Haven gave her a knowing smile. "Yeah, I bet. Long-distance for a whole week is crazy."

Sloane grinned, giving her curls a final spritz of hairspray before standing up to inspect herself in the short skirt and white corset. "Okay, how do I look? Does it give hoe? be honest."

Haven laughed. "No, you look sexy, but, like, in a 'please come fuck me' way. She'll love it."

The party was already packed when Haven and Sloane arrived. The music thumped through the floor as bodies filled the house, everyone eager to celebrate the end of the year with too many drinks and not enough restraint. Sloane scanned the crowd, her stomach twisting with excitement and nerves.

"There she is!" Haven pointed to the far side of the room, and sure enough, Paige stood there in all her glory, surrounded by her basketball teammates. Her eyes locked on Sloane the moment she saw her, a wide grin spreading across her face.

Without thinking twice, Sloane made her way through the crowd, her heart racing. The second she reached Paige, it was like the room faded away. "Miss me?" Sloane teased, wrapping her arms around Paige's neck.

"Of course I did," Paige whispered before pulling her in for a kiss that was deep and unapologetically sexual .

The world around them blurred as their lips moved together, every built-up moment of the past week flooding into the kiss. Sloane didn't care who was watching. It was just them, finally together again.

"Didn't waste no time" Haven's voice cut through the fog, laughing as she watched them. Sloane pulled back, laughing, too, her fingers still hooked around the belt loops of Paige's jeans. As Paige pulled down the back sloane's skirt.

Sloane stayed close to Paige after the kiss, her arm naturally slipping around Paige's waist as Paiges went across her shoulders. The music vibrated through the floor, but all Sloane could focus on was the feel of Paige's skin under her fingers and the warmth of her body pressed against her. It had been less than a week, but it felt like forever since they'd been this close.

Paige, with her arm draped over Sloane's shoulder, led her through the crowd towards the makeshift bar. "What are you drinking tonight?" Paige asked, her voice barely audible over the pulsing music.

"Surprise me," Sloane replied, smirking. She couldn't keep her eyes off Paige—how the soft glow of the party lights reflected off her toned arms and that easy confidence she carried. She watched as Paige mixed their drinks with an amused look, her tongue poking out just slightly in concentration.

Paige handed her a cup, and they clinked their glasses together. "To New Year's," Paige said, locking eyes with her, "and seeing you again."

Sloane smiled up at Paige, blushing taking a sip. The drink burned her throat, but the alcohol only amplified the buzz she was already feeling from being near Paige again.