“My friends want to dance with their boyfriends, so they want to go. And I guess I’m going, too. I like dancing, and we always have fun together.”
Kylen is quiet for a beat as his character gets down on his knees to pet some of the chickens. “Yeah. Maybe I’ll check it out.”
We play for a little bit longer before I say, “Actually, your farming skills are far better than your British accent. You know, as long as you remember to keep the freakin’ pen shut.”
He laughs softly as he knocks his shoulder into mine.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Raven
I usually don’t dress up for a party because I just want to have an enjoyable night with my friends, but it feels different now. Maybe because Kylen might be there?
Ah, who am I kidding? Of course it’s because Kylen might be there.
My friends and I are getting ready in Addie and Carly’s room. It took me a while to rummage through my closet for the perfect outfit to wear, but I eventually settled on a royal blue dress that’s not too fancy and not too casual.
As we apply our makeup and do our hair, my friends keep gushing about how excited they are to have a fun night with their boyfriends. Of course the jealousy pangs take over my body, but I try not to let it get to me. I want to have fun with them tonight, and hopefully with Kylen, too.
“Did you guys see Next Level Dudes’ video?” I ask as I apply eyeshadow to my face. “It has a few hundred thousand views with so many positive comments. The boys are ecstatic.”
“I did!” Carly gushes as she stands before the full-length mirror and turns to her right and left, checking how she looks. “They sounded amazing. The song is so beautiful and the music is so chef’s kiss.”
“It’s all because of your amazing song,” Addie tells me as she wraps an arm around me. “I’m so happy for you. So proud of you.”
“Thanks.”
“Is this going to be a thing?” Sophie asks from where she’s perched on Carly’s bed, intently reading a book with a cover of a couple locked in a loving embrace. “You writing songs for them?”
“Hmm, I haven’t thought about it.” I step back and study myself in the mirror, liking what I see. “I guess I wouldn’t mind writing more songs for them. Lyrics have been pouring out of me lately, so I’m sure I can whip up something for them if they ask.”
“You’re past your writer’s block?” Sophie asks. “Nice!”
“Thanks. I guess I was holding back a lot of myself in the past, but I feel more free now. Liberated.”
Addie’s eyes shine. “Because of a certain dude with a name that rhymes with Bylen?”
“I never said that.”
“It was implied.”
“It was so not.”
“Whatever the reason,” Carly says, “we’re super glad you’re writing again. Maybe your songs will get famous one day and you’ll win awards.”
“Ha. Sure.”
“You never know!”
“Thanks for all your support. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course. We’ll support you in whatever you do,” Addie says.
“Same.” Sophie closes the book with a happy sigh and hugs it to her chest. “Another wonderful book with a happily ever after that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It makes me love my relationship with Damian even more. Like, I feel just as happy and blessed as the people in the book. I used to sigh and wonder if I’ll ever experience an epic romance, but reading my romance books only makes me appreciate what I have.” She sighs happily again and stares off in the distance, as though she’s reliving all the romantic moments she’s shared with her boyfriend.
The three of them now discuss the romantic gestures their boyfriends have done for them over the last few days. At timeslike this, I have nothing to add, but I still love hearing it. Even though the jealousy pangs start pricking me all over again.
After the guys text that they’re waiting downstairs, we add last-minute touches to our hair and makeup, grab our purses, and leave the room. Some of the other girls are getting ready for the party as well. Most kids will attend because there’s nothing else for them to do on a Friday night.
