Valerie P.O.V.

A soft ping came from my phone as I was lazing around home alone.

Hey Val, we're all going out to Olive Garden, would you like to come?

Who do you mean by we?

The boys, Sommer, Ell plus whoever else turns up really 😂

I pondered over the text for a little while... I know I needed to get out there more and make friends... and I had been growing closer with everyone from the previous few times we hung out, but I was still a little hesitant- what if I do something foolish? On the other hand, Carter was also inviting me. Me. It felt good to know he wanted me to be there, even more so, because he was including me. I forced myself to type a reply, without any further analysis of the situation. It's no big deal, really.

I could go for food 😏

Atta girl.

See you soooon 🚗

I hopped off the bed as I got ready to go out. This will be fun.

The delicious scent of fresh, baked bread alongside butter and herbs wafted right towards me as I stepped into the restaurant with Carter. Mmm, I can't wait for the bread sticks.

"Ayeee," Xavier hollered loudly from the table once he spotted us. Sommer rolled her eyes beside him, as I chuckled at her expression. She soon raised her head in our direction, shooting me a wave as we approached the booth.

"Hey best friend!" Ellana grinned and gave me a hug before sliding over so I could sit next to her. I glanced around briefly with a smile, seeing a few faces that perhaps I've seen from the parties, as well as an unfamiliar one. There was Xavier, Sommer, a girl named Katy I believe, a guy named James, someone I couldn't recognise, Alec & Kean, who both greeted me from their seats, then Ell and me.

Carter gave a bro handshake/hug to whoever he could reach, and nodded to the rest of the table in hello, before sliding in the booth next to me.

"Hi gorgeous, do I know you...?" A blonde guy with a blinding white smile grinned at me cheekily. Uh no? "...cause you look a lot like my next girlfriend," he finished with a wink, as the rest of the table shook their heads with a small chuckle.

I felt Carter tense up beside me and place a hand on my thigh, glaring daggers at the blonde. I literally didn't even register what the punchline was, all I could feel was Carter's presence. He was being dominant, with a smidgen of jealousy and protectiveness. Not gonna lie, that was kinda hot.

"Jay you're an idiot," Katy scoffed, "Please excuse him Valerie, he was dropped as a baby and has delusions."

"No worries," I said lightly with smile, placing my hand on Carter's soothingly. He relaxed against me, and shot me a small roll of his eyes, chuckling at the antics.

"You're just jealous I'm the superior twin," Jay smiled smugly and crossed his arms over his chest. Oh so they were fraternal twins. Huh, now that I think about it, they were both blonde and had similar facial features.

She turned her head with a devilish smirk at him before speaking her next words carefully and evenly. "Why don't you ask that girl you hooked up with last week, who's bed she liked better?"

Everybody's faces dropped at the statement, twisting into one of amusement as we tried to contain ourselves from bursting into loud chortles. *sips drink*

"Oh man, you've just been handed an L," Alec pat him on the back, trying to stifle his laughter, as Jay's face settled into a scowl at his sister.

"I thought it was a funny pick-up line," Xavier laughed, "Maybe I'll try it," he wiggled his eyebrows at Sommer.

"It's a no from me." She flat-out snorted and elbowed him in the ribs, earning a chorus of laughter from all of us.

"Aw baby, why u gotta be so rudeee?" he pouted, poking her in the arm as she picked up a menu to read over it. "Don't you know I'm humaannn tooooo," he sang dramatically with a hand on his heart, as she tried to block his face with the menu.

They were kinda hilariously cute, I thought.

"Okay kids, let's actually order some food." James spoke up.

I got the chicken parmigiana, with a side of marinara pasta. Let the carb loading begin! The food looked absolutely delicious, every single morsel melted in my mouth spectacularly. Thank you, to my body for having tastebuds. How could I live without you?

"You look like you're having the time of your life," Carter commented beside me with mirth in his eyes.

"Yeah... I mean, carbs and chicken? That's a combo to be reckoned with," I admitted with a grin, as I grabbed a napkin to dab my face, just in case there was anything left behind. He shook his head and grinned back. A guy who doesn't judge your eating habits. I like it.

We finished off our meals and drinks, with a lot of banter from the table, especially between Xavier and Sommer, before everyone prepared to leave.

"Catch ya bud," Kean said to Carter, as I hugged Ell goodbye. "Bye Val," Kean smiled before leading Ell away, with a hand around her waist.

"See ya later my dudes, y'all are my OTP," Xavier waved at us as he strolled away, slinging an arm over Sommer's shoulder. "Sorry Jay." he added cheekily to the blonde boy walking alongside them, as we chuckled and waved goodbye.

That went off without a hitch. It made me feel kind of like a normal young adult again, casually hanging out with friends. And it was all thanks to Carter and Ell, they had really brought me out of my shell.

~

During the next few days, Carter and I spent nights on the phone talking, when he went away to Miami. He was quite busy over there, so we avoided texting throughout the day and called me when he could. I spent my time doing the usual, working, online shopping, adding them to my basket but never actually pressing the order button, and sketching in my notebook whenever I felt like it.

Sketching would probably be my only hobby, besides reading on the beach. I mostly sat alone, with some music playing in the background and doodled away with whatever came to mind. It could be cartoons, clothes, faces, nature, scenery or just patterns. Tucking away my sketchpad, I got ready for my afternoon shift at Bean Crushers. College vacation was awesome, but it wasn't a complete vacation since I had to work still. Bummer.

I got in my car, switching on the airconditioning because it was pretty hot out today, and selected a song to play before driving to the café. I cranked up the volume as I bopped to the music, hyping myself up before the shift so I was in a good mood. That'll make the time go faster for sure. I wasn't the most talented barista, I could swirl the milk in nicely like a heart, but I needed a bit of help making extravagant patterns. I mainly worked the counter, making the drinks whenever I had time and helped to bring out some of the dishes. Depends on the day and time, and how many people were staffed on, really.

"Hey Val, these came for you," Grace said as she came over to the register carrying a bouquet of gorgeous pink peonies.

My favorites! My heart beat faster in my chest as she transferred them over to me. I immediately plucked out the small card sticking up on top to read;

Dear V.E.D,

I like you a latte

- C.L.B x

Dead.

D e a d. I think my heart stopped beating. EEPPPP!!! I grinned like a lunatic, spinning around doing a little happy dance. The boy's sweet and punny too!

"Who was it from?" Grace asked, chuckling at my reaction. She dropped her chin and raised a hand to her face and whisper yelled. "Was it Carter Bryson?!"

"Yeah," I giggled a gigantic grin still plastered all over my face. I couldn't help but boast a little. Plus I know Grace is trustworthy. "It's pretty low key at the moment though."

"Ah gotcha..." she nodded knowingly before gazing into the distance with a dreamlike expression. "Girl you're so lucky," she sighed.

I know. It was too good to be true.

They're beautiful, I love them so much! Thankyou 😘

I'm glad, princess. 💙

It was in that moment that I realised; I don't think I can stop him from creeping into my heart any longer.