The autumn air’s crisp as I drive through Elijah’s dimly lit neighborhood, the rhythmic bass of Serena’s current playlist,bad bitches only, plays Pretty Savage by BLACKPINK. My fingers grip the steering wheel as I sneak a sideway glance at Serena, who sits in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the passing streetlamps and modern mansions.
Her presence alone makes me nervous to my stomach. I feel the small shift of the car beneath us and the soft rustling of her clothes as she settles into her seat. Serena wasn’t sure what to wear earlier so she Facetimed me to give me a “fit check” and asked if what she wore was house-party-like. I wish she hadn’t called me, because I couldn’t breathe properly for five minutes.
I cast another glance and soak in her glowing appearance. She’s wearing a beige skirt that hugs her body gracefully, paired with a white, thin-knit sweater that adds a subtle elegant vibe. The sweater’s loose fit and soft texture add a touch of cozy charm to her look. Completing her look are a pair of white tennis sneakers, giving off confidence. Her jet-black hair is left down, lightly tousled, framing her face in an effortlessly attractive way.
And holyshit, her perfume is even more addicting than I remember, and I swear it’s becoming a natural scent for me.
“You look cute.” I blurt, stupidly speaking my thoughts out loud.
“What?”
“I said you look like a fruit.”
“That doesn’t even make any sense.”
I’m an idiot.
I try to set all my focus on driving, yet I can’t help but admire the way the dim street lights make her features pop even more: the curve of her lips, the graceful arch of her eyebrows, and the sparkle in her eyes.
I clear my throat, trying to shake off the magnetic pull of her presence. “Excited?”
“Yeah, but nervous at the same time. You?”
I nod, trying to keep my focus on the conversation at bay. “Yeah, it should be a good time.”
Serena chuckles, “I’m happy to be here.” Her laugh echoes through the car, making my chest rise and fall more noticeable than I would like.
I swallow hard. “By the way, did you get my Crush?” My hand tightens on the wheel, scared as shit for her response.
Serena looks down at her intertwined hands in her lap. “I did, thanks by the way.” She lifts her eyes to mine and we lockthem for a second before bringing my attention back to the road. “I didn’t get you anything though.”
“You don’t need to. I already have what I want.” Feeling a sudden surge of connection, I reach out and gently capture her hand with mine. I really hope she can’t tell how clammy my hands are or that my pulse is racing like a wildfire.
Serena’s hand hesitates for a moment at my bold move, but then she relaxes and tightens her grip, like she’s on board with it.
I park further down the street, about six houses down from Elijah’s. Exiting the car, I flash Serena a gentle smile and lean over to reach for the car door handle on her side. With a soft push, I let the door swing open smoothly.
“After you,” I say, extending my arm towards her, palm up, letting her out first. Serena nods gratefully, a playful glint in her eye as she steps out of the car.
I stroll beside her on the way up to Elijah’s, the urge to wrap my arm around her etches onto me, but I restrain myself in case it would scare her off. I settle for a slight shoulder bump, which sends electric shocks through my body.
“The party will be pretty chill for the most part, but Elijah likes to invite the entire student body.” I glimpse over at Serena, whose eyes double in size. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and bring her closer to me. “You’ll be fine, remember what I said?”
Serena nods, her eyes softening as a small smile plays on her lips. She takes a deep breath and brushes her wrist gently before coming to a sudden halt.
“I forgot my hair tie,” Serena says quietly, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
We pause our steps and I remove my leather bracelet. It’s a simple woven leather band with a small charm that I got on vacation a few years back when my dad refused to let me leave the gift shop unless I bought something. I take Serena’s hand and slide it onto her wrist. “Hold onto this for me.”
Serena watches in surprise, her eyes widening. “What are you doing?” she asks, still in a state of surprise. “What is this?”
I finish looping the bracelet on and, with a warm smile, bend down to meet her gaze. “Our lucky charm for the night,” I say sincerely.
The bracelet sits snugly on Serena’s wrist, and she stares at it with a mixture of gratitude and confusion. Ignoring the latter, I stretch out my hand, aiming to intertwine our fingers.
“I know I’m new to parties, but you don’t need to hold my hand like you’re my dad,” Serena says, gesturing at our connected hands.
“Come on,” I say, letting out a mildly disgusted chuckle, and she does too. Our voices die down, I catch her breaths sync to mine. “I just like the way your hand fits mine.”
