Is this destiny?

On their way from Merve's room, Masika, Oni, and Nala stopped by Imani's room.

"Done packing or can we help?" Masika asked when they got inside.

"I'm almost done. You can help me carry stuff." Imani responded.

She is super excited because she is moving to an apartment with Jamari and they will be next-door neighbors with Masika and Zack.

"Why do you have so many things?" Nala asked while gesturing with her hands to the boxes on the floor. "Let's get several boys to help."

Imani was not sure how to respond. Is that too many? "I guess things added up over time…"

Oni volunteered to find help. "Let me see who is in the common room!"

A minute later, Oni returned with Nico, Beck, Allen, and Julius, who agreed to help them carry boxes.

Four boys carried two boxes each and the girls one each, and it was all done in one round.

Boys didn't want to linger, they were in the middle of a game which they paused, so they swiftly returned to their previous activity.

The girls stayed with Masika to help her unpack. They opened boxes in the living room, and Imani was telling them where what goes.

"Do Ron and Zula know you will be neighbors across the hall?" Nala asked Imani.

Imani was not sure. "I don't think so. But if they don't, they will find out when they return tomorrow from their monthly visit to Heinelurgy."

"Where should I put these?" Oni asked Imani.

Imani saw that Oni is holding two puppy-figurines. "Put that on the table in the dining room."

"Why did you pack a pillow?" Nala asked through giggles.

Imani pouted. "That is my favorite pillow. Can you keep it in the bedroom?"

"Let's hurry with unpacking, otherwise we won't finish by dinnertime." Masika reminded girls.

Nala opened the bedroom door and glanced at Imani. "We can stop unpacking. The main thing is here. Everything else can be done later."

Imani didn't understand. "What main thing?"

"The bed is set up." Nala said in a singing voice.

Oni giggled. "True. Other than the bed, you will not need anything else for the first few days, and depending on Jamari's stamina, it might be weeks. Ah, I still remember when Michael and I..."

The chatter suddenly stopped at the sound of Jamari who cleared his throat from the main door. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but he got in and heard Nala saying how the bed is set, and then Oni questioned his stamina. He was shocked that the girls have bolder talks than the guys.

"Why didn't you knock?" Masika asked Jamari when she realized that he heard them talking. How long was he standing there? She didn't want to ask because Imani was obviously uncomfortable.

"This is my place." Jamari responded flatly. "Do you knock before entering your apartment?"

Masika thought how it makes sense, but then… this situation is awkward. "We should leave."

Nala, Oni, and Masika swiftly left the apartment.

Imani glanced at Jamari. "I've brought my stuff."

"I can see that. My things are packed, clothes mostly. And I wanted us to settle in the closet together so that we can decide on who uses which part." Jamari said with a smile while making his way toward Imani. "I am happy that we are moving in together."

"Me too." Imani responded before adding: "The girls were joking."

"About?"

"About the bed and… stuff." Imani said in a small voice.

"I'm disappointed to hear that it was a joke."

Imani was not sure if Jamari is serious or not. "Are you?"

Jamari chuckled and pulled Imani toward the bedroom. He pushed her on the bed and laid next to her.

Imani closed her eyes and waited for the kiss to come, or a hug, or something... she waited, and waited… and when nothing happened, she glanced at Jamari who was laying flat on his back and staring at the ceiling.

"Is this how we are going to sleep?" Imani asked.

Jamari turned to Imani and pulled her into his embrace.

"This is how we are going to sleep…" His breath splashed on her neck and she felt that her hair is rising.

Imani was not sure what to do. She wanted to hug him back, but he was holding her sideways and it was slightly uncomfortable.

Imani wiggled a bit and turned toward Jamari before reluctantly wrapping her arms around him.

He wanted to say that there is no way he can sleep like that, with them facing each other and feeling her body against his, but at the same time, he didn't want to say something that would make her move away.

"Imani…" Jamari called softly. "I don't care what others say. We can take it as slow as you want. Don't feel pressured. OK?"

Imani looked up at him and smiled. She likes how Jamari is always considerate.

"Slow as I want?" Imani asked. "What about you?"

Jamari smirked. "I am ready anytime."

Imani blinked. "Anytime?"

Jamari hummed in confirmation and pecked her lips. "Anytime. I have condoms and I am only waiting for you to give me the green light."

Imani was flustered that Jamari spoke about condoms but she liked that he thought about the protection. She enjoyed Jamari's kisses and the feeling of them lying next to each other with their legs intertwined. She wondered how it will feel if they do this in their pajamas, which are much thinner than jeans pants. It seems that she will find out. Tonight.

…

Corey and Merve found Sarah and Aiden in the living room (they were expecting them).

"You look stunning!" Sarah told Merve and touched Merve's white feather boa, before turning to Corey. "And you are dashing. Dangerous. Like a real gangster."

Corey smiled smugly and tilted his fedora hat to the side.

Aiden handed a box to Sarah and she opened it to reveal two matching golden bracelets, one ear stud and a pair of elegant earrings with emeralds that are obviously a set with her necklace. "These are for you. Latest designs from Blanc, customized for our needs. Don't remove them, at least tonight."

Corey wanted to refuse, but then he saw that it would be matching with Merve's and he remembered that Charlie told Corey to respect Sarah and Aiden and not to refuse their kindness.

"Do they have tracking?" Merve guessed while observing her delicate bracelet with small emeralds. The design matches the bracelet Corey is wearing, with a difference that his is thicker and without precious stones.

Sarah hummed in confirmation. "I'm sure that Charlie arranged security to keep an eye on you, but his men can't go inside the venue."

Sarah put bracelets on Merve and Corey and explained features available and how to activate them. "Before drinking anything, use the bracelet to check if it was spiked. You can use earrings to communicate with each other and with us."

"Do you expect some trouble?" Corey asked while nervously glancing at Merve.

Aiden responded: "No one expects trouble, but it's better to be careful than to regret later."

"Don't allow anyone to bully you. Teenagers can be more dangerous than the enemy's army because you don't see them as a threat." Sarah told Merve seriously. "There might be moments when Corey is not by your side. You know how to defend yourself, and in case you end up in something you can't handle, call for help."

Aiden saw that both Merve and Corey look troubled. "We don't want to scare you. This is a party and you should enjoy, however, stay vigilant. One second of carelessness can cost you big time. Merve, this is your first time going outside our zone of protection, and we are worried. Corey, I expect that you will keep her safe."

"Of course!" Corey responded confidently.

Sarah glanced at Corey's hands which are empty. "Did you get a wrist corsage for Merve?"

Corey smiled mysteriously. "It's home. We will stop by to get it."

Corey reached for the box when only earrings for Merve were left. "Can I?"

Merve craned her neck in response, to give him better access to her ear.

Merve closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling Corey's perfume. It was intoxicating. Very manly. Somehow, the act of Corey being close, nudging her hair to the back, and putting earrings on her in silence was the biggest intimacy she ever experienced so far, and she could helplessly feel that her cheeks are burning which means that she is blushing. Oh, how embarrassing.

Sarah leaned into Aiden's embrace and observed the scene.

"I can feel their love…" Sarah whispered to Aiden.

Aiden's handsome eyebrow arched. "That is my love you feel."

Sarah giggled. He is shameless. She was only pointing out that Merve and Corey are in love, alright?

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