The morning bright sun of tomorrow shines into my eyes as the events of yesterday are still fresh within my memories. I smile as I start to remember the moments yesterday, the movies, the laughter, along with Maeve's confession.
I sighed as I remember her words, I really felt bad for rejecting her, but I'm really just not ready for love at the moment. I must focus on myself and my future, I'll be a college student soon, I need to up my game. My phone buzzes, breaking my thoughts. It's a message from Rachel.
Rachel: Hey, Joanne. Wanna come to a party tonight?
I felt a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Rachel had been distant since our encounter the other day, and I wondered what she had to say about Maeve now.
Joanne: What's with the sudden invitation?
Unknowing of the possible circumstances and reason for suddenly inviting me to a gathering, I ask, and wouldn't agree to such offer immediately.
Rachel: Well I just wanted to get you out of the house, meet the squad, maybe even talk about what's really going on..
Her tone seemed genuine and serious, her words peeked my interest, one of them being about what's really going on between her and Maeve, and the other is meeting the squad??
Does she mean her chearleader friends? That'd be nice I guess, I mean, it wouldn't hurt to get to know them, like what I did with Maeve's friends. I just have to keep an open mind, and have my guard up.
Joanne: Sure, Sure...I wouldn't mind coming with you
Rachel: That's great! It's like a party-party yk, so if you haven't been in one, all I can say is dress up and all that..buuuut if u don't have any clothing that would be fit for a party maybe shopping spree is an order?
The idea of shopping with Rachel was unexpected but enticing. Maybe this could be a chance to clear the air and understand her better.
Joanne: Alright, shopping sounds fun. When should we go?
Rachel: I'll pick you up at noon. Be ready!
The day flew by as I got ready for the shopping spree. I put on a pair of dark jeans, a fitted black shirt, and a sleek blazer that blended masculine and feminine elements perfectly. The look was completed with a pair of stylish boots.
When Rachel arrived, I went outside the gate, ready for our small shopping spree. Once I finally meet her eyes, I noticed her pause for a moments, her cheeks slightly flushed as she looked at me with awe.
"Wow, Joanne," she said, giving me an approving once-over. "You look amazing."
I felt a blush rise to my own cheeks but smiled. "Thanks, Rachel."
"You're not so bad yourself." I say as I looked at her up and down, checking her outfit out which was certainly attention-grabbing. My observation was interrupted by a giggle from Rachel, then stared at me with a knowing look.
We stared at each other, as if we were admiring each other's transformation. It was a strange but pleasant moment, and I could feel the air between us shifting, becoming warmer and more relaxed.
"Ready for our shopping spree?" Rachel finally asked, breaking the silence but not the connection.
"Absolutely," I replied, my excitement bubbling up again.
She went over to my position in an attempt to open the door for me. "Let me get this for you." I was surprised and immediately went to stop her "Wait it's no need.."
I rushed to hold her hand that grabbed the door handle, causing us to look into each other's eyes once again. It was as if time has stopped for us both, we were closer to each other, blood rushing up to our cheeks, the warmth of our hands intertwined, our face inching closer and closer.
We were interrupted by the vibrations on Rachel's phone, making her scramble to check it as she steps out of our moment. The tension is still there but weaker than earlier, I guess I have to thank the alarm for ringing on us, or I might've done something I may regret in the future.
"We should go now, we have a tight schedule ahead of us." She says as she opens the door for me.
She drives me to the mall, where she immediately guided me through various stores, picking out outfits and giving fashion advice. She even exceeded my expectations on her take of the very essence of fashion, I expected nothing less from the queen bee of course, but her understanding of fashion is professional.
When we started to look for dresses and clothing, she intently looked at me, her eyes scanning every part of my body. Her eyes were serious, at the first minutes, till her gaze slowly turned into lust, her lips curved upward into a flirtatious smirk.
I blushed up to my ears as she playfully chuckled, her flirtatious nature catching me off guard.
"Come on, let's find something that will really turn heads tonight," Rachel said, leading me to a rack of dresses.
I let her take charge, trying on various outfits under her expert guidance. Each time I emerged from the fitting room, Rachel's eyes would light up, and she'd offer a mix of sincere compliments and playful teasing.
At one point of our little fashion show, I was struggling with the zipper, and needed help. Considering Rachel was just outside I peeked out of the dressing room, immediately catching her attenion to me with a curious look.
"Soooo I'm having trouble with the zipper right now, I need some help." I say trying to keep it together and not overthink about her seeing me like this.
I can practically read her mind by her smirk, the amount of possible teasing is endless with her. "Sure cutie~" She says seductively
I rolled my eyes as I closed the curtain, that was soon followed by her. The moment she went inside it was as if she was in awe, her eyes seemed to shine as she inspected the outfit that was a sleek, midnight blue dress that hugged my figure in all the right places.
"Are you just gonna stare or help me?" I ask as I looked at her eyes through the mirror, doing my best to hide my blush.
She blinked a few times before finally processing my words. "Right, of course apologies" she says as she also struggles to keep her composure.
She approached me from behind, and I could feel the dress hugging me more as she zipped the dress up, her eyes fixated on the dress, and possibly my body. I looked at her again through the mirror as her eyes shifted towards the mirror meeting my gaze.
I try to lighten the tension, by letting out a breathless giggle. "Looks like we have a winner?" I say slowly looking back.
The tension from earlier returns, the room heating up and the world slowing down around us, as her hands slowly held my waist and hips to make her turn to me. Now staring at each other, her perfume filling and intoxicating me with her scent.
The world was suddenly filled with Rachel, and Rachel only as she slowly pinned me to the wall, looking into my eyes as she gently held my neck. Her face inching closer, feeling her lips barely touching mine, the electricity daring to come out.
The tension between us since the first day, wanting to release itself from its chains, but that lingering doubtful thought was still there, itching for attention. I gasp as she slightly held my neck tighter as her lips dared to clash onto mine.
"Rachel we can't-" I say breathless, from her grip on me.
Her eyes burned like fire, surprised from my reaction but understood. "I know...but there's just something about you, this tension-" She says as if she has been longing for me.
I swallow a lump of saliva on my neck as I stared back breathing heavily, doing my best to hold onto the last bit of control I could. I held her smooth silky hair, as I could feel myself on the verge of giving in.
"You-" I say before being interrupted by the taste of her strawberry chapstick, her soft supple lips clashing onto mine.
Her kiss was intense, a surge of emotions crashing over me like a tidal wave. The softness of her lips against mine sent shivers down my spine. My heart raced as I felt her press closer, her body warm against mine. The initial hesitation melted away as our lips moved together, exploring each other with a mix of urgency and tenderness.
Rachel's hand on my neck shifted, her fingers tangling gently in my hair, pulling me even closer. My own hands found their way to her waist, gripping her tightly as if anchoring myself to reality. The taste of her strawberry chapstick was intoxicating, mingling with the faint hint of mint from her breath.
Our kiss deepened, her tongue brushing against my lips, seeking permission. I parted them slightly, allowing her entry. The sensation was electrifying, our tongues meeting and dancing in a rhythm that felt both foreign and natural. It was a slow, sensual exploration, filled with a mix of passion and curiosity.
Her hands roamed from my neck to my back, fingers tracing delicate patterns through the fabric of my dress. The intensity of our kiss grew, our breaths becoming more ragged and desperate. Each touch, each movement, was a silent communication of our unspoken desires.
I could feel the world around us fading away, the bustling mall and its noises becoming a distant hum. It was just Rachel and me, lost in a moment that felt both surreal and utterly real. Her scent, her taste, the feel of her skin against mine—it was all-consuming, a sensory overload that left me dizzy and yearning for more.Our kiss became more fervent, tongues intertwining and exploring with an increasing hunger. The heat between us was palpable, an undeniable chemistry that couldn't be ignored. I found myself matching her intensity, losing myself in the moment.
Finally, we broke apart, gasping for air, our foreheads resting against each other. The world slowly came back into focus, the reality of our surroundings creeping in. Rachel's eyes were still burning with that fire, a mix of longing and uncertainty.
"Wow," she whispered, her breath warm against my lips.
"Yeah," I managed to reply, still catching my breath. "That was... something." I say looking at her
Rachel smiled, a mix of satisfaction and nervousness. "I've wanted to do that for a while."
I looked to the side unsure of what to say, I can feel her mood break slightly, as I hear her chuckle. Confusion reaches me as I looked up at her, back st her usual teasing demeanor.
"Don't worry pet~ this is a one off thing~" She says as she turned to the curtain. "And also, we have a keeper" she says as she turned to me before leaving the dressing room.
Leaving me confused, and dazed by her motivations and actions, as if she was a big puzzle that shifts and changes depending on the situation, creating a much bigger picture than I have realized.