𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

STELLA
RUSSEL

The airport buzzed with noise, the chaos of arrivals and departures swirling around me as my excitement bubbled over. I let out a scream, my heart racing as I sprinted across the terminal, ignoring the burning ache in my legs. Without hesitation, I threw myself onto Marcella, and we both tumbled to the ground in a heap of laughter. Tears welled in my eyes as I clung to her, my chest aching with happiness. Before I could catch my breath, Avery and Liliana joined in, piling on top of us with squeals and giggles.

"Bitches!" I shouted, laughing so hard my ribs hurt. "Two months, and you're already glowing! Meanwhile, Lily and I look like absolute shit with all this studying!" My words came out breathless, but my grin stayed wide.

"Girl, please! We still have two years of high school left. We're basically babies," Marcella said, rolling her eyes as she wriggled out from beneath the pile. She glanced over at Grayson and smirked before bounding to her feet. "Grayson!" she squealed, running to him. "Brother-in-law! You treating Stella right?" She wrapped her arms around him, and Avery quickly followed, hugging him like he was a celebrity.

Grayson, as cocky as ever, basked in their attention. "You shouldn't call me brother," he said with a wicked grin. "I'm fucking your man behind your back."

Marcella rolled her eyes and laughed, pushing him playfully before turning to hug her actual brother. I couldn't help but laugh along as I watched her reunite with her family.

I turned my gaze toward Damon and Alessio, who stood a few feet away, looking exhausted as they struggled under the weight of everyone's luggage. Feeling a surge of affection, I walked over to them, spreading my arms wide. Alessio grinned and pulled me into a hug, patting my head like I was some kind of child.

"Gray really has changed you," Alessio teased, his tone light as he pointed at the tears still glistening in my eyes. "Look at you, actually showing emotions."

I laughed, wiping at my cheeks with the back of my hand. "I just miss Crist's high school. Back when we were all together."

Alessio smirked and turned to nudge Damon, who was glued to his phone. "Asshole, say hello to the nice bitch," he joked, shoving his shoulder.

Damon frowned but didn't look up immediately. After a beat, he sighed, pocketed his phone, and opened one arm. I slid into his half-hearted hug, chuckling softly. "Where's Daisy, by the way?" I asked, patting his back.

"Kaiden visited New York," Damon replied, his voice flat. "He's staying with her and Aunt Crist for a bit."

"Oh, how are those two doing?" I asked, stepping back and eyeing him with a teasing grin. "You seem way too concentrated on your phone. Are you cheating on our girl Marci?"

Damon finally cracked a small smirk. "I'm reserving a club for us tonight. It's Marcella's first time in one, and Avery's birthday is tomorrow." He shrugged, his tone casual but purposeful. "I want it cleared out, just for us. Knowing you guys, it'll get chaotic, and we don't feel like dealing with every posh French asshole trying to hit on you all."

I burst out laughing. "Still the responsible older brother of the group?"

"All the time, Stell," Damon said, his voice dry but warm as he patted my shoulder and walked over to greet Grayson and Jaxon.

I watched him go, my heart full as I took in the scene around me. We were loud, messy, and ridiculous, but damn, it felt good to have everyone back together again.

_

The bass thrummed through the club, the music so loud it felt like it was pulsing in my veins. Lights flashed, painting the packed room in bursts of neon and shadow, while our laughter and screams echoed over the beat. I was drunk—completely gone. My heels stumbled against the slick floor as Marcella and I held onto each other, laughing uncontrollably, swaying to the music like the messes we were.