Always You || Simon Minter (miniminter)

Chapter 21

The next morning, sunlight seeped through the blinds and fell across my face, pulling me reluctantly from sleep. My body felt heavy, my mind heavier, and a dull ache settled in my chest. I rolled onto my back, staring at the ceiling, replaying last night over and over. Simon. Emily. That smug little look on her face. My stomach twisted, and I felt a pang of anger at myself for even caring.

I was an idiot, I realized. Letting myself get drawn into this mess, letting my emotions tangle with his, hoping for something that wasn't mine... I buried my face in the pillow, trying to push the feelings away. But I couldn't.

A soft knock at the door startled me, and I peeked up to see Tobi's grinning face. "You up yet, sleepyhead?"

I groaned. "Barely."

JJ appeared behind him, holding a bag of snacks like a lifeline. "Alright, plan for today: we're taking you out for a little shopping run. Moving-in bits, necessities... basically making sure your new setup isn't a disaster."

I sat up slowly, rubbing at my eyes. "Fine... but I'm not really in the mood."

Tobi flopped onto the edge of the bed and looked at me seriously. "Millie... look, I know last night was rough. Simon, Emily... it's a lot. But we're here. JJ and me. You're not alone in this, okay?"

I nodded, managing a small smile. "Thanks, I just... don't even know what I feel right now."

JJ chuckled softly. "Mixed emotions, huh? Classic Millie."

We left the house, the cold London air biting at my cheeks. The city was awake, bustling in a way that made me feel both insignificant and comforted. We started with the essentials: a few things for my bedroom, kitchen bits, some new towels and bedding. Tobi and JJ kept the conversation light, cracking jokes and teasing me gently, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness—both of them worried about Simon and about how I was handling everything.

"So," Tobi said, stuffing a bag into the trolley, "I know you're probably stewing over last night. But honestly, Simon... he's not happy. Emily's here for the wrong reasons. He's not being honest with himself."

I blinked, looking down at my hands. "I know... I just... I don't even know what to do with that information. Part of me wants to just... walk away, but another part..." My voice trailed off.

JJ nodded. "Yeah. That part? It's normal. You care about him, so of course it's messy. But don't forget, you've got people who actually have your back."

And that's when I realized just how good it felt to be around Tobi and JJ. Their support wasn't complicated. They didn't make me feel guilty for caring about Simon or frustrated with myself. They just... understood. And in that moment, I began to feel something I hadn't expected: a closeness, a sense of friendship and trust that was grounding me when everything else felt like chaos.

By the time we returned to the house, our shopping bags in tow, I felt lighter—my thoughts still tangled, but less suffocating. Tobi laughed as he carried a bag of snacks into the kitchen. "See? Nothing to it. You're moving in style, Millie."

JJ clapped me on the shoulder. "And remember, you've got us. We'll help you navigate whatever drama comes your way."

I smiled, the weight in my chest easing just a little. For the first time since Simon and Emily appeared in my life, I felt like I wasn't completely alone in this mess.

—

By the time we returned to the house, evening was settling over London. The streetlights cast long shadows across the driveway as we lugged the last of the shopping bags inside. The house smelled faintly of cooking and cleaning products, a comforting mix that reminded me this was starting to feel like home.

"Okay, Millie," JJ said, dropping a bag on the kitchen counter and wiping his hands on his jeans. "You're officially stocked. You could survive here for a week without touching a shop."

Tobi leaned against the doorway, arms folded, a mischievous grin on his face. "Don't get too comfortable, though. Tonight, we've got a club event, remember? You need to be sharp—both in appearance and... social stamina."

I groaned, remembering the heels and the whole glam routine. "Ugh, why do you guys always make me dress up? I was just hoping to relax tonight."

Jide appeared from the living room, holding a small tray of snacks. "Relaxing's overrated. You know the drill—look good, feel good, survive the chaos." He gave me a cheeky grin before disappearing again.

I let out a sigh, trudging upstairs to my room. Alone, I had a moment to think about Simon. The previous night still burned in my chest—his sad eyes, the faint smile he gave when he mentioned Emily. Anger, sadness, confusion—it was all tangled up in a mess that I didn't want to sort out just yet. Tonight, though, I'd have to put it aside. I had to show up. For me, for the boys, and... for some semblance of control.

I opened my wardrobe and pulled out an outfit that balanced casual with a touch of glam: a black off-the-shoulder top, sleek dark jeans, and boots with just enough heel to make me feel elegant without killing my feet. Curling my hair into loose waves, I opted for a smoky eye with a subtle shimmer and nude lips. A quick spritz of perfume, and I was done.

JJ knocked on the door, grinning. "You done in there, or should I start timing how long it takes you to psych yourself up?"

"Shut up," I muttered, laughing. "I'm coming."

Downstairs, the boys were already assembling. Harry was fiddling with his watch, Ethan was trying to convince Vikk to pick a better tie, and Jide was pacing like he had a secret mission. Tobi and JJ flanked me as we assessed the troops. "Everyone ready?" Tobi asked, smirking.

"Almost," Jide said, "just waiting on Simon."

I froze, the mention of his name making my stomach knot. Simon. He'd be coming tonight. I tried to ignore the sudden rush of nerves, taking a deep breath instead. This was the night we were supposed to present as a team, to celebrate the promotion, to have fun. I couldn't let Emily—or anything else—steal that from me.

By 9 pm, the rest of the boys had arrived, dressed to impress. Laughter bounced off the walls as drinks were poured and music started playing softly from the living room speakers. Everyone seemed to fall into their usual rhythm, teasing, joking, and hyping each other up for the night ahead.

I glanced at Tobi, who caught my eye and gave me a reassuring nod. "You good?" he mouthed.

I nodded back, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. "Yeah. Let's do this."

With that, we finished our drinks, grabbed our coats, and piled into the cars waiting outside. The streets blurred past as London's night unfolded around us, neon lights flickering, engines humming. My mind wandered briefly to Simon again, wondering how he'd look tonight, how he'd act. But I pushed it away—tonight wasn't about him. Tonight was about showing up, surviving, and maybe... just maybe, enjoying myself.

As we approached the club, the neon sign of Press Nightclub shining brightly against the dark sky, my nerves gave way to excitement. The air was cold, biting, but it didn't matter. Tonight, I was back in the thick of it, ready to face whatever came my way.

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