It shouldn't have affected me this much, her arm slung loosely around the girl's shoulder as they laughed amongst their group.

The emerald eyed woman scoffed, rolling her eyes at the sights before looking me dead in the eyes; books pressed against her chest. "I told you, player's play." Her statement was mocking, an 'I told you so' tone was laced around her tongue as she stomped away. I made an attempt to stop her but my other two friends refrained me of doing so.

"Leave her be, Mani. She'll come around eventually." I nodded my head in understanding but groaned. I needed my best friend back. Lauren was the sole person out of the group that withheld the ability to comfort me but right now, she was hurting me.
-
"So," My mother began, taking a sip from her glass, showcasing a wide smile towards Jason. "How's college?"

"A little bit of a work load but there's nothing that I can't handle." His eyes twinkled with light and my parents beamed.

This dinner was uncomfortable with my parents questioning and assertive eyes gazing upon us but they seemed happy, happier than usual at least. Even when my father subtly threatened the male to not break my heart, he did it with a light, comical feel.

"I'm going to use the bathroom." I excused myself and Jason released his grip on my hand as I got up, straightening my dress as I ascended the stairs.

I finished up inside the bathroom before opening the door to my room and the first thing I noticed was that my window was wide open; a breeze surfacing inside the room and I was met with intense brown orbs.

The blonde haired woman suppressed a grin as the screamed got caught in my throat and I struggled to release a sound.

"Surprise, baby girl!"

"What the h-" I stopped myself, hurting over to shut the door; locking it before returning back to the woman standing in the center of the room.

Her once long tresses were now cut short, shoulder length as the curls fell loosely. She wore a cropped sweatshirt with the words 'SAVE THE MUSIC' written along the sleeves as it displayed her toned stomach. The sight was insinuating and I tugged my bottom lip in between my teeth at her appearance.

"Did you miss me?" She approached closer towards me and I retracted my footsteps away from her.

"Dinah, you need to leave now. What the hell were you thinking? My parents could've came in here and seen you."

She shrugged, unfazed. "But they didn't." She taunted and my back hit the cold wall as the Polynesian was proximal to my body. "And why do I need to go? So, that you can return back to that torturous dinner with that dickhead of a boyfriend of yours?"

Her hand skimmed my cheek, caressingly before I moved it away. "Why should you care? It seems like you're enjoying yourself a lot with that other girl."

"What other girl?" She knitted her eyebrows unknowingly and I merely rolled my eyes. "Oh, you mean Cassie? Please, she's just a friend."

"Didn't seem like a friend to me."

Dinah chuckled lightly as she grasped my hand in her own. "You're so fucking cute when you're jealous." With that statement, her lips pressed onto my own and my eyes widened in shock. Hurriedly, I pushed her away, my hand lightly pressing against my lips.

"Dinah, I can't do this."

Her orbs grew intense as she clenched her jaw, sighing. "Why haven't you come to your senses yet, Mani? I thought that if I left you alone that you would open your eyes for once."

"I'm sorry if you haven't seen it yet Dinah but we're wrong for each other. Besides, I'm with Jason now." I hung my head down, not meeting her piercing gaze.

"No, you're not. You're with that piece of shot just to please your family and the community. Shouldn't you be taking what you truly desire? I know that you want this, Normani." She lifted my chin up slowly and our eyes locked before her lips harshly pressed back against mines once again.

I reciprocated the touch, my longing and urge to feel her warmth was intoxicating and it consumed my thought like an addict.

I squealed as she hoisted me up, my legs straddling her waist as the wall secured my weight against her own. Our lips moved at a vigorous velocity and I was transported into ecstasy especially once her hand trailed under my dress and into my panties.

"He can't affect you like this." Her voice husked sensually into my ear and a moan was released passed my lips. "He can't make you this wet. This body activated within only my command, no one else's."

Her tone was dark and my thoughts wandered down to the people I left downstairs. Surely, I should be conversing amongst my parents and my new boyfriend but here I am entranced by the woman who cause me a great surge of trouble.

"This body and everything about it is mine. These lips." Her fingertips glided around my lips to the outline of my jaw. "This perfect jaw, this neck, and everything else belongs to me. You belong to me."

And she was right. Even if I liked it or not, I belonged to her every touch and single glance she throws my way as it brings me to my knees to please her.

"Normani? Are you okay?" The light tap on the door brought me back to reality and Dinah smirked against my neck, as she continued to suck on the skin.

"Yes, Jason." I groaned as I tried to regain my composure but my voice was far from nonchalant. "I'll be down soon."

"Great because your father is scaring me." Her nervously laughed and the Polynesian merely rolled her eyes before sticking another finger inside of me, curling them as I released a high pitched scream.

"Normani? What happened?" Jason questioned worriedly behind the door.

"I'm fine, I just...hit my foot against the bed."

"Okay well I'll see you downstairs." His retreating footsteps calmed my nerves as I peered down at the latter.

Not wanting to have to encounter another unwanted person knocking on my door, I grasped onto Dinah's wrist before pulling her hand out of me.

"We can't do this right now, Dinah."

"You're right. What time until this stupid dinner ends?"

I shook my head as I didn't know the answer for that. "I don't know but I'll call you. I promise."

She smirked before granting me with a short and simple kiss and before I knew it, she disappeared out of the window.
-
I was in my room where I pulled on my beanie and was now attired in a long sleeved shirt and jeans before I was met with Lauren.

"Sorry for barging in but I needed to talk with you."

I sighed as I proceeded to leave the room. "I'm sorry, Lauren, but maybe later. I have somewhere to be."

My actions of exiting the room was ceased as her hand grasped my arm.

"It will only be a few minutes."

Reluctantly, I sat on my bed as she took the empty space next to me. Her hands were folded in her lap before she released a shaky breath, meeting my eyes.

"That day, I shouldn't have spoken to you that way. You're my best friend, Normani, and I can't stand the sight of you getting hurt. You're more of a family to me than my own but either way, I was wrong. It was un-rational for me to think those ways about you and I have to come to acceptance that you're grown, you don't need me."

"I do need you, Lauren, to be there to guide and strengthen me but you have to realize that I will make my own decisions, even if you don't favor them." The raven haired girl nodded in a concurring gesture.

"So, does that me that you forgive me."

I smile as I embrace the girl. "I always will."

"I may not like Dinah but if you're dressing up this nice to go see her than maybe I should have a better look at her." Her smile was knowing and I was puzzled.

"How-"

"I know you, Mani, but don't worry, I'll cover for you. Spend a nice night with your girl."

I hugged her thankfully as she reciprocated the warmth radiating between the both of us. The best friends were reunited.
-
My back hit the car's backseat as my lips molded into her own and she expertly discarded my pants, stopping when being met with skin.

"Why are you not wearing underwear?"

I bit my lip, responding coyly, "I must've forgotten."

With that, she hurriedly removes the remainder of the clothing shielding our bodies and rolled on a condom, chucking the tin foil wrap into the abyss of the car before inserting inside of me roughly.

My heart and soul was connected with this woman, the woman that the town hated because of her bad girl appearance and the remnant smoke lingering around her. She was no one to look up to but right now I didn't care about the town or my family who would have judgmental eyes because for once I could myself. I found myself in her.
-
I'm going to be updating the watcher soon and that story will be coming to an end as there will only be a few chapters left. Also, thanks for letting lawful love hit 1k reads!