zarasharma

[zarasharma]

zara loved teasing hudson—at this point, she didn’t even see him as her brother’s best friend, more like another older brother she could mess with just to get a reaction, mostly because she knew him that well. "blackmail via mozzarella," she nodded, a smirk playing on her lips. "i can’t be considered a criminal, future criminologist—that’s something different," she added confidently. people still questioned why zara had picked that career path, but she had always loved little mysteries as a kid, and now she wanted to make a living out of them. "just wait until i take a forensic class, i could either be the hottest criminologist or the smartest psycho, so you better stay on my happy list," she teased, winking at him. as he started describing her, all she did was pose—bit her nail, stuck her tongue out, struck a pose. "that’s so sweet of you, i love being a menace," she beamed. "you’re paying for the pizza, but you’re having pizza because i suggested it, so... i deserve all the pizza," she said, her proud smile making it clear she believed every word. as they kept bickering over it, she grinned. "i’m giving you a little control, but i’m like the queen here, so if i want to change the subject, i will," she shrugged. "my love life?" she repeated, raising a brow at him. "is he taller than you? have you kissed him? what are you, a little girl?" she teased with a smirk. "he’s the guy i moved in with... i’ve kissed him, i’ve done grown-up things with him, and you don’t need to put on that scary big brother voice because he’s probably stronger than you. i feel like he’d be the one kicking your ass," she nodded, eyes gleaming with amusement. "what else do you want to know?"

Hudson shook his head, a half-smile pulling at his lips as Zara kept on with her teasing. She never let up—not for a second—and honestly, he wouldn't have it any other way. The way she lit up while messing with him, the gleam in her eyes, the smug little grin every time she thought she got the upper hand… yeah, she was a menace, but she was his menace. Like a chaotic little sister he never asked for but would absolutely body-check someone for if they messed with her. He let out a scoff that quickly turned into a laugh.“Oh, is that how this works now?” he said, raising an eyebrow, his voice dipped in mock disbelief. “Blackmail via mozzarella? You’re a real criminal, Zara.” He didn’t even try to hide the smirk tugging at his face as she went off about being the life of the party and how people expected her to be a menace—he could practically see the crown she’d placed on her own head. Drama queen energy, and she wore it well. “You are a menace,” he confirmed, casually scrolling on his phone to place the order. “But fine, life of the party too. Annoying as hell, but entertaining. I guess that evens out.” When she claimed she might let him have the smallest slice, he let out a low laugh, slow and disbelieving.“Smallest slice?” he repeated. “Girl, please. I’m paying for the damn pizza. I’m taking two slices as down payment—non-negotiable. That’s just how economics works.” He gave her a pointed look, then leaned back against the chair, arms crossed like he had just laid down a law of the universe. “And don’t think you’re slick. I will pick the two average size slices, too." As she leaned in, all playful challenge and sass, and gave him the go-ahead to change the subject, he grinned, eyes glinting. “Oh, you’re giving me control now? Wow. Big moment. Alright, let’s see…” He tapped his chin dramatically. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, and gave her a grin that was all older-brother energy—playful, nosy, and very on brand. “So... your love life,” he said casually, like he was asking about the weather. “I overheard you got a little thing going on. What’s he like? Do I need to put on the scary big brother voice? Is he taller than you? Have you kissed him yet?"

[zarasharma]

"zara, come on?" she mocked him, "zara, come on?" she repeated, louder this time. "i don't fucking know if you wanted to go in there with her, but i fucking know you didn't waste a single second," zara pointed out. she hadn’t done it either, but there was a difference between dancing with a guy fully clothed and having sex in a closet. she didn’t want to listen to him, she wanted to scream, maybe even slap him, but instead, she just stayed on the floor, her knees bleeding, hurt and hating every second of that stupid party. "to make me jealous? okay, fine," she rolled her eyes, "i’m fucking jealous, happy?" she snapped, standing up and brushing the dirt off her little skirt. "does she know? the way she looks at you says something else—she wants you, and i don’t blame her," she shrugged. hearing that they hadn’t just kissed in that room but done other things too shattered her. she crossed her arms over her chest as he told her how she’d ruined him, how she wasn’t just a game to him. she looked away for a second. "i don’t know why i did that dare," she confessed, "i just don’t know why i did it. i was a total bitch," she nodded. "i wanted to make you jealous, i wanted you to look at me, and it backfired." she sighed. "i’m an asshole," zara whispered. she was drunk, heartbroken, jealous—feeling every single emotion at once. "i don’t want to share you with anyone else," she finally said, "i want to go out with you, not just sneak around your office. i want to be out there with you, have people hate me for being with you," she added, her tone harsh, not really controlling how the words left her mouth. "and i don’t want to fucking see you kiss jess ever again."

Grayson hadn’t expected to see her like that. The second he stepped out of the room, still pulling his shirt together, heart pounding for all the wrong reasons, he froze and went outside. He wanted to call her name, but before he could get a word out, she was already up on her feet, eyes blazing. The words hit harder than any punch. He didn’t even flinch—he just stood there, watching the heartbreak twist her face, wishing he could erase the last twenty minutes of the night. His brows drew together, frustration and regret colliding in the tightness of his chest. His voice came out low, a little hoarse.“Zara… come on.” He took a slow step forward, careful, like getting too close might make it worse. “You really think I wanted to go in there with her?" His hand hovered at his side, clenched and unsure. “You were dancing on someone else like I wasn’t even in the room. Like everything between us was just some… joke. I know it was a game, but god, Zara, it didn’t feel like a game.” He looked at her, really looked, and it hurt. The sting in her eyes, the shake in her voice—it wrecked him. “I lost it. I didn’t know what to do. So I did something stupid.” He ran a hand down his face, trying to collect himself, his voice softening. “But I didn’t kiss and do whatever because I wanted too. I did it to make you jealous." He finally looked her in the eyes, quiet but steady. “You’ve got every right to be pissed. I get it. But don’t think for a second I care about Jess. That was nothing. She knows it too. She saw how I was looking at you from across the room. Yeah, we did the dare, like everybody else in that room is doing. Like you did too. Yes, we kissed and did other stuff in the closet because the game's the game." His voice dropped, gentler now—honest, even if it made him ache. “You’re not just some game to me though, Zara. You never were. You don’t get it… You ruin me." Grayson’s heart thudded in his chest. “And seeing you do that,” he said, voice rough and low, the frustration and hurt bleeding through, “dance on some guy like that… see his hands on you—it fucked me up.” He swallowed hard, the words catching in his throat like they were heavier than anything he’d ever said. “I didn’t know how else to deal with it so I got revenge. I'm a dick - I know."

[zarasharma]

zara kept teasing him, and she loved every second of it—the way he reacted to her words was hands down the highlight of her day. when he warned her not to tell her brother, a sly smile tugged at her lips. of course she wasn’t going to say anything, not when it was over something so small and ridiculous. she was having too much fun to ruin it. "okay okay, i’m not telling him yet," she grinned, winking at him. "but you better keep buying me things if you want me to keep my mouth shut," she teased, eyes twinkling. when he quickly switched the topic, she didn’t fight it—she could let it go, for now. "yes, pizza," she said, almost dreamily. "i know i’m a menace, that’s exactly the energy i bring. people expect it. i’m also the life of the party, don’t forget that," she added, giving him another wink. as he confirmed her order to double check, she nodded, satisfied. "yup, that’s right," she said, smirking. "it’s the best fucking pizza ever, i don’t even have to think about it anymore. ordering it is muscle memory at this point." she leaned back, playful as ever. "i might let you have the smallest slice if you want a taste. maybe." her gaze flicked to his, playful as ever. "so, you wanna change the subject? fine—go ahead. what do you wanna talk about?"

Hudson tried not to smile, but it was useless—Zara was in full gremlin mode, and she knew exactly how to poke at him. At his warning not to tell Zayn, she latched onto it like a cat with a dangling string, smug grin locked in place. He groaned under his breath as she kept going, pure mischief in her tone.“Zara, don't” he warned quietly, dragging out her name like it might summon some patience into the moment. It didn’t. She was loving this—obviously. There was zero chance she’d actually tell Zayn, but still, Hudson felt like a rabbit trapped under a magnifying glass. She had him blushing over something stupid—just one look at Angel—and now she was thriving. He tried to redirect. “So… pizza or what?” He pulled out his phone to start the order, shaking his head at her. “I’m starting to think I should’ve just walked into traffic instead.” Hudson exhaled, dragging a hand down his face, glancing a look at the girl next to him. “You’re a menace.” Then came the inevitable Angel jab. Zara rolled her eyes, throwing in a full dramatic sigh like she was auditioning for a bad soap opera. Hudson gave her a look—somewhere between amused and exhausted. “Stop." Zara ignored him. She rattled off Angel's dessert specs like she was reading from a sacred scroll. He typed in a few notes into the order app, muttering to himself as he entered hers first. “Alright. Pizza with bacon, pepperoni, extra cheese, barbecue sauce. And not forgetting the garlic breadsticks. You’ve clearly thought a lot about this.” There was a pause, just a moment of quiet where he glanced up at her—still smug, still teasing—and despite everything, he grinned. She was relentless. But he liked that about her. Just… maybe not when she was holding a loaded metaphorical phone over his head, threatening to tell Zayn he’d been caught checking out Angel. Hudson shook his head, laughing under his breath as he finished tapping in her order. “Alright, menace,” he said, locking his phone and slipping it into his pocket. “Your pizza and blackmail dessert are officially secured. Fifteen minutes. How about we change the subject before I spontaneously combust from secondhand embarrassment?”

[zarasharma]

she didn't know what she was thinking—in fact, she wasn’t thinking at all. she stormed toward the door she had last seen grayson disappear behind with jess, her fist slamming against the wood hard enough to sting. seeing him walk into that room with someone who wasn’t her, for god knows what, made something inside her snap. she wanted to hit them both. she couldn’t understand how he had just agreed to that dare—it wasn’t some dumb lap dance, it was seven minutes in heaven, and everyone knew what that usually meant. and for some reason, after moving in with him, she’d convinced herself that kind of intimacy was just theirs. it wasn’t just about the flirting or the soft moments, it was about the nights where she got to trace every inch of him like it meant something. and now, her heart was breaking—over a stupid game—and everyone had seen it. she’d left the party as quickly as people had gathered for the game, but that didn’t stop the weight of it all from crashing down on her. zara collapsed to the cold ground, her knees scraped raw, the chill biting at her exposed skin, her whole body tight with fury and heartbreak. she heard footsteps. then his voice—low, rough, like he’d been kissing her long enough to be out of breath—and something in her twisted. she didn’t want to hear him, didn’t want to see him, and definitely didn’t want him to pretend like he cared. she looked up and saw the signs all over him: his shirt half-unbuttoned, the rest clinging by a thread, lips swollen, the fly of his pants halfway down. "i'm fucking fine," she spat, staggering to her feet. "go fuck that bitch jess, she's waiting for you." her eyes locked on his. "she did a good job—look at you." she shook her head, fury bubbling past the heartbreak. "you’ve still got five more minutes in there, so go. remind her why she’s been chasing your ass for months." her voice dripped venom, every word edged in pain.

Click. The door shut. The lock turned. And the closet swallowed them. For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Thick, suspended air. The scent of old wood, dust, perfume — her — and the barely-there sound of his breathing. Jessica pressed back against the wall, her pulse hammering in her throat. Grayson hadn't moved. Not yet. She could feel him. Right there in front of her. Close enough that her skin started to burn even without contact. Then—He moved. A hand slammed to the wall just beside her head — not a threat, a claim. The next second, his body was on hers, hot and solid, pressing her into the wall like he couldn't stand another second without contact. His mouth came down hard, no prelude — teeth and tongue and heat. Jessica whimpered into it, shocked at how fast it all happened. How deep the need went. His hands were already at her waist, dragging her into him. There was no slow discovery, no gentle testing. He was pulling her shirt up like it offended him, baring skin in frantic, rough movements. Her arms lifted, surrendering. Her crush — the one she’d nursed for a year in silence — had exploded into something raw and physical and terrifyingly real. She let herself melt into it. Pressed her hips up against him and felt the grunt tear from his throat when she did. His mouth left hers, dragging down her neck, tongue warm, teeth grazing — then lower. Her breath caught as his hand cupped her breast, thumb stroking over the lace, then slipping underneath. She arched for him. When his mouth closed around her nipple, hot tongue circling, the moan that broke from her lips was shameless. It wasn't Jessica's rack in his mind. Her hands tangled in his hair, anchoring herself as his mouth worked over her skin, his breath growing faster, heavier. His hands slid down, dragging over her hips, down between the curve of her thighs. Jessica's back hit the wall again — harder this time — as he drove his body against hers, his mouth back at her throat, kissing harder now, more desperately. She panted into the dark, hands clawing at his shirt, yanking at the hem, trying to get closer, feel more, breathe less. A couple of buttons of his shirt got lost in the process. She didn’t know where his hands were now — on her waist, sliding between her legs, and teasing because he couldn't get who he wanted. Her fingers brushed his chest first — tentative, then surer. She felt him breathe in, sharp and surprised. Her hands slid down over his shirt, dragging fabric, knuckles grazing the taut lines of his stomach. Still, he didn’t stop her. She went lower. She felt the heat of him through the fabric, and it made her bite her lip. She undid the button, then the zipper, and slid her hand inside. Grayson cursed under his breath, his body jerking at the contact. Jessica’s fingers wrapped around him — firm, slow — and began to stroke. The movement was careful at first, deliberate, drawing him out inch by inch into the dark. He was hot in her hand, impossibly hard, twitching at every motion. The closet felt like it was shrinking — filled with the sound of skin on skin, of strained breathing, of tension rising to a breaking point. And then—

KNOCK. Loud. Abrupt. Cruel. Grayson froze. Not because of what Zara said. But because of how she said it. She was hurt. Not angry — not really. Her voice cracked like something had broken, and suddenly the party outside felt like a circus gone wrong. He heard the silence ripple through the room. Then the door trembled again as her fist struck harder. The second knock burned hotter than the first. Grayson didn’t speak. Just exhaled slowly, teeth clenched. Jessica stilled under his hands. Her breath hitched, no longer from pleasure. He stepped back. Not because he regretted it — but because the air had shifted. What came next would linger. Outside, Zara’s footsteps pounded across the floor like war drums. Then the front door slammed. Muffled laughter trickled back in, hesitant, like people weren’t sure whether to pretend nothing happened or admit they’d just witnessed something brutal and real. He stayed in the closet for a few seconds longer. Not thinking. Just burning. In the silence left behind, with Jessica straightening her clothes, Grayson finally looked toward the door. His expression unreadable. But his night? Ruined. And it wasn’t because of what happened in the closet. It was because of everything that happened before. The door clicked open. Grayson stepped out into silence. Not just the kind where the music’s low. The kind where everyone is waiting. Watching. Pretending not to. The room was frozen — mid-laugh, mid-drink, mid-breath — eyes darting toward him and Jessica as they emerged. He felt the eyes land on his lips — red, swollen from kissing — and his shirt, half-untucked and missing at least three buttons, his zipper not all the way up. Someone made a sound — low, half-laughing — and that was enough to set the whole room buzzing again, whispers igniting like sparks across kindling. Grayson ran a hand through his hair. Jaw tight. His body still throbbed with unsatisfied heat, tension curled tight in his spine and groin. Angry. Frustrated. Horny. And just drunk enough to not care that the whole room was dissecting the way his pants sat low on his hips. He fixed his zipper first. Then ran his palm down his chest, trying to flatten out the shirt — but the missing buttons left it gaping.

Grayson stepped outside, the cold hitting him like a slap. He hadn’t planned on following her. Hell, a minute ago, he’d still had Jessica’s fingers on his skin and her breath in his ear — but now, all that heat had cooled into something ugly. Regret settled low in his stomach, sharp and sour. His boots hit the pavement hard as he descended the porch steps. The night was quieter out here, the thud of the bass behind him muffled. And then he saw her. Zara, near the curb, crouched on the ground. Her knees were scraped raw — blood streaking her knees, dark against skin. Grayson ran a hand down his face. Frustration made his movements jerky. His pants still hung too low, his shirt open and wrinkled, breeze slicing over his skin — the kind of chill that would sober anyone if the shame hadn’t already done the job. He crossed the space between them slowly. One step. Then another. He stopped a few feet behind her. "Zara." He let the silence hang for a beat. Then another. "You’re bleeding," he said, voice hoarse — rough from kissing, yelling, biting back things he shouldn’t have said. "And you’re gonna catch a cold going out here like this." Grayson blinked. Looked down at himself like he hadn’t even realised — shirt still hanging open, cold air licking across his chest, half a button clinging to the middle like it had survived the war. His hands were still shaking faintly, from the cold or from her — he wasn’t sure.

[zarasharma]

for zara that was only a dare, she didn’t think too much into it. she danced, getting high on the people cheering. she wasn’t looking at the guy, she didn’t care about him, he was just part of a dare. she grinded and danced, there wasn’t anything sexual coming from her, she was just dancing. as she got up after her little show, she smiled, proudly soaking in the others’ cheers. but as she turned to look at him, he didn’t look as chill as she was. for a second she couldn’t understand the annoyed look on his face. she kept telling herself it was just a dare. but then he read the block in his hand. she felt her breath catch in her throat. she couldn’t breathe. the crowd that had been cheering for her was now whistling, laughing, clapping at the new challenge. she didn’t like it. when the person meant to go in the closet with grayson said no, and grayson casually shrugged it off, zara felt a flicker of relief—maybe he’d have to drink after all and she’d still get to sit back on his lap. she knew the girl he called next. she had a thing for him. everyone knew. and grayson didn’t hesitate—he went straight for her. zara’s mouth went dry, her gaze shifting from the girl to grayson. the way she got up so fast, so ready, like she was proud of something that was never meant to happen, made zara want to punch a wall. the way she walked over to him, like it was hers to take. zara wanted to grab the girl's hair and drag her away from her man... but he wasn’t. he didn’t even glance at her as he walked toward the closet with jess. zara swallowed and walked back to where grayson had been sitting, her eyes stuck on the spot they had disappeared into. around her, the party carried on—voices, laughter, whispers—all of it felt like knives. she couldn’t take it anymore. after what felt like forever but was really just a minute, she shot up, her body moving on instinct. she shoved through the circle of people, ignoring their stares. her heels clacked against the floor, sharp and angry, until she reached the door and slammed her fist against it, hard. "i hope you have a good time, fucking asshole!" she shouted, knocking on the door even harder thant he first time, feeling the side of her hand burning because of her action. the room falling into a stunned silence. "what the fuck are you looking at?" she snapped at the others, her voice cracking, her rage spilling out in front of everyone. she didn’t care. she turned and stormed out of the frat house, eyes blurred with tears she refused to let fall. she felt like absolute shit. she didn’t even know exactly what she’d done wrong—but she knew grayson had done something. her heel caught the edge of the pavement and she tripped, landing hard on her scratched knees and palms. she stayed there for a second, frozen, breathing hard. she wanted to cry, to scream, to tear everything apart—but she wouldn’t. she couldn’t. she had already let them see too much, more than they ever should have. and it was all because of grayson, who, as far as she was concerned, had decided to ruin her night.

The second she read the dare out loud though, something shifted. Grayson’s smile didn’t drop right away—he even raised his eyebrows in mock scandal as the crowd hollered. But as Zara stood and walked across the circle, something heavy started to knot in his stomach. He kept his expression neutral, even smirked a little, but he wasn’t really in it anymore. She danced like she didn’t care who was watching—except he was. She reached the guy in front of her—he was already grinning like he’d just won something—and without hesitation, she swung a leg over his lap. The man leaned back, arms spread across the couch, looking up at her like she was a goddamn miracle. And Zara gave him a show. She started slow. Hips rocking forward, then back, her ass grazing just above his thighs. The guy’s mouth parted slightly as she dropped lower, grinding down with calculated grace, her back arched. Grayson watched, his jaw clenched so tight it hurt. Every shift of her ass, every roll of her hips, every time she dipped lower—the guy beneath her was drinking it in with shameless awe. No restraint. No embarrassment. Just hunger in his face. His eyes followed every curve like he was tracing her with his gaze, and he didn't even try to hide it. Zara’s hands rested on the guy’s chest now, fingertips dragging lightly over his shirt. The guy’s hands twitched on his thighs, dying to touch. Grayson’s fists clenched in his lap. He was trying not to look, trying to look only at her—but the way the other man stared, unbothered and bold, made it worse. . She gave one final shimmy, ass circling slow and deliberate, before sliding back up to standing. The guy reached, just barely—fingertips brushing her hips. And then Zara turned her head, not even glancing down at him. The guy chuckled, but it was thin now. Embarrassed. She’d already turned her back. And as she walked away—hips still moving to the beat, a grin playing on her lips—Grayson couldn’t stop watching. Couldn’t stop remembering the way she’d looked back at him first, right before choosing to go. The room was still buzzing when Grayson reached for the Jenga tower. His fingers hovered for a second longer than necessary. The block he chose slid out smoothly, but not without a faint creak that made a few people hush in anticipation. He didn’t look up—yet. His jaw was tight. The memory of Zara’s hips still burned behind his eyes. The way her ass had moved, slow and deliberate, in another man’s lap… and the way that man had looked at her—like he was ready to take her right there.

Grayson bit the inside of his cheek, hard. He turned the block over in his hand, reading the words before saying them aloud. "Seven minutes in heaven… with the person across the room from you." A beat of silence. Then whistles. Laughter. Someone clapped. He raised an eyebrow, one corner of his mouth twitching into a half-smile, first to the guy still lounging across the room, the one she’d danced on. The guy shook his head immediately, eyes wide with mock alarm. “Nah, man. I’m good.” There was more laughter—some teasing, some knowing. Grayson tilted his head at him, a dry smirk forming on his lips. “Weird,” he said casually, voice smooth but flat. “Didn’t seem so shy a minute ago.” He didn’t wait for a response. He turned slightly, scanning, then pointed at the girl seated next to the guy. "Jess," he said. “You’re up.” Jessica straightened instantly, her eyes widening—then narrowing in focus. She looked like she’d just won something and was trying not to show it too fast. Her hands smoothed the hem of her mini skirt as she stood. She’d been waiting for this. Jessica had visited his office three times this month alone under vague pretenses. A file that needed reviewing. An account that needed “clarity.” Once, she dropped by just to “see if he wanted a hot chocolate to keep him going.” Her crush wasn’t exactly subtle—and Grayson had never bothered to shut it down. She was pretty cute, ambitious, always a little too eager to please. And now, she walked toward him like she’d rehearsed it. The room hollered as Grayson stood up. He didn’t glance at Zara, though he felt her eyes on him like nails in his spine. Someone opened the door to the coat closet-turned-makeshift-"heaven" and flipped on the dim overhead light. Grayson stepped inside behind Jess and shut the door behind them. The moment it clicked shut, the noise outside muffled—just the beat of the music bleeding through, distant now. Jessica leaned back against the wall, arms crossed loosely under her chest. “So…” she said, her voice barely above a whisper, “seven whole minutes.” Grayson didn’t answer right away. He wasn’t looking at her. He was still seeing Zara—bent over, grinding, hips rolling slow in someone else's lap. He let the silence stretch as he stepped closer to Jessica, until there was barely a breath of space between them. “I saw the way you looked at Zara,” Jessica said softly, eyes flicking to his. “You want her.” Grayson’s lips curled slightly, but it wasn’t a smile. “No,” he said. “I want her to want me.” And then his hand reached out, brushing lightly against Jessica’s jaw, tilting her head just a little. “But right now…” he murmured, eyes narrowing, “you’ll do.”

[zarasharma]

at hudson’s warning not to tell zayn about the way he’d just looked at angel, a smirk tugged at the corners of zara’s lips. "oh wow, hudson, i thought you were smarter than that—you can’t say something like that and expect me not to do it. now all i want to do is call him and tell him everything," she teased, clearly enjoying the power she held. she wasn’t actually going to tell zayn, but getting under hudson’s skin was just too easy, and honestly, too fun. she had him blushing over something as dumb as checking out her sister, and if it had been anyone else, she would’ve let it slide—but knowing it made hudson nervous only fueled her. at his question about her dinner choice, she nodded with a grin. "you love pizza, don’t sound so shocked," she chuckled. when he pulled out his phone, she leaned back with a victorious smile. "of course you’re getting us pizza. gotta keep me happy or i’ll spill our little secret," she added, wiggling her eyebrows dramatically. she was being mean, and she knew it—but that was kind of the point. just as she was about to tell him her order, he mentioned angel again, and zara rolled her eyes. "and angel is back, just in time to steal the spotlight. sucks being the baby," she sighed theatrically. "an apology dessert? you’re so corny," she added, shaking her head. "i’d say chocolate—as long as it’s not dark chocolate. if it is, then go for caramel, and if it’s salted caramel, even better," she said, trying to help him with his pick. "okay, now your crush’s dessert is out of the way—my turn." she grinned. "i want a pizza with bacon, pepperoni, extra cheese, and barbecue sauce. and don’t forget the garlic breadsticks."

Hudson didn’t stand a chance—not with Zara. The second she shifted her attention from skincare to teasing him, it was like the floodgates opened. And God, did she know how to push his buttons. He tried—really tried—not to blush, to stay cool and unaffected, but she saw straight through him like she always did. And when she called him out, so confident, so smug, there was no hiding it. His ears were hot, his cheeks definitely pink, and she knew it. Hudson wasn’t sure what was worse—how accurate she was, or how much he liked it. The way she rattled off her self-praise, all dramatic and exaggerated, made him roll his eyes, but even then, he was smiling. She had this energy that pulled people in without even trying. The way she laughed at herself, flicked her hair back like she was on a red carpet, declared herself the “prettiest person alive” like it was an objective fact—it was impossible not to be entertained. And when he finally gave in—admitted the thing she’d been digging at—he saw the satisfaction bloom across her face. Hudson groaned softly, rubbing the back of his neck, but he couldn’t help laughing along with her. "Don't tell your brother that I was looking at your older sister like that." He somehow trusted Zara not to spill his secrets. And then—just as suddenly—she switched gears. “Pizza?” he said, wiggling her eyebrows, that sounded like a deal to him. Hudson gave her a look—half amused, half resigned—as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. “By we, do we mean me?” he asked, already unlocking the screen. He didn’t even wait for her smart reply. He knew it was coming—probably something outrageous and smug—and he’d already accepted his fate. Scrolling through the app, he shook his head with a quiet laugh. “I’ll get Angel something too,” he added, glancing up at Zara, who looked way too pleased with herself. “A ‘sorry for staring too much’ apology dessert or something.” He smirked a little as he said it, but his ears were still pink. Because, yeah—he had looked a little too long earlier, and yeah—Zara had caught it. Of course she had. She caught everything. “You think she likes chocolate or caramel better?"

[zarasharma]

zara had never considered herself shy—she liked people, and she knew exactly what to do to get their attention. partying was her favorite thing, and she was good at it, good at connecting with people. "i’m a menace? a pretty sexy menace," she corrected with a grin, taking another sip of her drink. there were a lot of people at the party, but if she was honest, her focus was entirely on grayson—he had no competition. she was deliberately flirting with him, just like she did when they were alone at home or when she stopped by his office. "as they should," she added, glancing down at her bikini, wearing it proudly without a second thought—it was a hawaiian party after all. she was in her element, and she was making sure grayson noticed—undoing his shirt, teasing him, practically glued to him with all her attention. as she slid into his lap, her eyes lingered on his lips, and for a second, she almost forgot about where they were. it took a surprising amount of control not to kiss him right there. "what can i say, i’m a superhero," she laughed, flipping her hair in a dramatic toss, cheeks flushed but playful. she stood up again, catching the attention of the room effortlessly. everyone was ready for a game—no one was going to say no to getting drunk with dares on the table, especially when zara was the one suggesting it. as she looked back at grayson with that smirk of hers, she grinned. "i think i should be president," she mused, clearly riding the high of the moment. "people would follow me no matter what." and drunk zara truly believed that. when grayson said he was in, her smile widened—she hadn’t expected him to play along, but she was thrilled he did. "well…" she said as she gave him a gentle push back onto the couch, "i don’t know where you’re sitting, but i know i’m sitting on you." and with that, she plopped herself on his lap, legs crossed, her side pressed against his chest, her arm loosely wrapped around his neck. "i feel really comfortable," she whispered into his ear, clearly having the time of her life. around them, people settled into seats, and the tower of jenga at the center became the main event, each block covered in dares. people laughed, kissed, did body shots, stripped down—wild but typical frat house chaos. zara just laughed from grayson’s lap, living for the fun. then it was her turn. leaning forward, careful not to knock the tower over, she pulled out a block. "c’mon zara, read it out loud!" someone shouted, and the room cheered. "give the person in front of you a lap dance," she read, eyebrows raised as the crowd erupted in cheers. the guy across from her grinned, beckoning her with a finger. zara looked back at grayson for a second before standing up and walking over. "i’ll need some music," she said loudly, adjusting the strings of her bikini with a wicked grin. with the beat kicking in, she placed her hands on the guy’s shoulders, swaying her hips in perfect rhythm. the crowd went wild as she dipped low, every move exaggerated and playful—more of a performance than a flirtation. she twirled, gave one last shimmy, then confidently strutted away as the room applauded. it was bold, wild, and exactly what everyone expected from a night like this. but the moment his hands landed on her hips, she straightened up, stepping away without missing a beat. "hands off, don’t get too excited," she muttered with a smirk.

Grayson couldn’t stop looking at her—Zara had that effect on people, but with him, it hit different. She laughed easy, moved through a crowd like she owned it, made strangers feel like old friends. But what got Grayson wasn’t all that surface-level charm. She’d always been magnetic to him , but now—sitting across from him in that tiny bikini, laughing at her own joke, cheeks flushed, she looked perfect. “You’re a menace,” he muttered, fighting a grin. And when she had to look away after he told her the place looked better with her in it—when that smile crept across her lips and she called him a flirt—he knew she felt it too. This wasn’t just banter. This wasn’t just the usual party spark. She was flirting, yeah, but it wasn’t careless. It was deliberate. It was for him. Grayson damn near choked on his drink. He laughed, hands held up in surrender. “Well, I mean, who am I to argue with the logic? I do think that everybody here is appreciating them." She struck a pose, barely holding it before breaking into laughter, and that laugh—God, that laugh. It was stupid how much he loved it. Then her fingers were on his shirt, undoing it like she’d done it a thousand times, like she belonged there. Her teeth grazed her bottom lip, her eyes dragging over him, clearly not shy about any of it. When he tapped his thigh, she slid into his lap without hesitation—like that was just where she was supposed to be. She fit there like she’d always known she would. “Saving the party, one shot at a time,” Grayson said, smirking as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Then she stood, full of confidence and chaos, that wink hitting harder than it should’ve. And when she turned to the crowd, raised her voice and yelled “Did someone say dare-Jenga?”—the reaction was immediate. Cheers, movement, energy rippling through the room like electricity. Grayson leaned back, watching it all unfold—the crowd moving toward them, the buzz building around her. He looked at her like she was the sun and the flame and the fuel that kept everything burning. “Yeah,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief, a smile tugging at his lips. “You really did.” Grayson’s smile faltered for half a second as he caught movement in his periphery—two guys across the room, nudging each other, eyes locked on Zara like she was something to consume instead of someone to admire. The kind of look that went on too long, lingered a little too low, made his jaw tighten without him even realising it. She hadn’t noticed them. But he had. The guy in the backwards hat tilted his beer bottle and said something to his friend with a smirk, clearly about her, and Grayson’s fingers twitched at his side. He moved instinctively. “I’m in,” he called out over the music and chatter, that easy smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Where am I sitting?”

[zarasharma]

zara had stopped caring about skincare a while ago, especially once she realized teasing hudson about looking at her sister was way more fun. he was definitely blushing, and the fact that he kept trying to deny it only made her grin widen—he was so bad at hiding it, and honestly, that was cute. "i'm not imagining anything, i know when guys blush, and let me tell you, you are," she nodded confidently, "maybe it's 'cause i keep teasing you, maybe it's 'cause i've seen something i shouldn't have... it's up to you to say if i'm right or wrong, but admit you're blushing." she wasn't letting it go. "oh, people describe me that way all the time—relentless, pretty, hot, sexy... so many adjectives, hudson, it's nothing new," she laughed, flicking her hair back with a smug smile. "oh, you think someone’s prettier than me? sorry, but that's incorrect. it’s science. i’m the prettiest person alive, that’s it, period," she added playfully, and while she kind of believed it, she was mostly just messing around—zara loved hyping herself up, but never in a serious, arrogant way. joking around hudson was just as easy as teasing her siblings; she had no filter and she loved it. "i didn’t say you were disgusting, but if that’s what you need to hear, then fine, i’ll say it," she grinned, a laugh spilling out of her. "that’s literally what family’s for—i don’t think i’ve ever told zayn anything looks good on him, he always gets roasted." when hudson finally admitted what she was after, she gasped dramatically. "yes! i knew it," she said, all proud. "see? that’s all i needed to know," she nodded like it was a major victory, even though she clearly wasn’t going to let it go anytime soon. "now i’ll actually be able to sleep tonight, thanks for that. we can go back to roasting you in a second, but first... what if we order pizza?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows like it was the best idea she'd ever had.

Hudson couldn't help but roll his eyes at Zara's teasing. He'd known her long enough to expect the relentless jokes, but somehow, they never lost their charm. When she mentioned acne and pimple patches, he let out a laugh, though it was mixed with a hint of mock defensiveness. "Really?" he replied, his lips curling into a half-smile. "Are you going to make fun of my skincare routine now?" He raised an eyebrow, amused, but also a little embarrassed. "I'll make sure to send you a picture next time. You can judge me then." He didn’t know why she enjoyed teasing him about it so much, but it was always the same when she got that playful spark in her eyes—like she was hunting for an opening. And he always fell for it. When her attention shifted to his reaction about her sister, Hudson's heart skipped a beat. His ears were definitely burning—he could feel it. But he wouldn’t let her get away with it so easily. "Blush?" he echoed with a smirk, shaking his head. "Nah, you're just imagining things." But the truth was, his face had probably turned a little warmer. The playful accusation stung just enough to make him feel a little self-conscious. He watched her try to dodge the pillow he’d thrown, but the moment it hit her square in the face, Hudson had to stifle a laugh. Her curiosity, though, was relentless. He knew better than to try to hide anything from Zara, but that didn’t stop him from giving her a hard time. But when she wiggled her eyebrows at him and pressed him about Angel, Hudson felt the heat rise again. Damn it, she wasn’t going to let this go. He let out a sigh, clearly amused but slightly uncomfortable. "You’re relentless, you know that?" he said with a mock glare, though there was no malice in it. "You have no idea what you're asking." When she tossed her hair dramatically and declared herself the "prettiest of them all," Hudson couldn't help but laugh. "Indian Snow White, huh?" he echoed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Guess I'll just have to bow to your superiority, then." He watched her smirk and laughed again, shaking his head. “You’re something else.” But when she leaned in, eyes gleaming with that mischievous glint, Hudson wasn’t sure what was coming next. " Her final tease about him "disgusting" her made him chuckle, though there was a hint of relief in his voice. Hudson raised an eyebrow at Zara, his voice dripping with exaggerated mock offense. "I’m disgusting? Gee, thanks, Zara," he said, placing a hand over his chest in mock hurt. "Way to make me feel loved by my second family." He let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. "What am I, sliced liver?" he added, rolling his eyes but still smiling, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth between them. Hudson chuckled softly, shrugging as he leaned back casually. "Nah, I'll be so real," he said, his tone light. "Angel looked cute just then. I stared a bit too long. You caught me." He gave Zara a playful glance, his grin widening. "But it’s nothing more than that, though. Honestly, just a passing thought." He met her gaze, his voice dropping a little teasingly. "So, now that the mystery’s solved, can we get back to making fun of me again?"

[zarasharma]

she had always been told that her warmth and playful nature made people want to be around her—zara was the kind of person who filled up a room without even trying. bright, fun, kind to everyone. but something about grayson pulled at her in a different way. it wasn’t just the way he looked—it was how he looked at her, like she was the only one there. the way he made her laugh at the dumbest things, how easy it felt being around him. she was happy, really happy, that their connection ran deeper than a passing crush. she raised her hand in a dramatic little salute, fingers tapping her forehead. “thanks for your service, mr. gutierrez,” she joked, her voice laced with playfulness. when he said the place looked better with her in it, she had to look away, cheeks going pink despite herself. “you’re such a flirt,” she said, a little smile tugging at the corner of her lips. and yeah, she was flirting back. she knew exactly what she was doing—trying to make him forget about the noise of the party, to have him focused on just her. judging by the way his eyes stayed on her, it was working. “that’s the saying, but if my boobs look this good in this bikini, you deserve to take a look, don’t you?” she teased, striking a mock-model pose for a few seconds before cracking up at herself, laughter bubbling out of her. her fingers moved to his shirt, undoing it with no hesitation, her teeth catching her bottom lip as she looked him over. “much better,” she grinned, clearly satisfied with her handiwork. “people deserve to see you,” she added with a nod, like it was simply a matter of fairness. when he tapped his thigh, she didn’t even hesitate. she slid onto his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world. “of course i’m joining the drinking games,” she said, “someone’s gotta keep the party alive. that’s my hero arc.” she nodded firmly, playing into her usual over-the-top confidence. “oh, everyone in here knows i’m hot,” she added, standing back up with a wink. “just watch.” then she turned to the crowd, raising her voice with the perfect amount of dramatic flair, “did someone say dare-jenga?” cheers erupted. people started gathering immediately, migrating toward the spot where she and grayson had been sitting, the energy shifting in a flash. she turned back to him, smug and glowing. “see?” she said, flashing a proud little grin. “told you.”

Grayson felt the warmth of Zara's gaze on him as she tilted her head, her fingers twirling a strand of her long, wavy hair in that effortlessly captivating way of hers. Her playful energy was impossible to ignore, and the way she carried herself, so comfortable in the chaos of the party, made him smile. She was always full of life, and it made everything feel a little more exciting. When she asked if he had "saved the day," he couldn't help but grin, the hint of a laugh in his voice. "Yeah," he said, his eyes sparkling with the same easy confidence she wore so well, "I did save the day this time." He paused, enjoying the way her smile spread across her face at the mention of her effect on the place. "It definitely looks better with you here," he added, and he meant it. It was always like that when she was around—she had a way of making everything brighter. Zara's teasing smile and the way she moved a little closer didn't escape him. There was something in the way she teased him that always made his heart race just a bit faster. When she made her playful remark, he couldn’t resist a soft chuckle, the moment feeling both lighthearted and charged. She didn’t miss the way his gaze lingered, and though her words called him out, there was a spark of something deeper in the playful tension. "You know I can’t help it," he said with a soft smile, his voice a little lower, full of quiet admiration. "Isn't the saying my eyes are up here though?" Then, when she reached out to undo the last few buttons of his shirt, her touch so light, it sent a warmth through him that he couldn’t ignore. He didn’t pull away—in fact, he found himself leaning into it, drawn to her in that effortlessly magnetic way she had. Her mischievous smile only deepened the connection between them, and he couldn’t help but let out a quiet, amused breath. “You’re probably right,” Grayson murmured, his gaze soft but steady, meeting hers with a mixture of playfulness and something more. "It would be a shame not to let people see what I have going on underneath here." Grayson tapped his thigh for Zara to take a seat on if she wanted too. His voice, full of playful flirtation, was barely above a whisper. "You’re not just here for the party, are you?" he asked, his eyes locking onto hers. "You planning on joining in on those drinking games?" He raised an eyebrow, the glint of amusement in his eyes matching the teasing smile that played on his lips. "Because if you do," he added with a sly grin, "I have a feeling you’re going to be the one to keep things interesting. I know all the guys here think you are hot."

[zarasharma]

if there was something zara loved, it was parties. she couldn’t help it—meeting new people, dressing up, or in this case, practically undressing to have fun with others. cheap alcohol, questionable music, silly drinking games? she thrived in that kind of chaos. "oh, so you saved the day?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, fingers twirling a strand of her long, wavy hair as her gaze locked onto his. at his comment about the place looking better with her in it, a slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. she loved when he said things like that. "oh, so you like it then?" she smirked, watching him take a sip of his drink. she didn’t miss the way his eyes lingered on her—just a little too long, just a little too obvious. "my eyes are down here, grayson," she teased, biting her lip as she took a step closer. normally, she might’ve called someone out for staring. but this was grayson—and around him, she was the most flirtatious version of herself. "so... " she murmured, her free hand casually moving to undo the last few buttons of his half-buttoned-up hawaiian shirt. her fingers grazed his skin, her touch featherlight as she smirked up at him. "i think it would be a pity for people not to see those abs," she mused, head tilting slightly as she met his gaze, eyes glinting with mischief.

Grayson glanced up at Zara as she approached, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He took a moment to appreciate her outfit, her flower bikini top and skirt a perfect match for the tropical theme. His own half-buttoned Hawaiian floral shirt made him feel like he was still on a beach somewhere, despite the cold chill outside. He'd worked hard setting up, making sure everything was just right for the party, so seeing everyone starting to enjoy it now felt like a small victory. At her compliment, he grinned, trying not to let the warmth on his cheeks show. "Thanks. And, uh, I got caught up with last-minute stuff—setting everything up, you know how it goes. Didn't want the party to fall apart just before everyone showed up." He shrugged, his tone light and easy. "But hey, I'm glad you made it. This place looks way better with you here." Grayson took a casual sip from his drink, his eyes glinting with amusement. "As for bikinis ... yours is definitely eye-catching to say the least."

[zarasharma]

at his words, zara raised an eyebrow at him, amusement flickering in her dark eyes. "you still have acne sometimes? pimple patches?" she teased, a smirk tugging at her lips. "okay, i need to see a picture of you with those little yellow patches on your face. please. next time you put them on, remember to send me a picture so i can actually believe you." she loved teasing hudson—it was like teasing zayn. way too easy. when she noticed his reaction to the mention of her sister, her smirk widened. "that's blush," she accused, tilting her head. "maybe i can’t see it because of your tattoos, but your ears are bright red, hudson. that’s definitely blush." of course, she was exaggerating. but that was the fun part. when he threw a pillow at her, she groaned, not having quick enough reflexes to catch it before it hit her straight in the face. rude. "i'm just curious, that’s the thing," she defended, crossing her arms. "i need to know everything about everyone." she nodded firmly. "it’s like a superpower. and a curse. now i have to know why you were looking at angel for that long" she wiggled her eyebrows at him, grinning playfully. there was no harm in her words—she was just going to keep poking until he told her to stop. when he admitted the sharmas were beautiful, she tossed her hair over her shoulder dramatically. "you’re right," she said smugly. "but i think i managed to be the prettiest of them all." she paused, then added with a smirk, "i’m the indian snow white." her laugh filled the space between them, light and teasing. "you want me to imagine a hypothetical case, huh?" she mused, tapping her chin. "that sounds suspiciously like a crush to me" she leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming. "i guess it would be worse," she admitted with a shrug. "but you want me to tell you that you disgust me? straight to your face? wow, hudson, you’re wild." she teased, grinning at him.

Hudson chuckled, shaking his head at Zara’s teasing. She always knew exactly how to get under his skin, but there was a warmth to her jokes that made him roll with it. He leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow at her. “I still get acne sometimes. I'm not against using those star sticker spots that have become all the range as of lately." When Zara called him out for blushing, he could feel the heat creeping up his neck, and he quickly tried to cover it with a casual laugh, running a hand through his hair. “Oh, please. this isn't a blush,” he teased, but it was obvious from his expression that she’d caught him off guard. “You’ve got a vivid imagination.” The comment about his sister made him pause, but it was the way Zara pressed him that really made him shift uncomfortably. He threw the pillow at her in playful retaliation, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of him cracking under the teasing. “Hey, I was just looking. It’s not my fault you’re so curious,” he teased back, crossing his arms and giving her a mock scowl. “Your sister isn't ugly by any means. You have a beautiful looking family." When she tossed the pillow back at him, he grinned, taking it in stride and tucking it underneath his arms and he leaned his chin against it and chuckled. "Ah, shush, you. I was so not drooling." Hudson looked back to the spot Angel had been standing in a couple of minutes ago. "Besides, imagine if I hypothetically did like her, I could possibly be your brother in law someday. Ew, gross, right?"

[zarasharma]

hanging out with hudson was never a burden—he was like another older brother to her. he was easy to talk to, and there were things she could say to him that she’d never tell zayn. not that she didn’t trust her actual brother, but... some things just weren’t meant to be shared. "your acne? hudson, please, you’re a grown-ass man, you don’t have acne," she joked, a smile tugging at her lips. she knew her sister well—sweet and demure around their parents and family, but different when she let herself go. zara always wondered if angel was truly honest about herself with anyone else. she was sharp, quick-witted, and always knew how to ask the right questions, and by the way hudson’s expression shifted, she knew she had caught him off guard. "you’re blushing," she teased, a smirk forming as she raised an eyebrow. "you don’t have tattoos all over your face, i can actually see if you blush." she had noticed him staring—of course she had. she just had to ask. he didn’t really give her an answer, but his reaction was more than enough to amuse her. "oh, you know her type?" she pressed. "please, do tell. i’ll make sure to pass it on to my auntie—she’d love to find her a nice indian doctor." she teased, though deep down, she knew her aunt had actually offered to do just that. the pillow hudson threw hit her square in the face. "asshole," she grumbled, tossing it aside. "it’s not my fault you were staring at my sister. i’m just curious, i need to analyze you." she grinned, raising her hands in mock defense. "fine, i’ll stop," she relented. but then, with a wicked glint in her eyes, she added, "when you wipe the drool off your chin." with that, she threw the pillow right back at him.

Hudson had always been around, a constant presence in Zara's life. He and Zayn had been inseparable for as long as she could remember, and Hudson had practically become a part of the family. It was nice - have a second family here. As she joked about making sure to try something new next time, Hudson grinned, nodding slightly. "Hm, I think I'll pass unless it gets rid of my acne," he replied, his tone light, before watching her toss her trash into the bag. There was something about Zara that instantly put Hudson at ease. She was like a little sister to him. Then, as she turned her focus to her sister, feigning shock at the idea of Angel seeing some masked, shirtless guy, Hudson couldn’t help but laugh under his breath. Zara was quick, her teasing sharper than he expected. He leaned back a bit, amused, but his gaze flickered to Angel, who was already rolling her eyes and leaving the room. The moment Angel was gone, Zara’s attention snapped right back to him, and Hudson felt himself caught in her teasing. He didn’t know why, but a hint of warmth crept up his neck when she noticed the faint flush on his cheeks. “Blush?” Hudson repeated, feigning surprise but clearly flustered. "You must be imagining things." But it wasn’t his usual confidence in the moment—Zara had noticed him staring. As she teased about him “drooling' over Angel - Hudson’s smile deepened, and he couldn’t hide the sheepish look on his face. He wiped his chin, more out of habit than necessity. “Right... yeah, well, I don't know what you're talking about. I'm not your sister's type - I don't think." Her words about Angel watching Love Island made him chuckle, but there was something about the way Zara was looking at him that made him feel like she could read him too easily. He grinned, shaking his head. "I wouldn’t put it past her. Didn't she just mention like shirtless dudes?" But there was still something in the way Zara smirked, her eyes studying him, that made Hudson feel like she was onto something. "Alright, enough with the observations," he said, his tone playful but laced with a challenge. Before she could respond, he grabbed a nearby pillow from the couch and tossed it gently in her direction. It hit her lightly in the chest. "Quit analyzing me, Zara. You’re starting to make me self-conscious."

[zarasharma]

zara took a sip of her drink, her eyes drifting to grayson across the room. the party looked pretty nice, maybe university wasn’t fun, but fraternity parties definitely made it better. this time, people had totally forgotten how cold it was outside, dressing like they were in hawaii. zara was wearing a flower bikini top and a cute matching skirt, heart-shaped glasses sitting on top of her hair. she took another sip of her drink before walking over to him. "it's hard to believe it's cold outside, isn't it?" she smirked. "they should do this more—gives me an excuse to buy more bikinis if i get to wear them all year," she joked. "you look great, by the way. why'd you rush to get here? i thought we were coming together." @grayson-gutierrez

[zarasharma]

zara had practically grown up with hudson always being around. she didn’t even remember when he and zayn had first become friends—it felt like he had just always been there. it was nice, really, having someone who felt like family around, especially when she had nothing else to do. spending time with her brother’s best friend wasn’t the worst way to pass the time. "you're welcome, next time i'll make sure to let you try something new," she joked, tossing her own trash into the bag it came in so she could throw it away later. her eyes flickered between her sister and hudson, unable to ignore how easily the teasing came to her—it was undeniable she had inherited those skills from angel. at hudson’s question about angel having seen some masked, shirtless guy, zara immediately turned to her sister, feigning shock. "angel? no, no way," she teased, sticking her tongue out playfully. "not that i know of—are you dating someone in secret?" she smirked, watching as angel rolled her eyes before leaving the room. the second her sister was gone, zara’s attention snapped back to hudson, catching the hint of pink dusting his cheeks. "is that a blush i see on your face, hudson?" she teased, leaning in slightly. she wasn’t sure if she was imagining things, but she definitely noticed the way his eyes lingered a little too long on angel as she walked away. "to dream about you? i think you should dry your chin, you're drooling," she laughed, shaking her head. "she's probably going to put some headphones on and watch some stupid reality show until she falls asleep. if you ask me, she’s gonna put on love island just so she can see some shirtless men." she smirked, watching hudson's reaction closely, already enjoying the way this was playing out.

Hudson leaned back, rolling his eyes at Zara’s constant teasing. It was like she had a sixth sense for pushing his buttons, and, to be honest, he didn’t mind it—most of the time. He’d long since stopped trying to act like her taunts bothered him. After all, they’d known each other for years, and her relentless teasing was just part of the package deal. “Thanks for the ‘best sludgy thing’ you got me, Zara. Can’t say I wasn’t skeptical at first, but if it helps my skin it's good.” He couldn’t help but smile at her antics, though part of him was still lost in his own thoughts—thoughts that were complicated now, especially when Angel was around. Zara’s jab at Angel had Hudson chuckling, even if he was trying to act like it wasn’t amusing. It was hard to ignore the playful dynamic between them. "Hey, Zara, you think Angel's ever saw a guy who's shirtless in a ghost mask before?" His type was Angel. His description fit the girl completely. He froze for just a split second seeing Zara notice, his heart thumping in his chest, before he laughed it off. "I'm not picturing anyone naked, Zara," he said quickly, face flushed slightly but trying to play it cool. “And I’m taking off the mask, alright? I think it's done what it needed." He glanced towards the door where Angel had just left, his gaze lingering for a moment longer than it should’ve. It was hard to keep his cool with the teasing and everything else going on, but he tried. "Night Angel." He turned his face back between Zara again - removing his face mask and standing to bin it in the corner of the room to dispose it. He sat back down again. "I think your sister's gone upstairs to go and dream about me."

[zarasharma]

zara was confident, easy to talk to, and effortlessly charming. she never stuttered or got nervous about speaking her mind—she said exactly what she was thinking, and people seemed to appreciate her blunt yet kind nature. "you can't imagine how many surprises you haven't seen," she smirked, leaning in slightly, her voice dripping with mischief. "i even have a tattoo on my butt." she was obviously joking—there was no way she’d get a tattoo in a place she couldn't even see herself, but she enjoyed seeing his reaction. at his response, she let out a soft laugh, tilting her head playfully. "oh, thanks for that. i don't know how i'd feel if i saw a red thong on the floor or something. if it's yours, i wouldn't mind, but if it belongs to someone else..." she trailed off, flashing him a teasing grin. the banter between them was easy, natural, and honestly, she was enjoying every second of it. her expression softened slightly as the conversation shifted. "it's going to be hard telling my parents their little girl is moving away. if i do and i fail... that would be way too bad," she admitted, nodding. "they need to think their baby is top of her class as always." she joked, but deep down, she really wanted them to be proud of her. she didn’t want them worrying that she was distracted or, worse, wasting their money on university just to have fun. as he reassured her, she smiled. "i'm glad we're on the same page. finals week is sacred, and i won't even look at you during it. no temptation needed," she teased, though the smile on her lips suggested that avoiding him entirely might not be that easy. when her phone rang, she instinctively rushed to grab it, though she wasn’t exactly eager to pull away from grayson. in fact, if she didn’t know it could be her parents, she might have ignored the call altogether and kissed him instead. once she hung up, she turned to him, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "you're the best," she grinned, quickly gathering her jacket, bag, and phone. "you can lock it; i have everything with me," she nodded, walking over to the door and unlocking it so they could leave. as he called her a tease, she couldn't help the smirk that formed on her lips. "i've been told that before," she admitted, before leaning in just slightly, her voice dropping into a playful whisper. "but i need to tell you one more thing... my panties tonight are pink." she winked at him, taking a step back, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "can you picture it?"

Grayson tried to keep his focus as Zara’s playful teasing hit him from every angle. There was something about her, the way she spoke, the way she carried herself—he couldn’t quite place it, but it made him feel like he was constantly on edge, trying to navigate the space between casual conversation and flirting. “You’re always full of surprises, Zara,” he said, his voice lighter than he felt. The teasing about socks and covers had him chuckling. "Yeah, don't worry, I'm too much of a neat freak to have had other girls things left behind." Whatever had happened in the past, was gone and left in the past. He couldn't remember the last time he'd invited a girl around to his. "Finals week is more important than me?" He was teasing. Finals were important. His grades meant a lot to him. His professors couldn't say anything to him because he studied whenever he had the chance too between part time work and the classes that he attended. He was studious and knew what he was talking about. "Only joking, I'm the same. I wouldn't be in this position without studying and revising. It all helps out in the end." When her phone went off, the moment was broken, but Grayson couldn’t help but feel a little relieved. The girl's annoyed whisper had him raising a brow before he realised she hopped over to his desk to answer the phone. His breath caught slightly as she picked up the phone and spoke to her mom, and when she turned back to him, the mischievous glint in her eyes made it clear she wasn’t done with him yet. He still had the mental image of how she slept running through his mind which made him bite onto his bottom lip to refrain making a comment about it as she spoke to her mom on the phone. "I guess I am," he replied, his tone teasing. He grabbed his coat from the back of his wooden chair before slipping it over his shoulders and over both of his arms. "You got everything you need before I lock this office up for the night?" He didn't want Zara accidentally leaving anything behind in his office - just in case he was in class tomorrow morning and couldn't get back to his office in time. "Also, you tease, stop explaining how you sleep to me. I couldn't stop picturing you like that the whole time you were on the phone to your mom."

[zarasharma]

zara had always liked hudson—there was something about him that made her enjoy his company, even if he tried to keep that tough exterior. He was practically a fixture at her place by now, and she had grown used to his presence. More than that, though, she loved pushing his buttons; teasing him was one of her favorite pastimes. "you’re nice, but i’m nicer because i got you one of the best sludgy things you’ve ever put on your face," she quipped, a playful grin tugging at her lips as she winked at him. "you’re welcome, love." her attention shifted to her sister, angel, and zara couldn’t resist another jab. "uh-oh, angel, you kinky girl. bet mom wouldn’t like hearing you talk like that." the roll of angel’s eyes only fueled zara’s teasing, making her laugh. "she’s way too single—maybe she does want to see that, just to remember what a guy even looks like." zara grabbed a cushion and playfully tossed it at her sister, laughing even harder when angel caught it midair like a pro. when hudson mentioned zayn, zara couldn’t help but laugh again. "yeah, he might be good-looking, but he’s an asshole. fuck him." she grinned, shaking her head. sure, she loved her brother, but she wasn’t about to deny that he could be a bit of a jerk. as hudson went on to describe his "type," zara’s eyes flicked between him and angel, catching onto something that made her smirk. if she didn’t know them, she’d swear hudson was describing her sister. "oh, stop picturing my sister naked, you creep," she teased, breaking into laughter. "and take that ridiculous mask off already. you look like you’re about to rob a bank." zara leaned back into the couch, still chuckling. "do you need anything, angel?" she asked, shooting her sister a knowing look that said she was far from done stirring the pot.

angel tried her best to keep her composure, to sound like a normal person who wasn’t completely in love with her brother’s best friend. but the truth was, she was. she couldn’t deny it to herself anymore. it had been too long since they started whatever this was—too long for her to pretend feelings weren’t involved. but zara wasn’t making it easy. at her sister’s teasing, angel’s eyebrows furrowed, her voice coming out louder than she intended. "zara!" she snapped. "i don’t need to see a picture of him shirtless with a face mask on." she paused, flustered, knowing she’d already seen it in person. "can you stop trying to pair me with every man you know?" she added, shaking her head in mock annoyance, though her sister’s antics were more embarrassing than anything else. when hudson started describing his "type," angel bit down on her lower lip, her heart racing. she knew exactly who he was talking about—it was her. but instead of reacting, she forced a casual smile, shrugging as she said, "good luck finding her." then zara chimed in again, making some outlandish comment about hudson picturing her naked. "zara!" angel yelled, exasperated. she shook her head in disbelief. "you’re crazy," she muttered, grabbing a cushion and throwing it back at her sister with a huff. "you know what? i’m out," she said, standing up and heading for the door. "keep your girls’ night a little quieter, will you? some of us want to sleep." she threw a glance over her shoulder as she left the room, trying to ignore the heat creeping up her neck. "night, idiots," she called over her shoulder, shaking her head as she disappeared down the hallway, leaving zara and hudson to their chaos.

Hudson tried his best to remain unfazed, but Zara knew exactly how to push his buttons, and she was doing it with skillful precision. His face flushed under the mask, and it only made Zara’s teasing that much worse. He had always hated how the sharma sisters could read him so easily, how they knew what would get under his skin, and they never hesitated to use it against him. He could practically hear the smugness in their voices as they teased him. "I should be the one thanking you? I'm the one nice enough to sit with and wear one of these damn sludgy feelings things on my face." He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, but it was hard to maintain any semblance of composure with Zara clearly enjoying every second of his discomfort. Before he could muster up a response, Zara's sister arrived, and the teasing only escalated. Zara, ever the instigator, wasted no time. When she hit him with the ghost face question, Hudson shot back a knowing look at the older sister. "Hmm, maybe. Wouldn't you like know if I have a photo like that on my camera roll, huh, Angel?" The ridiculousness of the two sisters comment about it being okay if he was gay had him eye rolling again. "Hey, I'm not gay, I'm into girls." Hudson listened to Angel guessing his type or preferences of girls. She'd guessed the complete opposite to his type if he was honest. "Zayn's good looking but he hasn't got any parts hat I'd be into." Hudson shook his head at Angel guess. "Yeah, no, I have never been attracted to blondes. Blondes remind me of my mom too much. I like my girls hot, dark eyed, confident. I'm not into the whole cute thing. I like a girl who isn't afraid of taking charge."

[zarasharma]

zara wasn’t the type to feel this kind of connection with just anyone. Sure, she was bold, straightforward, and confident—anyone who had crossed paths with her in the hallways or talked to her knew that. But grayson? He was different. She couldn’t quite pin down if it was his age or just who he was, but she loved teasing him and watching him get all nervous about her words. It was cute, if she was honest, and it made her want to push the boundaries even more. "you can always forget about that control," she teased with a smirk. "at least for now. during finals week, though? sorry, gutierrez, but i’ll need to focus on passing my classes." her playful tone didn’t match the fire in her gaze, which practically dared him to lose his cool. still, she wasn’t entirely sure she’d be able to keep her hands to herself either. that tension between them? it was addicting. "oh, i know," she said with a smug grin. "it’s my superpower. but you don’t have to behave—why would you?" she chuckled softly, leaning closer, loving how the air between them practically crackled. moving in together had her more excited than she could put into words, though she didn’t want to come across as too head-over-heels. "as long as it’s just socks and not some other girl’s underwear, i think i’ll survive," she teased, raising a brow to emphasize her point. "besides, i was thinking about sleeping with you—no need for separate covers." her smile turned sly as she added, "though, full disclosure, i’m totally the type to steal them. i usually sleep in a big shirt and underwear." her wink made it clear she wasn’t kidding, and she knew exactly what kind of picture she was painting. when his hands found her waist, her breath hitched for just a second. he had a way of breaking through her composed exterior without even trying. "all at once?" she echoed, her voice soft but teasing as her gaze flickered down to his lips. "nah, maybe just this one." she started leaning in, feeling the world narrow down to just them—when her phone blared to life. "fuck me," she groaned, reluctantly pulling back and hopping off his desk to grab her phone. "my mom," she explained quickly before answering. "hey, mom?" her voice shifted into something softer, though the hint of annoyance lingered. "yeah, i’m at the library. i got distracted, but i’ll be home soon." her eyes met grayson’s, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "a friend’s driving me... yeah, love you too. go bug your son instead, okay? sure, bye." hanging up, she turned back to him with a playful glint in her eyes. "you’re driving me, right?" she asked, already knowing the answer. sure, she had lied to her mom, but she wasn’t about to let this moment with grayson end just yet.

Grayson couldn't help but smile at the way Zara leaned against his desk like it was something that was hers , the way her eyes sparkled with mischief and curiosity. The energy between them had shifted, and he could feel the tension in the air thickening with every word she said. She had this way of teasing him that made his heart race, even though he was trying to keep his cool. The truth was, being this close to her made it nearly impossible to keep his hands to himself, but he was doing his best to maintain control. "Well, you know," he started, voice low, "I'll try my best, but I can't promise anything." He couldn't stop his grin from widening as he met her sly gaze, the teasing edge in her tone making his heart skip a beat. "You really know how to make it hard for a guy to behave." When she raised her eyebrows at him, the playful glint in her eyes made it clear she was enjoying every second of this just as much as he was. Grayson found himself drawn to her, and it wasn't just her beauty. It was everything about her—the way she lit up a room and made him feel something. As she teased him about the odd socks, he couldn’t help but chuckle. "Yeah, well, you can blame my laundry habits for that," he said, a little sheepish, but his eyes never left hers. He stepped closer, feeling the magnetic pull between them growing stronger. The way she looked at him made his pulse quicken, and when she leaned in just a little closer, he could hardly breathe. Her words about routine settled in his mind, but then the teasing shifted, and he couldn't help but laugh at the mischievous glint in her eyes. He raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in his voice. "I don't know... are you already planning on stealing all my covers?" When she asked if he was already in love with her, the question hit him harder than he expected. His heart beat a little faster, and for a split second, he wondered if she could see right through him. It wasn’t like he hadn’t thought about it—about how much he cared for her, how everything felt so natural when she was around. With a soft chuckle, he leaned in just a fraction closer, his voice quieter now, full of honesty. His hands pressed to the girl's waist. "Wouldn't you like to know? I can't spill all my secrets out all at once, can I?"