As the evening glow lit up the streets, Justin and John cruised through the quiet campus roads in John's car, still buzzing from everything that had happened. Justin leaned back into the passenger seat, arms folded, replaying Bella's face in his mind, especially that moment when their eyes locked, her gaze softened, and she leaned in…
John glanced at him, grinning. "So… how did it go?" he asked, nudging Justin with his elbow.
Justin cracked a smile, running a hand through his curls. "Bro… it was perfect. We talked about so many things. But you won't believe what happened."
John raised a brow. "What? Don't tell me she kissed you."
Justin chuckled. "She almost did."
John hit the brakes lightly and turned in his seat with a wide-eyed expression. "Are you serious?! Bella tried to kiss you?!"
"Yeah," Justin laughed softly, clearly still processing the moment. "We were talking… and it just felt like the moment. She leaned in, then stopped herself. She apologized and changed the topic real quick."
John smacked the steering wheel, half in shock and half in excitement. "This is insane. You two already have tension, and y'all just met!"
"I know," Justin said with a shrug. "I don't want to mess it up, though. I'm trying not to be too forward. I mean, I really like her. She's fun, soft, beautiful, my type in every way. I don't wanna come off desperate."
John slowed down and gave his friend a genuine look. "Then don't be desperate. Be intentional. You've got her attention already, now just be you. She clearly likes you too, but take it slow. Let it build."
Justin nodded slowly, grateful for the advice. "I don't know, man. I just have this feeling about her. I can't wait till we're actually together."
John chuckled. "Then make it happen. One step at a time."
***
Meanwhile, at the girls' apartment, Bella pushed the door open and rushed in, still catching her breath.
"KATHY!!!" she shouted, almost out of breath.
Kathy, in her oversized hoodie, peeked from the kitchen with a half-filled wine glass in her hand. "What?? What's going on? You scared me!"
Bella kicked her heels off and collapsed on the couch dramatically. "You will not believe what happened."
Kathy crossed her arms, amused. "Did he kiss you?"
"No," Bella groaned, hiding her face in a throw pillow. "But I almost kissed him"
Kathy's eyes widened as she rushed over. "Wait, what?? YOU tried to kiss him?"
Bella nodded slowly, still buried in the pillow. "I don't know what happened. One minute we were talking, and the next, I was lost in his eyes. My body leaned in on its own, Kathy. I caught myself just in time. I was so embarrassed, I used the time as an excuse to run."
Kathy burst into laughter. "Oh my God! Bella! This is unlike you. You caught feelings, didn't you?"
Bella sat up and looked at her seriously. "I don't know, Kath. He's just… different. He listens. He's gentle. And you know the worst part?"
"What?"
"I can't stop thinking about him."
Kathy handed her the wine. "Welcome to the club, babes. Now sip that, because you're falling… and falling hard."
Bella took the glass with a sigh, unsure if it was the wine or the boy making her feel dizzy.
Bella took another sip of her wine, now curled up on the couch while Kathy sat beside her with her legs crossed, scrolling through her phone. The buzz from the almost-kiss had settled, and now the girls were back in full gossip mode.
"So," Bella said, nudging Kathy with her elbow, "how was class today, aside from your hangover headache?"
Kathy groaned dramatically. "Ugh, don't remind me. I barely survived the first lecture. But guess what?"
"What?"
"There's this group of three girls in my department. The energy they came with? Off. Like, they walked into class acting like we all came to worship them."
Bella raised a brow. "Oops. Not the mean-girl trio on the first week."
"I swear! One of them even shushed a girl who was asking the lecturer a question. And the way they looked everyone up and down, like they were evaluating who's worth breathing the same air."
Bella rolled her eyes. "Typical."
Kathy scoffed and pulled out her phone. "Wait, lemme show you. I found their Instagrams. I had to do some digging after class, because the audacity they carried wasn't matching their faces."
Bella leaned over eagerly. "Ooo show me."
Kathy tapped a few times and held up her phone. "Boom. That's one of them username is Queen_Talia or whatever."
Bella squinted at the photo. "Wait… that's her? Nahhh. Not with those unblended brows and that Dollar Tree highlight."
Kathy burst into laughter. "RIGHT?! I thought it was just me. The attitude she gave in class had me thinking she was gonna be drop-dead gorgeous. I was shocked."
"Okay okay, next one," Bella said, still laughing.
Kathy swiped again. "This one is Bad_Girl_Rina, Don't ask me why."
Bella took one look and nearly choked on her wine. "Girl, no. She looks like she edits her pictures on Microsoft Paint. And who still adds 'Bad Girl' to their username in 2025?!"
They both fell into a fit of laughter, wheezing on the couch.
"Okay last one," Kathy said, wiping her eyes. "Melanie_Mami_xo. She's the ringleader."
Bella tilted her head. "Honestly? She's the least bad of the three. But she still gives 'wannabe influencer' vibes with recycled captions like 'Catch flights not feelings.'"
"Exactly!" Kathy said. "And the way they all carried themselves like some girl group no one asked for. I just know they're gonna be trouble."
"Well," Bella said, leaning back, "as long as they stay out of your lane, let them carry their delusions. But if they try you…"
"They won't even have the chance," Kathy grinned. "I don't do high school drama in university."
Bella smirked. "We'll see. You've already found your season villains."
Kathy laughed. "Every show needs a few."
They both clinked their glasses together and continued scrolling, letting the laughter roll on into the night.
Just as Bella was about to stand up and clear their cups from the table, her phone buzzed. She glanced down and saw Justin's name light up on the screen.
Justin:
Hey, did you get home safely? And have you eaten something? I had a really nice time with you today.
A small smile crept onto Bella's face, and without even realizing it, her cheeks turned pink.
Kathy, who hadn't missed the change in her expression, leaned forward immediately. "Don't tell me it's Justin again."
Bella bit her lip, trying to suppress the smile. "Okay fine, yes."
Kathy snatched a pillow and playfully tossed it at her. "Oh my God, you're really gone for this boy."
Bella laughed, catching the pillow. "He's just sweet, okay? He asked if I got home safe and if I've eaten."
Kathy gave her a knowing look. "Mmhmm. That's boyfriend energy right there. That's not 'just checking in' that's 'I care about you' texting."
Bella rolled her eyes but couldn't stop smiling. She read the message again and quickly typed a reply.
Yes, I just finished eating and I got home fine. I had a great time too, thank you for today :)
She hit send and dropped her phone beside her, letting out a soft sigh.
Kathy raised a brow. "You're really soft for him already."
Bella groaned. "Ugh, I don't know what's wrong with me. It's just… he's calm, he listens, and he's not forcing anything. I like that."
Kathy nodded. "That's rare to find these days. Most guys are all vibes and no substance."
Just then, another message came in.
Justin:
I'm glad. I hope we can do this again sometime soon. Maybe after class again?
Bella stared at it for a moment, heart fluttering.
Kathy peeked over. "Oops another date already?"
Bella turned her screen away and laughed. "You're not serious. But maybe…"
Kathy smirked and tossed another pillow. "Don't keep my brother-in-law waiting then!"
Bella playfully groaned. "Stop ittt!"
But deep down, she knew Kathy was right. Something about Justin was pulling her in slowly, but surely.
And it felt… nice.