simplicity ✩ pm

thirteen

*two weeks later*
grace's pov
i looked over at my phone, rubbing my eyes. 12:30 pm
finally, the day had come. it was the weekend we had been planning for a few weeks now: vegas! i got up quickly and ran over to change and grab my bag. as soon as i finished, i ran to zion's room. i opened the door and saw him snoring softly, his eyes shut peacefully. i awed and smiled, walking over to his bed.

"baby, wake up." i said, lightly grazing his cheek with my palm. he didn't budge.

"zion." i said, still nothing. i huffed and sighed in retreat before remembering his weakness. i leaned over, leaving soft kisses on his neck. suddenly, he grabbed my hips and pulled me under his blanket, spooning me.

"zion!! we have to go. we're gonna be in traffic if we don't leave soon." i said, secretly smiling.

"you're cute when you're bossy, grace." he said in a raspy, morning voice. i turned over and played with his dreads.

"shut up," i said, smiling.

"we really gotta go, z." i said, trying to get up. his hands stayed snaked around my waist, not letting me go.

"ten more minutes, babygirl." he said. i smiler and shrugged, falling asleep once again.

dahlia's pov
my eyes fluttered opened, i stared at my ceiling fan.
'i kissed brandon.'
i guess today is the day, we get to go to vegas.
'i cheated on austin.'
i stood up, placing my glasses over my eyes.
'whore.'
i turned the shower handle, stripping all my clothes down.
'classic me, ruining things once again.'
i stepped into the shower, letting the hot water surround me and the sinful drops of water drip down the glass.
'i'm worthless now, more than ever.'
i couldn't escape it. i kissed brandon. the guilt was consuming me, but oh fucking well. i finished my shower, the scent of fresh strawberries and cocoa butter filling the air. when i finished my skincare routine, i put on my black ripped jeans with austin's hoodie and my hair up in a messy bun. after slipping on my nike air forces, i grabbed my bag and walked down the stairs. i was quickly greeted by edwin.

"hey lia, you ready to get turnt as hell? vegas is gonna be so fun." he said, excitedly.

"yeah, it'll be cool." i said, faking a smile and walking past him. i walked outside to the car to see brandon and elle smiling and laughing. my heart ached a bit, but it was nothing. i put my bag in the trunk and began walking inside when brandon ran up to me.

"hey dahlia, i feel like we haven't talked in awhile! what's up?" he said, happily. i faced him, but my eyes were glued to the floor.

"hey b. i-uh i gotta go. catch ya later." i said, walking away quickly. god i couldn't even look him in the eyes. how could he come up to me like it didn't matter? how have i not exploded in the past two weeks? i need to tell grace. we all eventually got in the cars. austin, noah, cynthia, and edwin drove in one car while i drove with zion, grace, elle, nick, and brandon. meanwhile, nick and elle were asleep in the middle row and i was left to talk to brandon in the very backseat. great. we chatted for awhile, sharing headphones. i was watching all the road signs around me, all the scenery just passing by. it was all going so fast before i realized i was falling asleep. about four hours later, we were at a rest stop. i picked my head up off brandon's shoulder, stretching and yawning. everyone was asleep besides zion, who was filling the gas tank, and brandon.

"you're awake. i thought you were dead." he said smiling.

"i am." i said, taking my glasses off. he laughed and i sighed. i'm tired of this, i know we're just friends and i'm okay with that.