Messy

Bella and Taylor ended up spending the entire day together. Bella helped Taylor move her things back into her dorm. Luckily, Ash wasn’t home, so it was no problem.

Once they finished, Bella decided to give Taylor some space to reconnect with her roommate.

When Bella finally returned to her own dorm, she barely had time to shut the door before—

“So, Taylor, huh?”

Bella turned to see Whitney sprawled on the couch, an accusing smirk on her face.

“It’s not like that,” Bella said, laughing softly. It was like that. It really was.

Whitney arched a brow. “Oh? So, helping her means sharing a bed? And sleeping so close you two were practically fused together?”

Bella’s face flushed as she quickly looked away.

Whitney definitely noticed.

“Where are Kimberly and Kacey?” Bella asked, desperate to change the subject.

Whitney smirked, seeing right through her. “Kacey’s with her boyfriend, and Kimberly’s at work. So… Taylor?”

Bella groaned. “I like her, okay? But she just broke up with her girlfriend, and I’m not about to drop my feelings on her when she’s still dealing with all of that.”

Whitney looked almost impressed. “Wow, Bella. Who would’ve thought? Emotional intelligence. Growth.”

Bella gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. “Excuse you! I’d like to think I’m the most emotionally intelligent person in this dorm.”

Whitney chuckled, stretching out on the couch. “Alright, alright, I’ll give you that. But seriously—what’s your plan? Just sit around and wait for her to figure things out?”

Bella sighed, walking to the mini-fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. She twisted the cap off, taking a sip before answering. “I don’t know, Whit. I don’t want to be a rebound. I don’t want to pressure her. She just got out of something messy with Ash—she needs time.”

Whitney studied her. “And what if, in that time, she moves on? Finds someone else?”

Bella hesitated. The thought hadn’t fully crossed her mind before, but now that Whitney had said it out loud, it gnawed at her.

“…That’s a risk I’ll have to take,” she said. The words didn’t come out as confidently as she’d hoped.

Whitney shrugged. “Your call. But don’t be surprised if you see her with someone else and it wrecks you.”

Bella flopped onto the couch beside her. “Ugh, why are you like this?”

Whitney nudged her playfully. “Because I care. And because watching you struggle with feelings is hilarious. Usually, you go after what you want. I’m enjoying this new, tortured Bella.”

Bella rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. “You’re the worst.”

Before Whitney could respond, the door swung open, and Kimberly walked in, looking exhausted but amused.

“What’s up, guys?” she asked, tossing her bag onto the floor. She paused, raising an eyebrow at Bella’s flushed face. “Why do you look like you just got caught doing something illegal? Do I need to hide your drugs? Because I cannot handle that kind of pressure—I will get us arrested.”

Whitney burst out laughing. “Relax, Kim, it’s nothing that dramatic. She’s just freaking out over her massive, painfully obvious crush on Taylor.”

Bella groaned—for what felt like the hundredth time that night. “Can we please stop talking about this?”

Kimberly’s eyes lit up with interest. “Oh, I definitely need to hear this.”

Whitney grinned. “Let me catch you up…”

Bella sank deeper into the couch, covering her face with a pillow as her friends continued their merciless teasing.

She was so screwed.

“Alright, enough about my love life,” Bella announced. “We have to get ready for the fundraiser.”

The reminder snapped them back to reality. The LGBTQ+ committee was hosting a fundraiser since their club’s funding had been cut. Even Leighton was coming. Sadly, her girlfriend couldn’t make it, but that just meant more time with the girls.

Right on cue, a loud knock sounded at the door. Before anyone could even unlock it—

The door flew open.

“LEIGHTON!”

All three roommates shouted in unison.

With her arms wide open, Leighton stood in the doorway, looking expectant.

“Well?” she said.

Bella, Whitney, and Kimberly rushed forward, tackling her in a tight embrace. Leighton wrapped her arms around them like a mother bear protecting her cubs (because, let’s be honest, Renee is mother).

The hug lasted longer than expected. When they finally pulled away, Leighton smirked. “Alright. Who’s in a messy gay crisis this time?”

Whitney didn’t hesitate. She pointed directly at Bella. “That would be her.”

Bella threw her hands up. “Oh my God! I am not in a crisis!”

Leighton crossed her arms, unimpressed. “Whitney texted me ten minutes ago saying you were blushing over Taylor and groaning about your feelings. Want to try that again?”

Bella turned to Whitney , betrayed.

Whitney grinned. “Sorry, but it was really funny.”

Whitney nudged Leighton. “You should’ve seen her. She’s waiting to confess her feelings. Can you believe that?”

Leighton gasped dramatically. “Bella? Waiting? Since when?”

Bella groaned again and grabbed a pillow, throwing it at Leighton. She dodged it with a laugh.

“Can we please focus?” Bella huffed. “We have a fundraiser to go to, and I would love for my personal life to not be the topic of conversation tonight.”

Whitney grinned. “I make no promises.”

Leighton slung an arm around Bella’s shoulders. “Fine, fine. But after the fundraiser? I want all the details.”

Bella sighed but nodded. “Deal.”

An hour later, the girls were dressed, music blasting as they took shots in their dorm before heading out. The mood was light, carefree.

For the first time all day, Bella wasn’t thinking about Taylor.

Until her phone buzzed.

Taylor: Hey, you going to the fundraiser?

Bella stared at the screen, her heart doing that annoying little flutter she refused to acknowledge.

Bella: Yeah, about to head over with the girls. You?

Taylor’s reply came almost instantly.

Taylor: Yeah, I’ll see you there :)

Bella locked her phone and took another shot.

If she was going to survive tonight, she was going to need it.

She turned to her friends. “Promise me—none of you will mention Ash to Taylor tonight. Okay?”

Instantly, their expressions sobered. Bella knew they loved to tease, but when it really mattered, they always had her back.

All three raised their pinkies. “Promise.”

Bella exhaled, relieved.

Then Whitney grabbed the bottle. “Enough of that—WHO WANTS MORE SHOTS?”

The girls burst into giggles as a loud bang sounded from their neighbor’s wall, telling them to shut up.

For a moment, they felt like kids again—no worries, no doubts. Just laughter, friendship, and the fleeting illusion of forever.

And Bella?

She wasn’t ready for the night ahead.

But at least she wasn’t facing it alone.