Chapter 1 ✨Lyra

This wasn’t the plan when I came here today, but trust my bestie and her impromptu outings. Do I want to go anywhere? No. And Seren was obviously not listening to me today.

“Girl, get up and try on this dress!” she shouted.

I was tired of this shit she kept doing. My mouth worked, but I couldn’t find the right words to show my frustration, so I just cooperated. “Did you pay for this dress?” I asked, staring at the… thing. This obviously couldn’t be called a gown. It was a fishnet that couldn’t catch a single fish—I don’t know what else to call this with the multiple holes.

“Seren, you know this dress only covers the nipples and… crotch!” I screeched, holding it up like it was a dare.

“Bitch, stop whining and try it on. We ain’t got enough time for this shit, and Lucas and his friends will soon be here to get us,” she replied, turning back to her curling her hair as if nothing was wrong.

Here I was, trying to figure out how to put on this rope of a cloth. After several awkward attempts, I finally managed, and I went along with a lie: yeah, it does look good. And I felt kinda hyped about it..just a bit, the warmth of confidence creeping in, a tingle at my skin that I couldn’t explain.

“Girl, you look hot. Look at them thighs all out here screaming ‘eat me,’” Seren said, exaggerating as always. I rolled my eyes at my bestie and her sweet, exaggerated hype, which I secretly loved. My stomach fluttered in a way that made me glance at myself again in the mirror. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be so bad.

“What heels am I going to wear? I didn’t come with any since this wasn’t the plan initially,” I asked, scanning the closet.

“Go to the closet and find something that goes with it. You ain’t no visitor in this house to ask me for everything,” she replied.

“Crazy girl,” I murmured, slipping into black stilettos that made my legs look endless, feeling a strange confidence in every step I practiced in front of the mirror.

“I heard that,” Seren said, laughing.

I grabbed a gold clutch to complete the look and called, “Come help me put on some boob tape. I can’t have my boobs slipping out.”

“I’m coming. Let me finish up with my makeup,” she squeaked happily. I silently hoped she wasn’t drinking already.

A few minutes later, Seren walked in looking really pretty—but suddenly froze, staring at me.

“What is it? Is the combination bad?” I frowned.

“Girl, you are damn lucky I’m not a man, or I’d have you bent here signing praises to me by the time I’m done with you,” she said.

“Seren, please,” I said, laughing happily. That meant I’d done a good job with the combination. Leave it to this girl to insult you when you do a bad job.

“We need to hurry up. Lucas is on his way,” she reminded me.

I frowned a bit. “Seren, are you drinking already?” I asked, noticing the faint scent of champagne.

“Well, this is how you know the night is going to be fun,” she replied, rolling her eyes before leaving. I couldn’t resist smacking her ass for that eye roll. She giggled while I went to style my hair properly and do my makeup. Simple and sexy was the goal today: light makeup, my signature red lipstick, and just enough shimmer to catch the lights tonight.

Thank God I had some of my jewelry here. I love jewelry, so I took my time deciding what went best with the outfit. I applied body oil for that shiny effect it always leaves on my skin, noticing the subtle curve of my neck, the way the light kissed my shoulders.

I rushed to put my girly essentials and some money in the clutch the moment I heard the doorbell. I sprayed my everyday sweet feminine fragrance for the night, and a small thrill ran up my spine. Lucas got restless, rushing us along. I looked at myself one more time in the mirror, tracing the curve of my waist, the shimmer of my skin, before walking out to find Seren locking lips with her boo.

“You know your dad might see you doing that rubbish,” I said to Seren, smirking.

“I told you, my dad’s on a trip. Leave me alone and go get your own man,” she replied, laughing between kisses.

I left them to walk to the second car to greet Seren’s friends, who were already waiting. Don’t get me wrong—they were fun, but I met them through Seren, so they weren’t my direct friends. Still, I felt a subtle, delicious excitement…tonight felt like a night where anything could happen.

“You look gorgeous, Lyra!” shouted Zoe as I got close to the car.

I smiled. “Thanks, girl, I love your makeup.” I also greeted her boyfriend, Lavi, and we talked briefly before I went to Lucas’s car to wait for them since they suddenly disappeared.

After some time, the lovebirds reappeared, looking a bit disheveled. I gave my bestie the side eye while they walked to the car. I already knew what they were up to, and I wished I could have moments like that one day.

“Don’t say anything, Lyra,” Seren interrupted my thoughts, smiling sheepishly.

I raised my hands in defeat. “Let’s get the night started,” I said as Seren put on a song to set the mood for the night. My stomach fluttered, heartbeat quickened, and a warm pulse ran low through me. Maybe tonight really would be unforgettable—maybe tonight would be the night everything changes.