Chapter 333: house party III

Chapter 333: Chapter 333: house party III

"Finally!"

Vivienne laughed as she stepped into the room.

"I’m sorry."

Amelia crossed her arms.

"You’re very late."

"I know."

Vivienne smiled.

"But it’s our first day as a couple."

"Okay... so," Claire said, "how was your date?"

Vivienne’s smile immediately became brighter.

"It was perfect. Although it felt too short."

Amelia stared at her.

"You’ve been together since what? Nine in the morning?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Yes."

"And what time is it now?"

Vivienne glanced toward the clock.

"Uhm... Eight."

"Exactly."

Amelia gestured dramatically.

"It’s been eleven hours."

Vivienne laughed.

"It still feels too short."

Claire shook her head.

"You’re hopeless."

Vivienne only smiled.

She couldn’t help it.

She just enjoyed being with him so much that time felt so fast.

Amelia sighed.

"Fine. In any case, prepare yourself now. We might arrive late if we keep dallying."

"Alright."

Vivienne looked around the room.

"What kind of party are we attending, by the way?"

Amelia blinked.

"Oh right, I haven’t told you. It’s a house party."

"Oh."

Vivienne nodded.

"Okok."

She walked over to the chair in front of her vanity and sat down.

The girls were already halfway in their preparations.

Claire was trying on a different pair of earrings.

Eleanor was holding two dresses against herself in front of the mirror.

Amelia was curling her hair.

Vivienne watched them for a moment.

Then she reached into her bag.

Her phone was still there.

She unlocked it.

She hesitated for a second.

Then opened Christopher’s messages.

She typed.

V: I am now inside my room. My friends are here. They are not very pleased that I arrived late. But... no regrets for me. I wish we could have spent more time together, and I’m sorry that we had to cut it short because of this. I enjoyed the day. Are you back in your room? And ah... I forgot to say earlier... I love you!

She looked at the message.

She felt a little shy about texting the words.

But she wanted to let him know.

Besides, she had already texted him that morning.

It shouldn’t be such a big deal.

She pressed send.

It didn’t take long.

His reply appeared.

C: Just got back. Apologies for bringing you back late. Tell them I will make up for it later. I also would have preferred to spend more time with you. No worries, just enjoy your night with your friends. And, I love you too.

Vivienne stared at the screen.

For a moment, she didn’t move.

Then the corners of her lips slowly lifted.

She looked down at the message again.

I love you too.

She had texted it first.

But seeing him reply with the same words still made something warm settle quietly in her chest.

It made her very happy.

Almost giddy.

Vivienne lowered her eyes, trying to hide the smile that had appeared on her face.

She didn’t say anything.

She simply read the message one more time.

Then she put her phone down.

She had to decide what to wear.

Vivienne looked toward her clothes.

A house party.

Hmm...

What would Christopher think was appropriate?

She picked up her phone again.

V: It’s good you’re back. Hmmm... now I have trouble deciding... what do you think is appropriate to wear for a house party?

She waited.

Christopher’s reply came soon after.

C: Something comfortable to walk around. But whichever you prefer would be good.

Vivienne read it twice.

Comfortable.

Whichever she preferred.

She tilted her head slightly.

What did he mean by that?

Never mind.

He probably just meant he trusted her judgment.

She smiled.

Then Amelia looked over.

"Are you seriously texting him again?"

Vivienne looked up almost guiltily.

"Ah... yes."

Amelia sighed.

"It’s already 8:15. We’re surely gonna be late at this rate."

Vivienne laughed.

"Okay, okay. I’ll get ready now."

She quickly typed one last message.

V: Ok... my friends are angry I’m still texting you. I will prepare then. Text you when I’m ready to go!

Christopher replied.

C: Ok.

Vivienne put the phone away.

This time, she actually got ready.

She looked at her clothes again.

She didn’t want to look too dressed up or give anyone the wrong impression.

Hmm...

Perhaps something elegant, comfortable, and... a little more conservative.

After all, she felt that she should keep her image a little more pristine now.

Besides, Christopher probably wouldn’t be particularly pleased if she showed up wearing something overly revealing while he wasn’t there.

She eventually chose a ribbed sweater dress in a soft oatmeal color.

It had long sleeves and reached the middle of her thighs.

A leather belt around her waist gave it a little structure.

She paired it with knee-high leather boots.

They made her legs look longer, but the dress itself was soft and comfortable.

Gold hoop earrings.

A few stacked rings.

That was enough.

Simple.

Pretty.

Cozy.

Vivienne looked at herself in the mirror.

She liked it.

It wasn’t too fitted.

She could move around comfortably.

She wouldn’t have to think about her clothes all night.

Perfect.

She arranged her hair.

A few loose waves would do.

Then she applied her makeup, keeping it light and natural-looking.

Eventually, she was finally done.

She checked herself one last time in the mirror.

Then turned around.

The other girls were ready too.

Eleanor had settled on fitted jeans and a fitted tank top.

Claire had chosen a short skirt with a fitted top.

Amelia was wearing a denim skirt with a crop top.

They all looked ready for a house party.

Sexy.

Dressed up.

Confident.

Then they looked at Vivienne.

There was a pause.

Claire blinked.

Amelia stared.

Eleanor looked her up and down.

Vivienne frowned.

"What?"

Amelia shook her head.

"You look different."

Vivienne looked down at herself.

"Why?"

"Hmm..."

Amelia looked at her again.

"You look very tame."

Vivienne laughed.

"Tame?"

Claire nodded.

"Very."

Amelia grinned.

"Did your Senior Archibald tame you?"

Vivienne laughed.

"Well...."

She adjusted the belt around her waist.

"I have a boyfriend now. I need to look the part."

The girls laughed.

"Okay."

Amelia shook her head, amused.

"Fair enough."

Eleanor smiled.

"But you know what aura you’re giving?"

Vivienne looked at her.

"What?"

Claire answered.

"Girl-next-door."

Amelia nodded.

"Yeah."

She looked Vivienne over again.

"Like the shy, innocent one who just happens to look like she walked out of a romance novel."

Vivienne laughed.

"I wasn’t trying to look like that."

"We know."

Amelia smiled.

"But you’re totally rocking it."

Claire nodded.

"It suits you."

Vivienne smiled.

"Thank you. You all look really good tonight too."

Amelia grinned.

"I know, right?"

Claire laughed.

"Totally."

Eleanor sighed.

"I hate to break it to you all while we’re having this extra boost of confidence, but I’m afraid we’re running late."

Amelia looked at the time.

Her eyes widened.

"9:15."

She immediately reached for her coat.

"Ugh. We’ve got to go. William’s house is about fifteen minutes away on foot."

Everyone started gathering their things.

Vivienne reached for her coat.

Then paused.

She picked up her phone instead.

She quickly opened Christopher’s messages and typed.

V: We’re leaving now. My friends say we’re already late, but I think we’re fine.

She sent it.

A moment later, her phone vibrated.

C: Alright. Take care. Enjoy the night with your friends.

Vivienne smiled.

V: I will. I’ll text you when we get there.

She slipped the phone back into her bag.

Amelia looked at her.

"Done?"

Vivienne gave her a sheepish smile.

"Come on."

Amelia laughed.

"Finally."

Vivienne laughed too.

The four girls gathered their coats and bags.

Then they finally left the room together.

--

Tbc