Passionfruit - w.s

e i g h t

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⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚝 ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇

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I'm in the middle of painting Leah's nails when I hear the car. Mom better not have gotten back early- she said she would be gone all night and wouldn't be back until midday tomorrow. If it's her, we're all screwed. I peek through the shut blinds, trying to make out who's in the driveway.

And of course, it's a Porsche. As if in slow motion, Aryan slowly opens up the driver's seat, one hand in his pocket and the other twirling his keys. Walker gets out the passenger, the both of them sliding sunglasses on even though it's 7 pm.

They walk up to the front door, nonchalantly ringing the doorbell. I roll my eyes as I open the door and ask, "What happened to being sneaky?"

"We thought this would be a better entrance than stumbling through a window." Walker shrugs.

"You like my ride?" Aryan says, stepping to the side to haughtily show off his car.

"Yes, Aryan, we like your 'ride'," Leah laughs, stepping next to me in the doorway, blowing on her fresh nails.

Walker strides in taking a good look at the place. He spots the staircase, and his expression turns from cold to mischievous. "I couldn't tell there was a second floor from outside," he says.

"Yeah, it's just my mom's room," I explain, sitting at the kitchen island, not too far away. "Walker, what the hell are you thinking-"

"Nothing," he cuts me off, "nothing at all."

He then gives Aryan and Leah a look. Suddenly, Leah drags me to the living room, away from the boys, and sits on the couch.

"You can't take me away from the outsiders!" I exclaim.

"They're setting up the initiation process," Leah scoffs.

I give her a weird look. "What is this- a cult?"

"I guess you could say that," she answers, grabbing the remote to the TV and clicking through shows. "Just wait until they're done."

"You guys are literally taking over my airbnb."

"Sorry, but it's necessary."

"Whatever you say."

⋆⋅☆⋅⋆

"Okay what the heck," I say, crossing my arms over my chest. In front of me, at the top of the staircase, a mattress is set, and at the bottom, a pile of sheets and pillows. "This is very 2019 of you."

"Don't trash talk our sacred tradition," Aryan says, feigning hurt. I put my hands up in defense.

Trekking up the stairs to the top, I sit on the mattress. "How is this supposed to work?" I ask.

Leah comes up after me, sitting behind me on the second floor. "Ready?"

Both Aryan and Walker are waiting at the bottom, phones out, ready to record.

"I feel like you're trying to kill me, but go ahead," I say.

Without warning, I'm pushed down, the floor seemingly moving towards me at the speed of light as I'm plunged down. My life practically flashes before my eyes, my core memories replaying.

The sheets hit me head-first- or rather I hit them. I'm surrounded by linen, but then my head pops up from above all the fabric. "I survived!" I exclaim.