𝐂𝐇𝐋𝐎𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓 the embodiment of sunshine, always with a bright smile and an easy laugh. She was the one everyone turned to, the friend who never faltered, always radiating positivity. But behind that cheerful exterior, how much darkne...
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I softly hummed through the final steps of my nighttime routine, the light scent of lavender lingering in the air from my diffuser. I gathered my hair, pulling it into a loose braid before climbing into bed, the cool silk of my pajamas smooth against my skin. My room was quiet and peaceful, just the way I liked it at the end of a long day.
I nestled into my pillows, feeling the plush fabric cocoon me, and sighed contently. As I reached for the book on my nightstand, I heard a soft click. The lock on the door. I turned my head just as the door creaked open, and the familiar figures of Bella and Winter appeared in the doorway.
In the dim light, I could barely make out their faces until I flicked on the lamp. The soft glow illuminated them, and I stifled a laugh at their matching grins—mischief practically radiated off them. Winter stood there in a black silk slip dress, lace detailing along the edges, her dark brown curls loose and framing her face perfectly. Her skin glowed in the soft light, and she had that look, the one that said we're up to something. Bella, by contrast, looked like the innocent twin, with her white silk and lace set, her long dark brown hair still slightly messy from the day. She clutched her massive dark brown teddy bear—an accessory that looked ridiculous in her perfectly manicured hands, but somehow it suited her.
But it wasn't just their outfits or their grins that caught my attention. It was the massive tub of ice cream Winter was holding in one hand, her other hand balancing three silver spoons between her fingers like she was ready for battle. Before I could ask what was going on, they launched themselves at my bed, pouncing on me with bursts of giggles. My heart lifted with their energy, the earlier calm of the night swept away by their infectious laughter.
"What's up?" I managed through my own fit of giggles, trying to steady myself as Winter handed me a spoon, her grin growing wider.
"You tell us," Bella teased, raising a brow as she scooted closer, her bear flopping onto my lap. She poked me in the side, her playful smirk making me nervous.
"Tell you what?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual as I took a spoonful of ice cream. My mind immediately raced, wondering what kind of trouble they had planned this time.
"Oh, don't play dumb," Bella rolled her eyes dramatically, looking at Winter, who was clearly enjoying herself far too much.
"What is this? An interrogation?" I teased, trying to divert whatever they had in mind, but I could already see the wheels turning behind Winter's dark eyes.
"You know exactly what," Winter shot back with a mischievous look, settling herself on the bed next to me. "We've all been waiting for this moment, and trust me, it's getting old."
I furrowed my brow, genuinely confused for a second. "What are you—"
"Chloe, seriously?" Winter interrupted, leaning forward. "What's going on with you and Jayden?" She raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying this way too much.
