chapter 7

A Bright Morning and a Plan for the Day

The morning sunlight spilled into the dimly lit room, chasing away the last remnants of sleep. Vanessa lay sprawled across her bed, hugging her pillow with a lazy smile on her face. Whatever she was dreaming about, it must have been something good.

Then, all at once, warmth and brightness invaded her peaceful slumber. Sunlight streamed directly onto her face, forcing her to scrunch her eyes shut.

Damn it! Who the hell opened the curtains? she groaned internally, lifting a hand to shield her face from the golden intrusion.

"Good morning, Nessa!" A far-too-cheerful voice rang through the room.

Vanessa cracked one eye open, squinting at the silhouette standing triumphantly by the window. Of course. Kova. The menace.

She let out a dramatic groan and rolled over, yanking the bedsheet over her head. "Go away. Five more minutes," she mumbled, curling up tighter.

Kova, completely unimpressed, marched over and grabbed the edge of the sheet. With one swift motion, he yanked it away.

"I SAID GOOD MORNING, NESSA."

"KOVAAA!" Vanessa whined, her voice muffled against her pillow. "Five. More. Minutes." She reached blindly for the bedsheet.

Kova folded his arms. "You do realize that whining isn't going to make you look cute, right?" he deadpanned.

Vanessa finally sat up, hair a tangled mess, and shot him a glare. "Why are you even in my room?"

Kova eyed her skeptically. "Damn, you look like a witch. That bedhead might actually scare me."

"It's not messy," she shot back, flipping her hair dramatically. "It's morning beauty."

"Right. The kind of 'beauty' that gets you arrested for public disturbance," Kova muttered sarcastically.

"Whatever. Now, seriously—why are you here?" Vanessa asked, standing up and tying her hair into a quick bun.

Kova smirked. "Oh, right. I forgot to tell you."

Before he could finish, Vanessa grabbed a pillow and hurled it at him. He dodged effortlessly. "See? That's why you suck at volleyball."

"KOVA!" she shrieked.

"Alright, alright, chill," Kova said, laughing. "Charlie's been calling you ten times, but of course, your beauty sleep made sure to ignore him. So, he called me instead. He needs our help for his date with Maria—tonight. And he wants us to meet him at Comic-Con."

Vanessa frowned. "What? But I wanted to stay home today."

Kova stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. His voice dropped to a serious whisper.

"He said free food."

Vanessa froze. "Free food?"

Kova nodded.

"Okay, I'm in!" she declared, a big grin spreading across her face. "It's always yes for free food!"

Kova smirked. "Great. But first, do us all a favor and go brush your teeth. You reek."

Vanessa grinned mischievously before stepping forward and hugging him tight. "Oh really, Ko?" she teased, blowing her morning breath in his face.

Kova gagged. "GROSS, VANESSA!"

Breakfast and Car Jams

Vanessa walked downstairs, now dressed in a cream hoodie, ripped jeans, and her favorite black Converse. She heard Kova and her mom chatting in the dining room.

The familiar scent of pancakes filled the air.

Hell yeah, Kova's pancakes! she thought, stomach growling in anticipation.

"Damn, I'm already hungry," she announced, rubbing her stomach as she took a seat at the table.

"Good morning, my people," she greeted dramatically, hugging her mom before grabbing a plate and digging in.

"So, what's the plan, kids?" Alisa asked, sipping her coffee.

"We're heading to Charlie's," Kova replied. "He wants help with his date tonight."

"And you are driving us," Vanessa added with a sweet smile.

Alisa sighed. "Fine. But eat fast—I have a meeting to attend."

On the drive to the store, Vanessa and Kova jammed to Demi Lovato's I Love Me at full volume.

🎶 "I wonder when I love me is enough (yeah, yeah, yeah)" 🎶

🎶 "Why am I always looking for a ride or die?" 🎶

"You two are obsessed," Alisa remarked, shaking her head.

"Mom, this is Demi Lovato. She's the queen," Vanessa declared dramatically.

Five minutes later, they pulled up in front of the Comic-Con store.

"Finally, I'm free from your singing," Alisa teased as Vanessa and Kova climbed out.

"See ya, Alisa! Have a great day," Kova waved.

"You too, Kova!" Alisa smiled.

Vanessa smirked. "By the way, Mrs. Valencia, did I mention how stunning you look today?"

Alisa, dressed in a sleek business suit, chuckled. "Shh, Vanessa. Go now."

"You missed my compliment!" Vanessa teased, walking away.

"I love you, Nessa!"

"Love you too, Mom!"

The Mission: Operation Charlie's First Date

Inside the store, Charlie stood at the counter, grinning from ear to ear.

"What's up, Chars?" Vanessa teased. "You look weirdly happy."

Charlie turned red.

"Oh, come on, don't tease him," Kova said. "He's already nervous enough."

Vanessa smirked. "Charlie, your date is in the evening. Can't you chill?"

Charlie swatted her hands away as she tried to tickle him. "Stop that! Now, come on, we have shopping to do."

Vanessa and Kova exchanged knowing looks.

"Lunch is on you, though," Vanessa said.

"Yeah, because shopping with Charlie will take forever," Kova added.

"It does not!" Charlie groaned.

"We'll see." The best friends chorused.

Fashion Crisis at the Mall

At Phoenix Mall, Charlie held up a plain blue shirt. "This looks good, right?"

Vanessa wrinkled her nose. "You look like a nerd."

Charlie huffed. "Then what should I wear?"

Kova, eating his ice cream, grinned. "Charlie, my boy, you need to be like this ice cream—cool, sweet, and something everyone craves."

"Or a snack," Vanessa added, smirking.

"Or a WHOLE MEAL," Kova declared dramatically.

Charlie groaned. "Are you guys serious?"

Kova ignored him. "Vanessa, grab that white t-shirt. Charlie, get that denim jacket and black jeans. Go!"

Charlie changed into the outfit and stepped out.

"Hmm. Too normal," Vanessa said.

"Yeah, no. Change again," Kova decided.

After a few more failed outfits, Vanessa googled date night looks. "What about this?" she showed them a picture of a model in a dark academia-inspired outfit.

Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Do I look like a guy who reads Greek philosophy?"

"Okay, fair," Vanessa admitted. "So how do you want to look?"

Charlie sighed. "I just want Maria to be comfortable. I don't care if she talks about comics, makeup, or anime—I just want her to be herself."

Vanessa and Kova shared a look.

"Damn," Kova muttered.

Vanessa grinned. "Then, you should be yourself too. No trying too hard—just be you."

Charlie smiled. "You guys are right."

"Now, let's get lunch!" Kova cheered.

"YES!" Vanessa high-fived him.

.......................

Another chapter of 18 to 80.

I hope you are liking my story still now, thank you for reading tho.

have a good day/