Chapter 21

The boys were coming over, so I had to make sure everything was ready. It wasn't just any sleepover this time it was at my house, which always made me a little anxious. My room, with its warm brown wooden aesthetic and soft blue posters scattered across the walls, was my sanctuary. A bouquet of dried flowers sat in a vase on the nightstand, adding a quaint charm. The window, an octagonal centerpiece of the room, let in slivers of moonlight that would soon spill over the boys' lively chatter. As the sound of footsteps echoed through the house, I barely had time to brace myself before Xander came barreling into the room. He wrapped his arms around me in one of his signature hugs, nearly squeezing the life out of me. "Can I breathe though?" I gasped dramatically, though a grin tugged at the corners of my lips. He pulled back slightly, his boyish grin lighting up his face. "Sorry, Maya, I just missed you." I rolled my eyes playfully. "You saw me two days ago." As everyone settled in, I led the group upstairs to show them my room. The boys' reactions ranged from impressed to teasing remarks about the flowers. "So girly," one of them joked, earning a pillow to the face. Xander, however, wandered around, taking in the details like he was trying to understand a puzzle. His room, in contrast, was ridiculously clean—for now. I knew better. He had a habit of shoving all his trash under his pillow or behind his desk, a fact I used to tease him mercilessly about. The vibe was relaxed as I leaned back on my bed, headphones on, scrolling through my playlist. That's when I heard someone mention Béatrice, my French cousin. "Wait, she's coming back?" I groaned, sitting up abruptly. The boys exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by my reaction. "Yup, Béatrice is coming back home," Xander confirmed, his tone laced with sympathy. I slumped against the headboard, already dreading the chaos she would bring. Béatrice was the definition of an attention seeker, always managing to steal the spotlight in the most annoying way. Her dramatic flair was enough to make any gathering revolve around her, whether she was welcome or not. "Great," I muttered under my breath. "This night just got a little less fun." Xander nudged my shoulder, his expression soft. "Don't worry, Maya. We've got your back." I glanced at him, grateful for the reassurance, even if I knew the storm named Béatrice was bound to disrupt everything. For now, though, I decided to enjoy the calm before the storm, surrounded by friends who made everything a little better.