Chapter 75
“So what does Myles want from you?” I ask, staring out the window as Eric pulls the cal
“Mm–hmm.” Maya crosses her arms, giving me a side–eye. “You realize you attract chaos, right?”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
“Chaos,” she repeats. “I think Jamal likes you”
I groan. “Don’t start.”
“Did you know that Chloe and Jamal were once buddies, in third grade I think. She’s bullying you because you’ve got all her favorite boys wrapped around your little finger.” she says, shaking her head. “I can’t decide you’re cursed or blessed.”
“Neither,” I mutter. “It’s exhausting.”
“Nah, it’s exhausting being her trying to compete with you.”
I grin, shaking my head. “Fair point but I’m presently tired.”
She grins, ignoring my tone. “Tired or not, we’re celebrating. The fact that you finally humiliated the queen of meanness and jealousy. That deserves a smoothie and at least one overpriced dessert.”
I laugh softly. “You sound like Helen.”
“Your mom would probably rent out the café for you,” Maya snorts. “I’m keeping it humble.”
Eric clears his throat politely from the front seat. “Miss Maya, directions, please?”
“Oh, right! I’m thinking we should stop somewhere else. Turn left at the next turn, then two blocks down- stop by Bloom Smoothies & Bites. It’s my aunt’s shop.”
“Wait,” I turned to her. “The one with the pink neon sign that says ‘Sip, Smile, Repeat‘?”
“The very one.”
“Oh my god, Maya. I know that place though I’ve never stopped there. It looks like a cupcake exploded.”
She gasps in mock offense. “It’s aesthetic, Aria.”
“I’m not sure glittery milkshakes qualify as aesthetic.”
“Blasphemy,” she sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest.
I giggle, shaking my head as the car slows in front of a pastel–painted café with flower garlands hanging over the doorway. The neon sign glows in a soft pink, shaped like a heart.
“Yup,” Maya declares. “Let’s go.”
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We step out, and before I can even take a full breath, I hear the familiar click of a camera shutter.
“Oh no,” I sigh. “He followed us, didn’t he?”
Maya shrugged. “We agreed he would.”
“I thought he had headed to smoothie king.”
“Lol.”
Jamal parks his car behind ours and strides toward us, his camera hanging from his neck.
“Ladies!” he greets with a huge grin. “I hope you didn’t start without me.”
“We were about to,” Maya says flatly.
He ignores her and turns to me. “So why are we here instead of smoothie king? Thanks God I was driving behind you”
“Unfortunately.” Maya rolled her eyes.
“Where’s my bribe?”
“You’d still collect that?” He groaned
I give him a small smirk. “You promised her..”
“Beautiful,” he says, snapping a quick picture of me mid–sentence. “Damn, this is hot.”
“Jamal!” I groan. “Ask before you-”
“Here,” he interrupts smoothly, handing Maya some money. “Authenticity, queen. That’s the art.”
“The art of being annoying.” Maya mutters under her breath,
He winks at her. “Don’t hate the king, Maya.”
She squints. “I don’t hate the king. I hate that you think you are one.”
I choke out a laugh as we step inside the café, the scent of vanilla and strawberries immediately wrapping around us.
The place is small but cozy–with fairy lights dangling from the ceiling, the counter sparkles with jars of colorful toppings, and there’s soft pop music playing in the background.
“Okay, okay, I take it back,” I admit, spinning slowly to take in the décor. “It’s actually really cute.”
Maya gasps dramatically, smirking in triumph. “Told you! My aunt runs this place. She calls it her happy bubble.“”
“It’s a literal bubblegum paradise,” Jamal says, squinting at a pink stool. “I think I just lost some masculinity
Chapter 75
walking in.”
Maya grins wickedly. “Good. You didn’t have much to begin with.”
“You wound me, Maya.” He clutches his chest dramatically.
“Not enough,” she says sweetly, making me chuckle.
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Maya’s aunt pops out from behind the counter, wiping her hands on a floral apron. “Maya, sweetheart!”
“Aunt Rose!” Maya beams, running to hug her. “We’re here to celebrate Aria’s boutique launch! This is Aria”
Her aunt’s eyes light up. “Oh! The young designer you’ve been talking about! I’ve seen your work on Instagram, dear. The ‘Echo‘ dress is stunning.”
“Thank you,” I say shyly. “That means a lot.”
Jamal lifts his camera slightly. “Mind if I—”
“No,” Maya and I chorus in unison.
He lowers it, pouting. “One day you’ll appreciate my vision.”
“And this stupid ugly pig is Jamal,” Maya mumbled.
“Don’t tell a lie Maya, he might be stupid but he’s definitely not ugly. In fact, you both look good as a couple.”
“Ewwwww” Maya and Jamal groaned at the same time making us chuckle. “Stop making such irritating jokes. Maya muttered.
Aunt Rose chuckles. “You three find a booth. First round’s on the house.”
We slide into a pastel booth in the corner. Maya’s already scrolling through the menu. “Okay, so–Aria, you have to try the strawberry–banana bliss. It’s… erm… how do I put it. Yes, it’s life–changing.”
“Is it less pink than it sounds?” I ask cautiously.
“Absolutely not,” she replies proudly.
Jamal peers over the menu. “I’ll take a mango madness. Because, you know…” He smirks. “Madness suits me.”
“That, I can confirm,” I mumble.
He grins wider. “Compliment accepted.”
While Maya orders for us at the counter, I glance around. The place is mostly of students, some from our school, laughing and chatting, a few heads turning toward me with subtle curiosity.
I lean back, fiddling with the ring on my pinky finger.
“Hey,”
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I look up. Jamal’s resting his chin on his hand, studying me with that unreadable half–smile. “You did good today, you know.”
“Good?” I raise an eyebrow.
“With Chloe,” he clarifies. “I heard what happened from Liam. You really killed her. But when will you stop her once and for all? That girl can’t try those shits with me or Maya. Her family is not even on par with mine and she’s trying to mess up with a Morale? I’m worried about you, other people are beginning to think that you are weak.”
“Thanks, Jamal. I’ll just let her be for now.” I smiled
“Don’t thank me, just deal with that bitch is all I ask or I do it for you.” He smirks, “I also want the inside scoop on the scalpel–wielding mind of Aria Morales.”
“We’ll see,” I tease,
Maya returns with three massive smoothie cups, each topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. “Okay, everyone–toast time.”
Jamal lifts his cup. “To Queen Aria, future destroyer of bullies and designer of my dreams.”
“Destroyer?” I laugh. “That sounds so violent.”
Maya grins. “It’s accurate.”
We clink our cups together.
“To friendship,” I say softly.
“To chaos,” Maya adds.
“To me,” Jamal finishes.
“Of course,” Maya mutters, rolling her eyes.
As we sip, Jamal tells us about how he almost got detention for flying his drone inside the gym.
“Coach nearly fainted when the thing buzzed past his head,” Jamal says, laughing.
“You deserve detention for that,” I reply.
“Hey, great art requires risk.”
“Or common sense,” Maya retorts.
He shrugs, sipping his smoothie. “Can’t spell iconic without chaotic.”
I giggle. “That actually kind of rhymes.”
“See? The queen gets it.”
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Maya groans. “If you call her queen one more time, I swear I’ll pour this smoothie on your camera.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” he challenges.
“Oh, I would.”
“Guys,” I laugh, holding up my hands. “We are here to celebrate right? Please.”
They both huff and rolled their eyes.
I shake my head. I swear they are the human version of Tom and Jerry.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
