Kelly and I got to the supermarket, grabbed everything we needed, and headed to Becca's.
While Kelly drove, I decided to start a conversation before we arrived.
"Did you and Shane finally fix things?" I asked, careful not to stir anything, but I needed to know.
"Yeah," she said softly. "He called, and I told him I needed today to think things through."
"Alright," I said, trying to end it there. I didn't want to pressure her.
"I know you have more to say than just being quiet," Kelly continued. "You may try to hide it, but I can see it, you think I'm being stupid." Her voice was heavy with heartbreak, though she didn't want to admit leaving him.
"Like you said, not everyone detaches easily like me and moves on. I'd only known Michael for half a year. Your situation is different," I replied, keeping my voice calm.
"Shane loves me. It's his ex making him do all this. He wouldn't intentionally hurt me," she said, making excuses again.
"What if he confesses to actually cheating? What if it didn't just happen once?" I asked, watching her carefully.
"There wouldn't be a second time. I love Shane. He'd choose me over anyone and even if it happened, it'd just be a mistake. Besides all men cheat. He still comes home to me that's all that matters," she said, adamant.
"Whatever pleases you," I murmured. I know my worth. I didn't need to make excuses for a man who would hurt me.
"You wouldn't understand. We've been together almost four years now. I can't lose now," Kelly said.
"As long as you're fine with it, I'll be fine too. It's your relationship. I'm just being a friend. I love you, and I just want what's best for you," I said softly.
The conversation ended peacefully and the car was silent until Becca called to confirm if we had bought everything.
Just as I was putting my phone away, Leon called. I hesitated until Kelly gave me that "what's wrong with you?" look. I instantly picked.
"Hi, baby. You done with school?" he asked.
"Yeah. Kelly and I are heading to Becca's for the sleepover," I replied.
"That's fast. I'm calling too much, right? My fault, should've just texted maybe," he said.
"No, you're not. I should've called like I promised," I answered.
"It's fine. I get it. You're taking things slowly. We've mostly just chatted, and now it's all new for you," he said, gently.
"Yeah, I'm just excited talking to you. I promise to do better with time," I admitted.
"It's alright. We'll chat later. I just wanted to hear from you before my shift," he said. Thoughtful, as always.
"That's sweet. Thanks, my darling," I replied.
"Seems like we're improving. I've got my darling now. Might be my love before the day ends," he said, his excitement clear.
"Well just maybe," I said shyly and we said our good byes before the call ended.
Kelly noticed my cheeks flaming after the call ended. "I can see how red you are. You really like him, huh?"
"Yeah," I admitted. "I feel so much at peace when we talk."
"I didn't think you'd find love this early after Michael," Kelly said, smiling.
"Neither did I," I replied.
We finally arrived at Becca's, apartment and started putting everything away. Kelly immediately grabbed the counter space near the stove.
"I'll handle dinner," she said, tossing her hair back. "Grace you'd help me out."
"Got it," I said, taking a cutting board and starting to slice bell peppers for the nachos.
Kelly leaned on the counter, watching me.
" Leon's texting again?" she asked casually.
I shrugged, trying not to smile. "Yeah, a little. He's on shift, so just checking in now and then."
"You're grinning like an idiot," Kelly teased.
"Shut up," I said, though the corners of my lips betrayed me. "I just like hearing from him."
Kelly smirked. "I can tell. Your cheeks are bright red. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone maybe."
I rolled my eyes, laughing. "It's not a big deal."
She shrugged and sprinkled shredded cheese over the nachos. "Sure, sure. Butterflies, Grace. That's what this is."
I smiled, shaking my head. "Yeah, okay. Butterflies."
Becca appeared from the living room, arranging the wine and plates.
Just as I reached for a wine glass, my phone buzzed. It was Leon.
"How's my girl doing? Don't burn the nachos."
I grinned, typing back quickly. "Not yet. I'm under strict supervision."
Kelly peeked at the screen over my shoulder.
"Looks like someone's checking in. Careful, he might notice how happy you are."
I snorted. "Not happening. I'm good, we are just communicating casually like we always do."
Then my phone buzzed again. Another message from Leon.
" This would have been night but now you're having fun with the girls without me? I'll live vicariously."
I typed back."Don't worry. I'll send you updates. Don't work too hard, babe." finally using the babe word.
Kelly chuckled, I guess she's been staring at me for some minutes now . "You're smitten. Admit it."
"Maybe a little," I said honestly.
Just then, Kelly's phone rang. She picked it up, frowning slightly.
"Hello?" she said.
It was Shane, my stomach twisted slightly, sensing the tension. I feel I may dislike Shane now but if have to keep a straight face around him because my friend doesn't think what he had done is worth leaving him.
"Yes. I'm at a Becca's and yeah, we're okay," Kelly said slowly, voice tight. "can you stop calling now, I need some space. No, I'm fine, I promise. I just need a breather."
I kept chopping peppers, pretending not to listen, but I could totally hear everything.
" I understand and love you too," she said finally, hanging up.
She leaned against the counter, taking a deep breath. "That was Shane, just checking in. "
I nodded quietly. "Good and you're handling it well. I just want to make sure you're okay."
Kelly smiled faintly. "I am and thank you, Gracie. Really."
The oven timer beeped, signaling the nachos were ready. Becca came into the kitchen and pulled the tray out . The cheesy aroma filled the room.
Kelly grabbed a plate, tossing me a playful glance. "Careful, don't get too distracted by your phone."
I laughed. " I promise to try."
We carried the nachos into the living room, and I couldn't help but glance at my phone one last time. A short text from Leon.
"Enjoy babe. Can't wait to hear all about it later."
I smiled, tucking my phone away. Tonight, with the girls, the food, the wine, and the drama on screen everything felt just right.
We settled into Becca's living room, plates of nachos in our laps, wine glasses in hand.
The fairy lights gave the room a soft, cozy glow, perfect for a sleepover.
Becca hit play on We Were Liars, and the first scenes had Kelly groaning.
"This is already stressful," she muttered, grabbing a chip.
"Just wait," I said, smiling. "It's going to get worse."
The first big twist came fast, Cadence struggling to remember the accident, piecing together fragments of what happened. Kelly gasped so loud I nearly choked on my nacho.
"Wait she can't remember anything?!" she shouted.
Becca rolled her eyes. "I told you. Total chaos. Just watch."
I snuck a peek at my phone. Leon had texted again.
" You okay over there?"
I typed back quickly: "Barely. Everyone's yelling at the screen nonstop. Send help."
Kelly noticed me smiling. "Someone's texting again. I see it in your cheeks."
"Stop," I whispered, rolling my eyes. "It's nothing."
"Uh-huh," she teased. "Not hiding it at all."
The plot twisted further,Cadence discovering her cousins were lying, everyone hiding pieces of the truth. Kelly gasped again. "I can't! Shane better not pull this whole plot twist on me"
I shook my head, laughing softly. "Relax. It's just a show."
Halfway through, Leon's texts kept popping up, short and sweet.
"Are they still yelling? Don't get lost in the chaos, babe."
I typed back. "You'd hate it, it's total chaos. But I like it."
Kelly leaned closer. "You're glowing. Admit it."
"Maybe a little, it's a new relationship effect," I whispered, grinning.
By the time the climax hit and the accident revealed, secrets spilling it was chaos.
Chips on the couch, wine sipped too fast, the girls screaming at the screen.
I tucked my phone away, smiling. The show, the food, the laughter. It all felt like a little bubble of happiness. Even with Leon mostly at work, I felt like he was there with me.
Kelly nudged me. "You're glowing again. Stop hiding it." Kelly would stop once she gets tipsy on the wine, Becca barely saying a word because she's too engrossed watching the movie.
"I'm not hiding," I said softly. "I'm just really happy tonight."
"Good," she said, smiling. "You deserve it, Grace. Don't forget that."
The episode ended, leaving us all quiet for a moment, absorbing the chaos.
Then Kelly's phone buzzed. She frowned, glancing at the screen. We all thought it Shane pestering her again.
" It's from an unknown number," she muttered.
Curious, she opened it and her face froze. A photo of Shane and his ex kissing at a café appeared, there was a caption below the picture.
"Thought you'd like to see this again."
Kelly's hands shook as she showed it to me and Becca. "It's him, He denied having anything to do with her again. " Her voice broken.
Becca leaned in, eyes widening. "Wait that's him? That's Shane? And she's kissing him?"
Kelly nodded, jaw tightening. "She's serious. She wants to ruin us."
I reached out, squeezing her hand. "We'll figure it out. Don't let her ruin tonight."
Becca frowned, glancing between us.
"This isn't some joke it's getting serious, Kelly. You need to handle it before it blows up."
Kelly shook her head, staring at the picture again. " I can't believe he'd do this after everything he said, I spent the whole day making excuses for him and this is what I get."
Just then, my phone buzzed. Leon had texted.
"Everything okay, my girl? You seem quiet."
I stared at the screen, I didn't know if I should tell him or not.
The room, cozy and chaotic just minutes ago, felt suddenly heavy. Nachos untouched, wine cooling and laughter gone.
Just like that, the sleepover, meant to be a night of fun, became a night of secrets, lies, and a past that refused to stay buried.