The evening air was soft and cool, carrying the scent of jasmine through the open windows of the charming cream-colored house. The golden sky was melting into shades of purple and pink as the sun sank behind the hills.
Inside, the living room was glowing with warm lamp light. The soft hum of music played from a speaker in the corner — something slow and mellow, a background to laughter and voices.
Alex was curled into the couch, cheeks pink, giggling under her breath.
"Okay, Sky, that's enough for today," she whispered into her phone, holding in a grin.
"Tell me you miss me one more time."
His voice made her swoon. She pulled a pillow over her face to hide her blush.
On the other side of the room, Sevira sat cross-legged in a knit sweater and socks, beside her mom Courtney, their heads tilted close as they went through the day's stories.
"…and then Mr. Jackson almost tripped over a mic cable," Sevira said, barely containing her laughter.
Courtney let out a soft gasp. "He didn't!"
Sevira nodded. "His glasses went sideways. Emma had to fix them mid-rehearsal. It was chaos."
They both burst into laughter just as Alex ended her call, hugging her phone like a diary.
Then—
Bzzz Bzzz.
A video call lit up Sevira's phone.
She reached over and accepted it, blinking at the name.
"Willi!"
On screen, William's smiling face appeared — hair messy, hoodie loose, lounging in his bed. "Hey superstar," he teased.
Sevira rolled her eyes playfully. "Hey sleepyhead."
They chatted with ease — joking about school, the competition, the way Lizzie almost tripped over her own ego on stage.
Alex popped her head into the frame, waving. "WILLIAM!"
"Alex!" he grinned. "Still obsessed with Sky?"
Alex grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it across the room at the screen. "Shut up!"
Courtney laughed, sipping tea from her mug. "Hi, Willi!"
"Hi, Miss C! So nice to see you." Courtney smiled.
"Same here willi."
"Miss you cousin." Alex chipped in
"Me too." Sevira squeezed her face into sadness. "Las time I saw you, you were just a child now look at you all grown up." She teased.
Ten minutes passed like nothing. By the time they ended the call, the girls were glowing with laughter.
And then—
Ding-dong!
A knock at the front door.
Alex jumped up. "She's here!"
The door opened to reveal Emma, dragging a duffel bag and holding a pack of marshmallows like a trophy.
"Let's get this sleepover started!" she announced, stepping in like she owned the house.
⸻
The living room was transformed.
Fairy lights strung along the windows. The scent of popcorn filled the air. Nail polish bottles spilled across the coffee table. Pajamas everywhere — plaid pants, fuzzy socks, hoodies two sizes too big.
They started with facials — green clay smeared across every face like war paint.
Emma leaned back. "Do we even know what this is doing to our skin?"
"Making us fabulous," Alex replied, sticking cucumber slices over her eyes.
Then came the pillow fights — Sevira ducking behind the couch while Emma yelled, "SURRENDER YOUR PILLOW, TRAITOR!"
Screams. Laughter. Feathers in the air.
After they collapsed, breathless and sweating, it was time for hot cocoa and stories.
They sat in a circle on the floor, wrapped in blankets. Sevira passed out steaming mugs while Courtney peeked in from the kitchen with a fond smile.
"Alright," Emma said, stirring whipped cream into her mug. "Confession time."
Alex groaned. "Seriously?"
Emma smirked. "I'll go first."
She leaned in dramatically. "I have a crush on this, you guys don't know him." She said slapping her hands in the air. "We've made out a few times." She giggled and the girls screamed with excitement, also astonished.
Sevira smiled softly into her cocoa. Her heart fluttered a little, remembering the way Scott looked at her on stage. How she admired everything he did.
"Okay, your turn, miss melody," Emma said, nudging her.
Sevira bit her lip. "I… might've caught feelings."
The girls shrieked.
"For SCOTT??" Alex practically screamed.
Sevira laughed, hiding her face. "Maybe."
Alex clutched her chest. "Oh my gosh that's so beautiful."
Emma flipped her hair. "Can't wait, I mean you're hot, his hot, two hot couples. What are guys waiting for."
Sevira imagining what she said blushing to her self.
"You guys already know my story, I have no confession."
"We know miss Sky." Emma teased.
⸻
By midnight, the pizza was half-eaten, the popcorn bowl was empty,
They mimicked every line.
Alex danced like a maniac. Emma sang into a hairbrush. Sevira recorded them and threatened to post it.
Then came the truth-or-dare round.
They had fun, enjoying each other company praying for the night not to end.
At 2 a.m., wrapped in thick blankets, the girls lay on the rooftop patio outside Sevira's window, staring up at the stars.
"So," Emma said softly, "if you could wish for anything right now… what would it be?"
Sevira looked up, eyes gleaming.
"For things to stay like this a little longer. The magic. The music. Us."
Alex reached over and squeezed her hand. "They will."
A shooting star passed.
They gasped.
"Make a wish!" Alex whispered.
No one spoke for a while.
Just the stars. Just the girls. Just the soft promise of something beautiful still coming.
————-
The sun was just beginning to dip below the rooftops, throwing a gold-rose hue across the sky. Inside Sevira's bedroom, the girls were sprawled across her bed in a tangle of legs, pillows, and giggles. Emma was painting her toenails a glittering silver while Alex lay upside down, head dangling off the edge of the mattress, her phone lifted above her like it was a lifeline.
"Okay, ready?" Alex grinned, hovering over the screen. "Facetime squad call. Kyle's birthday surprise, let's go."
Sevira nodded, clutching a balloon emoji pillow. Emma tossed glitter confetti in the air like a true chaos fairy.
The phone rang once. Twice. And then—
Sky's face filled the screen, followed by Kyle's wild grin, his birthday hat slightly crooked, and Scott, already sipping from a red Solo cup, lounging in the background like he was hosting an award show.
"HEYYYYY!" the girls shouted in chorus.
"KYLEEEE!" Alex screamed dramatically, blowing an invisible trumpet.
Kyle burst into laughter. "Okay okay okay… this is the energy I needed!"
Emma did a twirl on the bed. "Happy Birthday, birthday boy! You're officially eighteen and still as goofy!"
Kyle smirked. "Eighteen and sexy."
Sky shoved him. "Bro, stop embarrassing me in front of MY girl."
Alex blushed like someone had lit her on fire.
Sevira leaned in, smiling. "Happy Birthday, Kyle. Wishing you all the love and snacks you deserve."
Scott raised his drink with a grin. "Appreciate the love, ladies. But that's not all… We got a little something happening tonight."
Kyle leaned closer, eyebrows raised like he was in a secret agent movie. "You girls busy?"
"Depends…" Emma said, twirling her hair. "Are we about to be bribed with cake?"
Sky chuckled. "Way better."
Scott slid into frame, turning the camera to show a fully decked-out living room with disco lights already on, snack bowls half-filled, a DJ booth being set up in the corner, and a massive banner that read:
"KYLE'S BIRTHDAY BASH – BRING YOUR VIBE, NOT YOUR DRAMA."
Sevira's jaw dropped. "Wait… this is tonight?"
"Mhmm," Scott nodded. "Party starts at 7. It's gonna be insane."
"No parents?" Alex asked, eyes wide.
"Nope," Kyle grinned. "Mom's out of town. Summer's staying at Red's place. The house is ours."
"Just the three of you?" Emma asked, suspicious.
Kyle made a show of flexing. "Three kings, baby."
Scott leaned back. "And we're inviting everyone. Anyone cool at school is coming. That includes you queens."
"Really?" Sevira asked, sitting up straighter.
"You're the main guest list," Sky said, locking eyes with Alex.
"Oh God," Alex whispered, hiding her blush.
"Can't wait!" Emma said grinning hard.
Scott winked. "I promise. It will be fun."
Sky added, "you guys shouldn't be late."
The girls looked at each other.
Sevira's heart raced — part nerves, part excitement.
The guys looked effortlessly chill, like this was the kind of Friday night that could become a core memory.
Emma clapped. "We won't ."
"YES!" Kyle did a little jump.
Scott smiled like he had been expecting this all along. "See you at seven."
The call ended with laughter.
As the screen went dark, the room erupted.
"Okay okay okay," Emma clapped, standing. "What are we wearing? Hair up or down? Shoes or heels? Do we want the 'bad girl' or 'good girl' look?"
Sevira stood slowly, eyes flickering with anticipation. "Let's make an entrance."
Alex smirked. "One that shuts Lizzie up."
The girls laughed, energy buzzing like electricity in the air.
Down the hallway, Courtney peeked into the room.
"You girls alright?"
"We've been invited to a party!" Emma declared, lifting her hands to the sky.
Courtney raised an eyebrow. "A safe one?"
Alex nodded. "Scott's house mom."
Courtney gave a slow, knowing look. "Be careful, stay out of trouble."
"We will," they chorused.
As they turned back to the closet, shoes and jackets already flying out, looking for what they will wear.
Each, testing outfit, helping each other decide.
—————
The night had settled like velvet over the neighborhood, wrapping the sky in a deep indigo cloak as music pulsed through the air like a heartbeat.
Scott house was transformed.
A full-on house party that buzzed with energy.
Colored lights flickered against the walls—purple, blue, red—syncing with the beat of the music thundering from the massive speakers lining the living room.
Everywhere you turned, students from school were dancing, laughing, flirting. The scent of cologne, cherry vape, and citrus soda lingered in the air.
Out front, the driveway was lined with parked cars and bikes. Inside, the living room was the dance floor, while the kitchen had turned into a makeshift bar stocked with sodas, fruit punch, and more than a few red cups with questionable contents.
Then the door opened.
And they walked in.
Sevira, Alex, Emma — the girls looked like they'd stepped off a magazine cover.
Sevira wore a body-hugging black velvet mini dress, the neckline dipped just enough to tease but not scream, and silver rhinestones lined her wrists like starlight. Her hair was curled softly, bouncing as she walked, and her lips painted with a gloss that shimmered every time she smiled.
Alex wore deep emerald green, a halter dress with a slit that climbed one leg. Her hair was pulled into a low ponytail, elegant but messy in the perfect way. She was already laughing with Emma.
Emma came in hot — flame-orange crop top with high-waisted leather pants and platform boots that made her almost eye-level with the guys.
The room paused.
Heads turned.
And Scott?
He nearly forgot how to breathe.
Across the room, where he'd been laughing with Kyle and Sky, his eyes locked onto Sevira—and everything else blurred out. She was radiant, a vision, like her own gravity was pulling him forward. He watched as she scanned the room, smiling, then spotted him.
"Wow…" he murmured under his breath.
Kyle nudged him. "Dude."
"I know," Scott said. "She's—"
"Yeah. She is."
⸻
Sky immediately moved to Alex as if pulled by a magnet. His navy-blue button-up was rolled at the sleeves, showing off his toned arms. He took her hand, spun her playfully under the flashing lights, and they disappeared into the dance crowd.
Kyle, dressed in a burgundy tee and black jeans, was already working the party. He grabbed a drink and clinked cups with his football friends, laughing with a stunning redhead who wore glitter on her shoulders and freckles across her nose. They danced like they didn't care who watched.
Meanwhile, Lizzie was watching.
From a corner near the stairs, she stood with her little crew—arms folded, drink untouched.
"She really thinks she's the star now," Lizzie hissed, staring daggers at Sevira.
"Look at Scott," one of her friends whispered. "He's like a puppy around her."
"Ugh," Lizzie scoffed. "She's so fake. Watch, something always happens with her. She won't last."
Her eyes flicked toward Kyle and the red-haired girl.
"And that girl with Kyle? Please. Dollar-store Ariel."
They all laughed—empty, plastic laughter.
⸻
Scott approached Sevira slowly, weaving through the crowd.
"You look…" he started.
She turned to face him, eyebrows raised playfully. "Yes?"
He chuckled. "Like trouble. The good kind."
Her eyes sparkled. "You don't look so bad yourself."
"Dance with me?" he asked, offering his hand.
She took it.
They moved to the center of the room where the bass thumped beneath their feet. They didn't dance wild or flashy—just close, intimate. He kept a respectful distance, but his eyes never left hers. It was like no one else existed.
But not far from them… someone was watching.
Dave.
He leaned against the kitchen counter, swirling a cup, eyes narrowed.
"She thinks she's so special," he muttered to his friend, a tall guy in a gray hoodie. "Let's see how special she feels when she wakes up tomorrow and can't remember anything."
Gray Hoodie laughed. "You serious?"
Dave pulled a small vial from his jacket pocket. "Couple drops. Easy."
Scott, walking past for a drink, froze. Saw the way he looked at Sevira. He understood what just happened.
His head snapped toward them, fury crackling behind his eyes. He clenched his jaw so tightly it hurt. Every inch of him screamed to slam Dave into the wall. But he remembered Kyle. His birthday. His guests.
So instead—he walked up to Dave, slow and controlled.
Dave blinked. "Oh hey, man—"
Scott stepped so close their chests nearly touched.
"You even think about giving that drink to anyone," Scott growled under his breath, "and you won't wake up tomorrow."
Dave paled. "I—I wasn't—"
Scott didn't blink. "You picked the wrong party."
He turned and gave a nod toward the front door.
Two large guys stepped out from the hallway—Scott's private security.
He didn't brag about them, never had. But they were always close when needed.
"Escort them out. Quietly. No drama."
"Yes, sir."
Dave and his friends were gone before anyone noticed.
Scott returned to Sevira just in time to see her reaching for the drink that had been sitting on the counter.
He intercepted it gently. "Not that one."
She looked at him, confused. "Why?"
"Just trust me."
And she did.
⸻
Back on the dance floor, Sky and Alex were practically in their own movie.
He whispered something in her ear, and she threw her head back laughing.
They danced so beautifully.
In the back, Kyle dipped the red-haired girl low, then caught her again as the crowd cheered.
And Lizzie?
She just watched, arms crossed, a storm building behind her perfect makeup.
The night roared on.
Music. Laughter. Lights.
But Scott?
He never left Sevira's side again.
Not that she minded.
Not one bit.