𝓒𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒, 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄, ᶻᵃʸⁿ ᵐᵃˡⁱᵏ

𝐗𝐗𝐕. 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

elara had hit up the group chat this morning, rallying everyone for a day together. she kept it simple, just a "guys, we need a hangout day asap," but that was enough. we hadn't done one of these in ages, so everyone jumped on board right away. i let them know i'd be there, but i'd need to find someone to watch valentina.

that's when zayn stepped in, offering before i even had a chance to ask anyone. "i can watch her if you'd let me," he said, and there was this softness in his voice that caught me off guard for a second.

i mean, it's not like we're... that. we're not anything official. but lately, it feels like we have this whole unspoken connection going on. like he's somehow become the person i trust most, which honestly kind of terrifies me.

when i finally showed up at elara's, everyone was already sprawled out and settled in. elara was lounging on one end of the couch, selene sat cross-legged on the floor next to her, and summer was setting out snacks on the coffee table. august, of course, was in his usual spot—the armchair that he'd claimed as his years ago, like he owned the place.

as soon as he saw me walk in, august's face lit up with that teasing grin of his. "well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up," he said, eyes glinting with mischief. "i was starting to think you got lost, or maybe got distracted by a certain tattooed someone?"

i rolled my eyes dramatically, even as i made my way over to plop down beside elara on the couch. "nice to see you too, august. but don't worry—you're still my favorite tattooed guy," i replied with a smirk, playing right along with him.

he clutched his chest like i'd just betrayed him. "so you are cheating on me," he shot back, pretending to look heartbroken. "and here i was, thinking i was the only one for you."

"obviously, august," i replied, rolling my eyes. "i'm all about variety. you know how it is. quantity over quality. "

summer let out a soft laugh from across the room, and elara shot me an amused look. "so, bella, what's the story with this 'mystery guy'?" she asked, eyebrow raised in curiosity. "august seems to think he's got a ton of tattoos."

"that's because august is jealous," i teased, shooting august a playful look. "but yeah, he does have tattoos. and he's actually watching val for me today." i shrugged, trying to keep it casual, like it wasn't a big deal. but there was something about admitting it out loud that felt different.

"wait, he offered to watch val?" summer raised her eyebrows, clearly impressed. "that's kinda big deal, bella."

"hmm. interesting," selene said, tilting her head as she studied me. "especially considering zayn's been all over your instagram comments lately."

i felt a slight flush rise to my cheeks, but i shrugged it off. "we're... back in contact, i guess," i said nonchalantly, hoping to move past it.

"back in contact?" elara repeated, lifting her brow.

"yeah, you know, just catching up and stuff," i said, trying to downplay it. "it's really nothing."

august gave a loud, exaggerated scoff. "right back to the mystery guy. because guys just volunteer to watch your kid out of nowhere. bella, i'm not buying it for a second."

"jealous, much?" i shot back, folding my arms and leaning back into the couch. i was half-joking, but i also knew august was exactly the kind of guy to push things until i told the rest of the group. "besides, i think you're just annoyed someone else has more ink than you."

"first of all, that's impossible," he replied, throwing a hand out like he was actually offended. "second, i'm just looking out for you. don't want you getting swept off your feet by some random tattooed dude."

summer cut in, her voice gentle as ever, but with that hint of curiosity that only she could get away with. "it sounds like maybe he's more than just some random guy, bella. but what about zayn?"

i sighed, knowing there was no way i'd get out of this without giving them something. "fine. we sort of reconnected recently. he was away, but now he's back, and we've been talking a bit. it's been good," i admitted, surprised at how real it sounded coming out of my mouth.

"i don't give a fuck about zayn, when are we gonna get a name for this man of mystery?" selene pressed, her eyes gleaming with that look she got when she was determined to crack a secret.

"let's just call him tattoo," i said with a smirk, trying to keep it light.

"oh, tattttooooo," elara mocked, rolling her eyes. "sounds mysterious."

"is he the reason you've been in such a weird mood lately?" august asked, leaning forward and giving me a look that was both teasing and a little too observant. "like, i've noticed you smiling at your phone a lot. which, for you, is rare."

"shut up," i said, rolling my eyes, though i could feel a small smile tugging at my lips. "maybe he is. maybe he's not. it's really none of your business, though, is it?"

"oh, bella's got a secret crush," august teased, grinning.

"you know what, august?" i shot back, trying to sound annoyed, but the smile on my face betrayed me. "i think you're just upset you've got competition now."

he gave a fake gasp, looking around at everyone for backup. "did you hear that? she's abandoning me for this guy. i'm heartbroken."

"i'm just saying, maybe you should get used to it," i replied, flashing him a mischievous look. "besides, it's not like you were actually my first choice."

"ouch." he clutched his heart dramatically, as if i'd truly wounded him.

"seriously though," summer interrupted with a soft smile. "if he's good with val and makes you happy, i'm glad for you, bella."

her words hit me, and i felt myself soften, even in the middle of all the banter. "thanks, summer," i said, genuinely meaning it.

but selene was quick to jump back in, her eyes sharp. "just promise us you're being careful. last thing we need is for you to get hurt again."

i nodded, appreciating the concern, even if i didn't want to admit it. "i am," i said quietly. "trust me. this isn't something i'm diving into blindly."

"so he's sticking around then?" elara asked, looking intrigued.

"maybe he is, i mean, hopefully he is, " i said, feeling the corners of my mouth lift despite myself.

"well, when you're ready, we expect a proper introduction to tattoo," selene said, crossing her arms. "because if he's gonna be taking up our bella's time, he needs to pass the friend test."

august leaned back, still grinning. "oh, don't worry. i'll make sure he knows he's got competition."

i rolled my eyes, though a part of me was touched. "yeah, because the day someone's actually intimidated by you is the day pigs fly."

he smirked. "oh, he'll be intimidated. trust me."