Zane's penthouse is excessive.
That is Laura's first conclusion.
The screen alone could qualify as architectural ambition. The leather couch feels engineered for dramatic lounging rather than actual sitting.
She stands in the doorway for a second.
"This is… large," she says.
Zane grins. "It's called vision."
Sunny shoves him on the way in. "It's called overcompensating."
Amelia spins in a slow circle. "I approve."
Laura sits anyway.
Next to Axel.
Automatically.
Safe.
Sleepover supplies are spread across the coffee table:
Chips.
Chocolate.
Orange ramune.
Something neon that Amelia insists is "nostalgic."
Blankets that Zane pretends he doesn't own but clearly does.
"Tonight," Zane announces, "I curate."
Sunny gasps. "You absolutely do not."
"Excuse me? My cinematic taste is refined."
"Your cinematic taste is explosions."
"That's called intensity."
Axel is already holding the remote.
"We're not starting with explosions," he says calmly.
They debate.
Sunny wants something emotional.
Zane wants something intense.
Amelia suggests something unhinged and possibly illegal to screen in some countries.
Axel proposes something quiet.
Laura watches the negotiation like it's a live behavioral study.
They eventually settle on Zane's pick.
He dims the lights dramatically.
The screen glows.
Laura studies the scale of it.
"It feels unnecessary," she murmurs.
"It feels immersive," Zane corrects.
Fifteen minutes in, no one is fully watching.
Sunny whispers commentary.
Zane explains cinematic framing that no one asked for.
Amelia predicts plot twists loudly.
Axel is half-paying attention.
Laura studies the snacks.
She picks up the orange ramune.
Opens it carefully.
Takes a sip.
Waits.
Nothing.
She tries something salty.
Then something sweet.
Still nothing distinct.
She watches Sunny react intensely to flavor.
Zane dramatically critiques seasoning levels.
Laura sets her cup down.
Considers.
Then—
without warning—
she leans over and kisses Axel.
Soft.
Quick.
In front of everyone.
The room freezes.
Axel blinks.
Sunny makes a noise that is not language.
Amelia's jaw drops.
Zane pauses mid-sentence.
Laura pulls back calmly.
"At least I can sort of feel this," she says, analytical.
Axel stares at her.
"You… what?"
She studies him thoughtfully.
"It is warm. Consistent."
Sunny clamps a hand over Amelia's mouth before she can scream.
Zane leans toward Sunny slowly.
"Oh," he murmurs. "Is that what we're doing?"
Sunny glares at him.
"Don't you dare."
"Just testing a hypothesis," he replies innocently.
He leans in slightly.
Sunny tries to resist.
Fails immediately.
They kiss.
Once.
Twice.
Then more than twice.
"Disgusting," Axel mutters, recovering.
"You started it!" Sunny fires back.
Amelia folds her arms dramatically.
"This is unfair."
Everyone looks at her.
"You're all paired off," she accuses. "I am alone."
Zane smirks.
"We could've invited Theo."
The room pauses.
Sunny blinks.
"…Theo?"
Axel nods thoughtfully. "He would have opinions."
Laura tilts her head. "He is precise."
Amelia's eyes widen.
"Absolutely not."
Zane grins wider.
"Oh? Suddenly opposed?"
Sunny leans forward. "Amelia and Theo."
Axel joins in lightly. "It balances the dynamic."
Laura considers this seriously.
"It would create symmetry."
Amelia stares at all of them.
"This backfired immediately."
They laugh.
Even Laura.
The movie continues playing in the background.
No one finishes it.
They talk over it.
They order pizza.
They steal each other's blankets.
Laura leans against Axel again.
Not because of taste.
Not because of testing.
Just because she wants to.
And the massive screen?
Forgotten.
Because entertainment, apparently,
isn't about the movie.
It's about who's sitting next to you.