Chapter 3

One whole week had passed, and I hadn't seen Cade, which I was more than thankful for. It was Saturday, and I was supposed to hang out with my friend Nicole—well, my only close friend. Leggings and a baggy old hoodie were my go-to outfit. I didn't feel like dressing up because Jenifer and I were just going to slump around her house, probably watch a bunch of scary movies all night, and eat a bunch of junk food.

As I got ready, a song lyric popped into my head, "IM YOUR LITTLE BUTTERFLY~~" setting the mood for a chill day ahead.

My phone went off again. I scrambled around the room looking for it and finally found it on my bed. It was Jenifer calling. Her caller ID picture was one of us from a Roleplay we did—me as Juliet from Romeo and Juliet in a dress that was Royal-like, and Nicole as Romeo. We've been friends since first grade, ever since my first panic attack on the first day of school. Despite being complete opposites, we’re incredibly close.

Jenifer is a tall 5'8", thick dark-haired beauty with olive skin and perfect chocolate eyes framed by long lashes. She’s outgoing and friendly, able to walk into a room full of strangers and make friends within ten minutes. In contrast, walking into a room full of people makes me stop breathing, avoid all eye and skin contact, and hope not to freak out. Jenifer has loads of friends, but she still chose me to be her best friend. I have no idea why she did, but somehow, our friendship works.

"Hey, Hottie!" Nicole's voice blared through the phone speaker.

"Hi, Jen," I replied, continuing to get ready.

"It's like 8 p.m. and you're still not here," she whined, sounding like a little kid.

"Sorry, I was just about to leave," I told her, though I wasn't quite ready yet.

"I'll be waiting! look cute, okay?" she yelled before hanging up. I sighed, grabbed my keys, and headed out. The drive to her house was a quick 15 minutes. When I arrived, I parked in front of her huge ranch. Jenifer is an only child and her mom remarried a guy named Todd

I walked into their house like I always did, feeling at ease because they were all like family to me.

"Hey, Nic!" I yelled through the ranch. I heard loud footsteps as Nicole came running, a big smile on her face.

"Hey Hottie, Guess what I got us!" she shouted, jumping up and down like a kid on a sugar high. But honestly, she always seemed overactive, bursting with energy that never seemed to run out. I often wondered how she managed to have so much energy all the time.

"What?" I asked, following her to her bedroom

"The new The Avengers movie!" she yelled, still bouncing as she turned on the streaming service. "It is rumored they will revive some characters" she declared with a serious face.

I smiled, agreeing with her. "I wish," I said, while settling on her bed

"I'll get the snacks; you get the blankets!" Jenifer said, darting off to the kitchen. I ran to her room to grab her  blanket, and as I did, I noticed her wall covered in pictures of us from when we were young till now. I smiled, Something also caught my attention...A picture of me with a paper on the back as I was about to grab the paper Jenifer came and told me "Hey, got the snack lets go"

As we hurriedly went up stairs

I plopped onto the bed, just like Jenifer. During the movie, my legs ended up draped over Jenifer's, and we both yelled at everything that happened in the movie. The inner fangirls in us couldn't stay quiet. I had a huge Snickers bar, taking pieces off and munching on them.

Suddenly, there was a commotion as people barged into the house, shouting and yelling about something.

"Vivienne!" a deep voice called out. I looked up to see Lucius, flashing his cat smile at me.

"Get out luc" Jenifer said in annoyance

"Cade, you know—" Lucius began, but Cade cut him off.

"Vien," Cade said, looking at me with a mix of anger and guilt in his dark eyes.

"Cade," I whispered, retreating back to the couch next to Jenifer.

"Well, didn't you miss Dinklehead over there?" Lucius joked, flashing a smirk.

"So much," Cade replied sarcastically, As he turn to lucius looking angry "and I'm the only who can call her that"

"Okay dude, chill" Lucius said while raising his hands looking like a scared cat

"No," I said firmly, giving him a stern look, which only seemed to amuse him.

"Come on, Dinklehead," he teased, As he sat down next to me.

"Why are you here?" I asked, trying to push him away.

"Why are you here?" he countered, pushing himself closer to me.

"I'm here to watch a Movie with Jen," I said, glaring at him. "And you're ruining it."

"Relax, I'm just messing with you," he said, leaning back. "Can't I hang out with my friends too?"

"Not if you're going to act like this," I shot back.

Jenifer, sensing the tension, jumped in. "Cade, Leave or behave."

"Fine, fine," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'll behave."

Lucius laughed. "Alright, let's all calm down. Cade, if you can't be nice, you're out."

Cade sighed but nodded. "Okay, I'll be good."

I gave him one last skeptical look before settling back in. Jenifer restarted the movie, and I tried to focus on the Movie, hoping Cade would keep his word and not ruin our night.

"What's up with you and Lucius?" Cade asked, his lips brushing against the skin of my neck. The touch sent shivers down my body. I had never had a guy this close to me before.

"Why does it matter?" I asked, but being the dumb girl I was, I tilted my face up to look at him. I didn't realize how close he was, and my lips brushed against his as I turned. I jumped, almost falling off the couch if he hadn't had his arm around me.

"It matters because you're too innocent for him," he said, smirking down at me. He seemed to find amusement in the situation. My brain couldn't wrap around his words. What did he mean by too innocent?

"So, what are we watching?" Lucius asked, sitting down next to me on the left side as Cade remained on my right.

"Avengers," Nicole said, munching on chips. Nothing fazed her; she was still absorbed in the Movie.

I shifted uncomfortably between the two guys, trying to refocus on the screen. "We're on the first 15 minutes," I added, hoping to steer the conversation back to the show.

"Ah, okay cool," Lucius said, settling in. "Mind if I join?"

"Sure," Jenifer said, waving a chip in the air. "Just don't talk during the good parts."

"Got it," Lucius replied with a grin.

Cade, however, didn't seem as interested in the show. He leaned closer to me, his breath warm against my ear. "You know, Lucius's not the right guy for you," he whispered.

"And why is that?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the screen.

"Because he doesn't see you the way I do," Cade said softly, making my heart race.

I didn't respond, feeling a mix of confusion and curiosity. Jenifer laughed at something on the Movie, breaking the tension. I tried to focus on the episode, but Cade's words lingered in my mind, making it hard to concentrate.

Jennifer glanced over, raising an eyebrow, and said, "If both of you are just going to hover, then just leave." She signaled for me to move next to her.

As I was moving toward Jennifer, Cade grabbed my hand and said, "How about by my side?" His smirk annoyed me.

"No, come here," Jennifer insisted, standing up and pulling me next to her.

"Come on," Cade said, but Jennifer shot him a look that said she wasn't backing down.

I sat next to Jennifer, feeling a rush of relief to escape the tension. Jennifer wrapped an arm around me protectively. "Let's just enjoy the show, okay?" she said, giving Cade a pointed look.

Cade rolled his eyes but stayed silent. As the episode continued, the atmosphere relaxed a bit. Jenifer , still absorbed in the Movie, handed me a bowl of popcorn.

"Thanks," I whispered, taking a handful. Jennifer squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, and I leaned back, finally feeling a bit more at ease.

Cade kept his distance for the rest of the night, and I focused on the episodes, grateful for Jennifer's intervention.

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