The Devil In Disguise

Girl Talk and Glam

As the last movie credits rolled and the group began to stretch and yawn, Jordan clapped her hands together, sparking a new excitement in the room. "Alright, ladies, the movie marathon's over, so it's time to get ready for tonight! We're going out!"

A wave of cheers from Mary and Gianina filled the room, and the girls exchanged excited glances before they started up the stairs to get ready. The three guys rolled their eyes as they decided to get up and get dressed as well. In a whirl of laughter and chatter, they moved into Jordan's spacious bedroom, a haven filled with an abundance of makeup, hair products, and clothes, all still left out since the Halloween ball. Jordan's closet had become a go-to spot for last-minute outfit rescues, and tonight was no different.

Mary immediately pulled open Jordan's drawers, pulling out a selection of shimmering tops and skirts. "I am ready for a fun night out—after everything, we need this!" She tossed a sequined top in the air, then grinned at Gianina. "Now, GG, you have to tell us everything about last night!"

Gianina felt her cheeks warm, letting out a soft laugh as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Okay, okay! I mean... it wasn't anything too crazy."

Jordan, picking out a few dresses from her closet, turned around, an eyebrow raised. "Girl, don't even try to play it down! We all saw you two this morning, and let's just say it looked... cozy."

Mary nodded enthusiastically, eyes wide with curiosity as she sat cross-legged on the bed. "Cozy doesn't even cover it! Come on, GG—give us the details! When did this even happen?"

Gianina laughed, holding up her hands in playful surrender. "Alright, fine, fine! So, it was after everyone fell asleep last night, and I was just... you know, having a hard time calming down after everything." Her voice softened as she remembered the moment, her cheeks flushed as she continued. "So Marcus and I went upstairs to talk, and it just... kind of happened. We needed each other, and it was really sweet."

Mary let out a dramatic sigh, clutching a pillow to her chest. "Oh my gosh, that sounds like a movie! I can't believe you didn't wake us up and tell us everything right then and there!"

Jordan laughed, playfully nudging Mary with her shoulder. "Give her a break! She's allowed to keep a few secrets."

Gianina smiled, though her face remained flushed. "It was more about how safe I felt, you know? Marcus has just been so... amazing. I mean, things have been so intense, and it was like for a little while, all of that just disappeared. I wanted to take back control."

Jordan nodded, her gaze softening as she sat down beside Gianina, taking her hand in a show of sisterly support. "That's what matters, GG. I'm so glad you have him through all of this. It's been a lot for everyone, but you've held it together so well."

Mary, still perched on the bed, looked at Gianina with a mischievous grin. "I mean, and he's hot. Let's just take a second to appreciate that you've snagged one of the most caring and good-looking guys in our friend group."

The three of them burst into laughter, and Gianina shook her head, letting herself relax as she soaked up the comforting warmth of their company.

Jordan grinned as she grabbed a curling iron from her vanity and gestured for Gianina to sit. "Alright, spill more, GG. While I give you some waves, you tell us everything. We need to know what you were thinking. This is girl-talk gold."

Gianina took a seat in front of the mirror as Jordan ran her fingers through her hair, preparing to style it. She let out a breath, a smile tugging at her lips. "Okay, so... after we started talking, I was just so... over everything. All the fear, the stress. I just wanted something that was ours, you know? Like, not touched by anything else that's been going on."