68 -

Back at the party, the dim lights create an electric atmosphere, where bursts of laughter and pop melodies mix with the sound of clinking glasses. The dance floor is still packed, lit up with colorful neon lights dancing on the walls. Ellie weaves through the groups of people, the combined smells of alcohol and perfume intoxicating her more with every step. She smiles as she spots Joan leaning against the bar, a beer in hand and a twinkle in his eye.

Joan is clearly in a good mood, a smile plastered on his face as he stares at a specific direction. Ellie follows his gaze and spots the curly-haired girl, laughing and dancing near the DJ booth.

Ellie: "So, you like her ?"

Joan nods, a dreamy look in his eyes.

Joan: "Yeah... Her name's Hailey. I swear, she's amazing."

Ellie stifles a laugh, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

Ellie: "Amazing? That much?"

Joan looks at her with a mock outraged expression.

Joan: "Look at her, dude, she's funny, sweet, smells fucking amazing, and her smile... I'm gonna lose my mind."

Ellie: "Well, you seem to be enjoying your night."

Joan takes a sip of his beer before giving her a curious look.

Joan: "And where the hell were you? I thought you were with the girls?"

Ellie: "I was with Billie."

She instinctively turns around, scanning the crowd to find Billie and back up her words. But when her eyes finally land on her, she freezes slightly. Billie is there, standing not too far away, talking to a girl who seems way too close for comfort. The blonde girl is laughing at something Billie just said, and her hand brushes gently against Billie's arm in a gesture that's both innocent and familiar. Ellie's gaze locks in, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene.

Joan, noticing the sudden tension in his friend, steps closer with a mischievous smile.

Joan: "What are you staring at like that?"

Ellie quickly looks away, trying to regain her composure.

Ellie: "What? Me? Nothing."

Joan eyes her, amused.

Joan: "Wait, don't tell me you're jealous," he says, laughing softly.

Ellie crosses her arms, feigning indignation.

Ellie: "Me? Jealous? You're crazy."

Joan bursts out laughing and gives her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Joan: "Come on, have a drink before you curse that girl with your voodoo stare."

Ellie grabs the drink Joan hands her, but her attention keeps drifting back to Billie and that girl. Their closeness, the laughter, and especially the subtle but constant physical contact is unsettling her. The more she watches, the more the heat of the alcohol and the tension in the air get to her head. She grits her teeth, grabs her drink, and knocks it back in one go.

Ellie: "I gotta go, man, I can't sit still anymore," she says suddenly to Joan, setting her empty glass down with a dull thud.

Joan: "And I'm the crazy one ?!"

Ellie doesn't respond. She pushes through the crowd, her heart racing, looking for Billie through the shadows and flashes of light. When she finally spots her, Ellie walks up to her resolutely and without hesitation, grabs Billie's hand, pulling her along without saying a word. Billie looks at her, confused, but lets herself be led, weaving through the crowd, bumping into people along the way as they give them surprised looks. They finally reach the bathroom. As soon as they're alone, Ellie lets go of Billie's hand and starts pacing back and forth, visibly troubled, a glint of agitation in her eyes.

Billie stares at her, surprised, then crosses her arms.

Billie: "Ellie? Did you lose it?"

Ellie: "I can't handle this anymore."

Billie furrows her brow, watching her friend with curiosity and a hint of confusion.

Billie: "What do you mean?"

Ellie hesitates, biting her bottom lip, then runs a nervous hand through her hair.

Ellie: "Shit, that fucking blonde, she threw me off."

Billie: "Ellie, calm down, what are you talking about?" she murmurs, stepping closer, trying to reassure her.

Ellie looks at her, her gaze more intense than usual, emotions bubbling inside her, uncontrollable.

Ellie: "I'm not like this normally. I don't get it... I..."

Billie tilts her head slightly, looking at her with gentle confusion.

Billie: "You need to explain this to me, like what kind of 'this'?"

Ellie takes a shaky breath, clearly fighting herself, before letting out a sigh.

Ellie: "To be fucking jealous, I feel like I'm twelve, shit."

Billie blinks, staring at her with an even more lost expression. They look at each other, the silence between them thickening, the air around them growing heavier. Then, driven by an irresistible urge, Ellie murmurs:

"And fuck it..."

Ellie steps toward Billie without hesitation, her hands grabbing her face. Their lips meet, and an electric tension seems to pass between them. Billie freezes for a moment, surprised, but quickly gives in, her hands finding their way to Ellie's waist, pulling her close with an undeniable firmness.

The kiss deepens quickly, and Ellie feels Billie's response intensify, an urgency she's never sensed before. Ellie's fingers slide into Billie's hair, curling around her strands like she's trying to anchor her to herself. Billie's hand slowly glides down her back before resting on her hip, and with a gentle pressure, she pulls her backward. Ellie finds herself against the edge of the handicap bathroom sink, the cold marble contrasting with the heated rush flowing between them, as Billie kicks the door closed with a determined foot.

Billie's hands roam over Ellie's body, slipping under her jacket. The softness of her fingers sends shivers down Ellie's spine, who lets out a sigh. Billie's hands move with calculated slowness, each movement heightening their proximity and the desire building between them.

Billie leans in, placing kisses along Ellie's neck, her hands exploring her curves with deliberate, tender motions. Then, confidently, she slides her hand lower, nearing Ellie's stomach. Ellie freezes, her breath caught, when Billie's fingers reach the button of her pants. With a precise yet sensual movement, Billie unbuttons them, sending a wave of warmth through Ellie's body.

Their lips meet again, and the world around Ellie disappears. Billie's hands continue to explore, each motion causing a shiver, every caress making her lose herself a little more. She clings to Billie, the sensations and emotions merging into one pounding rhythm.

Billie slides a hand under the waistband, and another wave of shivers runs through Ellie, who lets out a sigh, carried away by the intense rising pleasure.

Suddenly, the sound of a toilet flushing breaks the moment, bringing the two young women back to reality. They freeze, their breaths uneven, and share a knowing look as a silhouette passes by without noticing them. They hold in their laughter until the door closes behind the person.

Billie: "You seriously couldn't find anything better than a bathroom?"

Ellie: "Old habit from high school, sorry."

They exchange one last look, trying to regain their composure before stepping out, still shaken by the intensity of what just happened.

Back at the bar, Ellie finds Joan again. As soon as he sees her flushed face, he raises an eyebrow with a mocking smile.

Joan: "What just happened there?" he says, eyeing her up and down.

Ellie tries to keep a straight face, rubbing her neck.

Ellie: "Nothing, we just talked."

Joan squints, amused.

Joan: "She was talking pretty close to your neck, looks like."

Ellie jumps, instinctively touching her neck.

Ellie: "Shit... Do I have marks?"

Joan bursts out laughing. "Nah, don't worry. You just confirmed what I thought."

Ellie gives him a light tap on the shoulder, her cheeks burning.

Ellie: "Dude, I hate you."

Joan laughs even harder, looking at her proudly.

Joan: "Looks like you're enjoying your night too."

Ellie: "Shut up, Joan."

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A little last-minute chapter, a bit more intense than the others :p