Bella and Kathy finally stumbled into their apartment just as the sun had begun to set. The day had drained them completely between trying to settle into their new reality as university freshmen, and that tiny scare with Bella's missing phone, they felt like they'd lived through an entire semester already.
Kathy kicked off her shoes and fell flat on the couch, groaning dramatically.
"I can't feel my legs," she muttered into a cushion.
Bella dropped her purse near the door and dragged herself to the armrest beside her. "You're not the only one. My back feels like I've been carrying this building on it all day."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Kathy jumped up instantly, as if she hadn't just been crying for help moments ago. "Pizza!"
Earlier on their way back, Kathy had sneakily ordered a large box of pizza from LushDrobe, a trendy online store that runs snack delivery service for students, a secret menu for loyal customers. It was known for selling not just food, but also affordable fashion items: bags, shoes, wigs, and even tiny trinkets. Students loved it, and Bella and Kathy were frequent browsers of the site, sometimes adding things to their cart just to feel something.
Kathy took the pizza box from the delivery guy and slammed the door shut with her foot. "Saved by cheese," she announced as she set it down on the table and flipped it open.
The aroma filled the apartment instantly, luring Bella closer. "Okay, now I can live another day."
They both grabbed slices and flopped on the couch, not even bothering to get plates.
Between bites, the conversation drifted to LushDrobe
"I swear, those neon wedge heels I saw yesterday are still haunting me," Bella mumbled with a mouth full of cheese. "And don't even get me started on that wig I saved. Did you see it?"
"Yes! That deep burgundy one? Girl, I added it to my cart so fast. We need to treat ourselves when our allowance comes in," Kathy laughed. "It's either that or cry in synthetic lace fronts."
Bella giggled, wiping her hands with a tissue. Then her expression changed slightly, and she looked at Kathy. "By the way… where exactly did you find my phone?"
Kathy smirked, as if she'd been waiting for her to ask. "Oh yeah, about that…"
Bella raised an eyebrow. "Spill."
"Well," Kathy began, taking another bite, "after you panicked and I ran back to the restaurant, I started looking around. I asked this girl. Maya, She said she had no idea, then i went back searching where we sat and then a guy just came out of nowhere"
Bella leaned in, curious now.
"And was like hey, were you looking for this?' and handed me your phone," Kathy said, mimicking the guy's voice playfully.
Bella narrowed her eyes in interest "was he cute?"
Kathy burst into laughter "Thats all you got from the story?"
"Girl priorities " Bella said , laughing too.
"I was honestly surprised. I thought the phone was long gone. He said he found it when he went to wash his hands and figured someone would come back for it."
"Huh," Bella said softly, looking down at her phone now lying on the coffee table. "I should've lost it sooner if that's how I'd meet nice guys."
They both burst into laughter.
After finishing their pizza and scrolling through Velvet Charm for fun, Kathy suddenly sat up with a gasp, eyes wide and glued to her phone screen.
"Bella!" she called dramatically.
Bella, who was half-laying on the couch and flipping through her gallery, jolted upright. "What?! Did they restock the pink strappy heels?"
Kathy turned to her, shaking her head with the most mischievous grin. "No girl. Better. There's going to be a Freshers Welcome Party this weekend!"
Bella's eyes lit up. "Wait, seriously?!"
Kathy nodded excitedly, holding her phone so Bella could read the message in the Lifetime Freshmen WhatsApp group. It was a forwarded flyer with bold, stylish text:
FRESHERS WELCOME NIGHT
Theme: Glitz & Afterglow
✨ Come dressed to shine under the lights.
📍 Venue: Eden Hall, Campus Block C
🕘 Time: 9 PM till dawn
🎶 Music, Drinks, and Vibes Only. Let's make this unforgettable.
"No. Freaking. Way," Bella whispered, snatching the phone to get a better look.
Kathy clapped her hands and started bouncing where she sat. "I told you this school wasn't going to be boring! This is our chance to make an entrance, Bella. A big one."
Bella stared at the flyer, her imagination already running wild. Flashing lights, loud music, stylish outfits, and possibly maybe meeting new people. Her stomach flipped a little with nervous excitement.
"We have to slay," Kathy declared like it was law. "Like, people should pause when we walk into that hall."
Bella nodded, already picturing it. "Outfits, hair, nails, makeup... the whole package."
"And heels that scream money," Kathy added, doing a fake model walk across the living room. "We have to hit up Velvet Charm again tomorrow. I'm not showing up in anything basic."
Bella giggled. "Neither am I. We're going full glam."
Kathy dropped onto the couch again, eyes dreamy. "I already know what I want maybe that emerald green velvet bodycon I saved in my wishlist."
"Ooh, that would look so good on you," Bella agreed. "I'm thinking something gold and backless. Simple but expensive-looking."
They both giggled like little girls planning a heist.
"Should we do our hair here or go to a salon?" Bella asked.
Kathy thought for a moment. "Let's go to a salon. I want my curls fresh and popping. And maybe lashes too long, wispy ones."
Bella grinned. "You're really going all out."
Kathy gave her a dramatic wink. "If you don't dress to impress at the first party, what are you even doing?"
The conversation spiraled into full glam-mode planning. They opened their notes app to list everything they needed: dresses, heels, press-on nails, new makeup, and matching mini bags. They even talked about what scents they'd wear. Bella said she'd wear the YSL perfume her mom gave her on her birthday and Kathy said she'd wear her Fenty spray.
"Do you think people will be dancing at the party?" Bella asked.
Kathy snorted. "Girl, with that DJ lineup they mentioned? People are going to be dancing, grinding, spinning, losing their minds."
Bella giggled nervously. "I haven't really been to college parties before. I don't want to look awkward."
Kathy waved a hand. "Don't worry. You'll be with me. And worst case? We just stick to each other and pretend we own the room."
Bella smiled, feeling more confident already. The idea of dressing up, dancing under neon lights, and just letting loose after the first intense week of college suddenly sounded… perfect.
"Okay," Bella said with a determined nod. "We're going to that party. And we're going to shut it down."
Kathy whooped and high-fived her. "That's the spirit, babe!"
As the night rolled in and the excitement buzzed through their veins, the girls kept scrolling through outfit ideas and DMing Velvet Charm on Instagram for delivery time. One thing was sure: Saturday night at Eden Hall was going to be their first real college memory and they were going to look unforgettable while making it.