𝐅𝐀𝐖𝐍 • ᵉ ʲᵃᵉᵍᵉʳ

the regroup

𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚢, 𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟷𝚜𝚝

𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈'𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐖. Sasha is sprawled on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, while I sit cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through my phone. I invited her over to hang out for a bit, something chill, without getting drunk. She's been going on about how she hates all her classes, especially her food science courses.

"I swear, if I have to do another lab on how to mix flour and water, I'm going to lose it," she groans, her voice muffled by the comforter.

"Isn't that literally what baking is?" I quip, trying to stifle a laugh.

"Shut up! It's not just that! I'm so sick of my professor acting like we're all culinary geniuses. I mean, I just want to learn how to make a good mac and cheese, not—" She throws her hands up in frustration, "—whatever the hell this is!"

I chuckle, imagining her stress over the intricacies of food science. "At least you're not studying something boring, like accounting or—"

"Don't even mention that! I'd rather eat raw eggs than count beans," she interrupts, and we both laugh. It feels good to have this light-hearted moment without the pressure of the party scene hanging over us.

Sasha shifts, propping herself up on her elbows. "What about you? How's the whole 'not being a hot mess' thing going?"

I roll my eyes. "I mean, I'm doing okay. I've been getting my assignments done and actually grocery shopping for once." I glance at the pile of fresh produce on the counter. "I even got a job at that boutique where I got my corset. The ladies hired me on the spot."

"Damn, look at you, adulting and stuff," she says, smirking. "You might just become the responsible friend."

"Don't get too used to it. I might still go back to my chaotic ways." I grab a handful of gummy bears from my stash and toss one into my mouth.

Sasha giggles, shaking her head. "Just don't forget to keep some chaos in your life. You know, balance it out with some fun."

"Fun, huh?" I smirk, thinking back to the chaos of the party and how that "fun" had turned into a complete mess. "Like making out with Eren?"

"Shut up! We're not talking about that right now," I reply, flustered.

"Fine, fine," she says, rolling her eyes but grinning widely. "But just know I'm going to make you spill everything eventually. I can't believe I was so wasted, I could've seen you get some action."

I can't help but smile back at her. "Good luck with that."

"I just wanna know what I'm gonna have to do about him," I whine, burying my face in my hands.

"God, do I like him or something? Is all these like... emotions and tingles in my head a sign that I like him, but my heart is screaming no?"

Sasha pushes herself up on the bed, looking at me with a mix of sympathy and amusement. "You're overthinking it, Y/N. It's not that complicated. Just figure out if you actually like him, or if you just want to make out with him again."