Zaria buried her phone deep into her handbag and made her way to class. For once, she was early. The campus hallway was quiet, and her usual seat was still empty—Viola hadn't arrived yet.
She took her spot and dropped her bag on the chair beside her to hold a seat for her best friend. After waiting a bit, she picked up her phone and texted,
"yo where you at?"
As the message sent, someone moved her bag from the chair and sat down. Zaria looked up, already annoyed—only to find Viola grinning at her like a cat caught in the act.
"Girl, you almost got me," Zaria said with a laugh. "I was ready to go full petty. Like, who removes someone's bag and just sits down?"
Viola chuckled. "What would you have done if it wasn't me?"
Zaria gave her a sly smirk. "Spank their ass."
Viola's eyes widened in mock horror. "Yoo! You think this is some middle school get-together? They'd beat every single ounce of home training out of you."
They both burst out laughing, drawing a few stares from students in the class. Zaria leaned her head on Viola's shoulder, still chuckling. With them, everything felt easier. Safe. Real.
⸻
After Class
The bell rang and students poured into the hallway like bees from a hive. Zaria and Viola strolled down the long corridor, hands loosely linked like sisters joined at the hip.
"So… where exactly did I disappear to last night?" Viola asked out of nowhere, side-eyeing her. "I swear, I just went to dance with one fine boy and came back to find your shadow. No text. No nothing."
Zaria froze, realizing she hadn't told her a single thing. Not even a simple I'm leaving. Her stomach twisted with guilt.
"I'm so sorry," she said, turning to face her. "That's true. I didn't tell you anything. I met this guy at the club… and we, um, spent the night together."
Viola's entire face lit up in shock. "WHAT?! Zaria!!! YOOO!"
She started screaming, drawing attention from a few students still lingering in the hallway. Zaria immediately clapped a hand over her mouth. "Shhh! Girl! You're making a scene!"
Viola mumbled against her palm for a few seconds, then nodded. Zaria slowly removed her hand.
"Now talk," Viola whispered urgently. "I need all the details. Like, now. Every damn thing. Don't hold back—I want the tea boiling."
Zaria paused, cheeks flushing pink. She didn't even know where to start. But then, as if someone had pressed "play" on her mind, she began recounting everything—how she met him, the way he looked at her, how electric everything felt. As she talked, her words grew slower, softer… like she was reliving every second.
When she finally glanced at Viola, her best friend's mouth was slightly open, eyebrows high, and eyes wide like she'd just watched a movie trailer of heaven.
Zaria burst into laughter. "Omg! Vi, your face right now!"
Viola blinked, snapping out of it. "What?! What happened?"
"You look like you followed me into that suite," Zaria teased. "The way your eyes glazed? I swear you were mentally there."
Viola clutched her chest dramatically. "And can you blame me?! That story felt like a scene from a forbidden fairytale. Babe, you're living a Wattpad romance and didn't even give me a sneak peek!"
Zaria sighed, dreamy. "Honestly, I'm still stuck in that room too. Like, it happened so fast. I barely processed it."
Viola's eyes glittered with curiosity. "And you're meeting him again today?"
Zaria nodded, biting her lip. "Yeah. He asked me out. Proper date this time. You wanna see him?"
"I would love to," Viola replied. "But it's your first real meet-up in a chill setting. I don't want to make it awkward."
Zaria smiled. "That's true… but you can still help me look good, right?"
"Girl, you'd look fine in a trash bag and sandals," Viola said, flipping her braids. "But I'll still come through. You're my girl."
At the school gate, they hugged tightly, about to go their separate ways. Viola started to leave, but then turned back with a wicked grin on her face.
"Thank gracious!"
Zaria blinked, confused. "For what?"
Viola gave her a wild smirk and shouted, "YOU'RE NO LONGER A VIRGIN!" then took off running down the street like a madwoman.
Zaria gasped. "Omg! This girl will be the end of me!" She shook her head, laughing to herself. "She's sold her shame to the elders." Smiling, she flagged down a cab.
⸻
Getting Ready
Back in her room, Zaria stared at the chaos. Clothes hung off the bed, heels were tossed across the floor, and her vanity looked like it had been robbed by a glam gang.
She flopped onto the bed and groaned. "What do I even wear?"
A sharp knock echoed through the house. Then came Viola's voice:
"Open up, Cinderella! Fashion backup has arrived!"
Zaria raced to the door, silk robe wrapped around her. "Thank God. I'm spiraling."
Viola took one look at the disaster zone and smirked. "Damn. You've been through it."
"I've tried like five outfits already," Zaria said. "Everything feels off. It's like nothing says I'm cool but also trying very hard not to look like I'm trying too hard."
Viola dropped her purse dramatically. "Okay. First of all—you're beautiful. Second of all—he is lucky to even breathe near you. Third? Let's find your slay."
Zaria giggled. "I don't even know what vibe to go for."
Viola plucked a few hangers off the bed. "We want classy, sexy, and unforgettable. Think: dinner date with someone who might never recover."
First, they tried a sequined black jumpsuit.
"Too nightclub," Viola said. "You're going for mystery, not disco ball."
Then a pastel pink gown.
"Cute," Zaria said, spinning.
"Too innocent," Viola replied. "We need a little edge. Something that says 'I'm soft, but I bite.'"
Finally, Viola reached into the back of the wardrobe and pulled out a white satin dress. It was floor-length with a high slit on one side, a sweetheart neckline, and the kind of subtle shine that caught light like a dream.
"This is it," she whispered.
Zaria stepped into it, and the moment the zipper slid up, Viola's jaw dropped.
"Girl. Girl!"
Zaria turned slowly to the mirror, blinking. "Too much?"
Viola stepped closer, awe in her eyes. "You look like a goddess. Like, if Aphrodite had a Gen Z makeover. That slit? That neckline? That waist? Babe, you're the moment."
Zaria blushed, but smiled. "You're hyping me too much."
"No such thing," Viola said, slipping silver stilettos onto her feet. "These heels say, 'I walk in slow motion.'"
Accessories followed—a dainty silver necklace that dipped perfectly into her cleavage, crystal earrings, and a matching clutch.
Her hair was softly curled, cascading down her shoulders. Her makeup glowed with golden shimmer, long lashes, and lips painted a soft, teasing pink.
She looked… unforgettable.
"Vi," she whispered. "I actually feel beautiful."
Viola hugged her from behind. "You are. You always have been. Tonight? You just get to own it."
⸻
The Ride
At exactly 5:30 PM, Zaria's phone beeped.
"Please send your address so my driver can come pick you up." — Baal
She showed Viola, who raised her brows. "Now that is a gentleman."
Zaria smiled and quickly sent the address.
Less than an hour later, her phone rang again.
"My driver is outside waiting for you. He'll take you to the spot."
Zaria simply replied, "Okay," trying not to sound breathless. Why did she always lose her words when she heard his voice?
The girls went downstairs together. When they stepped outside, their jaws dropped. A sleek black limousine waited at the curb, polished like glass.
Neighbors were already peeking from windows, some even standing on their balconies. Little kids pointed and whispered. It was a scene straight from a romance movie.
Viola helped Zaria gather her dress and carefully guided her into the car. "Go get your man," she said, eyes shining with pride.
Zaria turned back just once and saw Viola standing there, smiling like a proud mom at prom night.
She thought, She's a must-have friend.
And just like that, the limo pulled away, gliding into the evening.