A Love Unexpected

Chapter 7: Girl's Sleep over

The atmosphere inside the Fernandez Manor was lively and filled with laughter as Heart, Arielle, Coleen, and Charity settled in for their much-anticipated sleepover. The girls sprawled across Heart's large bed, surrounded by snacks and pillows, ready to spill all the tea about their recent escapades.

Arielle plopped down next to Heart, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, Heart, how does it feel na mahawakan sa waist at makaholding hands ni star player?" she teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.

Heart rolled her eyes, but a shy smile crept onto her lips. "Ugh, Arielle! It's not like that, okay?" she defended, but the slight blush on her cheeks gave her away.

"C'mon! You can't tell me that it didn't feel special," Coleen chimed in, reaching for a handful of popcorn. "Ryndell is, like, the most sought-after guy in Westbridge. You're so lucky!"

"True!" Charity added, leaning closer. "Did you see the way he looked at you? Parang may chemistry, ha!"

Heart bit her lip, trying to suppress her grin. "I mean, yeah, it was nice and all. But we're just pretending, right? and also he is still a womanizer for me, I don't want to complicate things."

Arielle scoffed, nudging her playfully. "Pretending? You've been spending a lot of time together, and I can see the way you light up when he's around. It's like you're glowing!"

"Guys, stop it!" Heart laughed, trying to dismiss their comments. "I'm not falling for Ryndell. He's just... different, okay? Maybe I'm just enjoying the attention."

"Attention? Girl, that's more than attention! You were practically swooning when he held your waist earlier" Arielle teased, making Heart bury her face in a pillow.

"Seriously, I'm not swooning!" Heart exclaimed, muffled by the pillow. "I just think he's-"

"Cute? Charming? Talented?" Coleen offered, finishing her sentence with a grin.

Heart groaned, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling. "Fine, maybe a little. But I'm still focused on my studies and responsibilities. I can't afford to get distracted by some playboy!"

"Just admit it, you like him!" Arielle encouraged, wiggling her fingers as if she were casting a spell. "Just let your heart do the talking!"

"Okay, okay! Maybe I do like him a bit," Heart finally confessed, her cheeks flushed. "But I can't let that get in the way of what I need to do. I have the foundation events coming up, and I need to stay focused!"

"Pero girl, you deserve a little fun too!" Charity chimed in. "You've been working so hard, and if Ryndell is interested, why not give it a shot?"

Heart sighed, torn between her responsibilities and her feelings. "I guess I just don't want to get hurt again. Love feels so complicated. I've seen how it turned out for my parents and even for Ryndell and Maxine."

Arielle reached over, placing a comforting hand on Heart's arm. "I get it, Heart. But not everyone is like that. Maybe Ryndell is different. You should at least give him a chance!"

"Yeah! Just be open to it," Coleen added, nodding vigorously. "You might surprise yourself!"

As the conversation flowed, the girls began to share stories of their crushes and relationships, the room filled with giggles and playful banter. Heart felt a warmth spread in her chest, appreciating her friends' support and encouragement.

"I'll think about it, okay?" Heart finally said, a hint of a smile returning to her face. "But for now, let's just focus on having fun tonight!"

"Agreed!" Arielle cheered, clapping her hands. "Let's play some games and eat more snacks! We'll deal with love life later."