XX

Danielle leaned back against the window frame, letting out a slow breath as she took in the view. The city lights flickered in the distance, and for a moment, the usual weight of her world felt a little lighter.

Maya watched her, tilting her head slightly. "You're thinking too much."

Danielle smirked. "That's an interesting observation, Dr. Hart. Care to elaborate?"

Maya rolled her eyes but didn't let it go. "I mean it. You get all... quiet sometimes. Like you're somewhere else."

Riley nodded in agreement. "It's okay, though. You don't have to always have something to say."

Danielle hesitated. She wasn't used to people noticing when she drifted off into her own head, let alone calling her out on it. Normally, people just let her be.

But Maya and Riley? They weren't like most people.

"I was just thinking..." Danielle trailed off, debating whether or not to actually say what was on her mind.

Riley gave her an encouraging look. "About?"

Danielle sighed, glancing between them. "I don't really have a place like this."

Maya's smirk faded a little. "Like the bay window?"

"Yeah," Danielle admitted, her voice quieter than before. "A place that just... belongs to me. Somewhere I can sit and just be."

The room went silent for a moment. Not uncomfortable, but heavy in a way that made Danielle feel like she'd admitted too much.

Then, Riley smiled softly. "Well, you have this now."

Danielle blinked. "What?"

Maya gestured around the bay window dramatically. "Congratulations, Chiron, this is now also your place."

Danielle huffed a laugh. "Oh, is that how it works?"

Riley nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! It's like, an honorary membership. You've been here, you've sat with us, and now you can always come back. That's how the Bay Window works."

Danielle wasn't sure what to say to that.

She glanced at Maya, expecting some sarcastic comment, but instead, the blonde just shrugged, a small smirk on her lips. "She's right, you know."

Danielle exhaled, shaking her head with a smile she didn't even realize had formed. "You two are something else."

Maya smirked. "And yet, here you are. Sittin' in the window with us."

Danielle didn't respond right away. Instead, she looked out at the city again, letting the warmth of the moment settle around her.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

The three of them sat in comfortable silence for a while, the glow of the city casting soft shadows across the room.

Danielle had never been much for moments like these—quiet, meaningful ones where nothing needed to be said. But somehow, with Riley and Maya, it felt... natural. Like she actually belonged here.

Riley sighed, leaning her head back against the window frame. "I love this spot. We've had so many important moments here."

Maya snorted. "And some very unimportant ones."

Riley gasped dramatically. "Excuse you! Every moment in the Bay Window is important."

Danielle smirked, shaking her head. "Right, so this is basically a sacred space?"

Maya nodded sagely. "Exactly. You should feel honored, Chiron."

Danielle rolled her eyes at the nickname but didn't comment on it. Instead, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "So, what do you two usually do here? Just sit and... talk about life?"

Riley beamed. "Pretty much! We solve all of life's problems here."

Maya smirked. "By which she means we talk in circles until we give up and eat snacks."

Danielle huffed a laugh. "Sounds productive."

"It is!" Riley insisted. "And now that you're part of the Bay Window, you can come to us with any problems, too."

Danielle hesitated. The idea of having people to actually talk to—people who wanted her here, who made space for her—felt foreign. But not in a bad way.

Maya nudged her shoulder lightly. "You okay, or are you having one of your dramatic thinking moments again?"

Danielle smirked. "I do not have dramatic thinking moments."

Maya gave her a look.

Riley nodded. "You totally do."

Danielle huffed but didn't deny it. Instead, she glanced back out the window, her fingers idly tracing the seam of her jeans. "I just... I'm not used to this, I guess."

Maya raised an eyebrow. "To what?"

Danielle exhaled. "People just... offering things without expecting anything in return."

Riley's face softened. "That's just what friends do, Danielle."

Danielle didn't answer right away. She wasn't sure how to answer. But something in her chest felt lighter at the words.

Maya, ever the one to keep things from getting too serious, grinned. "And if you ever forget that, we'll just have to remind you."

Danielle smirked. "Oh, yeah? How?"

Maya leaned back, arms stretched behind her head. "By continuing to be our amazing, charming selves, obviously."

Danielle chuckled. "Obviously."

Riley clapped her hands together suddenly. "Alright! Before the night's over, we need to introduce Danielle to another key part of the Bay Window experience."

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

Riley grinned mischievously. "Pajamas and snacks."

Maya smirked. "Yeah, yeah, let's get comfy."

Danielle opened her mouth to protest but realized quickly there was no point—Maya was already on her feet, and Riley was practically bouncing with excitement.

So, for the first time in a long time, Danielle let herself go along with it.

And for once, it didn't feel like she was just playing along. It felt like she was part of it.

As Riley and Maya continued chatting, Danielle leaned against the bay window, pulling out her phone. She exhaled slowly, staring at the screen for a moment before tapping on her aunt's contact.

Elle

Staying over at a friend's tonight. Don't wait up.

A second later, she added:

Elle

I'll be home in the morning.

Her thumb hovered over the send button before she finally pressed it.

Not even ten seconds later, her phone buzzed.

Busy Izzy

A friend?

Danielle rolled her eyes, already anticipating where this was going.

Elle

Yes, Izzy. A friend.

Another buzz.

Busy Izzy

Voluntarily?

Danielle huffed out a laugh.

Elle

Yes, voluntarily. Try not to die of shock.

A pause. Then—

Busy Izzy

I'll alert the press.

Danielle smirked, shaking her head just as Maya leaned in over her shoulder.

"Who's got you smiling at your phone, Chiron?"

Danielle tilted the screen away instinctively. "My aunt. She's just being annoying."

Maya smirked. "So, your dynamic with everyone then."

Riley clapped her hands together. "Okay! Now that Danielle is officially staying, let's pick out sleepover outfits!"

Danielle groaned. "If you think I'm wearing anything pink and sparkly, I'm leaving."

Maya grinned, already heading toward Riley's closet. "No promises."

Danielle sighed dramatically but didn't protest as Riley and Maya started rummaging through the closet. She leaned back against the bay window, watching with mild amusement as Riley excitedly held up different options while Maya shot them down just as quickly.

"This?" Riley asked, holding up a pair of fluffy pajamas with little cartoon owls on them.

Maya barely glanced up. "She'd rather jump out the window."

Danielle nodded in agreement. "Accurate."

Riley huffed but kept searching. Maya, on the other hand, turned to Danielle with a smirk. "You do realize you're at the mercy of Riley Matthews now, right? She takes sleepovers very seriously."

Danielle raised an eyebrow. "I think I'll survive."

Riley gasped dramatically, turning around with a black hoodie that had a picture of a star on and some comfortable sweatpants. "This is perfect! It's cozy and simple."

Danielle eyed the hoodie. "I can deal with that."

Riley beamed, tossing it to her. "See? I can compromise."

Maya snorted. "That's debatable."

Danielle shook her head but didn't argue as she grabbed the clothes and stood. "Bathroom?"

Riley pointed down the hall. "First door on the left."

Danielle nodded and headed out, still feeling a little strange about staying the night. She wasn't used to this—being included in something so... normal.

But as she shut the bathroom door behind her, she realized she didn't mind.

Maybe, just maybe, she was starting to fit in.

After changing into the borrowed clothes, Danielle glanced at herself in the mirror.

The blue star hoodie was slightly oversized, the sleeves extending past her wrists, and the sweatpants were softer than she expected. It was comfortable—almost too comfortable, like it was trying to trick her into letting her guard down.

She exhaled, running a hand through her hair before pulling out her phone.

Elle

Izzy?

She hesitated, then added another message.

Elle

You'll pick me up if I need to right?

A response came almost immediately.

Busy Izzy

I'll always pick your ass back up, kid. But I have a feeling you'll enjoy being near a certain someone ;)

Danielle rolled her eyes but felt a small, reluctant smile tug at her lips.

She locked her phone and headed back to Riley's room, only to find both girls sprawled across the bay window, already deep in conversation.

Maya looked up first, tilting her head. "Well, don't you look cozy?"

Danielle scoffed. "Shut up."

Maya smirked but didn't push. Instead, she patted the empty space next to her. "Come on, newbie. Enjoy the best seat in the house."

Danielle hesitated for half a second before joining them. The bay window was warm, the cushions softer than she expected, and as she leaned back against the glass, she could see why they loved it so much.

Riley smiled, hugging her knees to her chest.

Danielle looked between them, realizing just how much history this little nook held. It wasn't just a window seat—it was theirs. A place where things were real.

And now they were sharing it with her.

For some reason, that meant something.

Riley nudged her. "So, now that you're officially part of the group, what's something we should know about you?"

Danielle arched a brow. "Like what?"

Maya shrugged. "Something real. No 'popular girl' act."

Danielle smirked, but the challenge in Maya's eyes made her pause.

Something real.

She exhaled, glancing out the window before speaking. "I like driving at night. When the roads are empty, and it's just me and the city lights."

Maya and Riley exchanged glances, clearly not expecting that answer.

"That's actually... kind of cool," Riley admitted.

Maya smirked. "Didn't think you had it in you."

Danielle rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

Maybe, just maybe, she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

The room settled into a comfortable silence after that, the three of them just sitting there, looking out at the city lights through the window. The view from Riley's room wasn't exactly breathtaking, but in the dim glow of streetlights and passing cars, it felt... peaceful.

Danielle let her head rest against the glass, her fingers tracing over the sleeve of the borrowed hoodie. She wasn't used to this—just being somewhere without any expectations. No one here was waiting for her to entertain them or impress them. She didn't have to be the confident, untouchable Danielle everyone at school knew.

And yet, somehow, she felt more seen than ever.

Riley stretched, sighing contently. "I love nights like this."

Maya smirked. "Yeah, me too. No responsibilities, no school, just us hanging out in our sacred window."

Danielle gave her a look. "Sacred window?"

Riley grinned. "Oh, it's a big deal. Maya and I have solved many life problems sitting right here."

Maya nodded sagely. "Also, lots of existential crises. And some minor breakdowns."

Danielle let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Sounds productive."

"Oh, it is." Riley beamed. "And now, it's part of your initiation."

Danielle rolled her eyes. "Right. Because surviving a Matthews family dinner wasn't enough."

"Nope." Maya smirked, nudging her with her elbow. "But you're getting there, Chiron."

Danielle groaned. "You're still calling me that?"

"Until you stop driving a car that costs more than my entire existence? Absolutely."

Danielle sighed, but the corners of her mouth twitched.

Another silence settled, but this time, it wasn't awkward. Just easy.

Riley suddenly let out a soft hum. "I almost don't want to go to sleep."

Maya yawned dramatically. "Well, I do."

Riley rolled her eyes playfully. "You're the one who decided to stay over."

"Yeah, yeah." Maya waved a hand before sliding off the bay window. "Come on, Chiron. Let's crash before Riley forces us to start talking about our deepest emotions."

Danielle hesitated, glancing back out the window. It felt weirdly safe here—like stepping into something she hadn't realized she was missing.

But she pushed the thought aside and followed Maya.

Riley flicked off the main light, leaving only the soft glow of her bedside lamp. "Pajama pile in the closet if you want something comfier, Danielle."

Danielle nodded, grabbing a folded blanket instead. She wasn't sure she'd sleep much, but for once, she didn't mind the idea of just being here.

As they all settled in—Riley in her bed, Maya sprawled half on the mattress, half on the floor, and Danielle wrapped in her blanket—Maya let out a dramatic sigh.

"If any of you snore, I'm walking home."

Danielle smirked, closing her eyes. "Noted."

Riley giggled. "Goodnight, guys."

A beat of silence.

Then, quietly—so quietly Danielle almost didn't catch it—Maya murmured, "Night, Chiron."

Danielle exhaled, her body sinking into the unfamiliar comfort of the moment.

"Night, Maya."