Chapter 4: Meeting Them

"Okay," Keira clapped suddenly, shattering the silence. "Let's go meet them, then?"

Stella shrugged. Lilith tilted her head. "Them?"

Keira nodded. "Yup. The others. Let's go—they'll be so excited to meet you!"

Lilith opened her mouth to reply, but Keira was already pulling her forward, Stella trailing behind with a quiet grin.

They arrived at a large garden filled with laughter and soft chatter. Ten girls lounged around, basking in sunlight. Lilith inhaled sharply.

This is going to be a hell ride, she thought. She hated meeting new people. Even being around Keira still surprised her—how did they even click?

Keira led them to a table occupied by three girls mid-laughter. As the group approached, the girls looked up, and Lilith couldn't help but take a second to admire them.

The first had brilliant blue eyes, vivid pink hair, smooth tan skin, and wore a lilac hoodie, round glasses, and impossibly tight jeans. Gorgeous.

The next was even cuter, with prominent bunny teeth, warm brown eyes, long orange bangs half-shading her gaze, and a pink tee tucked into brown cargo pants.

The last was the youngest—baby-faced, small but radiant. Her soft brown eyes, auburn bob, and cozy grey hoodie made her look like someone you'd protect instinctively.

Keira wasted no time. "This is Lilith. I found her and, for now, she's with us!"

The girls stared—first at Lilith, then at each other. She swallowed hard.

The silence dragged. Her palms grew damp. Her heart pounded. Just great. First impressions are overrated anyway, she told herself.

And then—

They squealed.

All three of them squealed at once. Lilith blinked, stunned. Wasn't this where rejection usually happened?

She covered her gaping mouth with a nervous laugh. "H-hi, I'm Lilith," she said quietly.

"I'm Candice but call me Candy!" the pink-haired one chimed. "Take a seat!"

Lilith obeyed, slowly smiling. Somehow… it felt good to be welcomed. Even if her stay might be temporary. Living in the moment didn't seem so bad.

"I think we should all introduce ourselves," said the youngest one.

"I'm Catherine," she added shyly. "The youngest of our gang."

Lilith nodded politely, resisting the urge to ask why a gang?

"I'm Stella," said the curly-haired girl with confident posture and tan skin.

"I'm Sabrina," added the bunny-toothed one warmly. "Are you okay? You look a little…"

"It's just…" Lilith hesitated. "It's been so long since I've been… acknowledged. I didn't realize how much I missed it."

Her voice cracked.

For a moment, she panicked—worried they'd laugh, tease her, dismiss the vulnerability.

Instead, they hugged her.

All of them.

Keira gently held her hand, squeezing it. "It's okay to be vulnerable sometimes. We're here for you, alright?"

Lilith nodded. And as Keira let go, she already missed the warmth.

"We're glad you're here!" Stella winked at Keira, who blushed instantly. Sabrina nudged Lilith's shoulder.

"You've got a lot to learn," she said kindly.

But before Lilith could ask what she meant, the garden air shifted. Six girls walked into the clearing, and the whole space fell quiet.

Lilith looked around, confused.

should we tell her – Sabrina what if she freaks out? – Candice Keira, it's your call – Stella

Keira turned to Lilith, studying her face before speaking. "Okay, so… You've heard of angels and witches, right?"

Lilith nodded slowly.

"Those six girls," Catherine said, eyes searching Lilith's reaction, "They're angels. And witches."

Lilith's eyes widened. But instead of gasping or backing away, she muttered:

"God damn… they're pretty."

The girls collectively exhaled with relief.

"Yeah. And powerful," Stella added. "Loveth, Hannah, Jade, Ivy, Bella, Katy. They're always busy—barely stay here."

Lilith watched them settle at a distant corner table. One witch caught her eye, and the two locked gazes for a heartbeat too long before the girl looked away.

Each of the six radiated an ethereal kind of beauty:

The first angel: golden eyes, strands of gold in her brown hair, wearing an elegant white dress.

The second: green eyes, jet-black twin braids, purple sweater and baggy jeans.

The third: warm amber eyes, black hair tipped with green, dressed in layered black and green.

Then the witches:

First: pale skin, light gray eyes, snow-white hair, blood-red lips. Her black dress whispered as she walked.

Second: blue-eyed with rich brown skin and flowing curls, black hoodie and sleek jeans.

Last—the one Lilith had stared at: red eyes, matching hair, tan skin, and a dimple. A red jacket over her black crop top and baggy pants.

Keira nudged Lilith, snapping her out of her trance.

"Huh?" Lilith blinked.

"You weren't listening again!" Catherine groaned, and everyone giggled.

"So… what are you guys then?" Lilith asked.

Stella smirked. "You'll find out."

"And you think that helps?"

"Don't worry," Keira said softly. "You'll know when it's time."

Lilith shrugged, deciding not to press it.

"I still don't get why you were so excited about me," she mumbled.

"Oh, you completed our group," Candy replied matter-of-factly.

Lilith tilted her head but didn't question it further.

They talked for hours—about the place, the people, their stories. And Lilith talked too. About Granny's Place, about loneliness, about how it all started.

And somehow, something inside her shifted.

Even if this was temporary… it felt like home.