As Hayes spoke, Inessa couldn’t help but notice the subtle movements of his lips, the way his tongue grazed the roof of his mouth. She admired his straight, white teeth, though she couldn’t help but worry about the long-term effects of smoking on his dental health. His blue eyes, tired yet deep, held a certain allure that captivated her, drawing her into their depths with every glance.
Among the many friends she had, Inessa considered Hayes to be more than just a casual acquaintance. He was a close friend, someone she trusted. Inessa thought of him as a member of her inner circle.
Inessa found it easier to let her guard down around certain individuals in her life, Hayes being one of them. However, this was a sentiment she would never voice aloud, not even to those closest to her. The idea of ranking her friends was something she kept strictly to herself, understanding the delicate nature of friendships and the importance of valuing each one in its own unique way.
Each friendship in Inessa’s life held its own distinct value and benefits. What Inessa gained from each person in her life held significant importance to her, and she was determined to keep it that way. She recognized the effort and investment she had put into these friendships, understanding the value they added to her life.
Inessa met his gaze, sensing the sincerity behind his words, and she found it within herself to accept his apology. How could she not? What reason did Inessa have to stay mad at Hayes? None, really.nessa simply couldn’t justify holding negative feelings towards someone she cared about deeply.
This was a ifference between her brother when it came to handling conflicts. While she was more open to address issues and seek resolution, her brother tended to bottle up his emotions until they inevitably surfaced as larger problems.
“You’re lucky I’m a fan of surprises, but I must admit, they’re even better when they come with something sweet!” Inessa responded with a playful grin, her eyes lighting up at the thought of indulging in a delicious treat (though nothing artificial of course!).
“Yeah… It’s gonna be a long year, prepare to see a lot more from me,” Hayes remarked, she raised an eyebrow. Was this a flirtatious remark? She couldn’t help but wonder, her curiosity piqued by the subtle undertone in his words.
“Consider me intrigued,” she said back, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she matched his playful tone.
The conversation shifted to a more serious tone, a territory Inessa typically avoided. She wasn’t one to delve into deep discussions, preferring to keep things light. Inessa’s guard softened as she considered his genuine concern.
Inessa hadn’t spoken to her brother in person since yesterday in his room. They had texted, and she tried to FaceTime him, but he didn’t answer. Weird, she thought, he always did. He hadn’t mentioned any trouble, so she assumed everything was fine. “I don’t believe he has any consequences. I think he would’ve definitely told me. He tells me everything!” Inessa responded, her tone conveying a sense of reassurance. Despite the lack of direct communication with her brother, she remained confident in their bond and his willingness to confide in her.
“Sometimes he can be so infuriating though! Like does he not think how that could’ve possibly affected me, the way others looked and thought of me? So reckless, for what reason…” she trailed off, her frustration evident in her tone. As she began to put her guard back up, her thoughts returned to a more composed state, masking her emotions behind a facade of strength and composure.
Feeling the tension in her shoulders, Inessa consciously let them relax, allowing the muscles to loosen as she consciously released the stress that had built up within her.
"If we’re talking about the ball, I didn’t see you much. What were you up to?" Inessa inquired, shifting the focus of the conversation to her companion, curious about his experiences during the event.
@astxrism hayyesssieiee