QUEEN
The next morning, Vermont acted like his usual self, as if nothing had happened the previous night. I studied him during breakfast, searching for any sign of discomfort or awkwardness in him but there was none. He was perfectly calm, almost annoyed me. It's like he totally forgot what happened last night.
"Are you sure you would only eat bread?" He asked and glanced at the small plate in front of me. I nod at him.
"Mm, I want to maintain my figure." I simply said and put butter on it. "I also don't like the taste of rice in morning."
"You're weird, Haha." he said with a laugh, shaking his head and I nodded my head.
"Yeah, Haha."
"Do you want cake?" He asked pointing the cakes that was displayed. 
"Nah, I'm good with this." I even shake my head and I watch him reach for his coffee and take a sip from it.
If anything, he seemed unusually cheerful. He even commented on how the coffee and the breakfast at the hotel was better than he expected. We ate peacefully and I think the morning sunlight lighten my mood.
After breakfast, we decided to skip swimming and head straight home. The car ride was quiet but not uncomfortable. And just like other days, Vermont would hummed along to the music that is playing on the radio while he was tapping his fingers against the steering wheel. He was simply breathtaking that I caught myself stealing glances at him.
When we arrived at the house, we were greeted by silence. Ace wasn't there, and Uncle seems to also not got home yesterday. Vermont stayed for lunch, offering to cook as soon as we stepped inside.
"I didn't know that you could cook," I teased, leaning against the counter as he rummaged through the fridge.
"Yeah and for your information, I'm good at it." he winked at me before pulling out ingredients.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. Watching him move around the kitchen with ease was oddly comforting. It felt... normal.
Lunch was simple but it was delicious. He cooked grilled chicken and some roasted vegetables, and a side of rice. Vermont seemed pleased with himself as I complimented his cooking.
"See? I'm not just a handsome face," he joked, earning a laugh from me. "I'm a boyfriend material."
"Yeah, yeah." I was pouring a drink on his glass when the silent dining room was disturbed by a call from Ver's phone. 
"Akie." He said and motioned his phone at me.
"Go on, answer it."
"Thanks. Hello..." I was surprised when someone shouted. It was inaudible but I can tell that she was happy. "Akie! That's amazing! Congrats!" He said, grinning. I raised a brow at him, curious about the commotion. "Yeah. Okay... sure, I'll ask her."
"Hmm?"
"They're planning to throw a party tonight," Vermont said, setting his phone down. "Akie want us to come."
"What is the occasion?" I said, looking at Vermont.
"She got accepted at OC Entertainment. She want to celebrate."
"You and me, right?" I asked as I pointed the two of us.
"Yeah."
"Okay." I shrugged and he gently smile at me.
"I think she want to thank you personally. She got accepted because you help her." he added.
"Nah, it was because of her talent." I replied, brushing off the compliment.
"Well, that is a thing but if you didn't nudge, my bestfriend won't be moving forward. And this is a good step, right? You two could be a good friends now."
"Right..." I said, offering him a small smile. After eating lunch we are just silently sitting in the living room, doing nothing.
"I'm bored..." he said abruptly, breaking the silence.
"Want to play chess?"
"Yeah, sure." To pass the afternoon quietly. Vermont and I spent our free time playing chess in the living room. It was a relaxing distraction, but suddenly it quickly turned into a competition.
"You sure you don't want to quit?" I teased after I won another round.
"Not a chance," Vermont shot back, smirking. "Checkmate."
The games alternated between victory and a loss for both of us, but in the end, he won the tie-breaking match.
"Well..." he said with a smug grin. He leaned back at the couch and stretched his arms. "Told you I'd win, gosh that was easy." he said confidently and I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, pretending to be annoyed, but the playful talk between us left me smiling. "I just let you win though,"
"Yeah, thanks for that. 11-7."
"I hate you!" His laughed echoed in the living room. We stayed in the couch without doing anything and at some point, exhaustion got the better of us. We dozed off on the couch.
I can hear the soft hum of the fan filling the living room the moment I open my eyes. I look for my phone seeing the time was already 6:38 PM. Vermont's arm was draped around my waist, his breathing was slow and steady. The quiet intimacy of the moment caught me off guard, and I found myself hesitating to move. But he then got woke up, I shifted as I let out a small yawn.
"What time is it?" he murmured groggily.
"6:38," I said, gently tapping his arm. "I'm getting some water." He loosened his hold on me and I went to the kitchen, I leaned against the counter, staring out the window as the cool water soothed my dry throat.
The sound of Vermont’s footsteps approaching made me stop from drinking. He leaned against the doorway, his hair disheveled and his eyes still sleepy. 
"What do you want for dinner?" He asked following me to the kitchen.
"I want something light."
"Okay." After eating dinner we both head upstairs. I did bring him in King's room and look for clothes that he could wear.
"Nice this is new."
"Are you sure this is, okay?" He look at King's clothes and nod.
"Why not? And King won't notice that his clothes are missing. Go on, hop in the shower. Just use his shampoo there. And here new soap and toothbrush."
"Oh, thanks." 
And after we get dressed we then headed to a club in Herington. It was just minutes and we already arrived at EndZone. The club was lively when we got inside, with music pounding the whole area the people get wild as they danced while holding their drinks.
"Let's go." He softly said and Vermont held my hand as he led me to their table. I saw Akie and Shanon was there friends.
"Hey." Vefmont greeted and Akie smiled widely.
"Oh, it's good that you two are already here! Let's go party!" she exclaimed and gently shake her drink.
"Are you already drunk?"
"Me? Of course not! Come on!" Akie asked Shanon to join her in the dancefloor and just like that both of them are now dancing wildly.
I was awkwardly sitting beside Vermont, he was introducing me to their friends and I saw how their eyes judge me. I just smile at them and after that Akie returned to our table. She was panting and her face was beat red after then I saw the waiter with a tray of drinks, setting them down in front of us.
"Did you order another set of drinks?" Vermont asked and Akie chuckled.
"Well, you still haven't drink. Here!"
"Akie-"
"Aish, don't act like that. I know you want to drink. Here Queen." I was shocked when she handed a drink to me. I hesitated for a moment, surprised, before taking it. "Let's cheers."
"Oh, yeah."
"Cheers! This is thanks to you!" When our glass clincked Akie immediately drink the alcohol. I was about to drink it to when Vermont stopped me.
"You don't have to drink that." He said and I shake my head.
"I'm fine." I said and drink it, Akie clapped her hands and give me another one. "Thanks,"
"I didn't know you drank," he said, watching with wide eyes as I downed another shot with Akie.
"I don't usually drink," I admitted, grinning. "But it's a celebration, so why not?" Vermont shook his head, looking both impressed and slightly concerned.
"You can now stop." But the carefree energy of the night was infectious. We laughed and drink without a care. Vermont, who rarely drank a while ago was now taking the shots that I was about to drink.
His face was now beat red. I heard him say something but suddenly Akie held my hand.
"Let's go dance!"
"Sure!" I said without hesitation and smile widely as I let Akie dragged me to the dancefloor. I heard Vermont called my name but I didn't look at him and went with Akie. With dance at the middle and minutes after that someone approached me.
"What's your name?!" He asked raising his voice.
"Me?" I shouted back and he nodded his head.
"Queen!"
"Queen?"
"Yes!"
"Can I get your-"
"She's with me," he said casually. I look at Vermont's figure who blocked my view. I was caught me off guard when, casually wrapped an arm around my waist.
The man raised his hands in surrender, backing off quickly. Akie, nearby, giggled. “KJ," she teased, but Vermont’s gaze remained steady.
"I'm not." His tone was calm. "I just don't want another man to be near her." I was taken aback. I felt something inside me and I bet that my face was already red.
"Heh."
"Let's go back..." he softly said and I shake my head.
"I still want to dance!"
"Hell yeah." Akie laughed and danced with me. Maybe I am really drunk because everything was already blurry after that, but I still continue to dance and drinks shots.
I couldn’t stop. Akie and I swayed and twirled, laughing uncontrollably as the music carried us away. And Vermont—he was always close, his steady presence made me carefree even when the club felt like it was spinning out of control.
By the time the night grew wilder, and we were both undeniably drunk. I don't remember how it started— maybe it was after we shared a light laugh while dancing and a moment of eye contact that lingered too long-but before I knew it, we were already kissing.
His lips met mine, and everything else faded.
His hands cupped my face gently, his touch were warm and gentle. The kiss was both urgent and soft. My body felt hot as we continue to shared a kiss. The noise of the club faded into the background, leaving only the two of us in that hazy, electrifying moment.
"Mm..." The sound escaped in my lips, as his lips moved against mine. "This is crazy." I said as we continue to kissed. The rest of the night was blurry. I vaguely remember Vermont guiding me out of the club, his arm around my waist as we stumbled toward his car.
I woke up the next morning because of the sunlight that slipped through my bedroom window. I blinked and groaned softly as my head throb.
As I sat up, I realized something strange- I felt... peaceful. I should be panicking because I can't remember mostly on what happened last night, but I was calm.
I glanced at the clock and It was already late morning. I stretched my hands and yawned. I massage my head as I try to recall the happenings last night and suddenly I stopped. The kiss... I remembered the kiss!
We shared a kiss!
My eyes widened, and heat rushed to my cheeks as the memory played back vividly in my mind.
"AHHHH!" I screamed, clutching my pillow. Seconds after that I saw Ace rushed in my room.
"What happened?" He asked and worry etched across his handsome face. "Are you okay?"
"O-oh yeah." I stammered, struggling to meet his gaze. "I-I didn't know you're here."
"Of course you wouldn't know, you were wasted last night." He crossed her arms and I scratched my head. He checked and asked me once again.
"Are you okay?"
"Mm, y-yeah."
"Fix yourself first and go downstairs. I cook soup for your hangover." He said and I slowly nod at him.
"Okay. Thanks." As he left the room, I let out a heavy breath, slumping back.
My cheeks burned at the thought of us kissing. 
"Fucking calm yourself, Queen." I said and tapped my chest as I felt it beat faster. But no amount of self-scolding could erase the memory of Vermont's lips on mine, the warmth of his hands, or the way the world seemed to shrink to just the two of us.
I bite my lip and a smile creep into my face. "Fuck. This is bad." Fuck.
—IAmRoseee