#take your flatmate to go to that city bc you have no phone to navigate with or show your train ticket

[blueberry-beanie]

how to have a perfect day

[artificialqueens]

Not Nineteen Forever (12) (Branjie/Scyvie/Ninex)- Ortega

a/n: hey friends! here’s chapter 12 of Not Nineteen Forever, i’m sorry it’s so late but i want to thank everyone who waited patiently and was so polite and encouraging while waiting. it really made me smile! remember i always love and am so grateful for sweet comments either on AQ, through reblog, or on my blog, so keep them coming bc they motivate me no end!! hope u all enjoy this chapter (p.s. finally accepted the ninex in this fic is not in any way background any more xo) xxxxxxx

trigger warning: alcohol n naughty texts xo

please note: this fic contains young adults often behaving in irresponsible/unadvisable ways with regards to alcohol, drugs and sex. if you are someone who feels as if they could be heavily influenced by fic and incorporate what happens in the plot into ur own life, pls steer clear!

summary: Brooke, Yvie and Nina are three flatmates who forged a friendship in their first year of university and picked up some other waifs and strays along the way. Now in their final year, there are feelings that need to be unravelled and confessions to be made whilst navigating drunk nights, hungover mornings, takeaways, group chats, library meetups, cafe gossiping, and the small matter of getting a degree.

last chapter: Monet and Nina continued to be adorable, Yvie and Scarlet continued to be cute, but Brooke wasn’t sure if she wanted the same for her and Vanessa.

this chapter: there’s library woes, a flat party, a lilac-haired, tattooed bombshell, and Yvie confides in Scarlet.

***

Scarlet let a long puff of air out of her cheeks and blinked at her laptop, bored. She’d been so eager for Uni to start back again, so excited to get back to the city and see her friends that she slightly forgot about the whole academic aspect of everything. Lectures had started that week and in between trying to force four different modules’ worth of information into her head she had caught up with Vanjie, chatting before, after and in between lectures when they could. It was interesting, Scarlet thought. Before Christmas she could never get her to shut up about Brooke and how things were going with her but ever since the holidays it seemed as if Brooke was a subject to be avoided. Scarlet knew something must have changed but she didn’t want to push Vanjie for information if she wasn’t ready to share it. They still seemed to be together, anyway, even if things seemed a little strained.

At least she could say that wasn’t the case for her and Yvie. After many long evening Skype sessions during the holidays, the pair of them had decided that they couldn’t bear to be apart a moment longer and so Scarlet had taken the six hour train to go and stay with her girlfriend at her family home for a few days. She had been a bag of nerves at the thought of meeting Yvie’s family, but her Mum had been lovely (and seemingly just relieved that her daughter had settled down), her Dad had been welcoming, if a little quiet (“He’s under strict instructions not to speak because every time he opens his mouth he embarrasses me”), and the brothers and sisters that were still at home and not out somewhere or back to uni themselves were kind and friendly. In the three days they spent together, Scarlet and Yvie went for cold, crisp walks along the beach, curled up on Yvie’s old battered leather sofa the family had had since she was small and watched Disney films, gone ice skating, and looked out over Yvie’s city on a rickety ferris wheel that had looked as if it would take one good sneeze to knock it down.

But all that movie-screen romance was behind her now, as the most romantic Scarlet had been with Yvie in the week since they’d been back at uni was a Tesco Finest £10 meal deal cooked in Yvie’s flat and then watched in front of the TV as a perfect accompaniment to Coronation Street. They were both busy and waiting for their academic life to slow down a little again. The same could be said for their whole friendship group, really. The whole gang hadn’t done anything all together since their Christmas dinner, and Scarlet was itching for a night out where she could get absolutely off her face and forget that she was working towards the degree that would define the rest of her life. Sighing again and feeling the words on her laptop merge into a big blur, Scarlet looked up at the big clock on the wall. Five o'clock. She turned to Akeria who was sat at the desk beside her. She and Silky had come to join her mid-study, the latter having been dragged into the library by her flatmate because she still hadn’t handed in an essay that had been due since before Christmas and Akeria was quite frankly concerned.

“Akeria,” Scarlet whispered, the other girl quickly finishing a sentence she was working on, turning away from her laptop towards Scarlet and pushing her reading glasses up the bridge of her nose. “I want a night out. This is shit.”

“This is what we signed up for, baby,” Akeria gave a small laugh and shrugged, turning back to her laptop. Akeria’s dissertation wasn’t due until May but she had already started writing it, which struck the fear of God into the majority of their friendship group and made them all feel like slackers. “This is uni. This is our fuckin’ degree, girl.”

“You’re really making me feel better,” Scarlet rolled her eyes, Akeria giving another laugh under her breath.

“Hey,” Silky said from her position at the desk across from them, her voice entirely at speaking-pitch and causing a few heads to turn their way. “What’re you hoes talkin’ about? I want in.”

“We’re bitching about you,” Akeria deadpanned, tapping away at her keyboard.

“Fuck off, Kiki.”

“I want a night out,” Scarlet hissed over to her as quietly as she could. “But Little Miss Law Degree wants to stay in the library from dusk til dawn every evening until she graduates.”

Scarlet’s face lit up as Silky bellowed a laugh so loud it caused the girl beside her to put a set of earphones in. Looking at Akeria and hoping she hadn’t been offended, she was relieved to see the other girl giving her a wry smile.

“This bitch can be so savage when she wants to be, Jesus. Ouch. No, I’m just sayin’! This was what we chose to do, so quit complaining,” Akeria rolled her eyes, leaned back in her chair and stretched. “That being said…I do think I’ve earned a night out.”

“Well me fuckin’ too, bitch!” Silky exclaimed incredulously, Scarlet laughing in spite of herself.

“How much have you written, Silk?” she asked, the girl opposite looking down at her laptop, clicking a few times, then looking back up to the girls in front of her.

“You know what…it don’t matter how many words I’ve done, it’s the level of mental energy I have needed to use in order to-”

“Silky, how many words,” Akeria demanded, fixing her with a stare that looked as if it could slice her in half.

“Ninety-four.”

“Jesus Christ on a crystal meth binge,” Akeria sighed, Scarlet letting out a splutter beside her. Silky looked at them both pleadingly.

“Hey, now don’t make me feel bad! We only been in here-”

“An hour and a quarter,” Akeria stared at her.

Silky threw her hands up. “Well I been doing readings an’ shit! Do you know how hard it is to get any articles that have the exact quote ‘Boris Johnston is a piece of dog shit’? Fuckin’ hard!”

“Why the hell are you looking for that?” Akeria blurted out, unable to keep herself from laughing. Scarlet was laughing so hard she thought she would pass out.

“Because, bitch! I want to use that exact wording in my essay but I need some academic shit to back me up.”

“Fuck me.”

“To be fair, that is the worst,” Scarlet shrugged, not wanting Silky to feel too demoralised. “Searching for three hours to find one reference that can back up one of your points. Like, why can’t you just make the point because you want to? You know? Why is your opinion only valid if it’s been previously thought up by a white man in a suit?"

"Very profound,” Silky nodded emphatically. “Anyway, this bitch needs to get her drink on. I’m going to ask the girls."

As she watched Silky pick up her phone, Scarlet was reminded to check her own. She’d deliberately sat on it and put it on flight mode in an attempt to force herself to do work. Now, she felt as if she could excuse a small break. Turning off flight mode, she watched as a small flood of notifications came through. There had been fifteen new group chat messages, Nina had tagged them all in a meme, and she had two messages from Yvie. She checked the latter first, wondering if she would ever get tired of the feeling of her heart soaring like a balloon every time she saw, heard or spoke Yvie’s name.

Y: if i told u i was considering buying a set of faux-leather underwear would that be weird or a turn-on

Y: also that lasagne is even better on the second day u need to have some of it when ur round

S: Sorry this took me so long!!!!!! I turned my phone on flight mode in an attempt to get some work done

S: No such luck

S: Leather look underwear is a yes from me but i’m inclined to ask for pics first xoxoxoxoxo

S: Also yes i want lasagne

S: That’s not a euphemism btw i actually really do want some lasagne

Y: 😈

As Scarlet gave a soft laugh to herself, she checked what had been going on on the group chat since she’d been studying. She wondered what exciting plans could have been made, or what drama could have happened, or if anyone had any exciting or interesting news.

Okay Then: oh my god

Kim Kardashian-West: ??????

Okay Then: has anyone seen the state of Simon Cowell’s face

Scarlet gave a colossal roll of her eyes. She should have known that, at times, the groupchat could become one massive shitpost.

Kim Kardashian-West: No??? What’s he done to it?? Has he been in a crash?

Okay Then: he might as fucking well have been

What followed was a picture of what seemed to be a man whose face had been partially melted with a blowtorch, until Scarlet looked closer and realised that it was indeed the TV talent show judge.

mose: Jesus Fucking Christ what’s he done to himself

Scarlet’s bitch: that’s frightening

Okay Then: RIGHT???

Scarlet’s bitch: that’s what i see in the corner of my room when i have sleep paralysis

Kim Kardashian-West: That is TRULY the stuff of nightmares!!!!

Brooke’s Ford Transit Vanjie: Fucking hell Plastique don’t fucking frighten us like that!!!

mose: He must surely see that he looks like shit? Like how could you not?

Okay Then: how can he see anything when his eyebrows are now entirely obscuring his eyes

Kim Kardashian-West: I am actually quite frightened guys

At this point, Scarlet caught up to the current conversation.

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: AS TERRIFYING AS SIMON COWELL’S FACE IS

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: CAN WE TALK BUSINESS FOR A SECOND?

Kim Kardashian-West: Of course!

mose: I’m all business

Brooke’s Ford Transit Vanjie: Sure you are baby xxxxxxx

Scarlet’s Bitch: that is fucking vile keep that shit off the groupchat u big gays

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: YA FAV BITCHES ARE IN THE LIBRARY AND WE ARE GAGGING FOR A NIGHT OUT

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: WE AIN’T HAD ONE IN AGES

Okay Then: yaaaaaaaaaas bitches let’s do it

Okay Then: thursday night fever

Kim Kardashian-West: Well Monet invited me to this flat party she’s hosting tonight

Kim Kardashian-West: I could ask her if you guys could come too?

Brooke’s Ford Transit Vanjie: Omg yes I’m down!

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: YES BITCH FLAT PARTY!!!!

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: AND IF SHE SAYS NO JUST SAY SHE AIN’T GETTIN ANY PUSS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE

Kim Kardashian-West: SILKY!!!!!!!! THAT IS DISGUSTING!!!

Yvie’s Bitch: We were all thinking it xoxo

Brooke’s Ford Transit Vanjie: AHAHAHAHAHA SILK

Okay Then: YES Scarlet

Kim Kardashian-West: You’re all horrible. And uninvited.

mose: Ninaaaaaa

Okay Then: Nina pls

Scarlet’s Bitch: fuck i’m not even sure i can do tonight ladies

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: YVIE DONT YOU DARE

Scarlet’s Bitch: i’ve got a 9am tomorrow and i want to get that first u know

mose: Yvieeee the last time we were all together was literally over a month ago

Scarlet pouted to herself, disappointed at the thought of Yvie being the only one not out. Suddenly, an idea began to form in her head. Biting back a smile, she took to her chat with Yvie.

S: Yvieeeee

Y: Scarleeeeet

S: Please come to the flat party :(((((((

S: I’ll do anything you want

Y: anything i want?

S: Yesssss

Y: that sounds like a challenge princess

Scarlet crossed her legs and felt herself squeezing her thighs together. Looking around at the rows of silent people, she turned her phone brightness down to make extra sure nobody could see her messages, just in case the conversation turned the way Scarlet thought it was about to.

S: Well it depends on what you want me to do x

Y: wellllll

Y: i’ve been wondering if u can take a strap like a good girl

Scarlet felt briefly as if she’d been shocked by a defibrillator. Yvie always seemed to go from 0 to 100 real fucking quick, and Scarlet couldn’t help but love it.

S: You know I could baby

Y: i know you could, you’re such a good girl

Y: so how about if i come to this party i get to watch u bounce on my dick until u cum all over it

Scarlet could feel her face growing red. She and Yvie had messaged like this before, when they had been at home and miles away from each other and alone and very much not-in-a-public-place, but this was so fucking different.

S: Christ Yves I’m in the library!!!!

Y: shut up u started all this!!

S: Yeah I kinda did

Y: deliberately getting me to tell u what i want to do to u later when ur sitting in public in a fucking silent building

Y: jesus fucking christ Scarlet that’s so hot

Scarlet felt an urgent pulse of heat between her legs and she squirmed in her seat.

S: Where are you just now?

Y: i’m in bed

Y: touching myself at the thought of u sitting absolutely soaking wet and being able to do fuck all about it

S: So you’re coming to the party baby?

Y: how about

Y: if u can get to the flat before i cum i’ll fuck u into the mattress and i’ll come to this party or whatever

Scarlet nearly jammed her fingers in her laptop in her haste to get it shut, wrenched her charger out of its socket so hard it almost broke, and muttered a near-breathless goodbye to a confused Akeria and Silky all in the space of about twenty seconds as she struggled into her coat and sped out into the stairwell.

Five hours later Scarlet had managed to fit a lot in. She’d hurried round to Yvie’s to find her in bed in the black lace underwear she knew drove Scarlet crazy, and they’d fucked twice (fast, rough and passionate then sweet, tender and gentle) before Scarlet had reluctantly dragged herself out of Yvie’s bed to head back to her own flat and get ready for the party. Nobody seemed to know what the dress code was, least of all Nina who had sent about nine different outfit options to the group chat for opinions, so Scarlet settled on a tight black bandage dress that stopped at her calves, with trainers to dress it down a bit. She’d hurriedly munched down a bowl of pasta a la whatever-was-left-in-the-fridge, then set off across town to meet the girls at the edge of the park, where they had decided they would all meet then walk together to Monet’s flat.

Scarlet heard her friends before she saw them, Vanjie’s distinctive laugh ricocheting off trees and mixing with Yvie’s Bond-villan one letting Scarlet know she was heading in the right direction. Finally reaching the group, Scarlet gave them all a hug in turn and took in each of their outfits. It was still icy and cold, so most of them had opted for trainers over heels- save for Plastique, who always wore them for any night out and Vanjie, who was wearing chunky heeled boots. Much of their clothes clashed with the weather, though. Plastique and Akeria were in tight dresses, Brooke and Silky were in short skirts and tops. Vanjie had chosen some loose-fitting ripped denim jeans and a tiny bodysuit which left little to the imagination. Nina had gone for a light blue t-shirt dress and a chunky pair of trainers, her nerves palpable even in the group dynamic. Scarlet thought Yvie looked the best though in her burnt orange velvet skirt and tight black long-sleeved bodysuit, her unruly hair tamed and brushed into two huge bunches.

"You look nice, Nina!” Scarlet complimented her in an attempt to calm her down.

“Aww, Scarlet! Do I actually?” Nina smiled brightly, then cringed at herself. “Fuck! Why can’t I just take a fucking compliment like a goddamn normal person? I do this with Monet all the time!”

“Because you got a big-ass crush,” Silky shrugged. “It’s almost as big as Akeria’s ass. Not quite, though.”

“Shut up,” Akeria rolled her eyes and shoved her friend.

“Does it even count as a crush if you’re seeing the person in question?” Scarlet wondered out loud. Plastique shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

“Don’t know. Ask Brooke or Vanjie.”

The group exploded into laughter, something about it not quite meeting Brooke or Vanessa’s eyes. They were both standing close together, hands entwined, but Scarlet didn’t know. There seemed as if there was something off. Forced, even.

“Okay, let’s go, motherfuckers. I’m freezing my vagina off,” Vanjie said decisively, Nina moving first and making to lead the way.

“Right, a few things before we arrive,” Nina began speaking at a mile a minute before Scarlet could even compliment Yvie on her outfit. “Monet has somehow got it into her head that you guys are cool enough to be invited to this party. She doesn’t know the truth yet, so just try to act like a group of normal fucking human beings?”

“The truth? What the hell is that meant to mean?!” Brooke let out a laugh.

“That you’re all fucking weirdos! And she, for some reason, still likes me, so I am not having you all put that in jeopardy, capiche?” Nina snapped back, only half-joking.

“Jeez, thanks,” Akeria rolled her eyes, Nina instantly protesting.

“I’m joking! I’m joking. But not really. Like Silk, please try not to overdo it tonight?”

Silky raised her eyebrows and sucked her cheeks in. “I’m making no promises, girl.”

“Akeria, please don’t accidentally make out with anyone’s boyfriends?”

“Oh my God Nina! That happened ONCE!” Akeria cried out incredulously.

“And Vanjie, don’t-”

“Nina. We’re not going to embarrass you. Chill the fuck out,” Yvie rolled her eyes and squeezed the shoulder of the girl in front of her.

The girls all finally reached Monet’s old, red-brick building and her front door, and Nina pressed the buzzer nervously. There came a crackly screech of mayhem through the intercom which contained unintelligible speech, and then the girls were all quickly buzzed in. Scarlet looked to Yvie questioningly as she wondered if she’d heard any words, but she also appeared to be as clueless as she was. It didn’t seem to faze any of the other girls though, as Vanjie was already bounding up the stairs with Akeria as fast as her chunky heels could carry her. They didn’t have to walk far, as Monet’s flat was on the first floor. Vanjie moved to open the door first when it was suddenly wrenched open from the other side to reveal a tiny, skinny blonde girl with her hair curled and loose on her shoulders. Her pink dress was as tiny as she was, but regardless of her size she looked ready to fight.

“Who the fuck are you?” she addressed Akeria, barely acknowledging the others. “You here to sell us girl scout cookies, or an Avon catalogue, check our meter readings maybe?"

Just as Akeria looked as if she would instigate a full-scale fight, Nina poked her head out from behind Brooke’s tall frame. "Cracker, don’t be a dick!”

The girl’s face immediately relaxed into a wide, shameless smile. “Nina! Oh my God, you bitch, I never saw you! Come in, God!”

Akeria still bristling and Vanjie not too dissimilar, the girls all trooped into the flat which immediately struck Scarlet as something out of an American teen Netflix special. The hall was dark with the occasional string of fairy lights, and was packed full of people. Scarlet instinctively reached for Yvie’s hand in the crowd and got a squeeze back without even having to look at her. Nina and the girl, Cracker apparently, led them through to a huge bedroom which had obviously once been a living room but had been repurposed by a money-hungry landlord. The room was quieter but still had its fair share of people dotted about in amongst the Morrocan market wall-coverings, tiny elephant incense stick holders, and swathes of printed photos and posters that covered the walls like tiles. A huge bed sat to one side where Monet sat sprawled out with her shoes kicked off, chatting to a black girl with a huge afro that otherwise looked so identical to her Scarlet assumed they must be sisters. Cracker flung herself down on top of the mattress and joined them, gesturing vaguely to the girls.

“Neens!!” Monet suddenly squealed as she looked up, throwing her arms out as Nina launched herself half on the bed and half on top of her. Monet continued, muffled, as the rest of the girls awkwardly lingered. “I’m so happy you came, oh my God, this is so amazing!”

“I brought everyone too. Is that still okay? They can leave if not,” Nina instantly reeled off, Brooke bellowing out a laugh. Monet’s face lit up.

“Oh my God of course not! Brooke! Scarlet! Yvie!! Oh my God, come and hug me,” Monet beamed, her intoxication showing ever so slightly as Brooke graciously leaned down and hugged the other girl them got instantly pulled onto the bed. Monet gestured for everyone to come closer. “Guys! It’s so good to see you all, thanks so much for coming! There’s, like. Endless booze in the kitchen. Feel free to just drink us out of house and home.”

Silky’s face lit up and she immediately grabbed Akeria and Plastique, making to drag them through. “Vanj, you comin’?”

“Get me something? I'mma stay here with my girl,” Vanessa shouted back, giving a smile back to Brooke but finding the other girl looking down at her phone instead. Scarlet frowned involuntarily and then was suddenly distracted by a squeeze of her hand from Yvie (who still hadn’t let go).

“I’m going to go make sure Silky doesn’t give herself alcohol poisoning. You want me to bring you back a drink?” she offered, Scarlet unable to help the smile that spread across her face.

“You’re a sweetheart. Surprise me.”

“A pint glass of tequila it is,” Yvie deadpanned as she walked away, too quick for Scarlet’s hand that swatted at her in response. Scarlet tuned into the conversation that the girls were all having on the bed. It was big, but it was still a bed in a student flat, and so Brooke had her elbows resting on the mattress and her lower body on the floor and Scarlet had had to squeeze up to make room for Vanjie to sit beside her.

“She was guarding the place like fort fuckin’ knox,” Vanessa was saying, a playful side eye being cast to the blonde girl, who let out a laugh.

“You’re an animal,” Monet’s potential sister rolled her eyes. “A living guard dog. We should put a collar on you. One of those ones with spikes.”

“Nah. That’s only reserved for people who want to fuck me. Do you want to fuck me, Bob?” the girl asked easily, before taking a swig of the cider bottle she was holding. Monet hooted a laugh and the other girl didn’t even break her expression.

“I wouldn’t eat your pussy if it was made of chocolate fuckin’ fudge cake. Get the fuck out,” she retorted, Nina looking up at them all from her position on Monet’s tummy.

“Is that not that Lana Del Ray lyric? My pussy tastes like chocolate fudge cake…”

Scarlet let out a laugh that was more like a scream, the others on the bed doing much the same thing. Monet wiped her eyes and took in a deep breath.

“Oh my God, okay. For those of you that haven’t met before- this is Cracker and Bob. Two out of the three girls I have the blessing or curse of living with, I haven’t figured out yet,” she gestured to the two girls in turn and then turned to Scarlet. “And this is Scarlet, Vanjie and Brooke Lynn. They’re Nina’s friends, so they’re obviously amazing.”

“Nina could throw up on your bed and you’d say it was amazing,” Cracker looked pointedly at Monet. Monet shrugged and threw her arms around Nina.

“And what?"

"Nice to meet you guys. Are you two sisters?” Scarlet asked, curiosity getting the better of her as she pointed between Bob and Monet. Monet laughed and Bob rolled her eyes.

“Are you saying that all black people look the same?” Bob asked her with a piercing stare, Scarlet’s entire stomach dropping at the thought of having offended her.

“Oh my God, no! No no no, I just thought-”

“She’s kidding, Scarlet. Being a dick, as usual,” Monet cut off Scarlet’s frantic protests and immediately calming her down. “No, we’re not related. We just look spookily alike.”

“You fuckin’ wish you looked even a tenth as good as me. Hey, where the fuck is Monique?” Bob asked suddenly, both Cracker and Monet shrugging.

“Flatmate number four,” Monet quickly cut in to explain.

“Away making some chaotic cocktail, probably,” Cracker shrugged. Bob gave another roll of her eyes, then turned and smiled at Brooke, Scarlet and Vanessa.

“Nice to meet you anyway. Are you all flatmates too?” Bob asked politely, ignoring the position of the slit on her long skirt as she crossed her legs.

“Not us three exactly. Brooke lives with Nina and Yvie, that’s my girlfriend,” Scarlet explained, her stomach full of fizzy fireworks at being able to say that for real. “Vanj lives with Silky and Akeria over on Antigua Road.”

“They’re the best hoes in the world. They’re through in the other room getting drunk, but you’d love them,” Vanjie cut in. Cracker let out a laugh.

“Oh yeah, shit. Sorry I was so mean to you.”

Vanessa smiled easily, the free alcohol that the flatmates were providing clearly making up for any perceived slight. “Don’ worry about it, girl. We’d probably do the same if some hoes we didn’t know turned up at our party.”

“What about you, Scarlet?” Bob asked politely, instantly seeming far less intimidating.

“I’m over on the South Side. Kinda far out. I found this girl on SpareRooms to live with, but she’s a bit of a dick,” Scarlet explained awkwardly. Cracker leaned in, her eyes shining excitedly.

“What’s her name?”

“Fuck, I don’t want to say in case any of you are friends with her!” Scarlet laughed, but no protestations came. She lowered her voice as she continued. “It’s Ra'Jah? Ra'Jah O'Hara?”

“Oh, FUCK!” Bob cried out, holding onto Cracker for support as she almost fell off the bed. “I know who that is! She’s in my Econ tutorials! Oh my God, she’s an actual fucking moron. I had a group project with her once and she did literally nothing but talk about drugs and bitch about people on our course.”

As Scarlet was about to launch into how horrifically messy a flatmate she was, Yvie came back from the kitchen with two bottles of beer and a tall black girl with a shock of lilac hair swept up into a ponytail and a matching straight fringe. She was wearing a black pair of jeans and a tiny black cropped t shirt which showed off her many tattoos, and in her hand looked to be an elaborate mojito-style concoction.

“I made a friend!” she cried, before slumping herself down beside Vanjie, Scarlet growing ever more squashed up against the bedpost.

“Oh, the wanderer returns,” Cracker deadpanned. “What did you make?”

“Margarita mojito,” the girl shrugged, sipping her drink to punctuate her sentence. “It’s basically a mojito with a big-ass shot of tequila in it. Guys, this is Yvie! She’s Nina’s friend!”

“Oh, you’re Scarlet’s girlfriend!” Bob smiled at her in recognition, Yvie clambering into a tiny space on the middle of the bed, handing one of the beers to Scarlet, and casting her a look through narrowed eyes.

“What have you been saying about me, bitch?” Yvie smiled playfully, the look she was fixing her causing a sudden flash of heat to strike between Scarlet’s legs.

“All good things, baby,” Scarlet smiled innocently, Yvie relaxing and leaning back against Scarlet’s chest.

“This is Bob and Cracker. They’re my other flatmates. You’ve already met Monique, then?” Monet introduced the girls to Yvie.

“Yeah, we bonded over watching Akeria flirt with people. The bitch is a fucking mastermind. She walked into the kitchen and had a guy talking to her within, like, one minute.”

“Introduce me, introduce me!” Monique bounced on the mattress excitedly. Vanjie came dangerously close to falling off the bed and Monique quickly noticed, reaching a hand out to her and pulling her up with it. “Shit, sorry girl!”

Scarlet watched as Vanessa swept some hair out of her face and cast a quick appreciative glance to Monique’s toned arm. “Holy mother of Jesus, I gotta start goin’ to the gym.”

Monique let out a bark of a laugh. Cracker caught her other arm and held it steady, the tequila/rum combo threatening to fly out of its glass.

“Brooke, Scarlet and Vanjie, meet Monique.

Monique, this is Brooke, Scarlet and Vanjie,” Cracker pointed to each of them in turn, finishing with Vanjie who still seemed to be casting her eyes over Monique.

“Well, Vanessa. But these girls call me Vanjie. Or Vanj. You choose, really,” Vanjie explained to Monique, the girl’s ponytail swishing as she cocked her head.

“You ever get called baby?” she asked, feigning innocence. Scarlet couldn’t help her eyes shooting wide and her brain almost went into meltdown trying to register everyone’s expressions at once. Vanjie was laughing, but her face had flushed pink, clearly flattered. Cracker was screeching a laugh, Bob looked long-suffering. Nina and Monet were looking at each other urgently, and Brooke was properly looking at Vanessa with interest for the first time since they all sat down on the bed. Scarlet couldn’t see Yvie’s face, but she’d felt her tense up, and she couldn’t blame her.

“Yeah. By Brooke Lynn over there,” Vanessa finally said through her laughter, Monique not seeming fazed as she cast a glance to Brooke, who was smiling patiently but inwardly seething if the red tips of her ears were anything to go by.

“Oh, sorry girl! I didn’t know she was taken,” Monique laughed pleasantly.

“Yeah, we’re a thing,” Brooke opened her mouth, breaking her silence. Vanessa was smiling at her from across the bed, and Brooke met her eyes and smiled back.

“A thing?” Monique let out a short laugh, spilling a little of her drink. “A thing is, like, a noun. Not a relationship.”

“Technically a girlfriend is a noun too. Thing, place, person,” Nina piped up, presumably in an attempt to diffuse the increasingly awkward vibe.

“Are you a primary teacher, Nina?!” Cracker asked, clutching her chest in faux-surprise. Nina sighed.

“If I could reach a pillow, I’d thump you."

"Monet, you hearing this? Your girlfriend is practically chatting me up,” Cracker laughed, then stopped suddenly as her face became a mix of horrified and regretful, Bob giving her a not-so-subtle thump on the arm. In lieu of gauging Monet and Nina’s facial expressions, Scarlet whispered her thoughts to Yvie.

“When the hell are they actually going to become official? It’s been ages!” she hissed into her ear, Yvie craning her head round to reply.

“Nina would have to be on a cocktail mixer of cocaine, Es and alcohol to gain even half the confidence it would take her to ask Monet, so she’s waiting on Monet to do it for her. The thing is, I think Monet’s not as confident as we all like to think either. Maybe sometimes Nina’s panic can present itself as disinterest.”

“So Monet’s maybe waiting until she knows where she stands with her?” Scarlet nodded in realisation.

Yvie sipped her drink and took Scarlet’s hand, tracing round her fingers absent-mindedly. “I think so. I mean, we all know Nina’s absolutely ass-over-tit in love with her because we’re her friends, but she’s not going to let that show to Monet until she’s ready.”

Scarlet watched as Yvie played with a large turquoise ring on her finger. Her brow was furrowed as she thought about the situation, and Scarlet’s heart felt like an enormous water balloon- incredibly fragile and full and feeling as if it was about to burst. She thought back to Yvie’s words on Christmas dinner night, the ones she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about since she’d said them.

Suddenly, she was pulled out of her thoughts by a screech from Vanjie, who was looking at Monique with enrapture as she told a story. Admittedly, most of the other girls were looking at her too, but Scarlet didn’t miss the sparkle in Vanjie’s eyes as she listened.

“And there it was, I swear by almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit…a whole baggie of weed, in the bin, covered in Cracker’s vomit.”

It was an odd moment for Scarlet to tune into the story but judging by the roar the girls on the bed gave, it seemed to be over. Vanjie had doubled over laughing and was clinging to Monique’s arm for support, the girl in question smiling down at her as if her reaction was the only one that mattered. Scarlet frowned and leaned into Yvie once more.

“Hey. What the hell is the deal with Brooke and Vanjie?” she whispered, making sure to keep her voice extra low. She instantly felt Yvie tense up in her lap.

“What do you mean? They seem fine to me?” Yvie murmured back. Luckily for Scarlet, she knew that Yvie lied so rarely that it was easy to spot when she was telling one.

“You know something. What is it?” Scarlet hissed urgently in Yvie’s ear. Hearing her give a big sigh, Yvie shifted and then rose on the bed.

“Me and Scarlet are just getting another drink, save our seats,” Yvie announced to the circle, receiving a cheer from Nina.

“Enjoy your sex!” she cried after them, and Scarlet, confused, simply followed Yvie to another room. The hall was quieter now, but the same could not be said of the kitchen, where as they walked in they saw Silky, Akeria and Plastique ringleading a game of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Ignoring their friends, Yvie turned to Scarlet urgently, concern covering her face.

“Okay, Brooke told me this in confidence but you’re my girlfriend so I kind of can’t really keep anything from you, right?” she began, Scarlet nodding quickly and desperate to hear what Yvie knew. “But you CAN’T tell anyone about this, babe. Honestly, it needs to stay between us. Do you promise?”

“I promise,” Scarlet said instantly, her mind in overdrive. Yvie pulled a pained face for a moment, seemingly incredibly conflicted, and then looked to the floor.

“Brooke is having second thoughts about being with Vanjie.”

Scarlet’s face dropped. “What?!”

“Brooke told me that she felt everything was getting too intense, and that Vanj wanted more than Brooke felt she could give her. She’s sticking it out to see if it’s just a blip, but…yeah. Now you know why they’ve both been so weird,” Yvie explained, biting her lip and looking at Scarlet with concern.

Scarlet didn’t know what to think. It all made so much sense, the oddly distant vibes between them both, the strained atmosphere, Vanjie flirting with Monique. Suddenly, a thought occurred to Scarlet. “Does Vanessa know?”

Yvie rolled her eyes. “Yes absolutely, Scarlet, Vanjie is very happy staying with someone who isn’t even sure if she wants things to go further with her, Brooke’s told her everything!"

Scarlet’s mind seemed to fuse. "She needs to know.”

Yvie’s expression dropped. “Oh my fucking Christ, you literally just promised not to tell anyone.”

“Well I didn’t know what it was you were going to tell me! I mean shit, Yvie, imagine that was me and you and I was having second thoughts! Would you want to be kept in the dark?”

Yvie bit her lip and looked to the floor. Scarlet gave a snort. “Exactly, bitch. I’m going to go find her right now-”

“Scarlet, please,” Yvie stopped her quickly, reaching out and grabbing her hand. “Brooke would be fuckin’ raging at me. I told you this shit in confidence. I know it’s hard because you’re close with Vanjie, but can you please…I mean hold off at least. If she asks you about it then, fine. You can tell her. But don’t run through there just now.”

Scarlet’s head felt as if it was a mess. She tapped her foot against the linoleum floor. “Who’s she told?”

“Just me,” Yvie said sincerely, looking into Scarlet’s eyes. “Nina doesn’t know. It’s just us.”

Scarlet rolled her eyes. “Fine. But I’m pinning all the fucking blame on you if she finds out I know, you know that?”

Yvie nodded understandingly. Scarlet let out a big sigh. The silence between them hung heavy in the air, at odds with the party happening around them. Suddenly, Plastique tottered into their line of vision, her eyes glazed and drunk.

“Oh my God guys! I haven’t seen you like all night! Selfie!!” she cried, sticking her phone in the air. Scarlet felt herself smile weakly but luckily the photo seemed to be too blurry for anyone to notice. Plastique immediately walked off again.

“Okay bye, nice seeing you,” Yvie deadpanned after her. Scarlet pressed her lips together to stop a laugh escaping them. Yvie caught her eye and snorted, and Scarlet couldn’t help but let out the laugh she’d been holding in. The tension had been diffused by a drunk Plastique, and Scarlet was relieved. She ran her hand down Yvie’s arm and squeezed her hand.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry. I should’ve just kept the fucking secret,” Yvie sighed, lacing her fingers through Scarlet’s own. She smiled at Scarlet, showing the little gap in her teeth, and Scarlet felt her heart jump. “Hey, I kind of want to go get chips, cheese and gravy and then head back to the flat and watch the Scooby Doo movie. You down?”

Scarlet smiled. She was kind of over the party. She’d been so eager for a night out, but all she wanted right now was a night in with her girlfriend. “Sounds amazing. Let’s go.”

The two headed back through to the bedroom to grab their jackets and say goodbye to the rest of the girls. Notably absent from the room were Brooke and Vanessa, and Scarlet was about to mention this to Yvie when they walked back out into the hall and spotted a tall, blonde girl and a small brunette kissing furiously in a darker, quieter corner. As Yvie opened the front door, she turned to Scarlet.

“I feel like they won’t be far behind us. Brooke must have sorted her shit out, then.”

As Scarlet grabbed one last look at the two girls against the wall, she desperately hoped Yvie was right.

[artificialqueens]

Not Nineteen Forever (6) (Branjie/Scyvie)- Ortega

a/n: short a/n today bc there’s very little else that needs to be said apart from as always, love yees all, i am officially on holiday so keep ur eyes out for much much more of this!!!

Summary: Brooke, Yvie and Nina are three flatmates who forged a friendship in their first year of university and picked up some other waifs and strays along the way. Now in their final year, there are feelings that need to be unravelled and confessions to be made whilst navigating drunk nights, hungover mornings, takeaways, group chats, library meetups, cafe gossiping, and the small matter of getting a degree.

Last chapter: Yvie’s 20th lazerquest visit saw her and Scarlet make amends and Brooke and Vanessa make out.

This chapter: Scarlet has finally flown too close to the sun. But maybe something good can come of it.

***

Scarlet sat on her bed, swamped with clothes, coats, shoes, clutch bags and a whole host of other accessories.

She had absolutely fucked it.

Trying to keep her breathing steady, tears stung her eyes as she looked down and read her banking app again.

£346.59.

How could it have been possible to completely piss away nearly five thousand pounds in the space of a month? Scarlet had tried to work it out, torturing herself as she pored over her bank statement again and again, but she couldn’t come up with anything new. She was a dumb idiot airhead who didn’t know how to be financially responsible, who wasn’t ready for any form of adult life.

She’d tipped out all her new purchases onto her bed in a state of panic, although what she’d been hoping to achieve she wasn’t sure. Now she was surrounded by things. They’d all brought her so much happiness in the moment but now it seemed as if they were the cause of all her problems.

Actually, no, she harshly berated herself as she let out a sob. She was the cause of all her problems. She’d lost practically all her winnings, she’d damaged things with Yvie and was only just working on getting them back to how they were, and she knew she’d isolated herself from the girls. Well, more so than usual. She knew that all of them had been told about what happened on that night out with just the four of them and even though they all acted fine with her at Yvie’s birthday, Scarlet couldn’t bear to think about what they must have thought of her. If it hadn’t been for the fact it was Yvie’s birthday she probably wouldn’t even have been invited.

Scarlet’s heart wrenched when she thought about her and Yvie, how she’d gone from realising her crush on her to being optimistic enough to think something might happen between them, to seeing it all coming crashing down and having to rebuild it. Yvie had been so sweet on her birthday and Scarlet could tell she was making an effort with her to repair things, the other girl clearly regretting how she’d behaved too. They had arranged to meet for coffee at some point today to just catch up- to hang out like they used to, without alcohol or drugs or Scarlet paying for anything. Not that that was an option any more. Sniffing, Scarlet checked her phone and her heart dropped when she saw two messages from Yvie. Frozen, she looked at the time.

Shit.

Scarlet had lost herself in her panic and anxiety-fuelled breakdown that she hadn’t noticed how long she’d been lying on her bed for. Yvie had been waiting at the coffee shop for ten minutes already and it was a twenty minute walk from Scarlet’s flat. Reading the messages, Scarlet couldn’t even bring herself to reply. Now she’d made things even worse, Yvie probably hated her again for standing her up, and she’d probably be cut out of the friendship group. As Scarlet felt the tears run down her face, she caught a glimpse of herself in the huge mirror opposite her bed. Her lashes were all stuck together, the length of the extensions rendering them spidery and ridiculous-looking. Her cheeks were blotchy and her nose was bright red, embarrassing streams of mucus covering her upper lip. She’d been crying for so long that her eyelids were swollen up. The one thing Scarlet always thought she could rely on- her appearance- was lost in the moment, and it made her feel even worse.

Closing her eyes, she threw herself back on the bed, reaching under a huge leather jacket for her teddy and holding it close. Breathing in deeply and fighting a hiccup, she wished she was home. Her family cottage in the country, her Mum and Mam and her terrier, Yorkie. That feeling of freedom and complete peace she would get when she took him for walks through endless fields and windy country roads, feeling the wind whip at her hair and the cold thrash at her skin. Being able to pick berries and take them home and make jam with them like some ridiculous fucking Enid Blyton character. Scarlet had complained endlessly about country living when she’d been at school, clamouring to move to a big city of some sort for uni. It had all definitely been a culture shock but she’d loved every minute of it, the feeling of always having something to do or somewhere to go. Now, Scarlet found herself yearning to go home, maybe just even for the weekend. Home being at the other end of the country rather than the four walls around her never got any easier. Her Mum had texted her the other day, eager for an update and missing her in a message peppered with kisses and heart emojis. Scarlet hadn’t been able to bring herself to tell her anything, giving a generic, standard response in reply.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Scarlet felt herself fall into a tear-induced drowsy nap.

She woke however many minutes later- Scarlet hadn’t known what time she’d fallen asleep nor when she’d woken up- to the heavy click of her bedroom door opening and voices outside. Startled, Scarlet heard a familiar voice muttering a thanks and was mortified to see who appeared moments later.

Of course it was Yvie, and she looked fucking beautiful. Her hair was its usual tidy untidiness of black curls and waves sticking out all over the place, her makeup was pristine as usual, but her outfit was different. It was one Scarlet hadn’t seen before hiding under Yvie’s huge knee-length parka- a short leather skater skirt with ripped tights and a black ribbed tank top with a plaid shirt tied around her middle in a tight knot. Scarlet’s stomach dropped. This was a new outfit. Yvie had made an effort for their meeting. Oh no.

So much was going on in Scarlet’s mind that she barely registered Yvie’s face. She’d assumed that she would be the picture of complete rage, appearing at Scarlet’s flat to berate her about standing her up, but the other girl looked completely horrified. Scarlet didn’t trust herself to speak and it was Yvie who opened her mouth first.

“What…has happened here?” she asked slowly, her voice level. Scarlet couldn’t pinpoint what it was but suddenly her face was crumpling again, her heart not even able to react as Yvie’s face grew more concerned and she rushed forward to join her on her bed, wrapping her arms around her in a huge hug. Scarlet hadn’t felt so safe in a long time. She felt herself gulping for air as she babbled in the other girl’s arms.

“Yvie I’m so sorry…I totally lost track of time, I was doing stuff and I didn’t see the clock…please don’t hate me, fuck, I don’t want to lose you, please-”

“Hey, hey, bitch!” Yvie said gently, pulling away and resting her hands on Scarlet’s shoulders. Scarlet found herself being anchored to Yvie’s eyes and they were so calm and deep and dark that Scarlet felt this inexplicable feeling of falling wash over her. As she stared, Yvie continued to speak. “You’re not going to lose me, you’re never going to lose me. I could never hate you. Where is all this coming from?”

Scarlet frowned. “When we all went on that night out…you said-”

“Fuck, no, Scarlet, that was a load of shit. I was drunk and I was angry and I said things I didn’t mean. I said things I did, but I said things I didn’t too. You’re always going to be my friend, no matter what happens. I love you too much to lose that.”

Scarlet felt as if it was physically impossible for her to cry more. She was exhausted, and she gave a small laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Sighing, she blinked heavily. “I love you too."

As Yvie smiled at her and opened her arms out again for a hug, Scarlet found herself wondering if they would ever say it to each other and have it mean more than what it meant now. She wanted to believe that they would. Her heart gave a small judder as she was sure she felt Yvie press a kiss to her hair.

"What is all this shit doing here, then?” came Yvie’s voice, and Scarlet gave a sigh that her whole body seemed to feel. She couldn’t keep this all bottled up forever.

“I won on a scratchcard just under a month ago. Just after Vanjie’s birthday night. I got five thousand from it and I’ve just completely pissed it away,” she said, her voice monotone and emotionless, trying to detach herself from the situation. Yvie stroked her back in circles supportively. Scarlet heard her give a laugh.

“Shit, girl,” she said calmly, Scarlet letting out a small, humourless laugh with her. “So this is why you’ve been acting like an own-brand Paris Hilton?”

“Pretty much. I had wanted to put some of it in my savings account but I just never got round to it…I liked treating everyone. I liked treating myself, you know? I never have anything, you know how hard I’ve been finding it to get a job…I just wanted everyone to like me.”

Scarlet felt her body fall forward as Yvie pulled away from her again and frowned. “Scarlet. Everyone does like you.”

Scarlet made a face. “No but…properly like me, you know? Everyone just puts up with me because I’m your friend and if it wasn’t for you they probably wouldn’t hang out with me.”

Yvie let out a laugh and threw her head back. “Scarlet, oh my God! Nobody thinks that! Vanjie loves you, she’s always saying how sweet you are to everyone. Plastique is always so happy when you come to things. Akeria thinks you’re hilarious- in a good way! Nina values you so much-”

“Nina could find the good in Piers Morgan, Yvie, come on,” Scarlet muttered, picking at her duvet cover.

“Well she still loves you! I know that Brooke can be mean sometimes but she’s like that to us all, speaks first, thinks later. I mean look at the shit she says to Vanjie sometimes and she practically wants to fuckin’ wife the girl,” Yvie rolled her eyes, the sight making Scarlet laugh. “And Silky is…Silky’s Silky. If you’re not Vanjie or Akeria you’re always going to be the inferior friend so you might as well suck it up and deal with it.”

Scarlet gave a small laugh, shrugging in agreement. Her skin gave a tingle as Yvie reached out for her hand, linking their fingers together without hesitation.

“Scarlet. We all love you. You don’t need to buy us shit for us to be your friend. We love that you’re cheerful, we love that you’re funny, we love that you’re sweet, we love that you’re thoughtful, that you listen, that you’re beautiful-” Yvie said, faltering a little as if she’d said something she shouldn’t. “I mean, yeah. You get the point. Just promise me you won’t do any fucking cocaine any more.”

Scarlet laughed. “Fuck, no.”

Yvie smiled shyly and gave her hand a squeeze. Fuck, she was still holding it. “Good. I just know what it can do to people. And I like having you alive."

Scarlet returned her smile. She noticed they were sitting facing each other now, cross-legged with their knees touching. There wasn’t much distance between them. Looking back up at Yvie, she watched as the other girl looked away quickly as if she’d been caught.

"Uh, so…you never said why you have all these clothes out."

"Oh, right,” Scarlet looked down, embarrassed and disappointed for no apparent reason. “This is all the shit I bought. Some of it still has the tags on. I was looking for receipts but I don’t think I got very far. I was just panicking and crying. I’ve cried so much, I definitely look like shit.”

When Scarlet looked up, Yvie’s cheeks were pink and she’d pressed her lips together tightly. She was looking at Scarlet with hesitation. “You never look like shit."

"I have my moments,” Scarlet rolled her eyes, looking up to the ceiling then feeling her gaze being pulled back down as she felt Yvie reach out and take her other hand.

“No, you really don’t,” Yvie said quietly, with an intensity that shot up Scarlet’s spine. The room seemed to buzz, or maybe that was the blood roaring in Scarlet’s ears. It felt as if something was going to happen and Scarlet felt she was walking on a sheet of ice, so conscious of saying the wrong thing unless it cracked and she fell and froze.

She settled on a small smile. “You’re sweet.”

Yvie let out a breathy laugh, then looked down and then back up at Scarlet. She laughed quietly. “Fuck, what’s happening right now?”

“I don’t know,” Scarlet whispered through her own laughter, sure that Yvie could hear how loud her heart was beating.

“I really want to kiss you,” Yvie said almost inaudibly and fuck, shit, that was out in the open and Scarlet felt as if she was plummeting through the ice sheet even though nothing had gone wrong. She only left a second between Yvie’s words and her response, a hopeful but afraid little whisper in the silence of her room.

“Do it.”

Quickly, Yvie leant forward, swept a hand up to Scarlet’s cheek and met her lips with her own, Scarlet feeling herself melting into them. She felt her heart beating at the rate of a hummingbird’s wings and she was hardly able to breathe. She couldn’t believe this was happening at all and she hadn’t been the one to instigate it. Neither of them were drunk or high or on something. Fuck, Yvie liked her back.

Scarlet felt Yvie’s other hand come to rest on her knee as she pulled away, the other girl blushing more than Scarlet had ever seen her blush as long as she’d known her, and Scarlet couldn’t help but giggle. Yvie smiled back at her, the tips of her ears bright red. For a moment, neither of them spoke, Scarlet feeling simultaneously like a rabbit in the headlights and the car that was coming towards it. Yvie spoke first.

“So…that’s happened.”

Scarlet swallowed. Her mouth felt absolutely bone dry. She made a noise of agreement. Yvie let out a small, awkward laugh.

“What do we do now?”

Scarlet shrugged slowly, her face scrunching up as she was unable to tell if Yvie completely regretted everything or not. Yvie bit her lip and thought for a moment, then spoke slowly.

“Okay, I’m going to give us three options. Option one…we never talk about it again and pretend like it didn’t happen. Option two, we cut our losses and never see each other ever again. Or option three…” Yvie looked up at the ceiling and sighed. If Scarlet looked at Yvie’s wrist she could see her pulse racing. Without meeting Scarlet’s eyes, Yvie continued. “…I tell you about how I’ve fucking…liked you since I met you and how I’ve been too scared to ask you on a date for a year so we just ended up becoming friends.”

“Oh my God,” Scarlet’s mouth dropped open, complete shock drenching her. She couldn’t help but laugh, Yvie cringing and putting her head in her hands. “This is a dream. I’m dreaming, right? You’re not telling me this.”

“Fuck, Scarlet, I’m sorry-”

“Yvie, no, shut up!” Scarlet cried, pulling Yvie’s hands away from her face as she realised she’d got the wrong idea. “I’m saying that because I fucking like you as well!”

Scarlet had never seen Yvie look this level of surprised. Suddenly, a smile crept onto her face and she was laughing, complete belly-laughing with that ridiculous evil chuckle that Scarlet loved so much. Scarlet was soon joining in, lacing their fingers together and before she knew it, she had leant in and was kissing Yvie again. It felt equally as electric and terrifying and amazing the second time as it had the first.

“We could’ve been doing this for a year? Fuck, I wish I wasn’t such a fucking idiot,” Yvie hissed as she pulled away, Scarlet laughing.

“You’ve really liked me for that long?” she asked quietly, flattered and blushing.

“Well, yeah,” Yvie shrugged, embarrassed. “For someone who looks in the mirror so much you’re completely fucking oblivious to how stunning you are."

"Shut up,” Scarlet ran a hand through her hair and laughed, unable to deal with any of this. “Jesus. I only figured out I liked you like, a month ago. I don’t think you’re the idiot here.”

“Yeah, that is pretty dumb. I’m fuckin’ great.”

The two girls laughed again, still not having let go of each others’ hands. As the laughter died down, Yvie frowned and looked down.

“What is it?”

Yvie sighed. “I want to say something else but…nah, it’s fine.”

“Oh, you have to tell me now,” Scarlet rolled her eyes, Yvie making a face.

“No, it’s embarrassing! It’s going to make me seem like I’m still in school, fuck. It’s just…” Yvie paused for a long time, seemingly struggling to find the words. “Look, okay, this is what it is. I don’t want to do the whole…kiss each other sporadically, fuck each other, go on dates- no, that came out wrong, of course I want to take you on dates, of course I want to do all of that- what I mean is…I don’t want the whole uncertainty, not knowing how we feel about each other, not knowing where we are.”

Scarlet nodded once Yvie was finished. “I get that. I guess I don’t really want any of that either.”

“So what I’m basically saying is- and I know this is fucking ridiculous and feel free to say no-”

“Yvie, fucking out with it!”

Scarlet watched Yvie take a breath and hold it before she spoke. “Do you want to be my girlfriend?"

Scarlet couldn’t stop from breaking out into what she could swear was the biggest smile she’d ever had on her face. "Yes I want to be your girlfriend. So much.”

And before Yvie had a chance to smile back at her, Scarlet leant forward and pulled her into their third kiss of the day, just because she could.

From there, Yvie devised a plan of action for her. She helped Scarlet organise her clothes, punctuating the whole process with kisses. Then Yvie took her into town to take most of them back, Scarlet feeling completely weightless. Everything that had seemed to be going wrong was all a million miles away, and she was happy. When they were done, Yvie took her to a nice fancy bar in the posh part of town and ordered them two glasses of prosecco, clinking their glasses together. Scarlet laughed as Yvie made up ridiculous and increasingly cheesy things to cheers to, feeling drunk before she’d even taken a sip of the bubbles. As there was a lull in the silence, Scarlet suddenly had a thought.

“How are we going to tell the girls?”

Yvie rolled her eyes. “Oh my God, don’t. They’re going to be fucking insufferable.”

Scarlet pouted. “Aw, Yvie! They’ll be sweet!"

"No they fucking won’t, I will never hear the end of this from Brooke.”

“Vanjie is gonna be so pissed that we got together before she and Brooke did.”

Yvie narrowed her eyes. “I don’t think we did.”

Scarlet frowned. “What?”

“I don’t think we did get together before them. I think something’s happened between them already.”

Scarlet was intrigued. “How come?”

“Because,” Yvie cut herself off as she took a sip. “Do you not remember how she was at my birthday? Like she was fine all day then we had the last game and she came out acting like she’d been fucking tranquilised? Remember she walked straight into that little boy and knocked him to the ground and Nina had to run and hide because he goes to the school she’s teaching at?”

“Of course I remember that, Jesus.”

“And we were all talking when we went out for lunch and she hardly said a word and when she did talk it was like she was sleepwalking? Well, she’s been like that ever since. Totally tuned to the moon, I’ve not had a single peep out of her all week."

"How does that indicate something good, though? It sounds like something bad’s happened,” Scarlet furrowed her brow, Yvie’s eyes lighting up and leaning across the table to her in response.

“Well, that’s what I first thought too, and then I started noticing it. She is never off her damn phone. Like, markedly more than usual. And it’s not when the chat is active. Her thumbs are fucking flying across the screen and she’s smiling like the Cheshire cat. I asked her what she was smiling at the other day, you know what she told me? Twitter. Brooke doesn’t have Twitter. You do the maths, something’s happened,” Yvie grinned, taking a sip. Scarlet smiled gleefully, then pulled a face.

“Weird that she hasn’t told you, though.”

“Well yeah, I am kinda pissed about it. But I mean I guess she’ll tell us when she’s ready,” Yvie shrugged, Scarlet thinking it was the most calm response to something like that she’d ever seen Yvie give. “So how are we telling the girls?”

“Put it on the chat?”

Yvie screwed up her face. “Please. This is too good for the chat. I mean we could just tell them when we see them tonight?”

“What’s tonight?” Scarlet frowned, Yvie laughing in response.

“Girl. Did you just forget that it’s Halloween?” she chuckled. Scarlet genuinely had forgotten. She’d had so much going on in her own head.

“Fuck. I guess I did. What are we even doing?”

“Our flat was gonna host a movie night since Nina’s got placement and can’t go out. If you want you could come straight back after this,” Yvie pushed a cardboard coaster around the table with her finger and ran her tongue over her teeth. “And we could, I don’t know. Make out some more?"

Scarlet felt herself blush. It was still the most surreal of feelings. She’d liked Yvie for so long, although she hadn’t really figured it out til recently, and now she could actually kiss her and talk about how amazing in every way Scarlet though she was without having to keep it a secret. She smiled at Yvie from across the table and reached over to take her hand. "That sounds good. I like that plan. And maybe you can tell me more about this crush you’ve had on me for a year.”

Yvie burst out into a laugh, and Scarlet felt her smile hurt her cheeks. “Bitch, stop! Stop roasting me for liking you. Jesus.”

“No, but it’s just funny! Not funny ha ha, but just so cool that you must have been pining for me at the same time I was pining for you. Isn’t that crazy?” Scarlet mused, looking at Yvie with interest. Yvie chucked and squeezed her hand.

“Jeez, Scarlet, do you study philosophy at all?” she asked sarcastically, Scarlet wrenching her hand away and slapping at Yvie’s playfully. Yvie descended into giggles, Scarlet unsure if she’d ever seen the other girl smile so much and for such a sustained period of time. “Okay, okay, how about I tell you one and you tell me one? A time where we’ve…what was that word? Pined for each other."

Scarlet tried to stop the smile that spread across her face. "Okay, yeah. You start.”

“Okaay…” Yvie dragged out the word, thinking. “Um, I think I first realised I liked you at Vanjie’s birthday last year. You were wearing a red sparkly, glittery dress and your hair was all in chopstick curls and it hit me like a ton of bricks how fucking beautiful you were and I spent the whole night trying to work out how to flirt with you because at that point we were too far into the deep end as friends to even be anything else."

Scarlet felt her face hot. It was so amazing to her, the concept of somebody seeing her and falling for her, thinking she looked amazing enough to develop a crush on. Maybe she did think too deeply about all this stuff. She sipped her drink and watched as Yvie burst out laughing. "Oh, man, this was a great idea. You’re so adorable when you blush."

"Shut up,” Scarlet shook her head, her smile still not off her face. “Okay, here’s mine. I think I properly realised that I liked you, like when it really sank in, was that night we had pres at Silky’s.”

Yvie laughed. “Bitch, which one?!”

“The one recently! We were all there, we were playing the question game. And we were sat really close and I just felt my mind having these really crazy thoughts like hoping you were gonna put your arm around me and kiss me on the cheek and get with me when we were out and things like that. And when we were all silent and giggly when Silky was talking to their neighbour, I just remember wanting you to kiss me so bad."

Yvie blushed and grew all quiet. "I remember that night. I wanted to kiss you at pres too."

Something suddenly occurred to Scarlet. Her mouth fell open in surprise. "Oh my God. The question game. That question you got asked. It was me, wasn’t it? The answer."

Yvie covered her face with her hands as Scarlet howled with laughter. "Oh my GOD! I’m right, aren’t I? Have you fantasised about anyone in this room, and you said yes because it must have been me. Oh Jesus. I can’t. This is amazing."

"Hey, it wasn’t just you, okay? It was Brooke as well. Fuck, no, that came out wrong,” Yvie immediately corrected herself as Scarlet’s heart dropped. “It was back in first year, we’d like, just met. Before I realised we would work better as friends. I don’t think about her like that anymore. It would be like fucking my sister."

"Yvie, it’s fine!” Scarlet let out a laugh, although secretly relieved at having her initial fears assuaged. Back to topic, Scarlet fluttered her eyes at her flirtily. “Yvelynn Jessica Oddly, what have you been thinking about me?”

“Oh, come on, girl, as if you haven’t ever entertained the idea yourself,” Yvie raised her eyebrows as Scarlet felt her heart go fast as she remembered one day she’d been playfighting with Yvie while they were studying, Yvie defensively grabbing both of Scarlet’s wrists and pinning her against the wall. The initial shock had rendered them both speechless, until they both started laughing and the moment was forgotten- until that night, anyway, where Scarlet had let her hands drift between her legs as she thought about getting pinned down and restrained by Yvie against the bed, letting her do anything she wanted with her. Seeing Scarlet’s red face, Yvie laughed. “Exactly, bitch! Exactly!”

Dropping the conversation, the girls finished up their drinks and made their way back to Yvie’s flat. By the time they got there, it was almost time for the movie night to start anyway, Nina preparing a huge bowl of popcorn in the kitchen.

“Oh, hey, Scarlet! I didn’t know you were coming early, this is a nice surprise!” Nina smiled easily, still in her work clothes and with her council lanyard and P.E. whistle draped around her neck. Scarlet watched as Nina cast an eye down to her and Yvie’s hands which were intertwined. She and Yvie held hands all the time, but Nina didn’t know that today was slightly different. It made her want to giggle.

“Yeah, I was across your side of town anyway so I thought I’d just dump my stuff. Me and Yvie just went for a drink before we came. How was placement?” she asked politely, Nina sighed and smiled.

“Placement was another day over, leaving me with another week to go, so I’m ecstatic,” she beamed, Yvie giving a small cheer from beside her. Suddenly, all three of their phones went off in their pockets. Scarlet checked hers first, saw the group chat name and who had been added to it, and looked up at the other two girls as she burst out laughing.

“Silky, oh my God,” she cried, as she read the chat.

Very Secret Branjie Sweepstake

Silky Ganache added Akeria C Davenport.

Silky Ganache added Plastique Tiara Edwards.

Silky Ganache added Nina Kaitlyn.

Silky Ganache added Yvie Oddly.

Silky Ganache added Scarlet Envy.

Silky: RIGHT HOES ME N AKERIA WERE DISCUSSING THIS

Silky: LETS HAVE SOME FUN

Silky: EVERYONE PUTS MONEY IN AND THE PERSON WHO GETS THE DATE THESE TWO FINALLY GET WITH EACH OTHER CORRECT OR CLOSEST WINS THE POT

Plastique: this is so cruel you guys

Plastique: this is their private business

Plastique: their personal life

Plastique: i’ll take New Years’ Eve

Silky: SHOTGUN BEFORE WE GO HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, LIKE OUR CHRISTMAS NIGHT OUT

Akeria: we’re going to need a date, Ms Ganache

Silky: HNGGG DECEMBER 10TH

Akeria: i’ll take January 15th

Nina cried. “This is ridiculous. And hilarious. I can’t decide whether it’s mean or the best thing ever.”

“Definitely both,” Yvie shrugged, her fingers flying across the screen as she typed.

Yvie: i’m gonna be controversial and say i think it already happened and they’re keeping it from us

Yvie: so i’m gonna say 25th October

Silky: WHAT???? WHAT ARE U NOT TELLING US

Yvie: i just told u! i think they got with each other on my bday

Yvie: does Vanj seem off to either of u?

Akeria: No she’s been normal?

Nina: i want 25th October too

Nina: me and Yvie will split the money

Scarlet: i’ll take 25th as well

Silky: OH THIS IS SOME BULLSHIT

Plastique: no come on guys

Plastique: okay at least give us times

Yvie: 11 oclock

Scarlet: 11.30

Nina: i’m gonna say 10.45

Akeria: I can’t wait to see how this turns out

As if on cue, Brooke wandered through to the kitchen. She was dressed in a pair of figure-hugging black pyjama leggings and a huge baggy top, but her hair was expertly curled and she had a full face of makeup on that looked fresh. She had her head in her phone and was smiling.

“Hey, Brooke,” Scarlet said, casting a glance to Yvie who had raised her eyebrows. Brooke suddenly looked up.

“Oh. Hey Scarlet, I didn’t know you were already here.”

“Nice makeup,” Yvie deadpanned. Brooke’s head was back in her phone.

“Thanks. I was just practising, you know? Good to do that sometimes.”

“Your hair looks good as well,” Nina winked at Yvie and Scarlet as she took the bowl and sat down beside Brooke deliberately. Brooke typed away, turning her phone ever so slightly so that Nina couldn’t see.

“Thanks, babe. Got lunch with Plastique tomorrow and we’re going somewhere nice so I wanted to curl it for tomorrow,” Brooke said nonchalantly, as Yvie dragged Scarlet to the armchair and pulled her onto her lap. Scarlet smiled happily as Yvie squeezed her waist. Just then, the flat buzzer sounded.

“I’ll get it,” Nina jumped up from the sofa. Scarlet watched as Brooke continued to message and didn’t even notice Yvie kiss Scarlet softly. Eventually, Silky, Akeria, Plastique and Vanjie all entered, the once-quiet room now full of noise as the girls all greeted each other. Scarlet watched Vanjie and Brooke interact with interest. Brooke got up from her place on the sofa and gave Vanjie a squeeze, the other girl smiling up at her cheekily and murmuring something that caused Brooke to flush red. Brooke then hurried Vanessa over to the sofa so they could sit next to each other, Brooke throwing the blanket over both their knees and Scarlet seeing their hands lock together just before they disappeared underneath it. As the girls all settled down, Scarlet looked at Yvie excitedly, ready to put the plan they had spoken about on the walk back to Yvie’s flat into action.

“Hey, girls,” Scarlet said, making sure her voice cut through every separate conversation and that all the girls were now looking at her. “Have you noticed anything different about me and Yvie today?”

There was a small pause. Scarlet saw Vanessa looking at her curiously. Akeria rolled her eyes.

“Aw, lord Jesus. You got matching tattoos, ain’t you.”

“No,” Yvie shook her head, beckoning them closer. “It’s like quite a small thing…you’ll see it if you look a bit closer.”

At once, Silky and Akeria were up close to the armchair, narrowing their eyes and studying them both. Vanessa and Brooke were craning their necks from the sofa and Plastique and Nina hovered over them, their eyes peering and narrowed. As the others all looked with baited breath, Scarlet tried to stop smiling as she turned suddenly to Yvie, took her face in her hands and kissed her, the whole room erupting in screeches and cries and the pair of them almost bowled over by the others all piling on top of them in a hug.

“Oh my GOD! Yvie!!” Nina cried, close to actual tears. “I knew it!! I fucking knew it!”

“Yeah, well,” Yvie began, then dropped it when she realised she didn’t have anything to say. She laughed.

“Scarlet! Oh my God, BITCH, so it happened? Since when was this a thing!” Vanessa cried, a huge smile on her face.

“Since today! It just happened. Yvie kissed me, she asked me to be her girlfriend, I said yes.”

Silky, who hadn’t stopped yelling since the two of them had kissed, finally formed a nearly-coherent sentence. “But I didn’t even know you two were even…that you two even liked each other!”

“Oh come on, Silk, use your eyes,” Brooke quipped, her smile affectionate as she reached over to Yvie and squeezed her hand. “I’m happy for you, girl. I’m happy for you both."

"Thanks, bitch,” Yvie smiled, immediately getting cut off by Plastique.

“Okay, but we need details. Now! Like how and when and for how long and what and why!"

As Yvie began to tell the girls the story of their day, Scarlet sighed and melted into her side. She knew that Brooke and Vanjie didn’t think anyone was watching them, as Brooke whispered something into Vanessa’s ear and the other girl smiled flirtatiously up at her, kissing her quickly once, twice, three times.

Whatever was going on between them, Scarlet fancied her chances in the sweepstake.