Chapter 8: Twin Baddie

“Oh my world... Nic.” A sweet, high-pitched voice rang out behind me.

And just like that…I was out of Liam's embrace.

Damn it, Lulu.

Seriously? Right now?

We were this close. Like, lips-parted, breath-mingling, knees-weak kind of close.

But now.. it was..

Gone.

Cockblocked by my bestie.

She came running like she was about to win a damn marathon, arms wide open like this was a freaking reunion.

I barely had time to blink before she crushed me in a hug.

“Oh my god, girl, it’s been forever!” she squealed, squeezing tight.

Yep. Definitely tighter.

Rounder….Her boobs felt like they hit the gym and never came back.

What was she feeding them? Protein shakes? Testosterone?

She pulled back, eyes roaming all over me like I was her next outfit. “Look at you! You literally murdered this red”… she flipped my hair.

”Damn, are you trying to get your ass UNWOUND this year or what?”

I cleared my throat…loudly.

Her eyes flicked up, confused for a sec.

I tilted my head slightly.

“Lucy,” I said with forced calm. “Liam.”

She turned.

Oh, crap.

I watched her mouth part, already bracing for the chaos she was about to unleash. I knew that look.

I’d seen it way too many times…right before she spilled my secrets like free candy.

Thankfully, by some miracle, she swallowed whatever filth was about to escape.

Instead, she smiled..sweet.

“Nice to meet you,” she said, holding out her hand.

But oh no. Not just any handshake.

That dramatic, slow blink… the head tilt…

This bitch.

Full-on seductress mode unlocked.

She was the classic bad girl. Lipgloss always glossy….Attitude sharp….Straight A’s like a saint, body like temptation or even sin itself.

Liam took her hand, and I swear I saw a smirk twitch at the corner of his lips.

“My pleasure,” he said in that lazy, deep voice of his. “I’ll leave you two. See you around, Nic.”

He winked.

Wait..

Why?

But my entire system short-circuited.

God.

I watched him walk away, his back muscles flexing under that damn white shirt.

Nope.

I wasn’t okay.

My lips were tingling from the way that lip ring called my name.

I needed a cold shower... Or a slap. Or both.

Lucy turned to me the second he disappeared around the corner.

Her grin was wide and her eyes sparkled like she knew everything.

“Oh,” she said, dragging the word like a tease. “So… what did I interrupt?”

I groaned, covering my face.

“You ruined it.”

“Ruined what? That slow, tension-filled almost kiss that probably would've had you screaming his name later tonight?”

I slapped her arm. “Lulu!”

She laughed. “Don’t act shy. That boy wants to eat you alive. And honestly? You should let him.”

“Speaking of eating,” I shot, turning to her with narrowed eyes, “where the fuck did you zoom off to during the fresher's welcome party?”

She blinked, dramatic like always, lips twitching with amusement.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” I pressed. “If you’d been by my side, maybe things with Landon wouldn’t have gone so downhill.”

God.

I could still feel the heat from that disaster. The stares. The whispers. And the worst part, he made me suck his nipples.”

“And to crown it all, you ghosted yesterday. First day of school and my best friend’s MIA? Real supportive.”

“Relax,” Lulu said, rolling her eyes with a playful shove. “Why you lashing out like I’m your cheating ex?”

I gave her a flat look.

She knows I've never had a guy.

She grinned. “C’mon, a girl’s gotta spread her wings, baby. You’ll survive. You probably handled yourself just fine.”

I scoffed. “Yeah. Sure. You could say that.”

I handled myself right into a steamy nipple-kiss.”

And now? My whole system was still vibrating from it.

We strolled toward our lockers, mine creaking open with that familiar annoying screech.

Hers was just two down, close enough for the usual side-eye exchanges and whispered gossip.

I leaned in closer. “Where the hell have you been, you slut?” I hissed, keeping my voice low but very much not joking.

She gave me a devilish grin, glanced both ways, then slowly lifted her shirt.

Just a few inches, enough to show the new belly ring glinting on her smooth, tan skin.

Oh. My. Damn.

“You finally did it!” I squealed, barely stopping myself from jumping her. “You got the piercing!”

We had been planning it for years. It was our “twin baddie” move.

But of course, I chickened out because of H.P. That woman would’ve strung me up by my ears if I came home pierced like a rebel.

“You should ha…” Lulu started.

But just as she was about to go into details, the shrill bell rang through the hallway.

9:00 AM.

Fucking great. Class.

At least one silver lining… I got to be in the same class level as her. Thank you, scholarship clause. They let me stay in my current level as long as I keep my GPA shining like a virgin halo.

And best believe, I was grinding harder than ever. I wasn’t about to let them bump me down to Freshman year.

Ugh. Just the name sounds tragic.

“Let’s head to class,” Lulu said, slamming her locker shut. “I’ll fill you in later, promise.”

I nodded and turned back to mine, shoving my books in…when something slid out and hit the floor.

A letter.

Pink.

I frowned.

Bent and picked it up.

The envelope was thick, satin-textured. A whiff of something sweet…vanilla? No. Caramel?

From your well-wisher,

Anonymous.

My heart skipped.

“What’s that?” she asked, trying to peek.

I ignored her and traced the handwriting again.

And then I saw it…tucked beside my chemistry book, almost hidden.

A box of chocolates.

No brand name. Just a smooth, sleek black box with a baby pink ribbon tied into a bow.

I blinked.

Looked around the hallway like the sender would pop out and wink at me.

Who is it from?

I shivered.

No idea if it was fear, thrill, or the slow, hot buzz crawling down my spine.

“Open it,” Lulu whispered, eyes sparkling. “Who knows? Maybe your secret admirer finally decided to show up.”

I swallowed.

But just then, our moment was interrupted by none other than Mr. Raymond.

The ever-popular math teacher.

Tall, sharp jaw, thick lashes.

Always smelling like mint and lavender.

Also known as: Lulu’s major faculty crush.

And yep…we had his class right now.

“I suppose you both heard the bell go off,” he said, clearing his throat.

His voice was deep, smooth, annoyingly attractive.

Typical.

Hot man with authority.

Lulu’s weakness.

You should’ve seen how tight she gripped my wrist..like she was about to faint from sheer thirst.

“We’re heading that way, Mr. Raymond,” she said, flashing him her best innocent smile.

I tried to find my voice. “Y–yeah. Yes, sir.”

And just like that, we zoomed off.

Fast.

The pink letter crinkled in my pocket with every step…