Chapter 27

It had been a few days since Selena's night with Von, and things felt different, but in a good way. She couldn't deny the tension still lingering between them, but for now, she was focused on herself—her brand, her content, and just making the most of her time in Baton Rouge.

That evening, she was meeting Ray to go out, but this time, there was someone new in the mix. A girl named Nia. She'd bumped into Nia a couple of times over the past few days at various events, and they'd hit it off. Nia was cool, with a fresh style that matched Selena's boho vibes and a relaxed attitude that made her easy to talk to. Ray had mentioned that Nia was part of a different circle, but Selena didn't mind. She was always down to meet new people, especially ones that seemed to match her energy.

Selena spent the late afternoon finishing up her latest vlog, a "Get Ready With Me" video for the night out. She'd styled her hair in a messy bun with a few loose pieces framing her face, opting for a natural makeup look with soft highlights. Her nails were freshly done, long and almond-shaped with a nude ombre design. She was feeling cute, but more importantly, she was feeling confident.

She set up her camera in the corner of the room, walking through her outfit choice: a boho-chic white crop top with a colorful patterned cardigan and ripped jeans. The sun was setting outside her window, casting a warm glow through the room.

"Alright, y'all, so I'm just finishing up my makeup and getting ready for a night out with the girls," she said, looking into the camera. "We're hitting the club tonight, but I wanted to take a minute to talk about some new stuff I've been working on. So stay tuned for that!"

The video was coming together well, and after finishing up the last few shots, she filmed her getting dressed and packing a small bag for the night.

As she was wrapping up the vlog, her phone buzzed. Ray had messaged: We good for tonight. Nia's coming through. Get ready, sis.

Selena smiled to herself, tossing the phone on the bed. "Looks like it's about to be a lit night," she said aloud as she finished filming. She uploaded the content to her channel and took a quick shower to get herself in the mood for the night ahead.

A few hours later, Selena met up with Ray and Nia at a trendy little restaurant before heading to the club. The vibe was effortless—Selena felt like she was settling into a groove with this new group. Nia was a bit more laid-back than Ray, but her energy was undeniable. She had a way of making everyone feel comfortable.

As they sat at their table, chatting and laughing, Selena could feel a subtle shift in her world—like she was finally getting into her rhythm, balancing work, friendships, and the new potential she had with Von, even if they hadn't fully explored it yet.

"I swear, you two are gonna get me in trouble tonight," Nia joked, sipping on her drink as she looked between Selena and Ray. "I'm just trying to have a good time, but y'all over here looking too fine."

Ray laughed, her eyes glinting mischievously. "That's the plan, girl. We're out here to show out tonight."

As the night went on, the trio hit the club, the bass of the music vibrating through the floor. Selena loved how it felt—free and carefree, surrounded by good energy. She was catching up with Ray and Nia when someone from a nearby table called her name. It was another influencer she'd met briefly during her brand trip to Cabo. They exchanged hellos, and the conversation was light, but Selena couldn't shake the feeling something was off with the way she kept glancing at her and Nia.

But she shrugged it off—she was there to have fun.

——————

Selena woke up the next morning with a slight headache from last night's drinks, but nothing too terrible. The club had been fun, and she was glad she'd gone. The new friend group felt right, and she was glad she'd connected with Nia. Still, there was a lingering thought in the back of her mind about her interaction with that influencer. She'd acted a little too interested, but Selena dismissed it. If she had learned anything, it was that the streets had all kinds of people—some real, some fake, but that was just the game.

After taking a quick morning call for work, Selena decided it was time to give her apartment a little makeover. It had been feeling a bit too plain since she'd moved in, and she wanted a space that felt more like her—vibrant, cozy, and welcoming.

She started by clearing the space and organizing everything. The next few hours were spent browsing home decor sites, choosing some accent pieces—a soft rug, colorful throw pillows, and plants to bring some greenery into the space. She picked out a boho tapestry for the wall and a chic light fixture that would add a soft glow to her living room.

Once everything arrived, Selena went to work setting up her new space, arranging everything just so. As she worked, she filmed some behind-the-scenes content for her followers. They loved seeing her day-to-day life, and she was more than happy to share her personal style with them.

By the end of the day, her apartment had transformed. The soft pinks and earthy tones she loved were now the backdrop of her everyday life, and she felt proud of how it all came together. Sitting back on her couch, Selena smiled at the view—her cozy sanctuary, ready for whatever was next.

Her phone buzzed again. It was Von.

"You still breathing over there? Had me worried with all that drama."

Selena chuckled softly, biting her lip before responding. "Yeah, I'm good. Just working on some new stuff. New friends, new vibe. You should come see it sometime."

There was a pause before his reply came in. "Maybe I will. You got me curious now."

Selena smirked, setting her phone down with a grin. Maybe things were finally starting to settle in place.