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nVillain Ch 412. Friendzone?

nIn the gym bathroom, Larissa stood beneath the soothing stream of water, her head tilted back, and her eyes closed. The warm cascade flowed over her, washing away the lather of soap and shampoo that had clung to her head and body. It was a moment of solitude, where she sought solace from the chaos of her thoughts.

nWith each deep exhalation, she released the fragrant mist that enveloped her, the scent of lavender and eucalyptus mingling with the steam. She attempted to find relaxation in the familiar sensations, to let the water’s embrace ease the tension in her muscles. But her mind, like a restless spirit, refused to relent. It remained firmly fixed on other matters, on the complexities of feelings that had taken root within her heart.

nLarissa found herself caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, her mind endlessly swirling with questions about Allen and what the future held for them. She had always known about Allen’s relationships with Vivian, Jane, Shea, and Zoe. But among the girls, she was the one who spent the most time with him, and she often wondered about the possibility of taking their connection to the next level. It wasn’t necessarily about making a bold move, but more like extending an invitation into something more profound. 𝐨𝘃𝗹.

nTheir frequent rendezvous at the gym, which occurred at least three times a week, had become an integral part of their lives. Larissa couldn’t help but notice that she seemed to cross paths with Allen more frequently than the other girls did. Sure, Gerry often tagged along with them, complicating the dynamics, but there were moments when he’d dash off to his office immediately, leaving Larissa and Allen alone. These, Larissa believed, were their golden opportunities to bridge the gap and get closer.

nHowever, much to her frustration, these moments often dissolved into discussions about in-game quests, strategies, and the intricacies of their virtual adventures rather than their real-world connections. It was as though they were perpetually trapped in the confines of being gaming buddies, instead of exploring the potential for a deeper, more intimate bond.

nLarissa stood beneath the steady stream of warm water, the sound of it cascading around her, a soothing backdrop to her thoughts. In the midst of this private moment, she couldn’t help but mutter to herself, her words almost drowned out by the gurgling water.

n“What should I do…” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the continuous rush of water.

nThe situation perplexed her. She couldn’t fathom how something that had felt so simple before had grown into such a daunting challenge. Back when she’d teased him in the game, giving the invitation to her apartment like nothing, it had all been in good fun, a playful exchange with no real stakes. But now, it was different. The stakes were real, and so were her feelings.

nIt should have been a straightforward matter – a simple invitation. She just wanted him to visit her apartment. Given the bond they’d developed, she expected him to accept without hesitation. After all, their relationship had grown and evolved, deepening with each encounter. It was no longer a jest, but a genuine desire to be closer to him.

nAs Larissa stood under the warm shower, lost in thought, a knock on the bathroom door echoed from the outside. The sound was accompanied by a familiar female voice that called out, “Larissa, you okay in there?”

nStartled by the unexpected interruption, Larissa quickly recognized the voice—it was her friend, Amy. She cleared her throat and replied, “Yeah, I’m good, Amy.”

nAmy’s voice held a touch of concern as she continued, “You’ve been in there for quite a while, almost half an hour. Everything okay?”

nLarissa hadn’t realized just how much time had passed. Her contemplative thoughts had led her down a rabbit hole, causing her to lose track of the minutes ticking away. “I didn’t realize it had been that long,” she admitted. “I’ll be right out now, promise.”

nWith that assurance, Larissa turned off the shower and began to dry off, her mind still caught in a whirlwind of thoughts about her feelings for Allen and the complexity of her emotions. She knew she had to come to terms with them and find a way to navigate the path ahead, even as she stepped out of the bathroom to face her friend.

nOpening the bathroom door, she was greeted by Amy’s concerned expression. Her friend’s eyebrows were raised in a mixture of curiosity and worry.

nAmy leaned against the wall, her arms crossed. “So, what’s going on?” she asked gently, her eyes fixed on Larissa.

nLarissa sighed, realizing that she couldn’t keep her feelings bottled up forever. “I was just lost in thought,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully. She didn’t want to reveal too much just yet.

nAmy raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced by the vague response. “Lost in thought for half an hour?” she pressed, her concern deepening.

nLarissa nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Yeah, it was one of those moments, you know? When you start thinking about things and can’t stop,” she explained, hoping to deflect Amy’s curiosity.

nAmy seemed to understand, but she wasn’t about to let it go so easily. “Is it something you want to talk about?” she asked, her voice soft and supportive.

nLarissa hesitated for a moment before deciding to confide in her friend. “It’s about Allen,” she confessed, her tone filled with vulnerability. “I’ve been trying to figure out how to… well, how to take things to the next level between us.”

nAmy’s eyes softened, and she gave Larissa an encouraging smile. “That sounds like a big step.”

nLarissa nodded. “I want to spend more time with him, outside the gym and our routine. Maybe like my apartment or something,” she replied as she quickly dressed and applied her makeup.

nAmy leaned against the bathroom door frame, offering her friend a sympathetic smile. “You’re thinking of inviting Allen to your apartment?” she asked, her tone gentle.

nLarissa nodded her reflection in the mirror showing a mixture of excitement and nervousness. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it for a while now and I don’t know if it is too fast or not,” she admitted, carefully applying a coat of mascara.

nAmy watched Larissa’s preparations with a knowing look. “He knows your feelings, right? I think it’s a great idea,” she replied, her voice encouraging. “Just say it and be yourself, and I’m sure he’ll appreciate the invitation.”

nWith a final touch of lipstick, Larissa gave herself a reassuring nod and then turned to Amy. “Thanks, Amy. Your support means a lot to me,” she said sincerely.

nThey exited the women’s changing room, but they were met with an unexpected sight. Standing there, waiting patiently just outside the door, was Allen.

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