A Rough Morning
A black silk car rolled to a slow stop in front of the large house, its engine humming softly before shutting off.
The morning sun reflected off the polished surface as two girls stepped out onto the driveway.
Angel slammed the car door a little harder than necessary and adjusted the strap of her school bag over her shoulder. Miley climbed out more calmly, watching her friend with a tired smile.
"Ugh," Angel groaned, rubbing her eyes. "I totally slept through the whole class. The entire thing. That has to be the definition of boring."
Miley shut the car door and walked beside her toward the front entrance. "Well, it was Mr. Hampton's class," she said with a shrug.
"Not surprised you fell asleep. His lectures could put anyone into a coma."
Angel pushed the front door open and stepped inside. "I swear, if I have to sit through one more—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Miley nearly bumped into her from behind. "What? Why did you—"
Angel didn't answer. She was staring straight ahead into the living room.
"Angel?" Miley waved a hand in front of her face. "Hello? Earth to Angel."
Still no response.
Curious now, Miley followed Angel's line of sight.
There, sprawled across the couch in the middle of the living room, was a half-naked girl. Blonde hair fell over the cushions while empty cups and crumpled napkins were scattered across the floor. The entire room looked like a party had exploded overnight.
Angel blinked once.Then twice.
"Oh my—" she whispered.
A second later she screamed.
"MAX!"
Her voice echoed through the house.Footsteps thudded on the staircase upstairs, and moments later a tall guy appeared, running a hand through his messy hair as he descended the steps.
"What the hell, Angel?" Max called out.
Angel marched straight to the couch and shoved the groaning girl aside so she rolled onto the floor with a thud.
Max stopped halfway down the stairs, staring in disbelief.
"Angel! What the—"
"What is she doing here?" Angel demanded, pointing at the girl on the floor who was now slowly waking up.
Max rubbed his face, looking completely unfazed. "Why are you yelling?"
Angel gestured around the room.
Only now did Miley notice the rest of it. Bodies were scattered across the living room. A couple of girls were sleeping on the floor. Someone was passed out in an armchair.
The place looked like the aftermath of a wild party.
Angel turned back to her brother, eyes blazing.
"How many girls did you hook up with last night?" she snapped.
Max stepped over an empty bottle and dropped onto the couch.
"None," he said casually.
Angel stared at him.
"Are you serious right now?"
Max leaned back like nothing was wrong. "Look, I had a party last night, okay?"
Angel's jaw dropped.
"You had a party?" she said slowly. "In this house?"
Max stretched and looked around the messy living room.
"Yh so?" he muttered as Angel shoved another sleeping girl off the couch. "This whole floor is mine, remember?"
Angel crossed her arms. "Excuse me? Have you forgotten it belongs to both of us?.
"Yeah, that too," Max added with an annoyed look.
Angel narrowed her eyes. "Is that all you have to say?"
"Yep," Max replied, now tapping away on his phone and ignoring her.
Angel let out a frustrated sigh.
"I'll tell father!"
"Go ahead," Max said after a moment. "Also i'll tell Father that you lied. You said you were having a sleepover at Miley's, but you went to Jake's party instead."
Angel and Miley both froze.
"How did you know that?" Miley asked carefully.
Max smirked. "Easy. I saw you there."
Angel shot Miley a look.
"Well, whatever," Miliey said quickly, grabbing Angel's arm. "Let's just go."
Angel huffed and followed her upstairs.
Angel threw her bag onto the bed the moment they entered her room.
"What a jerk," she muttered under her breath.
Miley sat down on the edge of the bed and popped open a soda can while watching Angel pace around the room.
"Why are you so mad?" Miley asked.
Angel stopped pacing.
"Because," she said, throwing her hands in the air, "he's so annoying."
"That's not a reason to be this stressed out."
Angel sighed and dropped onto the chair.
"Well, he gets to throw parties. I don't."
Miley took a sip of her soda. "Technically your parents didn't say he could have one."
Angel rolled her eyes. "Please. Spare me that. We both know Nanny knew he was going to do it."
She leaned back and groaned.
"It's just not fair."
Miley shrugged. "Your parents said when you turn sixteen, you can throw parties too."
Angel groaned louder.
"That's in a month," Miley added. "So chill."
Angel waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
Miley nudged her shoulder.
"Come on, cheer up. How about we go out later? Maybe dinner… and then a movie."
Angel looked up.
"I heard Calvin got movie tickets for Tuesday," Miley said casually.
Angel's head snapped toward her.