ELI
It was on a Friday and it was No-uniform day.
I was in my tight cream crop top hoodie that showed of my waist and cropped right above my belly button, paired with soft beige shorts that showed more thigh than anyone was ready for (sneaked out of the house wearing the shorts). My diamond-silver necklace dangled as I walked, catching the sun like it knew it was part of a photoshoot. And yeah, I caught stares. But not the bad kind. Not anymore. Some wide-eyed. Some flirty. Some downright worshipping.
My first real friend was Adam. American. Tall, sharp jawline, and that cocky boy-next-door smile. He helped me find my classroom on day one, which turned into him following me around like a lost puppy. I liked him. He was sweet, helpful, a little too serious sometimes, but he had a heart.
Then came Lian. Oh my God, Lian. He literally ran up to me between classes, eyes lit up like he'd seen a unicorn. "You're the prettiest boy I've ever seen," he blurted out, no hesitation. His accent was a mix of Beijing and Brooklyn, and his vibe? Pure chaos.
We clicked immediately. Lian was like me…slender, delicate, always with glossed lips and lashes curled so high they kissed his brow bone. He dressed like K-pop met Paris fashion week, and he had no filter. None.
"Those thighs should be illegal," he whispered when we sat beside each other in art class. I blushed, of course, but I loved it.
The three of us became a little triangle.me, Adam, Lian. Different vibes but it worked. We helped each other with homework, sat together at lunch, traded lip balm and dirty jokes.
It wasn't until a week later that our class got hit with the project announcement. Two-week duration. Presentation. Full documentation. Group of three.
Adam and I locked eyes immediately. "We good?" he asked.
"Of course," I grinned.
"You better include me or I'll cry," Lian pouted dramatically.
"You were always part of the team," I laughed, poking his side.
We sat in the courtyard, sipping matcha and planning how to divide the work. That's when Adam suggested something simple.
"We could work at Lian's place. His room's like a studio, right?"
"Totally," Lian nodded. "My boyfriend's out of the country anyway."
I was licking some whipped cream off my straw and casually said, "My boyfriend would freak out if I didn't ask first."
Silence.
Lian froze mid-sip, eyes wide and sparkling. "You have a boyfriend?!"
Adam blinked like someone slapped him. "Wait. You're dating someone? You never said anything."
I blinked at both of them. "Yeah. I mean… yeah. I live with him."
More silence.
Lian burst out laughing first. "You live with your boyfriend? That's so hot. Is he rich? I bet he's hot."
Adam still looked stunned. "You live with him? Like, live live?"
Lian whipped around to him. "Oh come on, Adam, what's the big deal? I live with my boyfriend too. You got a problem with that?"
"No, I…." Adam raised his hands. "I just didn't know. It's… surprising."
I giggled. "Well, now you know. His name's Damir. He's amazing. Strict, rich, annoying… perfect."
Lian swooned. "Ugh, I need to meet him. Do you guys cuddle? Does he buy you stuff? Does he tie your shoes?"
"Yes, yes, and yes."
"You're so lucky," lian sighed dramatically.
"So are we doing it at your place then, Eli?" Adam asked, voice softer now.
"I'll ask Damir tonight," I replied. "He might assign the whole security team to watch over us, though."
Lian clapped. "Oooh, bodyguards. That's sexy. I want that energy."
We all laughed.
That night when I got home, I didn't even make it past the living room before Damir had his arms around me, lifting me slightly and kissing my lips until I was breathless.
"Missed you," he murmured against my mouth.
"You saw me this morning," I whispered back.
"Still missed you."
And I did what I always did when I felt so full of joy it hurt, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him until I forgot everything else.
I felt safe. I felt wanted. And I felt ready to start this chapter of my life with my head high, surrounded by new friends, and the love of someone who gave me everything I never knew I deserved.
Tomorrow, I'd ask Damir about hosting the project at our place. But for now, I just wanted to stay wrapped up in his scent, his arms, his heartbeat.
This was happiness.