Emerald

8|ROSY CHEEKS

Swirls of my

I eat my feelings in popcorn as Winsley and I have a movie night in my apartment on Friday.

To be honest, we stopped watching it twenty minutes in because we started talking over it. Now we were just on my couch, talking the night away.

"So," I started after shoving another handful of popcorn into my mouth. "How's Sever?"

Winsley smiles at the mention of his name. "He's been an amazing boyfriend to me. I couldn't want anything more."

"How's your love life, Cleo?" She ridiculously wiggled her eyebrows.

I laughed and shook my head. I loved that we had such a friendly bond comparing to how we first were. We grew a lot closer since then.

"Nonexistent as always." Right as I said that, my phone beeped. I furrowed my eyebrows as I retrieved my phone from the coffee table.

Caslon: Hey, what are your plans tomorrow night?

My eyes widened as I read the text. Before I could stop Winsley from seeing it, she was already peering over my shoulder.

"Oh my stars," Winsley muttered before shaking me by the shoulders. "You liar! You are seeing somebody."

I groaned in embarrassment. I slapped her arms off me, but she just giggled in response.

"I'm not seeing anybody," I said sternly. "We're barely even friends; we've just hung out a couple of times."

"Caslon," Winsley peeks at the contact name. "He better be more of a man than Oliver Walkley."

I hid half of my face in my hand. "He's not like that, and we're not dating."

"Just you wait, Cleo." Winsley grinned. "You're blushing."

I looked at her confusedly before bringing my hand up to my cheek. Sure enough, I felt the heat spread on my face.

"I hate you." I grumbled as I curled up into a ball.

"You love me." She corrects as she unravels me out of my coil.

"Fine, I love you." I admitted sheepishly as we wrapped our arms around each other.

"And I love you too." Winsley rests her head on top of mine.

"But not as much as you love Sever." I teased, a smile forming its way to my face.

"You're right."

I gasped melodramatically before wrangling out of our embrace and shoving her arm playfully. "Hey," I whined.

"You were the one who said it." She retorted. "I just agreed with you."

As if she suddenly remembered something, Winsley's eyes landed back on my phone.

"Oh my god, Cleo." She shoved the phone into my hand. "Respond to him."

I felt my eyes widen before typing back.

Cleo: I'm free. What do you have in mind?

He didn't take long to respond.

Caslon: That's a surprise, Vex. I'll pick you up tomorrow at six, just send me your address.

I sent him my apartment address, trying to block out Winsley's girly chatter.

"Vex?" Winsley tested out the nickname. "How come I never thought of that?"

I groaned again, leaning my head against the couch. "Don't tell me you're going to call me Vex now."

"What? It's cute." She defended with an innocent smile.

"Sure it is." I rolled my eyes playfully. "I'm getting more popcorn."

As I stood up to go to the small kitchen in my apartment, Winsley called out my name. I turned around.

"Are you sure this thing with you and Caslon is not a date?" She asked. The genuine curiosity in her eyes concerned me.

"Why are you so curious about this guy?" I asked, my eyes looking at her like she was out of her mind.

"Because you deserve love, Vex." I didn't try stopping myself from another eye roll. "Now answer my question."

"Whatever it is, between Caslon and I," I glared at her. "Is nothing but a mere friendship."

Winsley still smiled. "Tell that to your rosy cheeks, Cleo Vexer."

I closed my eyes in humiliation and heard her laughter as I threw a popcorn bag into the microwave.

Caslon Allway will be the death of me.