Mika POV:
It was Friday. I was buried in paperwork at the office when my phone buzzed, snapping me out of my concentration. I glanced at the screen: Andrew. A wave of anxiety washed over me. On Tuesday, we'd finally talked about our relationship over lunch and decided to keep things casual. But now, I feared he'd start calling me day and night, which was the last thing I needed.
He had been wanting to hang out for past few days and upcoming ones, but with mine and his busy schedule, it just hadn't worked out.
I sighed, picked up the phone, and swiped to answer. "What do you want now?" I greeted him, trying to sound lighthearted, but it came out firmer than I intended.
He chuckled softly, and I could almost picture his crooked grin. "I thought we were on good terms now. Is that any way to greet someone you just decided to date?"
"Date? You make it sound so official," I quipped back, forcing a lightness I didn't quite feel. "I was just expecting a friendly call, not a job interview. What's next, a performance review?"
"Hey, I'm just trying to keep communication open," he said, a teasing lilt in his voice. "So, what are you doing for dinner? I was hoping to see you."
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling. "Didn't you have a meeting today?"
"That's why I'm calling," Andrew said. "The meeting got canceled, so I'm free tonight. Thought we could grab dinner."
"Actually, I'm catching up with Bose, Chapa, and Miles tonight," I replied, deliberately keeping my tone casual. I could hear his mood shift on the other end of the line.
He made a sad noise that tugged at my heart. "Oh, come on, again? You also had plans with your other friends yesterday night, and the rest of the week. Can't you cancel on them? I promise I'll be way more entertaining than whatever you've got planned."
"Sure. But it's not like I've been sitting around doing nothing, Andrew," I said, a small smile creeping onto my face. "Work's been insane. You know that."
"Yeah, but you've been busy all week," he teased. "I thought we were going to hang out at some point. Now you're ditching me for my friend and the others?"
"I'm not ditching you," I countered, laughing a little. "We've had these plans for a while. You'll survive one more night without me."
"I don't know," Andrew joked, his voice low and dramatic. "It's been tough enough already."
"Oh, come on," I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me. "You're not that needy, are you?"
"Needy? I just want to see my girlfriend. Is that a crime?"
I grinned at the way he said it so casually. We'd only just decided to start seeing each other, but hearing him say it like that made something flutter in my chest. "I didn't realize you were so desperate."
"You should've known," he said, a playful tone creeping into his voice. "I miss you. That's all."
I softened a little. "I wouldn't mind seeing you again, but it's just been a crazy week."
"Yeah, I know," he said, though I could still hear the disappointment. "So, what are you doing with them anyway? Dinner?"
"Yup. Just dinner. Nothing too exciting."
"I'm sure it'll be a blast without me," Andrew quipped, clearly not buying it.
I leaned back, a teasing tone in my voice as I said, "I'll have fun with them, don't worry."
Andrew's voice came through, playful but with a slight edge. "Oh please, I'm much more fun than them."
I smirked, knowing I had him. "Are you now?" I teased.
"Absolutely," he replied confidently. "Don't even compare me to Bose. He's got nothing on me."
I laughed, enjoying how easy it was to get under his skin. "We'll see about that," I said, keeping the banter going.
"You know it's true," Andrew shot back. "Next time we're together, I'll prove it."
"Then we'll hang out soon, okay? I promise."
"Soon," he repeated, almost skeptically. "You've been saying that all week."
I laughed. "Well, next week. I'll make time. We'll figure something out."
Andrew sighed, clearly giving up but not without a bit of humor. "Alright. But you owe me for all these canceled plans."
"Deal," I said, smiling to myself.
Bose POV:
As we settled into our booth at the restaurant, the cozy atmosphere buzzed with the lively chatter of diners, a perfect backdrop for our long-overdue get-together. The smell of delicious food wafted through the air, and I could feel the excitement bubbling among us. I was glad to be out with Miles, Chapa, and Mika again.
"Did I tell you about the time I almost lost my cat in the fountain?" Miles started, his eyes sparkling as he leaned forward, clearly ready to regale us with another of his infamous tales.
"Of course you did. You can't stop talking about that," Mika teased, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress her smile.
"Yeah, but this time I almost dropped her in the water!" Miles exclaimed, his hands animatedly demonstrating the near-mishap as he nearly flailed into the air.
Chapa laughed, "Maybe you should keep a leash on it. Or better yet, just don't take it near water, you know cats don't like water."
"Very funny," he shot back, mock offense on his face, but his laughter betrayed him.
We continued trading lighthearted banter, each of us eager to catch up on what the others had been up to. After a few more jokes and some friendly ribbing, the conversation took a more serious turn when Mika leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face as she glanced between Chapa and me.
"So, how's everything going between you two?" she asked, genuine curiosity evident in her tone, and I felt a warmth spread through me at the question.
"Pretty good," I said, sharing a glance with Chapa, who smiled back. "We're enjoying our time together, taking it slow."
"Aw, that's cute," Mika responded, her smile warm, but I noticed a slight nervousness in her eyes.
Then, Chapa, with her characteristic boldness, leaned forward, her voice dipping into a playful conspiratorial tone. "What about you, Mika?" she prodded, a sly grin creeping onto her face.
Mika's expression shifted; a flicker of anxiety crossed her features as she stammered, "Uh, what do you mean?"
"Come on, you know what I mean." Chapa pressed, leaning in closer.
"She saw you with Andrew on Tuesday... at the restaurant." I chimed in.
Miles's eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation. "Wait, you and Andrew?" he exclaimed, the incredulity etched on his face.
"Uh, what?" Mika stuttered, clearly caught off guard.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, "So, you're saying there's nothing going on between you two?" I teased, enjoying the moment.
"No, no! It's not like that!" Mika replied, flustered but quickly regaining her composure. "We just... agreed to keep things casual for now."
"Wait, casual? You and Andrew?" Miles echoed, the shock evident in his voice. "But I thought you were against dating! What changed?"
"Honestly, it just feels different this time," Mika admitted, her gaze dropping as she toyed with her drink. "I want to explore it, see where it goes without all the pressure."
"Great, so now everyone here, except me, are in relationships," Miles said, crossing his arms dramatically. "Does Mom know yet?"
"Not yet!" Mika replied quickly, her eyes wide with concern. "If she finds out, she'll go all detective mode on Andrew. I can't handle that right now."
Miles rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, I'm gonna have to hear her bragging about me and see her hunt for a new girlfriend. Because you know mom wants grand babies and she thinks you won't get any since you don't date. But now you do! This is just unfair!"
"Just keep it under wraps, and we'll figure it out later," Mika said, her voice calming as she attempted to reassure him.
"Fine, but I'm not looking forward to this. Mom's going to have a field day," Miles muttered, shaking his head.
Mika POV:
It was late, and I finally stumbled home around midnight, my feet dragging after a long day. As I approached my door, something colorful caught my eyeâa big bouquet of mixed flowers sat on my welcome mat. They looked beautiful, but I was too exhausted to inspect them closely or drag them inside.
I opened my door, half stepping inside, when I heard a voice from behind me. "Don't forget the flowers I bought for you."
I turned around, startled, and found Andrew standing there, a sheepish grin on his face. "You scared me!" I exclaimed, trying to mask my surprise with irritation.
He held up his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry! Didn't mean to. I just wanted to see you and give you these." He stepped forward, gently lifting the flowers as if presenting a trophy, and placed them inside my entryway.
"No seriously. What are you doing here at this hour?" I asked, my voice a mix of annoyance and curiosity.
He shrugged, looking at me with those warm eyes that always made my heart skip. "I wanted to see you, even if it was just for a minute."
I rubbed my temples, fatigue setting in. "Andrew, I really need to sleep."
"Are you a bit tipsy, my love?" he chuckled, clearly amused by my dazed state.
I narrowed my eyes playfully at him. "No, I'm just tired. Can you please go?"
He stepped closer, leaning against the doorframe. "I've been waiting outside your house since 9 PM. I don't mind leaving, but I just needed at least a five minute glimpse of you tonight."
His words hung in the air, a mixture of sincerity and longing that tugged at me. I felt a softening in my resolve. "You really should go," I insisted, even as I considered letting him stay.
"Just five minutes," he pleaded, his expression earnest. "After that, I promise I'll leave. You can go to sleep, and I'll just be here."
After a moment's hesitation, I sighed, giving in to the warmth of the moment. "Fine. Just for a little while."
"Thank you," he said, relief washing over his face. "I promise I won't be a bother. You can sleep, and I'll just... hang out until you do."
I nodded, stepping back to let him in, unsure of how I felt about the situation but too tired to push him away. Maybe just this once wouldn't hurt.
Andrew POV:
As I stepped inside her house, I couldn't help but watch her struggle with her shoes and jacket. She seemed to be having a mini wrestling match with the zipper of her coat, fumbling and stumbling slightly.
"Need some help?" I offered, a teasing lilt in my voice.
"Ugh, yes!" she replied, annoyance creeping into her tone. I stepped forward and gently helped her with the zipper, the fabric sliding smoothly as I pulled it down. Once her jacket was off, she kicked her shoes off, but they went flying across the room.
"Maybe I should help you with those too?" I said, chuckling.
"Shut up," she laughed, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless. I picked up her shoes and set them neatly by the door before returning to her side.
"Alright, time for you to relax," I said, wrapping an arm around her waist to lift her off the ground. She squealed in surprise but didn't protest as I carried her to the couch. I set her down gently, and she sank into the cushions with a soft sigh.
I grabbed a cozy blanket from the back of the couch, draping it over her. As I dimmed the lights, the room became soft and warm, perfect for winding down. "There you go, all set for a good night's sleep," I said, smiling at her.
Mika's eyes fluttered, already heavy with sleep, but she surprised me by grabbing my hand before I could move away. "Stay a few more minutes," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as her eyelids drooped.
"Okay, then five more minutes," I said, settling into the spot beside her. I didn't want to leave anyway. I brushed my fingers through her hair, feeling the silky strands slide between my fingertips. She relaxed into my touch, and I could feel my own eyelids growing heavy.
Before I knew it, I was dozing off too, the soothing rhythm of her breathing lulling me into sleep as well.
Mika POV:
I blinked awake. As my eyes adjusted, I looked up from my couch and froze. Andrew was asleep while sitting on my couch next to me, his face relaxed and peaceful, a slight smile on his lips. My heart raced, and a surge of warmth washed over me. But then my gaze flicked to the clock on the wall, and I gasped. 9 a.m. I was going to be late for work!
Panic set in, and I scrambled out from under the blanket, tangling myself in its folds. I tried to move quietly, but the rustling seemed to echo in the silence of the room. "Andrew!" I hissed, nudging his shoulder more forcefully this time. "Wake up!"
He stirred, groaning softly, his brows furrowing as he rubbed his eyes. "Mika, what's wrong?"
"I'm late for work!" I exclaimed, my voice rising in urgency. "You shouldn't have stayed over!"
He blinked at me, clearly still half-asleep and confused. "Calm down. You asked me to stay."
"I was tired! And probably drunk!" I shot back, my frustration bubbling to the surface as I pulled my hair into a messy bun. "You should've known better!"
Andrew sat up, raking a hand through his tousled hair, the sunlight catching the strands and making him look even more disheveled. "So it's my fault you were tipsy last night? You're the one who said I could stay!"
"Maybe I didn't mean it!" I snapped, pacing a few steps as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. "Now look where we are. I need to get ready!" My heart raced as the reality of the situation hit meâagain.
"Why are you so stressed? Being late for once doesn't matter, right? Besides, you're the CEO."
I shook my head, pacing a few steps as I tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. "You don't understand! I have a streak of being on time for 752 days! And... I want to show my employees a good example."
"752 days?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow in surprise. "How long have you been working there?"
"752 days," I replied, glancing back at him, determination in my voice.
He laughed lightly, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "Wow, that's impressive. But come on, you should probably keep a streak for how many times you're late instead. That might be more realistic for you."
"Don't laugh at me!" I shot back, crossing my arms but unable to suppress a smile. "This is serious! I want them to see that punctuality matters!"
"Alright, alright," he chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Just don't let it stress you out too much."
"You need coffee?" he called out, as I made my way to the stairs.
"Yes, please!" I mumbled. After the fastest shower of my life, I pulled on a shirt and tucked my hair behind my ears, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrorâdisheveled but somehow happy.
The moment I stepped into the living room, I could smell the rich aroma wafting from the kitchen. "You actually made me some coffee?"
"I can be full-service if you want," he replied with a teasing grin.
It was a chaotic morning, but having Andrew here made it all a little more bearable. Even if he was the reason I was scrambling to get ready.
Chapa POV:
It was around 10 a.m. when my phone buzzed, pulling me out of the comfortable haze of my weekend. I glanced at the screen, my heart dropping when I saw a message from a random number. Hesitantly, I opened it to find a text from Samâmy ex, Scar. He was reaching out to apologize and said he had something for me.
A wave of anger coursed through me. I didn't want to see him, especially not after everything that had happened between us with Elena. I frowned, my fingers hovering over the keyboard, considering how to respond. Instead of replying, I turned to Bose, who was lounging on the couch with his laptop open.
"Hey, look at this," I said, showing him the message.
He read it and raised an eyebrow. "As much as I hate to say this, you should go. Apologies can be good, you know?"
"Are you serious? After how he treated me?" I shot back, feeling the familiar bitterness rise in my throat.
"Yeah, but maybe it's worth hearing him out." He shrugged, glancing back at his screen.
"Fine. I'll go, but only if you come with me," I said, crossing my arms defiantly.
Bose sighed but nodded. "Fine. I'll call off work. It's Sunday; they won't miss me that much."
We headed to Scar's apartment, and when we arrived, I felt my stomach churn with anxiety. Scar- Sam opened the door, a sheepish smile creeping onto his face. "Chapa. And Bose... Thanks for coming," he said, stepping aside to let us in.
The apartment was dimly lit and sparsely decorated, reflecting his current state of life. He gestured for us to sit on the worn-out couch, and I did, trying to mask my discomfort. Sam began his apology, stumbling over his words about how he'd treated me poorly and how he'd messed things up with Elena.
"I can't forgive you," I said firmly, cutting him off. "But I'll think about it."
He seemed to accept that, his expression sobering. "I also got something for you," he said, and I could tell he was trying to lighten the mood.
My curiosity piqued, and I watched as he walked over to a cluttered table. He rummaged through a few items before holding up a small iron container and I noticed they were my gum balls that turned me into Volt. "Elena gave these to me back in the day, but she said they were yours. I figured you might want them back, they look so... unique."
I blinked, surprised. "You still have those?" I glanced at Bose, who looked equally taken aback.
"Yeah, I tried one but didn't like the flavor," Scar said nonchalantly, then shrugged. "I was going to throw them away."
"Thanks for giving them back," I said, my voice with relief, imagine if he had blown one. I couldn't believe he still had them, and even gave them back.
After a short, awkward pause, we stood up to leave. As we walked out of his apartment, Bose paused suddenly, spotting something on a nearby table. I turned to see him walking over to it, curiosity etched on his face.
"What is it?" I asked, moving to join him.
He picked up a small goat statue, and my heart sank. It was identical to the one he had received from his birth father. "Where did you get this?" he asked Scar, his tone shifting.
"Oh, my dad gave it to me," Scar replied casually.
Bose's eyes widened. "Your dad? Who is he?"
Scar shrugged. "He lives far from Swellview, somewhere in Texas. He visits once a month. He has this weird connection to goats, which is why he gave it to me."
Bose's expression darkened as he continued questioning. "And your mom?"
"She lives in Swellview. They got divorced because she left him," Scar said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice. "Why do you want to know?"
Bose hesitated, looking visibly shaken. "It's nothing," he mumbled, finally turning away.
We stepped out of his apartment, and I could sense the tension radiating off Bose. I wrapped my arms around him in a comforting hug, feeling the tension in his body. "It's probably nothing," I reassured him softly, but I could tell my words fell flat.
"Yeah, maybe," he replied, but I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. We walked away from the apartment, the weight of what we had just uncovered lingering in the air between us.
Miles POV:
I was in the middle of scrolling through my phone when it rang. Mom. I answered without much thought, expecting the usual check-in or some news about the family.
"Hey, Miles," she said, her tone unusually upbeat.
"Hey, Mom. What's up?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to remind you that Aunt Didi's birthday is coming up in a few days."
I rolled my eyes. I'd almost forgotten about that. Aunt Didi's birthdays were always a big deal in the family, something I wasn't particularly looking forward to this year. But I didn't say anything yet. Just listened.
"And, I told her you'd be bringing Maddie with you."
I froze. "Wait, what?"
"You know how your aunt has been dying to meet her," she continued, as if what she just said wasn't completely insane. "So I thought it'd be a nice surprise."
"Mom," I interrupted, rubbing my temple, already feeling the headache forming, "we broke up weeks ago. Maddie and I are done. Why would you tell her that?"
There was a brief pause on the other end. Then her voice dropped slightly, a guilty edge creeping in. "Well... I didn't exactly tell her you broke up."
"What do you mean, you didn't tell her?" I was sitting up straighter now, already feeling the frustration bubbling up. "Mom, why would you lie to her?"
"I didn't want to upset her," she said, as if that somehow made sense. "You know how she's been asking about your relationship for ages. She's really excited to finally meet Maddie, and... well, I thought it would be easier this way."
"Easier?" I laughed bitterly. "You think it's easier for me to bring my ex to Aunt Didi's birthday? No, Mom. It's not happening. You need to tell her the truth."
"Don't be difficult, Miles," she sighed. "If Aunt Didi finds out I lied, she'll be furious. She'll think I'm hiding things from her."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "That's not my problem. I'm not bringing Maddie. We broke up. We're over. You need to tell her."
"Miles, you must come. You know how much family means to her, and if you don't show upâ"
"I'm not coming," I cut her off, feeling my jaw tighten. "At least, not with Maddie. I don't want to drag her into this anymore, and frankly, it's unfair to expect me to lie just to cover for you."
There was another silence, longer this time, like she was trying to figure out how to convince me.
"She just has to come once," Mom finally said, her voice pleading. "Just once, and then you can say you broke up after that. Aunt Didi's been asking to see your girlfriend for ages, and I already promised her."
I clenched my teeth, trying to keep my cool. "Mom, no. We're not together anymore. It's done. You need to get that."
"Butâ"
"I'm done with this conversation," I snapped. "I'm not bringing Maddie, and I'm not lying for you."
Before she could say anything else, I hung up.
I dropped my phone on the couch, sighing in frustration. I couldn't believe my mom had done that. Why couldn't she just tell the truth? Now she was dragging me into this mess, expecting me to play along with her little charade.
I leaned back, rubbing my face. This was the last thing I needed right now. Dealing with Maddie had already been hard enough, and now my mom was trying to pull me back into it for the sake of appearances. It was exhausting. I sat there for a few minutes, trying to let the frustration fade, but it lingered in the back of my mind like an itch I couldn't quite scratch.
As I sat on my couch, still fuming from the conversation with my mom, my phone buzzed again. For a split second, I thought it was her calling back to continue the argument. But when I checked, it wasn't Mom â it was Blaise.
Her message was simple: "Thinking about dyeing my hair dark red. What do you think?"
I stared at the text for a second, my frustration still bubbling beneath the surface. Normally, I would've taken a minute to really consider what to say, but right now I wasn't in the mood for deep thoughts.
"You should do whatever you want," I typed back quickly. "But honestly, I think it'll look cool on you."
A few seconds passed, then she replied, "Really? I thought you'd say I should stick with the brown hair."
I smirked a little despite my mood. "Nah, dark red would be badass. Trust me."
We went back and forth a little, just casual small talk, but I wasn't fully present in the conversation. My mind kept drifting back to my mom, Aunt Didi, and the whole mess she'd created.
Then, out of nowhere, I asked, "You free for lunch today?"
"Yeah, sure. Where do you wanna meet?" Blaise responded almost immediately.
We agreed on a spot, a little café downtown that she'd been to a few times before. I needed the distraction. Maybe Blaise would help me clear my head, even if it was just for an hour or two.
---
By the time I got to the café, Blaise was already there, sitting by the window, a coffee cup in her hands. She spotted me as soon as I walked in and gave me a quick wave.
"Hey," she said with a bright smile as I slid into the chair across from her. "You're not usually one to ask for last-minute lunch plans. Everything okay?"
I shrugged, trying to play it off, but Blaise wasn't buying it. She could always tell when something was up.
"You're upset," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied my face. "What's going on?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's my mom. She just called, and... well, she's pulling this whole thing with my Aunt Didi's birthday."
Blaise raised an eyebrow. "What thing?"
"She wants me to bring my ex Maddie to the party," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Even though we broke up weeks ago. Apparently, she never told my aunt and now she's freaking out because she promised Aunt Didi that Maddie would be there."
Blaise's eyes widened. "Wait, so your mom expects you to just show up with your ex?"
"Yeah," I said, letting out a bitter laugh. "She thinks it'll be easier to pretend for one more day, and then I can tell my aunt we broke up afterward."
Blaise shook her head. "That's... a lot."
"Tell me about it," I muttered, picking up my menu just to have something to do with my hands. "She doesn't get it. Maddie and I are done. I'm not dragging her back into this mess just to keep up appearances."
Blaise took a sip of her coffee, her expression thoughtful. "Sounds like your mom's trying to avoid a confrontation with your aunt."
"Exactly," I said, glancing up at her. "But now I'm the one stuck in the middle."
We ordered our food, but the conversation lingered around my mom and the whole ridiculous situation. I could feel the frustration simmering under the surface, and Blaise, being Blaise, picked up on it easily.
"So, what are you going to do?" she asked, resting her chin on her hand.
"I'm not going," I said flatly. "At least, not with Maddie. I'll tell my mom she needs to fix this herself. I'm not playing along with her lie."
Blaise nodded slowly. "Makes sense. It's unfair for her to drag you into it."
"Exactly," I said, stabbing my fork into my salad a little harder than necessary. "I'm not a kid anymore. I don't need to go along with whatever story she's trying to spin."
There was a brief pause as Blaise studied me, her expression softening. "Well, for what it's worth, I think you're handling this the right way."
I shrugged. "I'm trying."
She smiled, then leaned back in her chair. "You know, this may sound a bit weird but, if you're really stuck, I could help out."
"Thanks Blaise." I said.