"why you at the bar if you aint poppin the bottles"

i shot up from my bed, looking at the clock which said it's already 9 a.m. i got out of my bed and run to my closet, picking out random jeans with a hoodie. i run out of my dorm, seeing tara sprawled out the couch, watching something on her laptop, i run up to her. "what are you doing?" i ask her lowkey out of breath. "what are YOU doing?" she questions me, looking at me curiously. "ari, it's saturday."

"oh." i breathe out relieved. "i forgot." i confessed." i flop down on the couch, next to tara. "what were you doing last night?" tara questioned me, as she put down her laptop on the table. 

"nothing?" i lied. she gave me a knowing look that i was so familiar with. but she didn't seem like she wanted to argue so she just let it slide. i walked back into our dorm, jumping back into my bed. i picked up my phone, seeing a notification from ethan right above the "sleep well" message from aubrey. i opened it, and all he was asking me if i wanted to meet up. i haven't been talking to him in a while so i said yes. "i'll be there in 20 minutes" i was already dressed so all i had to do was to brush my teeth, and to wash my face. i walked out of our dorm once again and told tara where i was going. i aksed her if she wanted to come along but she said she felt sick. so i just let her be. i put on my shoes, and my jacket. just as i wanted to open the door, i heard a knock. i opened it, and i was greeted with ethan.

"hi" i said, hugging him. he did the same, as we said bye to tara. we walked down the stairs. as we looked out, the cold autumn air hit our face as we walked ut the door but it felt like home somehow. i left my scarf in our apartment, on my bed so i felt the cold air also hit my throat. the autumn leaves falling down on the ground majestically, the landscape shines beautifully from yesterday's rain, which remained on the leaves. we walked to our favourite café just to relax for a bit.

aubrey's p.o.v:

we've been in the gym since 6 a.m, shooting around before we work out. "hey aub, you did it?" paige comes over to me, patting me on my back, standing next to me. "did what?" i asked her, deep down knowig what she meant. "ariana."

"yeah, i did. we talked for nearly the whole night." i confessed, grinning cheekily. she pened her mouth to say something, but geno walked in, telling us what to do. for the rest of the session we i was more locked in than at the start but my mind kept drifting away

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paige and I were wrapping up our gym session, the sweat dripping off our brows as we cooled down. she handed me a water bottle, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "so, i wanted to ask, did you ask her out?" she pressed, clearly not letting the topic drop. I chuckled, shaking my head. "no. we just talked. It was... nice." paige rolled her eyes playfully. "come on, aubrey. you've had a crush on ariana since you first took a glance at her. It's time to make a move."

"but she probably doesn't even likes girls. then what? that would be so embarassing and i would just fuck up our friendship." I sighed, knowing even though she was right, i should make a move but still feeling the weight of my own insecurities. "I'll think about it. maybe tonight at jamie's party." paige grinned. "that's the spirit! but do you think she'll come to the party after what happened last time?" i didn't think about that. "we'll see. if she doesn't come, then i'll take it as a sign from God that i shouldn't do anything." i walked away, but still catched a glimpse of paige rolling her eyes at my behaviour.

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ariana's POV:

ethan and I was sitting in the cozy café, the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods flying in the air towards us. we found our usual spot by the window and settled into the plush seats. the barista, recognizing us, waved with a friendly smile. "so, what's been up with you?" ethan asked, his eyes genuinely curious as he sipped his coffee. I shrugged, looking out the window at the bustling street. "just the usual, classes and all that. how about you? It feels like we haven't hung out in ages."

"same old, same old," he replied, leaning back. i noticed he wasn't as bubbly as she usually is so maybe something was wrong. "what's on your mind? you okay?" i asked him, leaning a bit forward. "i don't know." he answered after a bit. "you know you can tell me anything, right?" i questioned him. "i know but, i feel like it would ruin our friendship." he almost whispered, looking at me, with a sad spark in his eyes. i don't think there would be anything that could ruin our friendship but i was curious about it. "nothing could ruin the bond we have. you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, but you can always count on me. as long as i am here, you never have to suffer alone-"i was interrupted by him. "i'm gay."

i didn't know what to say. it's not because i didn't want to be his friend for something silly like this. but because of the thought that he would think that i wouldn't wanna be his friend for something silly like this. "ethan. you're crazy if you think that i would stop hanging out with you just because of who you like. you are stupid for real."

he hesitated for a moment, then let out a relieved sigh. "thank you."

we spent the next hour chatting about light-hearted things, reminiscing about past adventures, and laughing at inside jokes. It felt good, a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of college life. as we were finishing up, ethan suddenly remembered something. "oh, by the way, there's this party tonight at jamie's place. you should come. It might be a good distraction. but i get it if you would pass after what happened last time."

I thought for a second, thinking it might be fun. i shouldn't let something stop me from having fun with my friends. and i will just make sure to look out for my drink. "sure, sounds good. I'll check with tara if she feels better and see if she wants to join." we parted ways with a promise to meet up later, and I headed back to the dorm. tara was still lounging on the couch, looking a bit pale but in better spirits.

"hey, ethan mentioned a party at jamie's tonight. you in?" I asked, plopping down beside her. tara considered it for a moment. "no, i really don't feel good. will you be mad if you had to go alone? maybe if I'll feel better i'll check in." she smiled at me, sadly. "why would i be mad at you? i want you to feel better. do you want something? if you want me, i won't go either."

"i'm good, really and don't miss out something fun for me. i'm a big girl." she smiled at me with a tired smile. "but please, take care and don't leave your drink sitting alone."

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i got out of the shower, sitting down in front of my vanity. i decided on a bit glittery make up. i did my base routine, then i got to my eyes. i did a dark grey base just on the lids then blending it out lightly. i will be wearing a navy blue top with black a black flared jeans that hug my tighs just perfectly. i wanted to do something that matched it. i had a dark blue glitter eyeshadow, so i put on that. i did my mascara and eyeliner and then walk over to my closet. i put on my black converse, picking up my purse making sure i have everything that i might need. i spray some of my perfume on myself and walk out. tara was sitting in the kitchen, eating the soup i made her. "tara, ethan is almost here i'll go now, bye." i say goodybe to her, hearing a little cough following that as i step out.

aubrey's pov:

I found myself nervously getting ready for the party, my thoughts drifting back to my conversation with ari over the phone. tonight felt like the right time to finally say something. i wanted to make sure she was safe the whole night. as I finished dressing, I heard paige calling out from the living room.

"hurry up, aub! we don't want to be late." 

ariana's POV:

the party was in full swing by the time ethan and I arrived. jamie's house was packed with students, the air buzzing with music and laughter. the living room was filled with people dancing, chatting, and generally having a good time. the warm glow of fairy lights added a cozy yet festive atmosphere. ethan nudged me playfully as we stepped inside. I smiled, grateful for him infectious energy. 

we made our way to the kitchen to grab some drinks. as I was pouring us some punch, I noticed ethan talking to a boy, and i remembered him it was jamie. i haven't talked to him yet but i knew that he was also with us when i got drugged. i walk over to them.

"hey! glad you made it," jamie said, giving me a quick hug. "good to see you feeling better."

"thanks, jamie," i replied, sipping my drink. we spent the next hour mingling, dancing, and just soaking in the good vibes. It felt refreshing to let loose and forget about the pressures of school and everything else for a while. as the night progressed, I heard someone call out the most obvious thing that could someone let out of their mouth on a house party. 

"do you guys wanna play kiss, marry or kill?" 

"that's boring."

just then, aubrey appeared beside me, their presence calming yet exciting at the same time. "hey, will you play?" she asked, her voice soft. I nodded, smiling at her. "yeah, why not."

"and what about truth or dare?"

"better"

we walked over to the people who were making a circle. we sat down next to eachother, our knees touching eachothers.

jamie stood in the center with a mischievous grin. "you all know the rules. If you pick truth, you have to answer honestly. If you pick dare, you better be ready to do it, no backing out!"

the game began, and the atmosphere quickly filled with laughter and excitement as people took turns. there were some light-hearted truths and silly dares, keeping everyone entertained. ethan went first and chose dare. jamie grinned and dared him to drink a concoction of various drinks mixed together. ethan grimaced but did it, earning applause and laughter from everyone.

next was this girl, who i remembered from one of my classes, she choosed truth. "what's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you?" jamie asked with a smirk. she rolled her eyes but laughed. "once, I tripped and fell into a fountain in front of the entire school, on a trip in spain It was so mortifying! and the worst thing was that there were some really good looking man." she earned a laugh from people.

as the game progressed, the dares became bolder and the truths more revealing. the room was filled with laughter and a few gasps of surprise.

it was aubrey's turn. she hesitated for a moment but decided to go with dare. "alright, aubrey," jamie said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "i dare you, to make a body shot on someone of your choice." everyone was drunk so i don't think a lots of people were thinking straight but there was a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs." she looked around, her eyes stopping on me. she gave me a questioning look and it was probably just the alcohol in my system but as she got up, and holding her hand out, i immdeiately took it. i did bodyshot on someone back in highschool but i don't remember anyone doing it on me. i believe i saw half of the people take their phone out i will most likely see this moment back. aubrey looked at me once again making sure i was okay with it.

she sprinkled the salt on me, licking it off painfully slowly. i swear i felt my stomach do blacklips as i watched her tongue slide over my bare stomach. she quikly took the shot and biting into the lime as she turned around, giving the others a thumbs up. everyone was cheering as aubrey helped me off of the kitchen counter we started walking back to the others. "woah there it would be only fair if ariana did it on you too." jamie looked at aubrey. i felt my cheeks heat up even more than they were before. i glanced up at aubrey who was already looking at me. we didn't had time to say anything so we just walked back into the kitchen.

this time, aubrey was the one sitting on the counter. she pulled her top up just enough so her abs were really obvious. she layed down and i did the same to her. i sprinkeld the salt on her and i was making sure that there wasn't any little salt piece remaining on her. i drank the shot, swallowed it and quikly biting into the lime as i saw aubrey slowly sitting up, looking at me.

the party slowly died down there wasn't a lots of people remaining. me and ethan were talking to eachother well, we weren't talking the were teasing me about the previous moment that happened and jamie made sure to tell me hundreds of times that he will send me the pictures. 

me and ethan finally decided to walk back to our apartment but we weren't alone. paige and aubrey joined us, all of us tipsy. i swear ethan almost fell into a bush on the way back and beacuse he was leaning on me i would have fell too. i arrived back to our dorms at around 2 a.m, finding tara asleep in our room. she was curled up so i made sure to pull the blanket over her, and close the window. i didn't had the energy to do anything so i just changed into something i could sleep in and not much to my surprise, aubrey's hoodie caught my eye. i put it on with some shorts i found on my chair and crawled into my bed. i checked my phone for one last time, seeing a non-saved number but i soon found out -from the message- that it was jamie. he sent me the pictures with the message "just so you will have a picture to your imaginations too 😉"