Unexpected Love [GXG]

Chapter 38: Cracks In The Quiet

POV: ENID

By the time I found my way back through the crowd, the music felt warmer, the lights softer, and my body… definitely lighter.
Maybe the punch had been stronger than I thought.
Maybe I drank it too fast.
Maybe I was just tired of feeling everything so hard.

Either way, I felt better—loose, floaty, almost brave.

I spotted my friends immediately. They were near one of the tall gold-painted pillars, laughing over something Leo had said. Ally waved both arms as soon as she saw me.

"There she is! Our TikTok viral queen!"

"Please," I groaned, stumbling into their circle. "Don’t remind me."

Mia gave me a gentle smile. Fatima grabbed my wrist and spun me once. "You’re glowing again. I’m starting to think you were born to be dramatic."

"Shut up," I mumbled, grinning.

For the first time tonight, I felt… okay. Safe. Grounded. Even if the world was loud and messy and my feelings were running a marathon.

Leo passed me a bottle of water. "Hydrate, superstar. Before you start confessing things by accident."

"I don’t confess things," I said.

Ally snorted. "You don’t talk, babe. You stare."

I stuck my tongue out at her.

And that’s when she appeared.

Jordan.

Tall, gentle-looking, soft brown curls, wearing a navy-blue sweater crop top with baggy jort. Mia’s old crush. Mia’s everything for years. Mia’s heartbreak when she was obsess with Maxine.

She walked straight to us—but really, she walked straight to her.

Mia froze.

"Mia," Jordan said, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. "Hi. Um… you look amazing."

Mia blinked at her behind her glasses. "Hi. Uh. Thanks."

She hesitated, then swallowed.
"I was wondering if… you wanted to dance? Just one dance. To catch up."

It was soft. Respectful. Innocent.

But before Mia could even breathe—

Fatima moved.

She stepped forward like she had been waiting her whole life for this moment.

"No," she said simply, crossing her arms.

Jordan blinked. "Sorry?"

"No," she repeated, eyes hard. "She can’t dance with you. She’s taken."

My eyes widened.

Ally whispered, "OH MY GOD."

Leo slapped a hand over his mouth.

Jordan looked confused. Mia looked like she had been unplugged from reality.

"I’m… taken?" Mia whispered, her voice tiny.

Fatima didn’t even blink. "Yes."

Jordan turned red, embarrassed, hurt, confused—all at once.
"Oh. Um… I didn’t… know. Sorry."
And she walked away quickly.

Mia was staring at the floor, pink blooming across her cheeks like sunrise.

"Taken, huh?" Leo teased.

"Possessive much?" Ally added.

I nudged Mia lightly. "You okay?"

"I… um…" She hid behind her glasses. "I guess."