Always You || Simon Minter (miniminter)

Chapter 13

By the afternoon, the boys have somehow convinced me into playing GTA with them — which, honestly, is a blessing. It gets me out of my own head for a while.

"C'mon Millie you can do this!" Vikk shouts through the mic, practically vibrating with excitement. We're on some stupid obstacle course map, and as usual, I'm the last one alive on my team.

"Oh I'm coming for ya, Millie," Josh threatens, trying to shoot me off the platform while I zig-zag like my life depends on it.

"This might be it, guys," I mutter, biting my lip in total concentration as my character climbs to the next platform, dodging bullets like some GTA Spider-Man. Somehow, I make it — the winner screen pops up with my character on it.

The boys erupt with cheers.

"That was horrible," Ethan laughs, making the others laugh too.

We finally end the videos but keep messing around in free mode. I'm currently speeding a car toward Simon's character, purely for violence reasons — and successfully run him over.

"HEY!" Simon bursts out laughing as his character cartwheels into the sky. "Not fair!"

I can hear the pout through his mic, and I grin.

"So, New Year's at mine this year, boys?" Harry shouts. I wince. He's so unnecessarily loud.

"Shit, is that today?"
Honestly, the last few days have blurred together — recording, laughing, avoiding thinking too hard. It's been nice.

"Damn right it's today. Are you feeling okay?" Harry adds, and the boys burst out laughing.

Plans get sorted quickly — be at Harry's for 8pm. After another hour of chaos, we log off.

I push back from my desk and let out a breath. Shower time. The only place where my brain can unravel without anyone seeing.

I stay in there for nearly an hour, letting the water drown out the noise in my head. Of course I end up thinking about Simon. About yesterday. About... everything.

Does he actually like me? Or is he just naturally flirty? Is he being sweet because of what I'm going through? Or because he genuinely wants me?

My brain refuses to give me answers.

After the shower, I throw on sweats and a hoodie and head downstairs. It's way too quiet.

As if on cue, my phone buzzes.

From JJ:
We've headed out to get something to wear for tonight. You were in the shower so I didn't ask. If you want, you can meet us for food and then we can go shopping?

Of course they left without me. Typical boys — zero patience.

To JJ:
Sure, I'm just out the shower, I'll throw some shoes on. Where?

I run upstairs, put on trainers, grab my black denim jacket, purse, and keys.

From JJ:
*Nando's? :) *

To JJ:
Leaving now :) x

I start the car, and the engine purrs to life. I still can't believe I own this car — it feels like something from another life.
A better life.

I head toward London, blasting my old-school rap playlist. JJ calls it "weird energy" but I love it. Dr Dre, Ice Cube, Tupac — comfort music.

By the time I find parking at the shopping centre (after circling like an idiot for twenty minutes), I'm starving.

I walk into Nando's and instantly see three cameras pointed straight at my face.

Of course.

I wave, laughing, as I walk over. Jide gets up and scoops me into a rib-crushing hug.

We order, the boys filming bits here and there, and I finally get a moment to eat before Simon's camera appears inches from my nose.

"Hey Millie."

I jump. "Fuck, Simon, I'm trying to eat."
I pout at the camera, which makes him laugh and finally put it down.

⸻

In a changing room later, I step out in a pale pink dress. It's beautiful — but so short and so... not me.

"I don't know about this, Jide." I tug at the hem.

"What about the black one you liked?" he asks, nodding toward the satin dress hanging behind me.

Right. That one.

I slip into it and look in the mirror.

And... wow.

It's like seeing a version of myself I've never met before. Confident. Put together. Almost... pretty.

I step out, and JJ's entire face lights up.

"That's beautiful, Millie."

I smile, cheeks heating. Yeah. It's the one.

I grab matching black heels, and we go hunt down the others — who are, predictably, struggling.

"Millie, please help. We're bad at dressing," Josh begs while Simon holds up a shirt meant for a toddler.

I pick out a few shirts and save their lives. They all end up with white shirts and bow ties, looking far too proud of themselves.

On the way out, Simon hops into my car while Vik drives the other two.

"Thanks for helping us find shirts," Simon says softly. He sounds embarrassed. "We're... not very good at looking nice."

"Don't worry about it," I laugh, pulling into the driveway. "I needed something for tonight anyway."

We grab the bags and start walking to the house.

"I'm excited to see what your dress is like," Simon says suddenly, glancing down at me.

Heat hits my cheeks immediately.
I'm excited for him to see it too.