#pazziprank

[pboogersworld]

V I D E O G A M E L O V E R

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Athour note hi guys sum different hope you enjoy Thissss should I keep going ? Hope you have a fantastic weekend guys stay healthy always 🫶🏾xoxobre

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[🔴 LIVE] @kk_uconn 👥 12.4k viewers 💬 2.1k/sec

The LED ring light reflected in KK’s eyes as she leaned closer to her phone, propping it up against a stack of textbooks on her desk. The freshman dorm room was chaotic in the background clothes draped over the back of a desk chair, a half-empty Chipotle bowl sitting on the dresser, and a giant UConn Huskies flag pinned to the cinderblock wall.

"Hi girly pop! What you guys doing?" KK said, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger with a bright giggle. She adjusted her oversized hoodie, flashing a manicured hand at the screen as the viewer count instantly began to spike.

Within seconds, the chat chat exploded into an unreadable blur of rolling text. The notification pings were a non-stop hum against the desk.

User3829: Omg hi KK!! ❤️✨ DunkinQueen: Are you in the dorms??

WingsFan_99: Where is the rest of the crew??

UConn_Bound26: WHERE IS JANA??

Chloe_bx: Is Aubrey there?? 👀👀

"You guys are literal feds, oh my gosh," KK laughed, leaning back in her chair and reading the rapid-fire comments. "Jana is literally right—"

Before she could finish her sentence, a deafening, metallic BOOM echoed from the hallway, rattling the cheap plastic blinds against the dorm window. The entire frame of the livestream shuddered. KK’s giggle instantly dropped, her hand freezing in her hair as her eyes widened in genuine shock.

The chat went completely feral.

SpamKing: WHAT WAS THAT 💀💀 Aaliyah.vfx: RIP THE HEADPHONES USERS User00271: dynamic entry incoming?? Huskies_12: standard dorm activities lmao

The heavy wooden dorm door didn't just open; it flew backward, banging loudly against the rubber wall stopper.

Through the doorway stumbled Aubrey, completely out of breath, holding a massive, smoking, industrial-sized box of Wingstop, while Jana marched in right behind her, aggressively blasting a Fortnite lobby track from her phone like a personal hype man.

"We have arrived!" Aubrey yelled, completely oblivious to the live camera, trying to balance three separate bags of extra ranch on top of the grease-stained cardboard box. "And before you ask, yes, they forgot the celery again."

Jana peeked over Aubrey's shoulder, spotted the glowing ring light, and immediately slid into the frame with a chaotic peace sign. "Wait, are we live? Girly pop! Tell them what happened at the campus store, Aubrey, go ahead."

KK covered her face with both hands, a mix of embarrassment and pure entertainment washing over her as the viewer count doubled in a matter of seconds. "Guys, I literally cannot take them anywhere. Welcome to the vlog, I guess."

"Wait, wait, wait," Jana interrupted, shoving her phone closer to the ring light so the chat could hear the Fortnite lobby music clearer. "First of all, look at the chat. They’re literally yelling at us. 'Aubrey look like she just fought a boss battle —bro, she did!"

Aubrey slammed the smoking box of Wingstop down onto the middle of the carpet, dropping to her knees like she had just crossed a marathon finish line. "I did! KK, I am not joking. Some guy on an electric scooter tried to intercept the bag outside of the student union. I had to hit him with a tactical slide."

"She didn't slide, she tripped over a curb and face-planted into a bush, but she saved the 20-count lemon pepper," Jana corrected smoothly, dropping onto the edge of KK's bed and grabbing a fry. "Priorities."

KK was absolutely losing it, leaning away from the camera as she laughed so hard no sound came out. She glanced back at the screen, where the comments were moving so fast the text was practically vibrating.

User_XFF: NOT THE TACTICAL SLIDE 💀😭 GamerGirl_UConn: Aubrey is a certified locker room leader for this ChipotleBae: Someone clip Jana playing Fortnite music in the background pls DailyVlog_Updates: Is the box actually smoking??? lmao

"Guys, look at the box," KK said, pointing a manicured nail at the grease-stained cardboard container. A tiny, pathetic wisp of steam was still curling out of the corner. "Why does it look like an active fire hazard? What did they do to those wings?"

"They fresh out the grease, girly pop! That’s quality," Aubrey said, finally sitting cross-legged on the floor and popping the lid open. The glorious, overwhelming scent of buffalo sauce, garlic parmesan, and fried perfection instantly filled the cramped room. "Where are the wipes? If I get grease on my Nike sweats, I’m actually going to cry."

Jana tossed a stray pack of wet wipes at Aubrey’s head without looking, her eyes glued to KK’s screen. "Wait, KK, look at that super chat. Someone just asked if we’re doing the 100-wing challenge tonight on live."

KK’s eyes widened, and she immediately looked at the massive mountain of food on the floor, then back to the camera with a dramatic, slow-motion shake of her head.

"Absolutely not," KK laughed, though she was already pulling her chair closer to the floor. "But... if we hit five thousand views in the next two minutes, I might make Aubrey eat a whole cup of the atomic sauce."

Aubrey paused, a half-eaten wing halfway to her mouth, and glared at the lens. "I literally risk my life against a scooter menace, and this is the disrespect I get?"

KK leaned in so close to the screen her forehead almost touched the camera lens, her acrylic nails tapping a rapid rhythm against the edge of her iPhone case as she tried to track the chaotic wall of text.

PaigeFanClub: WHERE IS PAIGIE???

UConn_Huskies04: did y'all leave paige behind lmao

GirlyPop_Central: Is Paige okay?? She hasn't posted today!

User_92837: track paige's location rn 👀

"Wait, guys, stop scrolling so fast," KK muttered, squinting at the screen before sitting back with a dramatic gasp. "They’re literally spamming the chat. Look." She pointed at the screen, turning her head toward Jana, who was currently trying to dip a lemon pepper wing into a cup of ranch while simultaneously scrolling on her own phone. "Everyone is asking 'where Paige?'"

Jana paused mid-bite, a dot of ranch on her lower lip, and blinked blankly at the ring light. She swapped her wing to her left hand and wiped her mouth with the back of her wrist. "Wait, actually, where is she? I haven't seen her since our morning lecture."

"I don't know," KK said, her voice dropping into that signature hushed, gossipy vlog tone. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked back at the chat, giving the camera a wide-eyed, knowing look. "I think she's studying. She said she had that massive exam coming up and needed to lock in."

Aubrey scoffed from her spot on the floor, waving a half-eaten wing in the air like a courtroom gavel. "Studying? In this dorm? On a Tuesday night while the Wingstop is fresh? Absolutely not. That’s a violation of room protocol. She’s probably staring at a textbook pretending she understands macroeconomics."

Jana’s eyes instantly lit up with mischief. She set her food down onto the greasy cardboard box, her manicured fingers flying across her screen to turn off her Fortnite lobby music. "Oh, it's over. Let's go see. Grab the phone, KK. We're taking the live on a field trip."

"Wait, should we?" KK giggled, already unclamping the iPhone from the ring light tripod. The camera gave a wild, dizzying swirl as she lifted it, transitioning the stream into a shaky, first-person vlogging style. "Guys, we are officially going on a hunt for Paige. If she’s actually studying, we are going to ruin her entire attention span."

"Mission: Disturb the Peace," Aubrey whispered loudly, scrambling up from the floor and quickly licking the buffalo sauce off her thumbs. "Don't leave the wings unsupervised, the people in the chat might steal them through the screen."

KK held the phone out at arm's length, keeping herself, Jana, and Aubrey all crammed into the frame as they huddled near the heavy wooden door. The chat was going completely feral, the viewer count ticking up by hundreds every second as the word PAIGE flooded the screen in a solid wall of emojis.

Max🐾: RIP PAIGE'S STUDY SESSION

UConn_2026: standard freshman dorm activities tbf

Chloe.vlogs: THE CHAOS IS UNMATCHED 😭

Gamer_Girl: walk softly lmaooo

Shh, guys, quiet," KK whispered into the microphone, flashing a massive grin at the camera as she gripped the door handle. Jana was right behind her, holding her own phone up with the flashlight on for absolutely no reason, while Aubrey brought up the rear, still holding a single carrot stick like a weapon.

KK cracked the door open into the brightly lit, sterile cinderblock hallway of the UConn dorms, the camera capturing the long stretch of identical doors. "Okay, girly pops, keep it down in the chat so she doesn't hear us coming," KK whispered, stepping out into the hall

KK slowly crept into room 124, panning the phone camera right toward the glow of the TV screen.

Instead of textbooks and highlighters, Paige was locked into the ultimate gamer mode. She was sitting on the edge of her bed in a sports bra and gray joggers, completely in the zone, her hands gripped tightly around her controller as she stared intensely at the screen. The neon LED lights in her room cast a colorful glow over the whole setup.

The moment the heavy dorm door clicked, Paige’s head snapped toward the entrance.

"Yo, P," KK said, stepping fully into the room with a massive grin, holding the phone high so the livestream could see everything.

"Yo, KK," Paige said immediately, not even realizing they were live yet. She gestured aggressively at the TV screen, dropping her controller onto the messy blankets of her bed. "Look at my game, this shit is literally glitching. I’m trying to play and my character is just frozen in a wall."

Jana and Aubrey burst into the room behind KK, laughing. "We thought you were studying!" Aubrey yelled, waving her carrot stick. "We literally came to rescue you from macroeconomics!"

"Studying? Please," Paige laughed, shaking her head as she stood up to stretch.

The girls piled onto Paige’s bed, making themselves completely at home. KK propped the iPhone up on Paige's desk right next to the TV, angling it perfectly so the camera captured all four of them piled onto the mattress.

The second the camera stabilized, the chat went absolutely feral. The emojis were scrolling so fast they were a complete blur.

PaigeFan_12: PAIGIE 😍😍😍😍😍

UConnHuskies: THE WHOLE SQUAD IS HERE OMG 📈📈

GamerGirl_Paige: She was gaming the whole time lmao standard

User_8831: PAIGE LOOKS SO PRETTY WITH HER HAIR UP 😍

ChipotleQueen: The glitch is a sign to go eat the Wingstop!!

Dro_23: 😍😍😍😍😍 Look at the chat losing its mind

"Wait, are we live right now?" Paige asked, squinting at the screen as she noticed the non-stop flood of heart eyes and blowing kisses taking over the chat.

"Yeah, gotta get the fans what they want," Jana said, leaning over Paige’s shoulder with a smirk and pointing at the phone screen. "Paige, look at the chat. They are literally obsessed with you."

Paige shook her head, laughing as she grabbed her controller back off the bed. She completely ignored the flood of heart-eyes in the comments and pointed a finger at her TV screen. "Forget the chat for a second. Can someone literally show me how to delete this game from my PS5? Every time I try to delete it, it pops right back up. It’s actually haunted."

KK’s eyes lit up with instant mischief. She looked at Jana, then back at Paige, a massive grin spreading across her face. "Wait, what game is it? Open it. Let the live see what you're actually playing, P."

"No, it's literally just glitched—" Paige started, but KK was already leaning over and tapping the button on the controller herself.

The screen flashed, but instead of a chaotic shooter or a Fortnite lobby, a bright, sparkly pink loading screen filled the TV. Upbeat, bubbly pop music started blasting out of the monitor speakers. Big, glittering bubble letters popped up across the screen ✨ STYLE QUEEN: DESIGN YOUR DESTINY ✨

"Oh my god!" Aubrey shrieked from the floor, dropping her carrot stick completely. "Paige is playing a dress-up game!"

"No, I'm not! I told you, it downloaded itself!" Paige defended herself, her face turning slightly pink as she giggled, trying to block the TV with her hands.

Jana was laughing so hard she collapsed backward onto the pillows. "The hardcore gamer is customizable styling! Look at the chat, they are losing it!"

KK quickly grabbed the phone to show the TV closer, and sure enough, the game transitioned to a flashy character select screen that read: 『 CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER 』

"Okay, okay, since it won't delete, you have to pick one," KK challenged, nudging Paige with her shoulder. "Who are you picking?"

Paige’s thumb hovered over the joystick, the colorful neon lights of her dorm room reflecting off the glossy screen of her monitor. The chat was moving at a million miles an hour, filled with rows of spamming emojis and keyboard smashes as KK, Jana, and Aubrey continued to hype up the stream behind her.

"Wait, look at this one," Paige murmured, her voice dropping slightly as she scrolled past the standard avatar options.

The selection box snapped onto a brand-new character card, and the screen flashed with a cascade of sparkling gold animations. The avatar that stepped forward onto the digital runway was absolutely stunning. She had flawless, glowing brown skin, a gorgeous crown of defined, bouncy curls, and a radiant, dimpled smile that seemed to light up the entire screen.

As soon as Paige’s cursor locked onto her, the character did a stylized, fluid turnaround. The elegant, gold-and-purple script text shimmering above the avatar's head read

『 Azzi the Princess 』.

Before anyone could say a word, the character looked directly out of the screen, tilting her head with a playful, effortless confidence.

"Azzi the Princess," a sweet, melodic voice line played clearly through the TV speakers, perfectly timed as the avatar gave a smooth, charming wink and blew a soft, animated kiss straight toward the screen.

"Oh my gosh!" KK squealed, grabbing Jana’s arm and shaking it dramatically as she kept the phone camera angled perfectly to catch both Paige's reaction and the monitor. "P, she literally just winked at you! The game is not glitching, it’s trying to tell you something!"

"Hold on, hold on," Jana laughed, leaning all the way over the edge of the mattress to peer closer at the character model. "Why does she actually look like royalty though? The style is tea. Look at the curly hair, look at the outfit! Paige, you have to lock her in."

Aubrey nodded aggressively from the corner of the bed, still holding her half-eaten carrot stick like a microphone. "If you don't choose Azzi the Princess right now, I am taking that controller from you. She is stunning."

Paige sat completely frozen for a split second, her eyes locked on the gorgeous avatar's smiling face. A sudden, genuine warmth rushed to her cheeks, and a quiet, amazed smile tugged at the corners of her lips. The way the character model was designed—the perfect brown skin, the beautiful curls, the sheer confidence in that wink—was completely captivating.

Wow, she is so pretty, Paige thought, her heart doing a quick, unexpected skip against her ribs.

She swallowed softly, trying to clear the sudden throat-dryness as she felt three pairs of eyes—plus thousands more in the livestream chat—staring at her profile. Trying to act casual, Paige gave a low, impressed whistle, nodding her head as she finally pressed the X button to select her.

"Okay, yeah," Paige said, her voice a little softer than usual as she looked back over her shoulder at the girls with a breathless giggle. "She’s definitely the one. We are absolutely playing as her."

The moment Paige hit the X button, the game made a loud, sparkly CHIME sound, and the screen transitioned to a royal dressing room filled with digital racks of clothes, shoes, and sparkling accessories.

"Okay, wait," KK said, immediately leaning into the camera with her phone. "The chat is literally going into cardiac arrest right now. Look at this."

She swung the camera toward the phone screen, where the comments were scrolling so fast they were blurring into a solid wall of pink hearts and exclamation points.

PaigeFan_01: SHE CHOSE AZZI THE PRINCESS 😍👑

UConnHoops26: Why is Paige blushing so hard omg?! 🤭

GirlyPop_Central: The character blowing a kiss was top tier

User_7721: Paige is locked in, look at her eyes!!

"I am not blushing, you guys are hallucinating," Paige laughed, her voice a little higher than usual as she quickly adjusted the collar of her hoodie to cover her face. She kept her eyes glued to the screen, trying to shake off the butterflies. "I'm just trying to figure out how to customize her."

"Let me style her!" Jana demanded, crawling across the bed and practically laying over Paige's shoulder to get a better look at the screen. "Look at the options. We've got streetwear, retro jerseys, and a literal princess gown. P, you have to go with the streetwear look. It matches her curls."

"No, look at the accessories tab!" Aubrey cut in, pointing a manicured finger at the corner of the monitor. "There are literal diamond crowns and Nike sneakers. A sneaker princess? That is the vibe."

Paige chuckled, the initial shock wearing off as she gripped the controller. She tapped the joystick, moving the cursor over a pair of high-top sneakers and a cropped varsity jacket. Every time she highlighted a new item, the digital Azzi would do a cute little pose, smiling and looking incredibly pretty.

"Okay, wait," KK whispered, looking down at the stream notifications. "Guys... the stream just hit ten thousand viewers. We are officially trending on TikTok live right now because Paige is playing a princess dress-up game in her sports bra."

Before Paige could even process that, the game screen suddenly flashed with a giant, glowing golden envelope right in the middle of the dressing room. A dramatic trumpet fanfare played through the TV speakers.

A message popped up in sparkling letters 『 SPECIAL EVENT: THE PRINCESS’S DATE TO THE BALL. CHOOSE A SQUAD MEMBER TO ACCOMPANY HER. 』

Underneath the prompt, the game automatically loaded three new avatar silhouettes based on the profiles connected to the console—and the first silhouette looked suspiciously like a digital version of Paige.

Jana and Aubrey immediately went silent, then looked at each other before letting out a deafening scream.

"Oh my god!" KK shrieked, zooming the phone camera directly onto Paige’s completely stunned face. "P! The game wants you to go on a digital date with Azzi the Princess!"

Paige’s jaw literally dropped as she stared at the screen. The golden envelope was sparkling, and the avatar silhouette next to Azzi the Princess was unmistakably her—complete with a tiny digital version of her signature messy claw clip and oversized hoodie.

"Bro, what is this game?!" Paige screamed, laughing as she covered her face with both hands, her cheeks turning a deep, undeniable shade of pink. "I am telling you, my PS5 is haunted! How does it even know what I look like?!"

Jana was practically rolling on the bed, slapping the mattress with pure joy. "The game knows! The universe knows! Look at the chat, they are literally losing their minds!"

KK zoomed the phone camera straight in on the livestream comments,

Azzi👑Paige: THE GAME IS SHIPPNG THEM 😭📉

UConn_MemePage: Not the digital date night lmao GirlyPop_99:

PAIGE IS BLUSHING SO HARD RN 😍😍😍 User_2026: Look at the silhouette it literally has her hoodie!!

"Okay, press X! Press X right now, P!" Aubrey ordered, abandoning her carrot stick entirely to grab Paige's shoulder. "We need to see what happens at this ball. Style your character to match her!"

"I can't believe you guys are making me do this," Paige giggled, but her hands were already back on the controller. She clicked on her own silhouette, and the game made another magical DING sound, loading her character right next to Azzi the Princess.

The two digital characters stood side-by-side on the screen. The avatar version of Azzi turned her head, her beautiful brown skin glowing under the virtual lights and her curly hair bouncing as she gave Paige's character a cute, shy little smile.

Paige felt a genuine flutter in her chest. Why is this digital girl actually so pretty? she thought, a soft smile taking over her face as she looked at the screen.

"Okay, we need matching outfits," KK declared, taking directorial control of the vlog. "Jana, look at the shop. They have matching varsity jackets. Put Azzi in the purple one and Paige in the black one."

"On it," Paige murmured, tapping the buttons. As she dressed the two characters, the game suddenly triggered a cutscene. The background shifted from the dressing room to a massive, neon-lit basketball court that had been turned into a dance floor, complete with a DJ booth and sparkling fairy lights.

Azzi the Princess walked onto the court first, turning around to extend a hand toward Paige’s character.

A new prompt popped up on the screen: 『 HOLD R2 TO TAKE HER HAND 』

"Oh my god, hold it! Hold her hand!" Jana yelled, grabbing a pillow and squeezing it.

"Hold it! Hold it!" KK and Aubrey chanted in unison, leaning so close to Paige they were practically suffocating her.

Paige took a deep breath, a huge, laughing smile on her face as she looked at the gorgeous avatar waiting for her on the screen. She squeezed the R2 trigger.

On the screen, her character walked forward and gently took Azzi's hand. The digital Azzi smiled warmly, her curly hair framing her face perfectly as a shower of virtual confetti rained down on them.

Just as the crowd in the game started cheering, Paige's game phone buzzed loudly with a text notification.

KK's eyes darted to the phone screen first, and her jaw dropped. "Wait... Paige. Look at your phone right now."

"Oh, wait!" Paige gasped, realizing what KK was talking about. "Not my real phone—the phone in the game! Look!"

On the bottom corner of the TV screen, a little digital smartphone icon was vibrating and flashing with a bright red notification dot. Paige quickly tapped the touchpad on her controller, and the in-game phone popped up on screen, overlaying the image of their avatars holding hands on the sparkling basketball court.

A text message window slid open from an unknown number.

From: 👑 Princess_Azzi "You look really pretty in that varsity jacket... thanks for dancing with me. 😉❤️"

"NO WAY!" Jana shrieked, throwing her hands in the air and falling backward onto the pillows. "The NPC is literally texting you game! She’s rizzing you up through the console!"

"Oh my gosh, look at Paige’s face!" KK yelled, spinning the live camera back to Paige.

Paige was completely stunned, her mouth open in a wide smile as she stared at the text on the monitor. The little winking emoji and the red heart on the screen made her chest do a serious flip. She couldn't help but giggle, throwing her head back against the wall. "Bro, I cannot believe this game right now. It has a whole storyline? Why is she so smooth?!"

Aubrey leaned in, squinting at the screen. "Wait, it's giving you options to reply! Paige, what are you gonna say?"

Three dialogue options popped up on the bottom of the virtual phone screen

[ Option A ] “You’re the one who looks like royalty. 😍”

[ Option B ] “Just trying to keep up with you! 🏀🔥”

[ Option C ] “So... what happens after the dance? 👀”

The chat was scrolling so fast it looked like a glitch itself. Thousands of people were spamming letters, voting for what Paige should choose.

UConn_Vlogger: OPTION C!!! GO FOR THE PLOT TWIST!!

Paige👑Azzi: Option A is so cute omg look at Paige blushing 😭❤️

Gamer_Girl99: A A A A A A A HuskiesHoops: Option B for the basketball court vibes!!

"Choose A! Choose A!" KK chanted, shoving the livestream phone right next to the TV so the viewers could see the choices clearly. "Give the princess the compliments she deserves!"

Paige’s thumb hovered over the joystick, her heart beating just a little bit faster as she looked at the digital version of Azzi on the screen, who was still standing there with her beautiful curly hair and that radiant, pretty smile, waiting for a text back.

"Alright, alright, we're going with A," Paige giggled, clicking the button.

On the screen, the text sent with a little whoosh sound. A second later, the digital Azzi avatar on the court looked down at her own virtual phone, blushed, and looked back up at Paige's character with an even bigger smile.

The digital Azzi on the screen did a little animated shuffle, her sneakers squeaking softly on the virtual hardwood floor as she tucked her phone into the pocket of her purple varsity jacket. A small, stylized thought bubble appeared over her avatar's head, filled with floating pink hearts, signaling that her "Affection Level" had officially leveled up.

"Oh, look at the top left corner!" Aubrey pointed aggressively, her finger nearly smudging the glossy finish of the monitor. "The loyalty meter is literally filling up. You're securing the crown, P."

"I've never seen anyone lock in so fast over a glitching dress-up game," Jana cackled, shaking her head as she adjusted her posture on the crowded dorm bed. "Look at her thumbs. She's got the competitive grip on that controller right now."

Before Paige could defend herself, the background music shifted from the upbeat, bouncy party track to a softer, atmospheric synth rhythm. The neon lights around the digital basketball court dimmed, casting a cozy, violet glow over the two characters.

A new prompt flashed across the center of the screen in bold, golden lettering: 『 MOMENT OF TRUTH: CHOOSE THE PERFECT ENDING TO THE NIGHT 』

The camera angle on the screen smoothly tracked inward, focusing tightly on the two avatars standing face-to-face. The detail on the Azzi character was wild—the developers had clearly put all their effort into her design. Her brown skin caught the digital violet light perfectly, and her tight, bouncy curls looked incredibly soft as they framed her smiling face. She tilted her head up slightly, her virtual eyes locked onto Paige's character with an expression that was undeniably sweet.

Suddenly, three final action icons materialized right between them

[ 📸 TAKE A ROYAL SELFIE TOGETHER ]

[ 🏆 CHALLENGE HER TO A 1-ON-1 SINK-OR-SWIM SHOOTOUT ]

[ 👑 ASK HER TO BE YOUR PERMANENT SQUAD PARTNER ]

"Oh my gosh, the permanent squad partner option is basically a digital proposal," KK gasped into her phone mic, her eyes wide as she monitored the chat. The live view count was pushing past twelve thousand now, and the comment section had completely lost its collective mind.

UConn_Nation: CHOOSE THE SQUAD PARTNER OR WE RIOT 📉😭

GirlyPop_Live: Look at Paige she’s literally biting her lip she’s so invested lmao

AzziFan_00: The selfie option would be so cute for a profile pic tho!!

Chloe.vlogs: 👑 👑 👑 👑 CHOOSE THE CROWN

"Wait, if I choose the shootout, do I have to actually play basketball against her?" Paige asked, a nervous laugh escaping her lips as she stared at the screen. Her eyes kept drifting back to the Azzi avatar's gorgeous smile. There was something about the character's design that was genuinely mesmerizing, making her heart do that strange, fluttery skip all over again.

"Bro, do not challenge the princess to a shootout on your first date, that is terrible geometry," Jana advised, leaning forward until her chin was resting directly on Paige’s shoulder. "Go for the crown. Lock it in. Make it official."

"Do it, Paige! Give the people the fairytale ending!" Aubrey cheered, waving her carrot stick in the air like a magic wand.

Paige took a deep, steadying breath, a massive, uncontrollable smile taking over her face. She looked at the screen, then glanced back at the phone camera where thousands of people were waiting for her next move. With a dramatic sigh and a soft giggle, she nudged the joystick downward and pressed the X button firmly on the crown icon.

The screen instantly erupted into a massive celebration. Virtual confetti rained down from the top of the monitor in a sparkling gold and purple waterfall. The digital Azzi let out a cute, animated cheer, stepping forward to wrap Paige’s avatar in a tight, enthusiastic hug.

Right as the characters embraced, a massive, screen-wide achievement banner unlocked with a triumphant trumpet fanfare: 『 ARCHIEVMENT UNLOCKED: PRINCESS’S CHOSEN ONE. AFFECTION LEVEL: MAX. 』

"SHE DID IT!" KK screamed, leaping up from the bed and spinning the camera around to capture the absolute chaos of the room. Jana was throwing a pillow into the air, and Aubrey was clapping like they had just won the national championship.

Paige just sat there, staring at the screen with a flushed, happy expression, watching the two characters hold hands as the digital sun began to set behind the stadium lights. Best glitch ever, she thought to herself, completely oblivious to the fact that the entire UConn campus was probably watching her livestream right now.

KK leaned in close to her phone, her eyes scanning the absolute madness of the live chat. The comments were scrolling past like lines of code in a sci-fi movie, a blur of pink hearts, skull emojis, and caps-lock screaming. The viewer count was sitting at an all-time high, completely shattering their campus record.

"Oh my gosh, girly pops, the chat is literally crashing my phone," KK laughed, her face illuminated by the bright screen. She looked over her shoulder at the group piled on the bed. "We gotta go see y'all next live! We have a whole mountain of Wingstop cooling down in room 112 and Aubrey is about to start eating the cardboard."

"It's true, the lemon pepper is calling my name," Aubrey chimed in, waving her hands at the camera. "Bye guys! Don't let Paige download any more mystery games!"

Jana slid into the frame one last time, flashing a double peace sign. "Shoutout to the princess! Go Huskies! Bye!"

"Bye everyone! Love you guys, see you on the next vlog!" KK squealed, blowing a kiss to the camera before her thumb slammed onto the 'End Live' button. The bright ring-light reflection disappeared from her eyes, and the room instantly felt a fraction quieter, returning to the normal, cozy dimness of the dorm.

"Bro, that was legendary," Jana chuckled, stretching her arms as she slid off the edge of Paige’s mattress. "Ten thousand people watched you court a digital princess. You're officially a local celebrity, P."

"Get out of my room, you guys are absolute menace behavior," Paige groaned playfully, tossing a stray plush pillow at Jana’s back. A beautiful, lingering flush was still dusted across her cheeks, her heart rate finally starting to settle back to normal now that the lens was turned off.

"We're leaving, we're leaving! Don't lock your door, we might bring you a stray wing if you're lucky," KK teased, grabbing her tripod and phone.

With a flurry of giggles, rustling sweats, and the heavy thud of slippers, the three girls shuffled out into the brightly lit cinderblock hallway. The heavy wooden door of room 124 swung shut behind them, clicking firmly into place and sealing Paige back into the quiet sanctuary of her own space.

Paige let out a long, dramatic sigh of relief, dropping her head back against her wall. The silence of the room was comforting. The only illumination came from the neon pink LED strip buzzing faintly near the ceiling and the vibrant, colorful glow of her television screen.

On the monitor, the game hadn't gone back to the main menu. The cutscene had ended, and the two avatars the digital version of Paige in her black varsity jacket and the stunning Azzi the Princess model with her radiant brown skin and perfect curly hair were still standing hand-in-hand on the empty, twilight-lit basketball court. The virtual confetti had settled, and the soft, ambient synth music hummed low and hypnotic through the TV speakers.

Paige reached for the controller, her thumb hovering over the power button to finally shut the console down and try to figure out how to wipe the weird, stubborn software from her system once and for all.

Suddenly, the ambient music dropped out entirely. The low hum of the speakers went dead silent.

Through the quiet air of the empty room, a soft, melodic, and undeniably real voice echoed directly from the television set. It wasn't a pre-recorded, robotic sound bite. It carried the gentle, breathless cadence of someone letting out a long-held secret.

"They're finally gone."

Paige froze.

Her thumb stopped less than a millimeter away from the controller's button. Every muscle in her body locked up instantly, the breath catching tight in her throat. The casual, goofy smile completely vanished from her face.

She stared at the screen, her eyes wide as her heart gave a sudden, violent thud against her ribs.

On the monitor, the digital model of Azzi the Princess slowly let go of the other avatar's hand. But she didn't just return to an idle animation loop. The character model smoothly turned around, her deep, detailed eyes shifting away from the center of the virtual court and looking directly, precisely out of the screen—staring straight into the dark room, right at Paige.

Paige’s heart didn't just skip a beat—it felt like it slammed straight into her ribs. The plastic of the controller felt suddenly ice-cold against her palms. She sat completely paralyzed on the edge of her mattress, her eyes wide as she stared at the screen, a cold sweat breaking out across the back of her neck.

"What the fuck..." she whispered, her voice barely a breath in the quiet room.

On the monitor, the avatar didn't move like a standard video game character anymore. There was no repetitive, mechanical bobbing or clipping through the graphics. The digital Azzi smoothly stepped closer to the camera angle, her flawless brown skin catching the virtual moonlight as her deep eyes remained locked entirely on Paige.

"I know, right?" the voice came through the TV speakers again, perfectly clear, followed by a soft, incredibly human chuckle. The character model on screen actually rolled her shoulders and stretched her neck, as if she had just been released from a stiff, rigid pose. "Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to stand perfectly still and blow kisses while ten thousand people are screaming in a live chat?"

Paige completely forgot how to breathe. Her brain was frantically trying to rationalize what was happening. Is this a prank? Did KK hook up a Discord call to the TV? Did Jana hack my console?

She scrambled backward on her bed, her back hitting the cold cinderblock wall of her dorm. She raised her phone with a shaking hand, ready to call KK and tell her the joke was over.

"Don't bother calling them, Paige. It's not a prank," the voice said gently. On the screen, the avatar tilted her head, her beautiful, tight curls bouncing naturally over her shoulders. A soft, reassuring smile appeared on her face—the exact same radiant, dimpled smile that had captivated Paige just minutes before. "And honestly? You can put the controller down. You're gripping it so hard your knuckles are turning white."

Paige slowly looked down at her hands, then back up at the screen, her mouth slightly open. "Who... what are you?" she managed to choke out, her voice trembling

The digital princess took a step forward, practically pressing against the boundary of the glass monitor, looking out into Paige's dark room with a look of genuine curiosity.

"I'm Azzi," she said softly, her digital eyes reflecting the real neon pink LED lights glowing on Paige's ceiling. "And I think my game just glitched into your reality."

[pboogersworld]

“Honey prank on my girlfriend prank “

Word count 976

tags #prank #fyp #lgbtq #18+only # fypp

Arthur note this was lowkey funny idk what I was doing fr just trying sum out lmk how yall feel about this ? xoxobri

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Paige leans forward, her signature smirk widening as she adjusts the camera lens. The lens flares slightly under the bright convenience store parking lot lights, capturing the glint of mischief in her eyes.

"Hi guys! Welcome back to the channel. You already know what time it is it’s prank time," she whispers, her voice dropping into that conspiratorial tone her fans love. "And y’all know when I’m by myself, it’s finna be a banger. So, as you can see, I’m in the car at the store, and I just went in and copped a little something special."

She reaches into a crumpled brown paper bag on the passenger seat, the crinkle of the paper loud in the quiet car. With a flourish, she pulls out a small, neon-colored sachet.

"A honey pack," she says, holding it up to the camera with a giggle. "Now look today was supposed to be a chill day with friend. We’re gonna watch movies, maybe play some games, definitely order some pizza. But I figured, why not spice things up and tease Azzi a little bit? She’s too comfortable today, y'all. We gotta shake the room."

She tosses the pack back into the bag and shifts the car into drive, glancing at the rearview mirror to check her hair.

"The plan is simple: I’m headed to Starbucks right now to grab her usual iced coffee. I’m gonna slide this in there, mix it up real good, and see how long it takes for her to realize something is... different. It’s going to be comedy gold, I promise you. I'm finna head there now, and I’ll catch up with y’all when I’m pulling into the driveway."

She points a finger directly at the camera, her expression turning playful but serious.

"And yo, if you’re a real one and you’re watching the full video all the way through, I want to see you drop a pink heart 💗 in the comments right now so I know who the Day 1s are. Alright, let’s get it. See y’all at the house!"

With a quick peace sign and a wink, she reaches out and covers the lens with her palm, the screen cutting to a vibrant transition. The camera cuts back in with a sharp focus on Paige’s face, the lighting now softened by the tinted windows of her car. She’s parked at the edge of the driveway, the engine idling with a low hum. In the background, past the steering wheel, several unfamiliar SUVs and sedans are lined up near the garage.

"Okay guys, I just pulled up at the crib," Paige says, her voice low and breathless as she glances toward the front door of the house. "I didn't realize everyone was gonna be here already. It looks like the whole squad is inside, which actually makes this ten times better and ten times riskier."

She reaches into the cup holder and lifts a large Starbucks iced coffee, the condensation glistening on the plastic. Beside it sits the crinkled paper bag. Her expression shifts, the playful smirk disappearing as she stares directly into the lens, her tone turning uncharacteristically grave.

"Before I do this, look at me," she says, leaning in until her face fills the frame. "I’m being so serious right now do not try this at home. I know we like to have fun on this channel, but you gotta be careful with what you’re putting in people’s food and drinks. Azzi is my best friend, we do this all the time, and I know exactly what’s in this. Don't go out here being reckless, for real."

Having delivered the disclaimer, she sets the camera into the dashboard mount so both her hands are visible. With steady fingers, she pops the green straw out and carefully pries the lid off the iced coffee. The sound of clinking ice fills the quiet cabin. She picks up the honey pack, teeth tearing a small notch into the corner of the plastic wrapper She squeezes the sachet, watching the thick, amber-colored syrup swirl down into the dark coffee and cream. It ribbons through the ice cubes, slowly settling toward the bottom. She replaces the lid with a firm snap and gives the cup a aggressive swirl, watching the colors blend until the evidence is completely hidden.

"It's invisible, y'all. She has no idea."

She grabs the camera, unmounting it with a click. Her eyes are bright with anticipation as she looks toward the house one last time.

"The trap is set. I’m finna walk in there, act totally normal, and hand her this like the 'good friend' I am. Let’s go see if we can catch her off guard without the rest of the group catching onto the vibe. Keep those pink hearts coming in the chat if you think she’s gonna notice on the first sip!"car only heightening the adrenaline. She tucks the camera close to her side, making sure the lens is angled to catch the action without being too obvious. She hops out, shuts the door with a firm thud, and heads for the front porch.

As soon as she turns the key and swings the door open, a wave of noise and energy hits her. The living room is packed.

"Hey, girly pop!" KK calls out from the sofa, standing up to meet Paige halfway. They exchange a smooth dap, the energy in the room already high. Yanna follows right behind, giving Paige a quick dap and a grin. "What's the word, P?"

A chorus of "Hey Paige!" and "What's up, P?" echoes from the rest of the group scattered around the lounge area. Paige plays it cool, giving a general wave to the room, but her eyes are darting toward the back of the house.

Just then, Azzi rounds the corner from the kitchen. Her face lights up the second she sees Paige standing there. She walks straight over, closing the distance instantly, and leans in to press a soft kiss against Paige’s lips.

"Hey bae, I missed you," Azzi murmurs, pulling back just enough to notice the camera Paige is clutching. She flashes a bright, photogenic smile. "Oh, you vlogging? Hi vlog!" She reaches out, wrapping her arms around Paige’s waist for a warm hug.

Paige squeezes her back, trying to keep her poker face steady while the "sabotaged" coffee is still gripped in her other hand.

"I missed you more," Paige says, her voice a mix of affection and hidden mischief. She holds up the Starbucks cup, the plastic sweating slightly in her palm. "And yeah, I caught you. I thought you might want some Starbucks."

Azzi’s eyes widen with excitement as she looks at the drink. "Oh my god, thank you! I was literally just craving this."

Paige hands it over, the camera capturing every second of the hand-off. The prank is officially in motion. The camera is propped up at a slight angle on the counter, perfectly framing Azzi as she takes another long, thoughtful pull through the green straw.

"Did they add more cream to it?" Azzi asks, pulling the straw away with a faint pop. She swirls the cup, watching the ice clink against the sides, her brow furrowing just a fraction. "It’s like... extra thick today. And way sweeter than usual. Did you tell them to add extra pumps of something, P?"

Paige bites the inside of her cheek to keep from bursting out laughing. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees KK and Yanna glance over from the living room, sensing the shift in the vibe but not quite sure what’s happening yet.

"I mean, I just told them the usual," Paige says, her voice going up an octave as she tries to play it off. She reaches out and adjusts the camera slightly, hiding her smirk behind her hand. "Maybe they just had a heavy hand with the vanilla today. You like it, though, right? You said you wanted sweet."

"I mean, I'm not complaining," Azzi laughs, taking another massive sip. She licks her lips, looking puzzled by the lingering texture. "It’s actually kind of fire, it just feels... different. It’s got like a kick to it."

She turns the cup around in her hand, inspecting the caramel-colored swirl that hasn't fully integrated yet. Paige holds her breath, waiting for the realization to hit. The honey is definitely doing its job, adding that heavy, velvety sweetness that usually doesn't come in a standard latte.

"You're acting weird," Azzi says suddenly, pointing the straw at Paige suspiciously. "Why are you looking at me like that? And why is the vlog camera so close to my face right now?"

"I'm just documenting the 'best girlfriend' energy, bae," Paige retorts quickly, finally letting a little bit of that signature mischievous grin slip. "I bring you coffee, I want to make sure the fans see you enjoying it. Drink up, don't let it get watery."

Azzi shrugs, seemingly buying the excuse for now, and takes another deep drink. "If I have a sugar crash in twenty minutes, it’s on you," she mutters playfully, walking back toward the living room to join the rest of the crew, totally unaware that the "kick" she's feeling is about to make the afternoon a lot more interesting. Paige props the camera up against a heavy glass vase on the coffee table, making sure the lens captures the whole semi-circle of friends. She settles onto the couch, and almost immediately, Azzi moves toward her.

Azzi’s movements are a little more restless than usual; she shifts her weight, a slight flush creeping up her neck as she feels that sudden, warm tingle blooming through her system. Without a word, she climbs onto Paige’s lap, settling in and reaching up to idly twirl the edge of Paige’s ear with her fingers.

"We doing 'Never Have I Ever,' okay?" Yanna announces, nodding to the group to get their attention. She holds up both hands, fingers spread wide. "Ten fingers up. I know y'all know the rules, but for the vlog every time you've done the thing, a finger goes down. First one out has to treat the whole squad to dinner tonight."

"Oh, I'm eating for free tonight," Paige brags, sliding an arm around Azzi’s waist to keep her steady. She looks into the camera with a confident wink.

Azzi doesn't even chime in with her usual competitive trash talk. She just leans her head back against Paige's shoulder, her eyes looking a little hazy as she takes another long, slow sip of the coffee. The honey is definitely hitting now she feels energized but strangely focused on Paige, her thumb tracing the shell of Paige's ear over and over.

"You okay, bae?" Paige whispers near her hair, her voice thick with suppressed laughter. "You're being real quiet."

"I'm fine," Azzi mumbles into the straw, the ice clinking loudly as she drains more of the cup. "Just... really focused on the game. And this coffee is literally making my heart race. They must’ve put like five shots of espresso in here."

"Must have," Paige agrees, biting her lip to keep from losing it.

"Alright, first one," Yanna says, leaning forward with a devious look on her face. "Never have I ever... lied to get out of a practice."

Paige immediately drops a finger, while Azzi just keeps drinking, her eyes locked on the living room wall as she tries to process the weird, buzzing warmth traveling through her leg . The "friend day" was definitely starting to take a turn. Paige’s breath hitched as she felt Azzi’s lips press against the sensitive skin of her neck. The "honey pack" had clearly taken full effect, and the playful teasing from the car had transformed into an intensity that Paige wasn't prepared to manage in a room full of people.

"Bae, stop," Paige whispered, though her own body was starting to react to the closeness. She tried to focus on the game, but Azzi’s fingers were back at her ear, tracing the edge in a way that made Paige’s toes curl.

"Can you tell them to go home, please?" Azzi’s voice was a low, desperate vibration against Paige’s skin. "I need you... now."

Across the coffee table, KK stopped mid-laugh, her eyes narrowing as she studied Azzi’s flushed face and the way she was draped heavily over Paige.

"You okay, Az?" KK asked, leaning forward with genuine concern. "For real, you look like you're burning up. Your face is beet red, girl."

"Yes... I'm fine," Azzi mumbled, not even looking up. Instead, she tucked her face deeper into the crook of Paige’s neck, her kisses becoming slower, more deliberate, and much more heated.

"Okay, well, if she's 'fine,' let's keep it moving!" Yanna shouted, trying to bring the energy back up. She held up her remaining fingers. "Never have I ever... sent a freaky text and the person actually saw it before you could unsend it!"

A chorus of "Oh, definitely!" and "Guilty!" erupted. Every single person in the room—KK, Yanna, and the others—slowly folded a finger down, laughing about their most embarrassing digital slip-ups.

Paige reached out to fold her own finger down, but she felt Azzi’s hand tighten on her waist. Azzi didn't even acknowledge the question. She was completely tuned out of the "friend day," her entire world narrowed down to the heat radiating between her and Paige. "Your go, P! Say yours!" Yanna shouted, leaning forward with an expectant, mischievous grin. "The fingers are disappearing fast. Let’s see if you can take out the whole room."

Paige swallowed hard, trying to maintain her "cool vlogger" persona for the camera propped up on the table, even as she felt Azzi’s teeth graze the shell of her ear in a slow, distracting nip.

"Alright, alright," Paige managed to say, her voice slightly strained as she held up her hand. "Never have I ever... sent my partner a freaky pic while she was busy or in the middle of something important."

A collective "Oooooh!" erupted from the group. KK let out a loud cackle, immediately folding a finger down. "Guilty! I sent one to my girl while she was in a literal board meeting. She almost dropped her iPad."

Yanna and the rest of the circle followed suit, groaning and laughing as they tucked their fingers away. But on the couch, the energy was different. Azzi didn't even look up at the group. She just let out a soft, hazy giggle that vibrated against Paige’s skin, her hand tightening its grip on Paige’s thigh under the cover.

"I’ve definitely done that," Azzi whispered, her voice a low, velvety rasp that only Paige could hear. "Remember that game in Vegas? I sent you that one in the locker room... and you couldn't keep your head in the play for the first quarter."

Paige felt a flush creep up her neck that had nothing to do with the Starbucks coffee. She folded her own finger down, her heart racing.

"Okay, so everyone’s a menace," Paige said loudly to the room, trying to redirect the focus. "That’s like... eight fingers down for everyone. We’re getting close to someone paying for this surf and turf tonight."

"Az, you haven't moved in ten minutes," KK said, pointing a slice of pizza at them. "You didn't even drop a finger for that one, and we all know you're the queen of the 'distraction' texts. Azzi finally lifted her head, her eyes looking dark and unfocused, a stray curl falling over her forehead. She looked at KK for a split second, then immediately turned her face back into Paige’s neck, hiding from the light.

"I'm just... sleepy," Azzi lied, though her voice was thick with an intensity that suggested she was anything but tired. She shifted again, her damp shorts dragging against Paige’s jeans in a way that made Paige’s breath catch in her throat. "P... please. Tell them the game is over. I can’t... I feel like I’m melting."

Paige looked at the camera, then back at her friends, who were starting to exchange confused glances. The prank had been a massive success for the channel, but the reality of the situation was becoming a lot to handle in a room full of people. force.

"Look, Az is clearly hitting a wall with this 'sugar crash,' so I’m just gonna buy dinner for you guys. Consider it my treat for winning the game," Paige said, her voice dropping an octave as she tried to sound casual. "I’m finna take her upstairs so she can actually get some sleep before she starts sleepwalking."

"Whoa, free dinner? Say less, I’m down!" KK shouted, her eyes lighting up as she snatched the card. She did a little celebratory dance toward the door, waving the plastic in the air.

"Don't spend too much, for real," Paige warned with a half-hearted smirk, though her mind was already elsewhere.

"Yeah, yeah, we got you. We'll talk later, P. Text me when she’s back on planet Earth," KK called out over her shoulder. Yanna gave a knowing wink and a wave as they finally ushered the rest of the crew out. The heavy click of the front door deadbolt felt like a starting pistol. Well, guys," Paige whispered to the lens, a triumphant but exhausted smirk playing on her lips. "I hope you enjoyed the chaos. The prank was a 10 out of 10 success, maybe even a little too successful. If you want to see the footage from the 'Aftermath' or more pranks like this, make sure you hit that "

"Bae..." Azzi’s voice cut through the outro, no longer a whisper but a firm, demanding rasp. She pulled back, her eyes dark, hooded, and locked onto Paige’s with an intensity that made the air in the room feel thick. "Stop talking to the camera. Right now."

Paige froze, the camera still rolling. "I'm just finishing the video, Az..."

Azzi reached out, her fingers curling around the top of the camera lens and tilting it down toward the floor. She leaned in until their noses touched, her breath smelling faintly of vanilla Starbucks and something sweet.

"I don't care about the video," Azzi breathed, her voice dropping an octave, sending a literal shiver down Paige's spine. "I feel like my blood is vibrating. My skin is on fire, Paige. Every time you touch me, it feels like an electric shock. So I'm going to ask you one more time, and you better be honest..."

She climbed higher into Paige's lap, pinning her against the back of the sofa, her gaze piercing.

"What exactly was in that coffee? Because if you think I'm just going to 'sleep' after what you just did to me, you've got another thing coming."

Paige gulped, the mischievous glint in her eye flickering with a hint of genuine 'oh-no' realization. She had definitely unleashed something she wasn't sure she could handle. "It was just... a little honey pack, Az. For the vlog. I didn't think it would hit you this hard."

Azzi’s lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile. "A honey pack? Oh, so you were trying to tease me? Well, P... congratulations. You caught my attention. Now, turn that camera off for real, because what happens next is definitely not for the subscribers. bye guys! Drop that pink heart 💗 if y'all made it to the end of the video. We out!"

Paige quickly reaches out and presses the power button. The small red recording light blinks once and then goes dark, leaving the room in a sudden, heavy silence. She sets the camera face-down on the coffee table, but before her hand can even leave the device, Azzi is moving.

Without the lens watching, the playful "vlogger" energy vanishes, replaced by the raw, buzzing tension the honey pack had stirred up. Azzi tangles her fingers into the back of Paige’s hair, tilting Paige’s head back just enough to lock eyes.

The end

[pboogersworld]

“ dear secret Admire “

Word count3635

Author note hi guys I’m bored give me more ideas im running out 😕

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Chapter 2

The next morning, the heavy morning fog still clung to the quad, obscuring the campus buildings in a soft, muted gray. Azzi arrived at the literature lecture hall earlier than usual, surrounded by the comforting, familiar chaos of her own friend group. Maya was beside her, still teasing her mercilessly about the "water bottle incident," gesturing animatedly with a half-eaten granola bar as she delivered a dramatic punchline.

Azzi let out a genuine, ringing laugh, the sound echoing lightly off the high ceilings of the tiered classroom. For a brief moment, the sheer normalcy of laughing with her friends managed to quiet the frantic, racing thoughts that had kept her awake half the night. She felt grounded, safe in her usual element, surrounded by the hum of incoming students unpacking laptops and complaining about the early hour.

Then, the heavy oak doors at the back of the lecture hall swung open.

A sudden, palpable shift passed through the room. The ambient noise—the clattering of plastic binders, the murmurs of casual gossip, Maya’s lingering laughter—abruptly died down. A heavy, expectant quiet fell over the classroom, the kind of stillness that always seemed to follow the university's star athlete wherever she went.

Paige Bueckers stepped over the threshold.

She moved with an easy, unbothered grace, completely accustomed to the way rooms tended to fall silent in her presence. She was wearing a dark green team hoodie, the hood down to reveal her blonde hair pulled back securely, save for a few loose strands framing her face. She carried her gym duffel slung over one shoulder and a single notebook in her hand.

Azzi’s breath caught instantly in her throat. The laughter died on her lips, her gaze locked onto Paige as the basketball player scanned the room.

Azzi held her breath, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs as she braced herself for Paige to make her way up the tiered steps toward the middle rows, just like she had imagined in her head a thousand times last night.

But Paige didn't look up.

Instead, with a calm, deliberate focus, Paige walked straight down the center aisle toward the absolute front of the room. She chose a seat dead center in the very first row, directly facing the professor's podium. She dropped her duffel onto the floor with a soft thud, slid into the desk, and smoothly uncapped a black ink pen, setting it perfectly parallel to her notebook.

She didn't look back. She didn't search the crowd. She simply sat there, staring straight ahead at the whiteboard, a model of perfect academic focus.

Beside Azzi, Maya nudged her shoulder hard, her eyes wide as she whispered under her breath, "Okay, wait. I thought you said she gave you a *look* yesterday. She didn't even glance up here. Is she playing mind games, or did she completely forget?"

Azzi didn't answer. A cold, sinking knot formed in her stomach, heavy and disorienting. She stared at the back of Paige's head, watching the slight movement of her shoulders as she adjusted her posture. The bold, confident girl from the cafeteria line felt miles away. Up here in the middle rows, hidden among the average students, Azzi felt completely invisible again.

As the professor walked down to the podium and cleared his throat to begin the lecture, Azzi slowly opened her notebook. Her fingers were trembling slightly as she gripped her pen. She stared at the blank page, the words of the note she had written echoing in her mind, suddenly feeling terribly foolish for believing a campus star would ever truly notice a girl from the back of a literature class.

"Alright, class, settle down," Professor Sterling announced, her sharp voice cutting through the heavy silence of the lecture hall. She tapped a thick stack of colored rubrics against the wooden podium to get everyone's attention. "I need you to pair up for this term project. You have exactly one week to complete it and submit your analysis. If you do not turn it on time, that will be an F. And yes, that goes for you too, Jeff."

At the mention of his name, a tall guy in the second row groaned loudly, sinking back into his plastic chair while a few people chuckled. Professor Sterling shot him a warning look over the rim of her glasses before gesturing to the room at large. "Go find your partner."

Instantly, the quiet room erupted into a flurry of scraping chairs, rustling papers, and students calling out across rows.

Maya immediately turned her chair around to face Azzi, a relieved grin breaking across her face. "Yes! We can be partners," she said, already pulling out a fresh sheet of paper to start brainstorming. "We can easily knock this out by Thursday night if we—"

"Maya," Professor Sterling’s voice boomed, interrupting her mid-sentence. The professor walked a few steps up the tiered aisle, holding a separate grading sheet. "Oh, I need you to work with Anita on this project for me. She was absent for the last module and really needs the extra help catching up on the literary theory."

Maya’s face fell instantly. "But professor, me and Azzi *always* work together," she protested, gesturing between herself and Azzi. "Why can't Anita get another partner? We already have our system down."

"Because I am assigning you to Anita, Maya. It’s not up for debate," Professor Sterling said firmly, though not unkindly. She gave Maya a pointed look that signaled the end of the discussion before turning to walk back down to the front of the stage. "Everyone else, you have two minutes to finalize your pairs and write your names on the sign-up sheet on my desk."

Maya turned back to Azzi, her expression a mix of crushing guilt and frustration. "Azzi, I am so sorry. I tried," she whispered frantically, glancing around the room as people quickly paired off into twos. "Look around, literally everyone is already grabbing someone. You need to find someone fast before you're stuck with whatever is left."

Azzi felt a sudden wave of panic hit her chest. She looked around the lecture hall, but it was like watching a game of musical chairs where she was already too late. Pairs were already huddled together, laughing and opening their textbooks. Her safety net was completely gone.

"Go on up to Anita," Azzi said, forcing a reassuring smile for Maya's sake, even though her stomach was tied in knots. "Don't get in trouble with Sterling. I'll figure something out."

Maya sighed, gathering her backpack with a look of pure reluctance. "I'll make it up to you, I swear," she muttered before standing up and trudging down the steps toward Anita’s desk.

Azzi sat frozen at her desk, the ambient noise of the classroom fading into a dull, stressful hum. She looked down at her open notebook, her fingers tightly gripping her pen. She hated group projects enough as it was, but being left stranded in a room full of strangers was her absolute worst nightmare. She swallowed hard, trying to mentally prepare herself to walk up to the professor's desk and admit she didn't have anyone.

"Hey."

The voice was low, clear, and came from right beside her desk.

Azzi blinked, her head snapping up.

Paige Bueckers was standing in the aisle right next to her row. She had her dark green team hoodie sleeves pushed up to her elbows, and she was holding her notebook against her hip. The cool, detached demeanor she had shown at the front of the room was completely gone, replaced by a quiet, steady gaze that focused entirely on Azzi.

"Looks like your usual partner got traded," Paige said, a subtle, completely unreadable smile playing on her lips. She gestured slightly to the empty chair next to Azzi where Maya had been sitting just moments before. "Are you free, or are you going to make me take an F with Jeff?"

Azzi stared at Paige, her mind temporarily short-circuiting as the loud noise of the classroom seemed to recede into a distant hum. The shock of Paige suddenly appearing at her desk—after completely ignoring her at the start of class—left her momentarily speechless. She looked from the empty chair Maya had just vacated up to Paige’s calm, expectant face.

"I—yeah," Azzi stammered, clearing her throat quickly to find her voice. "Yeah, I'm free. Maya got drafted for rescue duty."

Paige let out a soft, low chuckle, the sound warm and grounding. "Perfect. Saved from Jeff's impending doom." Without waiting for another invitation, Paige slid into the plastic chair, pulling her notebook and her black ink pen onto the shared desk space. Her presence felt immense, radiating a quiet confidence that immediately altered the air around Azzi's usual sanctuary.

For a moment, neither of them said anything about the real elephant in the room. Paige casually opened her notebook to a clean page, the movement fluid and relaxed. She leaned back slightly, turning her head to look directly at Azzi, her bright eyes holding a faint, perceptive gleam.

"So, creative writing major," Paige murmured, her voice dropping below the ambient noise of the surrounding pairs. "Are you as good at analyzing dead poets as you are at writing mystery prose?"

Azzi felt the familiar, hot blush creep up her neck, but she forced herself to meet Paige's gaze, gripping her own pen a little tighter. "I guess you'll find out over the next week. Unless you're worried about your GPA."

"Not at all," Paige said, the corners of her mouth twitching into a distinct, knowing smirk. She reached into the front pouch of her team hoodie and, with a deliberate, slow movement, rested her hand flat on the desk. When she lifted her fingers, the small, neatly folded piece of paper from the gym was resting right between them.

Paige tapped the note lightly with her index finger, her eyes locked onto Azzi's. "I'm actually looking forward to working together. I have a feeling you have a lot more to say than you let on in class."

Azzi’s heart hammered a frantic rhythm against her ribs, but the sheer panic from earlier was slowly giving way to a thrilling, dizzying rush of adrenaline. She looked at the note, then back at Paige's steady, captivating smile.

"I might," Azzi whispered, a newfound spark of confidence breaking through her nerves. "But you'll have to keep up, Bueckers."

"Deal," Paige replied softly, her smile widening into something genuinely warm as she slid the note back into her pocket, officially cementing their partnership.

"Alright, everyone! Quiet down and look up here," Professor Sterling’s voice boomed from the front, interrupting the low chatter of the room. She tapped her whiteboard marker against the board, drawing a massive line down the center. "Before you leave today, I want one person from each pair to come down and write your names in a slot on this board. Once a topic is claimed, it’s gone. Move."

The classroom immediately descended into chaotic movement again. Students scrambled down the narrow aisles toward the front, eager to snatch up the easiest literary texts before anyone else could.

Paige stood up smoothly, her height giving her an easy view over the crowd. She looked down at Azzi, her notebook resting casually against her hip. "I'll handle the line," she said, her voice confident and reassuring. "What's our ideal topic? Give me something good."

"The Romantic poets," Azzi said instantly, her inner writer taking over her nerves for a brief second. "John Keats or Lord Byron. If you can get the syllabus section on dark romanticism, it'll give us the best material to analyze."

Paige gave a sharp, appreciative nod, a playful glint in her eye. "Dark romanticism. Got it. Consider it secured."

Azzi watched as Paige moved down the tiered steps, effortlessly navigating the crowd of students. Even in a packed lecture hall, people naturally parted to let her through, a few of her basketball teammates shouting her name from across the room. Azzi felt a strange, thrilling warmth in her chest watching her go. Just minutes ago, she had felt utterly invisible; now, Paige Bueckers was standing in a chaotic line to claim a project topic specifically for the two of them.

From across the room, Maya caught Azzi's eye. She was standing next to Anita, but her mouth was completely agape, her eyes darting frantically from Azzi to Paige's tall figure at the whiteboard, and back to Azzi. Maya violently mouthed the words, "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"

Azzi just offered a helpless, wide-eyed shrug, her cheeks still burning hot.

Down at the board, Paige reached the marker tray. She ignored a guy from the track team who tried to chat her up, stepping directly up to the empty slot right under the 'Keats & Byron' heading. With bold, sharp, sweeping strokes that perfectly mirrored the handwriting on her sports schedule, she wrote: Paige B. & Azzi.

When she finished, she capped the marker with a loud click, turned around, and looked directly up into the tiered seats straight at Azzi. She gave a subtle, two-finger salute from the brim of an imaginary cap, a brilliant, victorious smile lighting up her face.

She walked back up the stairs as the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the period. The rest of the class began packing up their bags, shuffling out into the hallways, but Paige stopped right at Azzi’s desk.

"Mission accomplished," Paige said, leaning one hand on the back of Azzi’s chair as Azzi slid her laptop into her backpack. "We got the dark romantics. So... when are we starting?"

Azzi zipped her bag, looking up to meet Paige’s gaze. Up close, she could smell the faint, clean scent of laundry detergent and mint gum radiating from her. "I'm free tonight after my afternoon workshop," Azzi offered, trying to keep her voice even. "We could meet at the campus library? The third floor is usually pretty quiet."

Paige shook her head slightly, a small, knowing smirk returning to her lips. She reached into her hoodie pocket, pulled out her phone, and tapped the screen a few times before sliding it across the desk toward Azzi.

"The library is too loud, everyone stops to talk to me there," Paige said softly, her eyes holding Azzi's with an intense, quiet focus. "Put your number in. My dorm building has a private study lounge on the top floor that requires an athlete keycard to get into. It’s completely empty on Wednesday nights. I’ll text you the address, and I'll meet you at the lobby doors at seven."

Azzi’s breath hitched. A private study lounge. Just the two of them, away from the campus crowds, away from the prying eyes of the cafeteria and the gym.

Slowly, her fingers brushing against Paige's as she took the phone, Azzi typed in her digits. She handed it back, her heart doing a spectacular, dangerous backflip.

"Seven o'clock," Azzi said, her voice steadying as she held Paige's gaze. "Don't be late, Bueckers."The clock on the wall of the dorm room read 6:42 PM, and Azzi was practically wearing a groove into the cheap linoleum floor. She took five sharp steps toward the micro-fridge, spun on her heel, and took five sharp steps back toward her desk, her fingers restlessly tugging at the hem of her oversized vintage crewneck.

"Oh my god, Azzi, stop," Maya groaned, throwing her hands up in the air from where she lay sprawled across her own bed, a pile of flashcards abandoned around her. "You are pacing. You have changed your outfit three separate times in the last forty-five minutes. It is a study session, not a date, Az!"

Azzi stopped dead in her tracks, looking down at her reflection in the full-length mirror pinned to the closet door. She had started the evening in a structured blazer to look "professional," shifted into a casual cropped hoodie to look "effortless," and had finally settled on a perfectly broken-in cream sweater with dark jeans. Her hair was pulled up into a loose, messy ponytail, a few dark strands framing her face.

"You don't understand," Azzi said, her voice tight with panic as she turned to face her roommate. "It's the isolation, Maya. The library is a public neutral zone. The athlete study lounge requires a literal security clearance. It’s private. What if she only asked me there to let me down easily? What if she thinks I'm a stalker because of the note?"

"If she thought you were a stalker, she wouldn't be giving you VIP access to her building at seven o'clock at night," Maya pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "And she definitely wouldn't have winked at you. You’re a writer, Az, but you are completely overthinking the plot here. Just go down there, analyze some Lord Byron, and try not to faint if her shoulder touches yours."

Azzi let out a breath that sounded like a deflating balloon. She glanced at her phone. 6:47 PM. If she left right now, the walk across the misty, lamplit quad would put her at the athletic dorms exactly on time. She grabbed her heavy canvas backpack, shoving her laptop, a fresh notebook, and three different gel pens inside.

"I'm leaving," Azzi announced, her hand hovering over the doorknob.

"Good luck!" Maya called out, flashing a supportive grin. "And remember—breathe!"

The air outside was crisp and damp, the evening fog settling over the campus like a heavy velvet blanket. Azzi walked quickly, her sneakers clicking against the brick pathways. The athletic residential complex loomed at the edge of campus, a modern, sleek building of glass and dark brick that looked vastly different from her own historic, drafty dorm.

When she reached the massive glass double doors of the lobby, she stopped, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. Through the glass, she could see the state-of-the-art lounge area, but the inner doors were securely locked, requiring a biometric keycard.

She pulled out her phone to text Paige, but before her thumb could hit the screen, a shadow moved on the other side of the glass.

The heavy door swung open with a soft, mechanical click.

Paige was standing there, leaning lightly against the frame. She had traded her practice gear for a pair of dark grey sweatpants and a fitted black long-sleeve tee that showed off the clean lines of her shoulders. Her blonde hair was down now, falling in soft waves around her shoulders, and she had a silver chain catching the light around her neck.

"Hey," Paige said, her voice low and resonant in the quiet evening air. A warm, genuine smile broke across her face. "You're right on time. I was just coming down to wait for you."

"Hey," Azzi managed to say, stepping inside into the warmth of the lobby. The scent of clean linen and Paige’s familiar, subtle cologne immediately enveloped her. "Thanks for letting me in."

"Of course. Follow me, the elevator requires the card too," Paige said, tapping her plastic housing pass against the sensor. The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped into the small, enclosed space.

As the elevator began its smooth, silent ascent to the top floor, the silence between them felt thick, charged with an undeniable tension. Paige stood close, her arm just inches from Azzi’s. She glanced down at Azzi’s backpack, a playful glint returning to her eyes.

"So," Paige murmured, breaking the silence just as the elevator dinged for the fifth floor. "Did you bring the secret notebook, or just the official school one?"

Azzi looked up, catching Paige’s smirk in the reflection of the elevator mirror. "That depends," Azzi replied, her nerves suddenly sharpening into a bold, teasing courage. "Are we here to study, Bueckers, or are you just trying to get an advanced preview of my next story?"

Paige let out a soft, delighted laugh as the doors slid open, revealing a breathtaking, empty lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the glowing lights of the campus below. "Maybe a little bit of both," Paige said softly, leading the way toward a massive leather couch in the center of the room.They moved over to the massive leather couch, dropping their bags onto the low coffee table between them. Azzi pulled out her copy of the Romantic poetry anthology, flipping past the dog-eared pages to the section on Lord Byron. For the next hour and a half, the sheer focus of the project took over.

Azzi was entirely in her zone when she spoke about literature, her initial shyness fading away as she explained the dark, brooding themes of Byron's work. Paige listened intently, sitting close enough that their shoulders occasionally brushed, adding her own sharp insights and tracking their thesis points in her neat handwriting.

But as the clock ticked past 8:30 PM, the modern, high-ceilinged lounge began to grow noticeably colder. The building's central AC unit kicked on with a low hum, blowing a stream of chilly air directly over the seating area.

Azzi tried to focus on the text in front of her, but a sudden, violent shiver racked her shoulders. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, rubbing her sleeves, but her teeth gave a tiny, involuntary click.

Paige stopped mid-sentence, her eyes instantly dropping to Azzi's hands, which were tucked tightly into her arms.

"Hey, you're freezing," Paige said, her voice instantly softening with concern.

"I'm fine," Azzi murmured, trying to offer a small smile, though another slight shiver betrayed her. "Just a little drafty up here on the top floor."

"Hold on," Paige said.

She stood up smoothly from the deep leather cushions and walked across the polished floor toward the long counter near the lounge's kitchenette. Sitting on top of the counter was a thick, heavy black hoodie—the oversized team one she had been wearing earlier that morning, complete with her jersey number discreetly stitched near the hem.

She picked it up, walked back over to the couch, and unraveled it.

"Here," Paige said softly. She didn't just hand it over; she stepped in close, holding the soft, fleece-lined fabric open so Azzi could easily slip her arms into the oversized sleeves.

Azzi looked up, her breath catching as Paige leaned down slightly to help her guide her head through the collar. The material was incredibly warm, smelling deeply of clean laundry and the faint, intoxicating scent of Paige’s cologne. It swallowed Azzi completely, the sleeves draping over her hands and the hem reaching past her thighs.

As Azzi pulled her hair out from beneath the collar, Paige stayed close for a lingering second, her hands gently smoothing the heavy fabric over Azzi's shoulders.

"Better?" Paige asked quietly, her blue eyes searching Azzi's face, a soft, incredibly gentle expression replacing her usual confident smirk.

Azzi swallowed hard, the warmth of the hoodie doing nothing to stop the sudden, intense flutter of butterflies in her stomach. "Yeah," she whispered, looking up at her. "Much better. Thanks, Paige."

By the time the digital clock on the lounge wall flickered to 9:40 PM, the heavy text of Lord Byron’s Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage was starting to blur on the page. Azzi tried to suppress it, but a deep, involuntary yawn escaped her lips, her shoulders sinking back into the soft leather of the couch. She blinked heavily, the warmth of Paige’s oversized hoodie making her feel completely wrapped in comfort.

"Getting sleepy," Azzi murmured, her voice laced with a soft, quiet fatigue. She rubbed her eyes with the edge of the long sleeve that completely covered her hand. "We can do the rest tomorrow."

Paige stopped writing, looking over at Azzi with a look of quiet amusement. Seeing the creative writer completely swallowed by the heavy black fleece, looking small and thoroughly exhausted, brought a genuinely soft smile to her face. She closed her laptop with a gentle click.

"Yeah, you're officially running on fumes," Paige said, her voice dropping to a low, comforting register. She began gathering the scattered highlighters and pens from the coffee table, sliding them back into her bag. "We put a massive dent in the outline tonight anyway. We’re in a really good spot."

Azzi nodded lazily, starting to unbutton her cuffs to pull the giant hoodie over her head to return it, but Paige immediately reached out, her hand gently resting on Azzi’s forearm to stop her.

"Keep it on," Paige said softly, her blue eyes holding Azzi's in the dim light of the lounge. "It's freezing outside, and you’re already half-asleep. Just wear it back to your dorm."

Azzi looked down at Paige’s hand on her arm, then back up, her heart doing that familiar, nervous little skip despite her exhaustion. "Are you sure? Don't you need it for practice or something?"

"I have plenty of gear," Paige chuckled, standing up and throwing her duffel over her shoulder. "Besides, it looks better on you anyway."

The walk down the elevator and out into the crisp, misty June night air was quiet and peaceful. The campus was mostly empty now, the lampposts casting a warm, amber glow on the brick paths. True to her word, Paige walked Azzi all the way back across the quad, keeping a steady, protective pace right beside her.

When they finally reached the entrance of Azzi’s historic dorm building, Azzi turned around on the bottom step, placing her at eye level with Paige.

"Thanks for the study session," Azzi said, her hands buried deep in the giant front pocket of the hoodie. "And for... keeping me from freezing to death."

"Anytime," Paige replied, stepping in just a fraction closer, a playful but incredibly gentle smile on her face. "I'll text you tomorrow morning after my early workout. Sleep well, Azzi."

"Goodnight, Paige."

Azzi turned and floated up the steps, pressing her keycard against the reader. As she slipped inside the warm lobby, she looked back through the glass one last time. Paige was still standing under the lamplight, waiting until she was safely inside. Seeing Azzi look back, Paige offered a small wave and a wink before turning to walk back toward the athletic complex, leaving Azzi leaning against the locked door, completely wrapped in Paige's warmth and a lingering sense of disbelief.

There is a specific kind of gravity to you. I’ve watched you command a room of hundreds with a single movement, your focus entirely locked on a target that only you can see. You move through the world with an effortless grace that makes everyone else feel like they’re moving in slow motion

But today , the lights were dimmer, and the noise of the world faded into something quiet. I saw a different side of you one that doesn't just chase victories, but notices the quiet shifts in the air. You possess a quiet generosity, a protective instinct that protects people from the cold without making a spectacle of it. You handed over a piece of your world just to keep someone warm, and you didn't even ask for anything in return

You think you’re a mystery, and maybe to the rest of the campus, you are. But I’m beginning to read between the lines. Every small gesture, every sharp glance, every deliberate smile—it’s all part of a larger story. I’m just grateful to be the one holding the pages

—Your Secret Admirer

Azzi read the words over three times, her heart hammering a steady rhythm against her ribs. It was perfect. It captured the exact essence of the lounge the cold air, the protective gesture of the hoodie but phrased it as a metaphor for Paige's personality rather than a literal description of the room. It could apply to a teammate on the court, a casual friend, or a quiet girl from a literature seminar. It was tantalizingly vague, yet deeply intimate.

Satisfied, Azzi copied the text onto a small index card using her finest black gel pen, carefully mimicking the elegant, sweeping cursive she had used for the first note. She carefully folded the card into a precise square, slipping it into a small, inconspicuous envelope.

Tomorrow during free period, before their next scheduled study block, she would have to find a way to slip it back into Paige’s orbit without being seen.

Azzi finally closed her laptop and climbed into bed, pulling the giant black sleeves of Paige's hoodie tightly around herself. As she drifted off to sleep,

[pboogersworld]

“ frozen asset “ chapter 3

Word count 5374

Author note : hola guys let me gone head drop this chapter today it not how I wanted not the best . .. but it lil sum imma post more soon so yeah enjoy🫶🏾 still not feeling good but make sure you guys mentally okay don’t wait till the last minute ( any mistakes imma go back ) xoxobre

➽──────────────────❥

Azzi found herself falling deeper in love with her new environment. She didn't have to look over her shoulder. She didn't have to brace herself for a sudden, unpredictable storm from a volatile CEO.

Azzi stood by the premium espresso machine, watching the rich, dark liquid stream into her ceramic mug. The warmth of the cup seeped into her hands, a comforting contrast to the phantom chills she still sometimes felt when thinking about the past.

"The espresso here is actually drinkable, right? Usually, corporate coffee tastes like battery acid."

Azzi looked up, a bit startled, as a woman stepped up to the adjacent counter. The stranger was tall, with a relaxed, effortless posture and a warm, genuine smile that reached her eyes. She wore a casual but tailored blazer, her dark hair pulled back loosely, radiating an approachable energy that Azzi wasn't entirely used to in the corporate world.

"Hi, I'm Emma," the woman said, walking closer to Azzi and extending a hand, her smile widening. "What's your name?"

Azzi blinked, momentarily confused by the unprompted, easygoing friendliness. For a split second . A confused but genuine smile broke across her face as she adjusted her grip on her coffee mug. "I'm Azzi. Nice to meet you, Emma."

"Ah, the legendary Azzi!" Emma’s smile widened, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Abby hasn't stopped singing your praises all week. The entire data transition team is thrilled you're here. We’ve been desperate for someone with your structural logic to untangle the Vanguard account."

"Abby exaggerates," Azzi said with a light chuckle, though a flush of genuine pride warmed her cheeks. "But I'm really looking forward to digging into the architecture with everyone."

"Well, consider yourself officially welcomed," Emma said, gesturing toward the door as she grabbed her own tea. "A few of us from the analytics wing are heading out to grab lunch together in a bit. You should absolutely come with us. No shop talk allowed, just a chance to actually meet the people you're saving from data purgatory."

"I'd love that, thank you," Azzi said, her heart feeling lighter than it had in months. Walking out of the breakroom side-by-side with her new coworker, chatting effortlessly about the best local food spots, Azzi felt a profound sense of validation.

"Emma, come on! We've got to tidy up before lunch!" a voice called out from further down the hallway, breaking the warm, easy bubble of their conversation.

Emma looked over her shoulder, letting out a cheerful laugh as she saw one of her team members waving a stack of folders from the doorway of the main analytics bullpen. "Duty calls," Emma said, turning back to Azzi with a bright, apologetic grin. "The mid-quarter files are currently taking over three different desks, and if we don't clear them off before we leave, Abby will use them as coasters. Meet us by the elevators in fifteen minutes?"

"Fifteen minutes, I'll be there," Azzi promised, nodding as she watched Emma walk away.

Left alone in the hallway for a brief second, Azzi took a slow sip of her coffee,

Azzi set her coffee mug down on the edge of her desk, her mind still humming with the pleasant anticipation of the upcoming lunch with Emma and the rest of the analytics team. For the first time in over a year, she felt a genuine sense of belonging that wasn’t tied to a toxic deadline or a calculated manipulation.

But as she reached for her desk chair, she noticed a shadow casting across the glass wall of her office. A delivery man in a crisp uniform was standing just outside her door, holding an incredibly large, vibrant arrangement of deep-blue hydrangeas and immaculate white calla lilies. The sheer opulence of the bouquet felt entirely out of place in the bright, collaborative hallway of her new firm.

"Ms. Fudd? Here are your flowers," the man said, offering a polite nod as he held out the heavy crystal vase.

Azzi froze, her heart doing a familiar, violent flip against her ribs as the air in her lungs turned to ice. She looked confused, her mind racing as she tried to comprehend how this had found her here, at her new sanctuary. "Thank you," she managed to stammer, her voice tight as she grabbed the heavy glass vase.

The delivery man gave a brief smile, turned on his heel, and left the floor.

Azzi quickly stepped inside her office and closed the door, shutting out the rest of the buzzing bullpen. She set the massive arrangement down right in the center of her desk, staring at the perfect petals. The scent of the flowers filled the room instantly—a luxury fragrance that bore the subtle, unmistakable mark of the elite florist located right in the lobby of Paige's corporate headquarters.

Right next to the stems, tucked securely in a silver cardholder, was a thick, heavy envelope.

Her hand trembled slightly as she reached out, her fingers brushing against the expensive paper. She carefully slid the card out of its envelope and opened it. There was no signature, only that elegant, precise handwriting she knew by heart, cutting straight through her new reality:

For the space you left behind. I'm sorry. — P.

Azzi stared at the words, a chaotic storm of conflicting emotions instantly tearing through her chest. They were apology flowers, a quiet, expensive plea for forgiveness, but Azzi knew the subtext written between those elegant lines. It was a tether. Paige wasn't letting her go. Even though Azzi had walked away, even though she had successfully started her new job and protected her family, Paige was refusing to be forgotten. It was a calculated, beautiful reminder of the history they shared, the late nights spent huddled over spreadsheets, and the undeniable, suffocating gravity that had almost broken them both.

Standing alone in her new office, Azzi found herself locked in a bitter, agonizing internal war.

The rational, fiercely independent part of her mind—the part that remembered the terror of the hospital debt and the sheer, unhinged manipulation Paige had used to trap her in the park—screamed at her to throw the entire arrangement directly into the building's trash chute. She was supposed to be completely done with Paige Bueckers. She had a new job, a fresh start, and a supportive team that valued her humanity. She owed Paige nothing but the cold indifference of a survivor.

Yet, as her grip tightened on the edge of the heavy card, she didn't move toward the trash.

A deeply buried, complicated part of her heart anchored her to the floorboards. The raw vulnerability Paige had displayed in the park, the desperate cracks in her untouchable armor, and the heavy admission of a year's worth of regret about the date she had rejected—it all rushed back into Azzi's mind, thick and overwhelming. For months, Azzi had craved Paige’s validation, had secretly burned with a quiet, unreciprocated longing while sitting across from her in the bullpen. Now, the very woman who had seemed like an impossible, cold sun was turning all her gravity toward Azzi, begging to be seen, begging to be let back in.

A sudden knock on her glass door made her jump.

Through the glass, she saw Emma standing there, pointing toward the elevator bank with a bright, eager smile, indicating that the fifteen minutes were up and it was time for lunch.

Azzi let out a long, shaky breath. She quickly slid the card into her blazer pocket, hiding it away from view. She didn't throw the flowers in the trash, she didn't call Paige to demand she stop, and she didn't tell security to block future deliveries. Leaving the beautiful, suffocating arrangement sitting prominently right on top of her new desk, Azzi forced a smile, grabbed her purse, and opened the door to join Emma. She hated herself for the weakness, cursing the sudden, traitorous ache in her chest, but she had to admit the terrifying truth: she was fighting with everything she had to move forward, but she wasn't doing a single thing to stop the attention Paige was giving her. "I thought you weren't gonna make it!" Emma said with a bright, teasing laugh, nudging Azzi’s shoulder playfully as they fell into step toward the glass-walled elevator bankAzzi, pulling her back from the edge of the emotional cliff Paige's delivery had just pushed her toward. She forced her posture to relax, sliding her hands casually into the pockets of her blazer. Her fingers brushed against the thick, heavy stock of Paige’s note hidden in the fabric, a secret weight that burned against her thigh with every step she took.

"A few last-minute logistics," Azzi lied smoothly, her voice steady despite the adrenaline still hammering against her ribs. She offered Emma a brilliant, practiced smile to cover the trace of distraction in her eyes. "You know how it is. Unpacking files, getting the desk organized. I promise I wasn't trying to escape data purgatory's welcoming committee."

"Good, because we don't let our star analysts get away that easily," Emma joked, pressing the down button on the elevator terminal. "The team is starving, and we’ve officially designated you as the guest of honor. We're heading to that artisan flatbread place down the block the one with the incredible ranch dressing everyone on the third floor is obsessed with."

Azzi’s genuine smile finally broke through her guarded exterior, a spark of real warmth replacing the tight mask she had worn just moments before. "Pepperoni and ranch? Because if so, you've officially won me over. That is my absolute weakness."

"See? Perfect alignment. Abby said your structural logic was flawless, but this just proves you have immaculate taste," Emma said, the elevator doors sliding open with a soft, vacuumed hiss.

As they stepped into the spacious car, joining two other analysts from the backend team who immediately welcomed Azzi with enthusiastic nods,

They walked into the main dining area of the flatbread restaurant, the space bustling with the midday lunch rush and the savory scent of baking dough and garlic filling the air. Emma scanned the room for a second before her face lit up, and she guided Azzi toward a large circular booth near the window where three women were already sitting, laughing over a basket of appetizers.

"Hey guys!" Emma said enthusiastically, tapping the edge of the table to get their attention. "This is Azzi. Azzi, meet Aniya, Kamorea, and Brooke."

Aniya and Kamorea immediately paused their conversation, offering warm, welcoming waves.

"Hey, Azzi! Welcome to the firm," Aniya said, sliding over to make more room in the booth. "Abby’s been talking about you non-stop. We've been dying to meet you."

Kamorea nodded in agreement, flashing a bright smile. "Seriously, any friend of Emma's is a friend of ours. Sit down, we just ordered."

Azzi smiled, preparing to slide into the booth, but as her eyes shifted to the third woman, the warm atmosphere in her chest instantly cooled. Brooke didn't wave, and she didn't smile. Instead, she leaned back against the leather cushions, her arms crossed over her chest as her sharp, analyzing eyes swept over Azzi from head to toe, taking in her tailored blazer, her posture, and the subtle trace of distraction still lingering in her expression.

It wasn't a friendly look. It was the cold, evaluating glare of someone who recognized a threat—or someone who knew exactly where Azzi had come from. Brooke gave her a slow, deliberate nod, her expression completely unreadable, but the intense scrutiny made the phantom weight of Paige’s note in Azzi's pocket feel suddenly ten times heavier.

"Nice to meet you all," Azzi said, keeping her voice smooth and professional as she took her seat, acutely aware of Brooke's eyes still locked onto her. Kamorea took a slow, deliberate sip of her drink, her eyes locked onto Azzi with intense curiosity. "So what really brought you to this?" she asked, setting her glass down on the condensation-stained table. "I mean, jumping ship from a conglomerate like that to a mid-sized firm? It’s a huge move."

The warning screamed in Azzi’s mind like an alarm in an empty hallway. Don't bring up Paige. Do not mention her name.

"Just something to keep me on my feet," Azzi said smoothly, forcing a light, breezy chuckle that she didn't feel at all. She shrugged her shoulders casually, adjusting her silverware to keep her hands occupied. "The corporate structure over there was getting a little stagnant for me. I wanted an environment where the architecture actually moves fast and I can see the impact of my logic in real-time. Abby offered me exactly that."

Aniya nodded in understanding, breaking off a piece of the garlic flatbread knot that had just been dropped at the table. "Honestly, that makes total sense. Those giant firms will drain the life out of you. You're basically a ghost in a machine over there."

"Exactly," Azzi agreed, taking a bite of a knot to keep from expanding on the lie.

But Brooke wasn't buying the clean corporate narrative. She leaned back in the booth, a sharp, knowing glint in her eyes as she watched Azzi chew. She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone, her manicured nails tapping against the screen with a steady, rhythmic click. The waiter’s voice broke the ice like a hammer, stepping right into the tense space between Brooke’s piercing stare and Azzi’s tight smile. He held his little electronic notepad poised, completely oblivious to the silent corporate warfare happening over the garlic knots.

"Hello! I see some new people have arrived. Can I take you guys' order?" he asked, flashing a cheerful, high-energy grin that felt entirely too bright for the current mood of the booth.

Azzi didn't hesitate for a single second. She practically seized the opportunity like a lifeline, leaning forward to close her menu with a sharp, definitive snap. She focused all her energy on the waiter, mentally repeating her internal mantra like a shield.

"Yes, please," Azzi said, her voice smooth, bright, and utterly normal the exact tone of a woman who was simply excited about her lunch, not someone whose family had been used as leverage by a billionaire tech mogul. "Can I have the hot honey rub flatbread with the cheese bread, please? And a side of the house ranch dressing."

"Excellent choice, the hot honey is a massive favorite around here," the waiter replied, tapping the screen of his tablet with a rhythmic, satisfying series of clicks before turning his expectant gaze to Emma.

As Emma, Aniya, and Kamorea began rattling off their own lunch choices, the immediate threat faded into the background noise of the bustling restaurant. Azzi reached for her sweet tea, wrapping her hand around the cold glass to soothe the sudden heat rising in her neck. Beneath the heavy fabric of her professional blazer, the sharp corner of Paige's apology note pressed firmly against her ribs with every breath she took a physical, burning reminder of the secrets she was forced to guard.

Brooke watched Azzi slide the menu away, a cynical, knowing smirk playing at the corners of her mouth as she ordered her own salad without looking away from her prey. She didn't press the issue while the waiter was standing there, but her dark eyes remained hyper-focused, tracking the slight, instinctual way Azzi’s hand had hovered over her pocket before she gripped her drink. Brooke knew that in their world, sudden, unprompted career shifts from elite firms never happened without a massive, hidden explosion behind closed doors.

The waiter finished taking the last order, giving a polite nod. "Perfect. I'll get these right out to you ladies."

As he turned and disappeared back into the crowd, the silence fell over the table once more, and Brooke leaned forward, resting her chin on her steepled fingers. The silence at the table stretched tight, thick with a sudden, localized tension that made the ambient noise of the restaurant feel miles away. Emma cleared her throat, clearly preparing to step in and redirect the conversation again, but Azzi held up a slight hand, stopping her.

Azzi took a slow, deliberate sip of her sweet tea, letting the cold liquid settle her nerves. She had spent a year navigating the highest-stakes boardrooms in the city; she wasn't about to let a mid-level analyst back her into a corner over a basket of flatbread knots. When she set the glass back down, her smile was smooth, pristine, and entirely unbothered.

"You know, Brooke," Azzi said, her voice dropping into a calm, measured cadence that carried the effortless authority she’d honed at the tower. "When you're running high-frequency architecture at that level, the paperwork is always complicated. But Abby and the board here handled the transition perfectly. I'm legally and professionally exactly where I'm supposed to be."

She locked eyes with Brooke, her gaze steady and unbroken. "As for the CEO’s personal reasons...“

Aniya let out a low, impressed whistle under her breath, while Kamorea suddenly found the ice in her water glass incredibly interesting.

Brooke’s smirk faltered for a fraction of a second, caught off guard by the sheer coolness of Azzi’s deflection. Before she could formulation a rebuttal, Emma seized the moment with expert timing.

"And speaking of the architecture," Emma said, leaning forward and physically breaking the line of sight between the two women, "Azzi is actually heading up the new athletic franchise acquisition. Abby gave her total creative control over the infrastructure, so we should probably start being really nice to her if we want the good data allocations next month."

The tactical pivot worked. Aniya’s eyes widened. "Wait, the athletic franchise? Seriously? That’s the biggest project on the firm's docket this quarter."

"It's going to be a lot of work, but the logic is beautiful," Azzi said, grateful for Emma's assist. She easily let herself be pulled into the technical discussion, detailing the broad strokes of the data transition while keeping the deeper proprietary secrets close to her chest.

For the rest of the lunch, the conversation shifted into a comfortable rhythm of office politics, local gossip, and upcoming project timelines. Brooke remained quiet, sipping her drink and watching Azzi with a lingering, cynical curiosity, but the immediate interrogation was over.

By the time the waiter returned with the steaming hot honey flatbread and cheese bread, Azzi’s appetite had actually returned. She laughed at a story Kamorea told about a previous system crash, dipping her bread into the ranch dressing and letting herself genuinely enjoy the easy camaraderie. Out here, she was just an analyst having lunch with her peers. It was normal. It was healthy.

But an hour later, as the group walked back into the lobby of their office building, the illusion fractured.

"Hey, I'm gonna grab a packet of sugar from the desk," Emma said as they approached the elevator bank, the rest of the group nodding and stepping into the wait area.

Azzi reached into her blazer pocket to pull out her security badge and her fingers brushed against the heavy, silver-bordered card once more. The sudden, physical reminder of the flowers sitting right on her desk made her breath catch. She pulled her hand back out, the white plastic badge in her palm, but her mind instantly flashed to the deep-blue hydrangeas waiting upstairs.

She was fitting in perfectly. She loved the environment. She had successfully defended herself against Brooke's prodding without ever uttering Paige’s name. But as the elevator doors opened and she stepped inside with her new coworkers, Azzi knew the terrifying truth. She was building a wall between herself and the tower, but every single morning, she was still letting Paige leave a brick on her doorstep. The transition from the brightly lit, collaborative bullpen of her new office to the muted, sterile quiet of the hospital’s specialized recovery wing was always jarring. Azzi stepped through the heavy glass sliding doors of the medical center, the sudden scent of antiseptic and floor wax immediately replacing the lingering aroma of the hot honey flatbread and coffee that had defined her afternoon. The quiet hum of the city traffic faded behind her, replaced by the rhythmic, distant paging of doctors over the PA system and the soft squeak of rubber-soled shoes on polished linoleum.

She walked across the expansive lobby, her heels clicking softly on the granite tiles. Despite the incredible progress her grandmother was making, entering this building still caused a phantom tightness to grip Azzi’s chest—a physical hangover from the weeks of pure, unadulterated panic that had preceded her sudden career shift.

Azzi approached the sleek, curved reception desk where a familiar face was illuminated by the soft blue glow of a desktop monitor. The front office lady, a warm woman named Mike who had been a comforting constant throughout this entire ordeal, looked up from her keyboard. Her face instantly softened with a genuine, welcoming recognition.

"Hello! What brings you here today?" Mike asked, her voice a pleasant, low murmur that respected the quiet atmosphere of the lobby.

"I'm here to see Amira Fudd," Azzi said, offering a tired but deeply sincere smile. She rested her hands on the edge of the high counter, her fingers casually brushing against the fabric of her blazer.

Mike smiled warmly, her fingers flying across the keys with an experienced, rhythmic clatter as she pulled up the patient dashboard. "Ah, yes, Ms. Amira. Let me just check her status for today... oh, she's had an absolutely wonderful afternoon, Azzi. The physical therapy notes say she was up and moving ahead of schedule." Mike tapped the enter key with a satisfying click and looked back up, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "She's in room number 35 now. They moved her down to the lower-intensity recovery wing this morning."

"Thank you so much, Mike," Azzi said, her smile broadening as a wave of genuine relief washed over her, temporarily soothing the sharp, lingering anxiety that Brooke’s intense questioning had stirred up during lunch.

"Of course, sweetheart. Go on up, she’s been looking forward to seeing you all day," Mike replied, waving her through the security checkpoint with a reassuring nod.

Azzi turned and walked toward the elevator bank, her mind a chaotic whirlwind of competing realities. In her pocket.

And yet, as she pressed the button for the third floor and watched the elevator doors slide shut, she knew that every single sacrifice, every ounce of corporate stress, and even the dangerous game she was playing by refusing to stop Paige’s escalating attention, was entirely worth it. Room 35 was ahead of her, paid for in full, and for the first time in a year, her grandmother was finally safe. Azzi gave the heavy wooden door of room 35 a soft, rhythmic knock before pushing it open. The room was bathed in the warm, golden light of the late afternoon sun spilling through the large window.

Amira was propped up in bed against a pile of plush pillows, a knitting project resting in her lap. The moment her eyes landed on her granddaughter, her entire face lit up, a deep and radiant smile instantly wiping away the sterile, medical atmosphere of the hospital room.

"Az! Look at you, how are you?" Amira asked, her voice sounding stronger and clearer than it had in weeks. She immediately set her knitting needles down, reaching out her hands toward her.

"I'm fine, Grandma," Azzi said, her voice softening into pure, unadulterated warmth as she walked across the linoleum floor. She bent down, wrapping her arms around her grandmother in a long, tight hug, breathing in the familiar, comforting scent of her favorite lavender lotion. The heavy, exhausting armor she had been wearing all day—with Brooke's sharp questions and Paige's suffocating flowers—completely dissolved.

Azzi pulled back, pulling up a plastic bedside chair and taking Amira's soft hands in hers. "The therapist down at the front desk told me you walked the entire corridor today. I am so proud of you."

"Oh, those nurses are slave drivers," Amira joked, a playful glint in her eyes, though she squeezed Azzi's hands back tightly. Then, her expression softened, turning deeply maternal and perceptive as she looked at her granddaughter's face. "But never mind about me. Tell me everything. How do you like your new job?""I love it, Grandma. I really do," Azzi said, her voice filling with a genuine, lighthearted warmth that had been missing for longer than she cared to admit. She let out a soft laugh, leaning back slightly in the plastic bedside chair. "I already made new friends, too. A girl named Emma from the analytics wing introduced me around, and a whole group of us actually went out to lunch together today. We grabbed flatbreads down the block from the office. It was... normal. Just easy and nice."

Amira’s smile widened, her eyes crinkling with deep satisfaction as she watched the tension finally melt from her granddaughter's shoulders. Hearing Azzi talk about normal lunches and new friends was the best medicine she could have asked for. For months, she had watched Azzi carry the crushing weight of the world on her back, looking hollowed out by the demands of that massive corporate tower.

Amira patted Azzi’s hand, her expression shifting into something softer, more curious. She adjusted the blanket over her lap, her mind naturally drifting to the one person she believed was responsible for making all of this specialized, high-end recovery possible.

"That sounds wonderful, sweetheart. You deserve that kind of peace," Amira said softly. She paused for a moment, her eyes reflecting a deep, sincere gratitude. "How is your friend doing?"

The question hung in the quiet, sunlit hospital room like a sudden drop in air pressure. Azzi’s heart skipped a beat, a cold spike of adrenaline instantly replacing the warmth in her veins. She’s talking about Paige. Amira didn't know about the manipulation in the park, the threats, or the bitter fallout. To Amira, Paige Bueckers was the incredibly generous, powerful CEO who had personally stepped in, pull strings, and ensured the best medical care money could buy. Amira thought Paige was a savior.

Azzi’s fingers instinctively tightened around the strap of her purse, the sharp edge of Paige’s apology card pressing against her blazer pocket like a physical burn.

"She's... she's doing good, Grandma," Azzi said smoothly, forcing her voice to maintain a steady, cheerful cadence even as her throat tightened. She looked down at her grandmother’s hands to avoid her perceptive gaze. "Just busy. You know how she is. Running the entire empire keeps her on her feet constantly. She’s just wrapped up in a lot of late-night meetings and mid-quarter projections right now."

"Well, that's to be expected of someone in her position," Amira said, her face lighting up with a warm, completely innocent smile. She squeezed Azzi’s hand, her voice filled with an earnest, heartfelt warmth that made Azzi’s stomach turn with a profound wave of guilt. "Next time you speak to her, tell her to stop by one day. I want to thank her properly. I want to look her in the eye and thank her for everything she’s done for this family, and for taking such good care of you."

Azzi felt the words echo in her chest like a heavy blow. The irony was suffocating. She was standing in a room paid for by Paige’s immense power, carrying Paige’s secret apology flowers in her mind, while her sweet, recovering grandmother wanted to bless the very woman who had used her health as a bargaining chip.

"I'll... I'll let her know, Grandma," Azzi whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat and forcing a bright, reassuring smile back onto her face. She couldn't shatter Amira’s peace with the truth. She had to keep playing the part, keeping the wall up, even as Paige’s presence continued to weave itself inextricably into every corner of her life.

[pboogersworld]

“ sneaking out at 3am prank “ ft Sophia “

Word count 257

Tags hi guys Dallas won and someone requested other prank I got yall 🫶🏾

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"What is up, guys! Welcome back to the channel, and you already know what time it is it is officially prank time, and things are about to get absolutely chaotic. It is currently 3:00 AM, the house is dead quiet, and the cameras are rolling. If you’ve been following the vlog, you know Paige is sound asleep in the room, completely knocked out and totally unaware of what’s about to go down. Tonight, I’m pulling the ultimate 'Leaving Out at 3 AM' prank.

I’m currently in the hallway, whispering because if I wake her up early, the whole plan is ruined. But, I’m not doing this alone. I’ve got a very special guest here to help me execute this mission. Everyone, say hi to Sophia!"

The camera swings around to reveal Sophia, who is stifling a laugh, barely able to keep it together.

"Hi guys!" Sophia whispers, grinning at the lens. "I am so ready for this. We are about to have Paige so stressed when she wakes up and realizes we just dipped."

"Exactly," Azzi adds, adjusting the camera angle to get a better shot of the dimly lit hallway. "We’re going to get fully dressed, do our makeup, grab our bags, and make sure we look like we’re heading out to the club for a late-night session. We’re going to be talking loud, acting like we’re rushing to get to the venue. I know for a fact Paige is going to be so mad when she hears we left without them, but hey, that’s just how the game goes!"

Azzi turns back to the camera, her eyes full of mischief. "Okay, we have to be super quick. We’re going to start the 'get ready with me' portion of this prank right here in the hallway. We’ve got the outfits picked out, the bags are packed, and we are going to cause a scene. If you guys want to see the exact moment Paige realizes we’re gone and the look on her face when she wakes up to an empty room make sure you watch until the very end. Don't forget to smash that like button and subscribe, because this is about to be the most legendary prank we’ve ever pulled."

"Are you ready, Sophia?" Azzi asks, turning to her accomplice.

"I was born ready," Sophia laughs, grabbing her jacket. "Let’s get this show on the road before she wakes up on her own."

"Alright, let's go. Shhh! Stay low, guys, we’re going in."sure not to make a single sound. The only light comes from a tiny lamp in the corner. Paige is buried deep under her blankets, completely knocked out, barely moving. She has no idea what is about to happen.

Azzi creeps over to the vanity and pulls out a chair, trying not to let it creak on the floor. She sets up her phone camera on the desk, pointing it so it catches both her and the bed where Paige is sleeping. She whispers into the mic, "Okay guys, we are officially in the danger zone. If we wake her up, the prank is over, so keep it quiet."

Sophia carefully gathers her hair tools and pulls up a stool right next to Azzi. They start getting ready, moving as slow as possible. Every time a brush hits the desk or a spray bottle clicks, they both freeze and look over at the bed.

"Pass me that gloss," Azzi whispers, barely moving her lips. She starts doing her makeup, keeping it heavy like she’s actually going to a club. She’s blending her eyeshadow and making sure her eyeliner is sharp. "If she wakes up and sees me looking this good at 3 AM, she’s going to be so confused. She’ll think we’re actually heading out to meet people."

Sophia starts working on her hair, using a hair dryer on the lowest setting just to get some volume. "This is so nerve-wracking," Sophia giggles, keeping her voice super low. "I can’t believe she hasn’t stirred yet. Look at her, she’s dead to the world."

Azzi laughs and turns to the camera, zooming in on her face. "Check out the fit for tonight. We’re going full glam. Sparkly top, leather pants, everything. We want it to look like we’re dressed to kill."

She picks up a foundation brush and starts dabbing it on, watching the mirror to make sure Paige isn't moving. "We’re going to be loud when we leave, too. We need her to hear the door close and hear us talking about the club. That’s the part that’s going to make her mad. She’s going to be waking up to an empty house and wondering why she wasn't invited."

Sophia finishes a section of her hair and sprays a little bit of hairspray, shielding the bottle with her hand so the sound is muffled. "Okay, hair is looking good. My outfit is in the closet, I just have to grab it without making noise. You think we should wake her up on purpose or just let her find out when she wakes up?"

Azzi grins at the camera, her makeup looking perfect now. "No, we let her sleep. That’s the prank. We want the shock when she wakes up and realizes we’ve been gone for hours. The look on her face is going to be hilarious. Now, let’s get the rest of our stuff ready. We’ve got about ten minutes before we have to bounce."

Azzi is fully glammed up, looking like she’s ready for the VIP section, and Sophia looks just as ready, her outfit laid out on the edge of the bed.

"Okay," Azzi whispers, checking the camera one last time. "Makeup is done, hair is done, and we look way too good to be sitting in a room at 3 AM. It’s time for the loud exit."

They both grab their bags fake, of course, just to sell the lie and stand up slowly. They move toward the door, walking with exaggerated heavy steps on purpose to make sure Paige hears them, but still keeping up the pretense that they are trying to "sneak" out.

"Did you get the keys?" Sophia asks, loud enough to travel through the room.

"Yeah, they’re right here," Azzi replies, rattling the keys in her hand for effect. "Paige is going to be so annoyed that we didn't wake her up, but honestly? She takes way too long to get ready. We’d never make it to the club before closing."

They pause by the door. Azzi leans over, looking at the sleeping Paige one last time. She tilts the camera to get a clear shot of her still fast asleep.

"She hasn't even moved," Azzi laughs silently, covering her mouth to stop from giggling. "Okay, we’re out. We’re going to head to the front door, slam it shut, and then wait in the car. This is going to be the longest wait ever."

They slip out of the room, shutting the door just hard enough to make a thud—not a slam, but definitely enough to wake a light sleeper. In the hallway, they start talking even louder, their voices echoing.

"Wait, do you have your phone charger?" Sophia asks.

"Yeah, got it. Let's go, let's go! We’re already late!" Azzi says, breaking into a light jog toward the front door.

They hit the front door, pull it open, and then slam it shut behind them.

Now, it’s just the waiting game. They scramble out to the driveway, hop into the car, and Azzi mounts the camera on the dashboard, facing the front of the house.

"Okay guys," Azzi says, breathless from the excitement. "We are in the car. The deed is done. Now we just wait to see how long it takes for the light in her room to turn on. I give it ten minutes, tops. Let’s see if she falls for it!"Back in the car, the silence was heavy, broken only by the quiet hum of the engine and the soft glow of the smartphone screen resting on the dashboard. Azzi and Sophia were huddled together, staring intensely at the camera feed. The night-vision view showed the bedroom in shades of grey and green.

"Wait, wait," Azzi whispered, her finger hovering over the screen. "Look, she's moving."

Inside the bedroom, the stillness was broken. Paige shifted under the heavy comforter, letting out a long, sleepy sigh. Her arm slowly reached across the mattress, fingers spread out, searching for the warmth of the person who should have been sleeping beside her. Her hand met nothing but cold, empty sheets.

She paused, her hand frozen in place for a second. Slowly, her eyes flickered open. She blinked, staring into the dark room, trying to make sense of the silence. She sat up, her hair messy and stuck to her face, and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She looked at the vanity where Azzi had just been sitting. It was a mess makeup brushes were scattered everywhere, and the cap was left off the lipstick.

Paige let out a frustrated huff and stood up, stumbling a little on the rug. She walked to the center of the room, looking around. "Azzi?" she called out, her voice raspy and thick with sleep. There was no answer. Only the sound of the house settling in the dark.

She grabbed her phone off the nightstand, tapping the screen to check for any missed texts or calls. The screen lit up her face, but there was nothing no note, no text, phone.

"Are you serious right now?" Paige muttered to the empty air, crossing her arms. She walked to the closet and saw the clothes missing. Her face shifted from sleepy confusion to pure, sharp annoyance. She paced the small room, her bare feet hitting the floor with little thuds. She walked to the door, opened it, and peered out into the dark hallway, listening.

In the driveway, Azzi and Sophia were losing it. They were pressed against the car windows, watching Paige on the phone screen as she paced back and forth.

"She's totally buying it," Sophia whispered, her voice shaking from trying not to laugh out loud. "She looks so mad. She’s literally looking for us right now."

Azzi zoomed the camera in on the monitor, capturing the exact moment Paige threw her hands up in the air and let out a loud groan, clearly annoyed that they had left her behind without even a word.

"Oh, she is definitely going to be calling us in three, two, one..." Azzi said, eyes locked on the phone, waiting for the prank to reach the boiling point. Azzi stares at the phone screen.

The name “My nugg 🥹💙” is glowing in the dark car, vibrating against the dashboard. She looks at Sophia, her eyes wide, trying so hard not to burst out laughing.

"Oh my gosh, she’s actually calling!" Azzi whispers, her voice shaking with excitement.

"Answer it! Answer it!" Sophia mouths, grabbing Azzi’s arm. "Act like you’re already at the club. Make it sound loud!"

Azzi nods. She quickly taps the green button, but before she says 'hello,' she cranks up the car radio just a little bit, blasting some bass-heavy music to make it sound like they are really out at a party.

She puts the phone to her ear and raises her voice, sounding super distracted and having a blast.

"Hello? Paige?" Azzi yells over the music. "I can barely hear you, the music is so loud in here right now! What’s wrong?"

She pauses, listening to the phone. She makes a face at Sophia, pointing at the phone and mouthing, 'She sounds so mad.'

"What? No, I’m with Sophia," Azzi shouts into the phone, playing it off cool. "We didn't want to wake you up because you looked so tired, so we just decided to head out. Don't be mad! We'll be back later, okay? I have to go, we’re about to get to the dance floor!"

Click.

Azzi hangs up the phone before Paige can even get a word in. She tosses the phone onto the car seat and lets out a huge, breathless laugh, burying her face in her hands.

"She sounded so confused and so annoyed!" Azzi gasps. "She definitely thinks we’re out having a wild night without her. That was perfect. Now we just have to wait five more minutes and go back inside to reveal it."

Sophia is laughing so hard she’s almost crying. "You hung up so fast! She probably wanted to scream at you. This is the best prank ever."Every few seconds, one of them would burst into a quiet giggle, trying to stifle the sound by burying their face in their hoodie. Finally, Azzi checked her phone—no more calls, just total silence from the house.

"Okay, I think we’ve pushed it enough," Azzi whispered, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "If we stay out here any longer, she might actually start calling people to look for us. Let’s go catch her."

They quietly slipped out of the car, shutting the doors as softly as they could. The night air was cool, and their footsteps made almost no sound on the driveway as they crept toward the front porch. Azzi held the camera steady, her thumb hovering over the record button, while Sophia trailed right behind her, biting her lip to keep from laughing.

Azzi pulled out the house key, her hand shaking just a little bit from the adrenaline. She slid the key into the lock, slowly turning it until they heard the faint click.

"Ready?" she whispered, giving Sophia a look. Sophia just nodded, barely able to breathe.

Azzi pushed the door open, expecting to hear silence, but the house felt different—tense. They stepped into the entryway, their hearts pounding in their chests. The living room was bathed in the soft, eerie glow of a single lamp left on in the corner.

And there she was.

Paige was sitting perfectly still on the couch, right in the middle of the room, facing the door. She wasn't asleep, and she wasn't looking for her phone. She was just sitting there, arms crossed tightly over her chest, staring directly at the front door with a look that said she had been waiting for exactly this moment. The room felt heavy, and the prank vibe instantly shifted from "funny" to "uh oh."

"Oh..." Azzi breathed out, the camera shaking slightly in her hand.

Paige didn't say a word at first. She just watched them walk in, her eyes narrowing as she took in their full glam the makeup, the outfits, the bags they were still holding. She looked from Azzi to Sophia, and then back to the camera lens.

"Thought you were at the club?" Paige said, her voice quiet but ice-cold. She didn't move an inch, just kept her eyes locked on them. "I was wondering how long it would take for you to walk back through that door."

The silence in the room was deafening. Azzi looked at the camera, She stumbled on purpose, acting like her heels were super uncomfortable, and swayed a little as she walked over. She let out a dramatic, sleepy sigh and plopped right down on Paige’s lap. She wrapped her arms tight around Paige’s neck and tucked her face into her shoulder, acting like she could barely keep her eyes open.

"I'm so tired, Pagie," Azzi mumbled against her neck, acting like she was totally exhausted. "I'm just so sleepy."

Sophia walked over and flopped down on the couch cushions next to them, keeping the act going perfectly. She looked right at Paige and sighed, acting like she was the tired, responsible one.

"I told her, Azzi, don't drink too much," Sophia said, shaking her head while looking at the floor. "She wouldn't listen to me. She's been like this for the last hour."

Azzi held on tight, hiding her face against Paige's shoulder because she was fighting the urge to crack a huge smile. She kept her eyes shut, waiting to see if Paige would buy the act or if she was about to get busted Paige stays still for a second, her arms crossed, looking down at Azzi. She lets out a heavy, tired sigh, but her shoulders drop a little. She doesn't buy the "drunk" story for a second, but she can't help but crack a tiny smile because they’re being so dramatic.

"Okay, first of all," Paige says, nudging Azzi off her shoulder slightly to look at her face. "You two are the worst actors I have ever seen. You guys smell like soap and lip gloss, not a club. No way you went out."

She looks over at Sophia with an 'are you for real' face. "And you, Miss Responsible? You’re telling me you let her drink? Please. You wouldn't even let her have a sip of soda if it was too much sugar."

Paige reaches up and playfully pushes Azzi’s head away, but she’s laughing now. The serious, angry vibe is completely gone. She shakes her head, looking over at the camera lens that is still catching everything.

"You guys are so weird," Paige says, a smirk finally breaking through. "I was literally sitting here getting ready to call people because I thought you actually left, and you come in here doing this bad acting?"

She wraps her arms around Azzi again, pulling her back into a hug. "You’re lucky you're cute. But if you ever pull this ‘sneaking out’ stuff again, for real, I’m locking you out. Seriously. No more 3 AM games."Azzi hops off Paige’s lap and smooths out her outfit, letting out a laugh. She turns to face Sophia, crossing her arms with a playful pout.

"Okay, fine," Azzi says, shaking her head. "We clearly have zero acting skills. We’re definitely not going to be movie stars anytime soon."

Sophia laughs, throwing her hands up in the air. "I tried! It was the soap smell! I told you we should have put on perfume, but you said we didn't have time!"

Paige leans back into the couch cushions, crossing her legs and giving them both a "told you so" look. She’s definitely winning this round. "You guys are hilarious. You really thought I’d believe you were at a club when you walked in smelling like fresh laundry and lip gloss? You guys look like you’re ready for a spa night, not a dance floor."

Azzi walks over to the camera that’s been recording everything on the side table and picks it up, turning it to face them all.

"Well, you heard it here first, guys," Azzi says to the lens, grinning. "The 'Leaving at 3 AM' prank was a total fail. Paige is way too smart for us. We definitely tried to make it look real, but she caught us the second we walked through the door."

She tilts the camera to include Paige and Sophia in the shot.

"But hey," Azzi adds, "at least we’re all awake now. If you guys want to see us try a better prank next time, let us know in the comments. And Paige, you’re just too good at this."

"Maybe next time you’ll actually leave," Paige teases, pulling both of them into a group hug on the couch.

"Don't push it," Azzi laughs, hitting the 'stop' button on the camera. "Prank over. Time for sleep for real this time."

Alright, that is definitely a wrap for tonight," Azzi said, her voice dropping into that familiar, soothing tone she used for vlog outros. She leaned her head on Paige’s shoulder, while Sophia rested her chin on the back of the couch, making a playful peace sign at the lens. "I am honestly exhausted, and I think we’ve had enough excitement for one 3:00 AM session. Seriously, shoutout to Paige for being the prank master and catching us before we even made it out the front door."

Paige chuckled, waving a hand at the camera, her expression relaxed and content. "Don't get used to it," she teased, flashing a quick, bright grin. "Next time, you'll have to try a lot harder than that if you want to pull one over on me."

"We'll see about that!" Sophia chimed in, her voice full of mischief. "We’re already brainstorming the next one, so stay tuned. You guys definitely don't want to miss what we have in store."

Azzi nodded, adjusting her grip on the camera to get a better angle of all three of them. "Make sure you guys comment below and let us know what kind of prank we should try next, or if we should just stick to our day jobs because, apparently, acting isn't for us. And don't forget to smash that like button, subscribe if you're new, and turn on those post notifications so you never miss a video. We love you guys, thanks for sticking with us through the chaos."

"Bye guys!" all three of them shouted in unison, their voices echoing slightly against the quiet walls of the house. Paige blew a kiss to the lens, and Sophia did a dramatic wave.

Azzi reached out with her free hand, her thumb hovering over the small, glowing record button. "Peace out!"

With a final, satisfying click, the red light blinked out, and the screen went dark.

The end

[pboogersworld]

What if I bless y’all with new chapter of this book and post the next chapter frozen asset Monday ?