after they met her

thirtythree

i v a n a

It was the morning of the festival, and I couldn't sit still.

I was pacing back and forth through the living room to the hall, then back to the front door to look out the window. My heart was racing, and I felt like I might pee myself out of sheer excitement.

"Woah, calm down, tiger," Matthew chuckled, watching me with amusement. He was sprawled out on the couch, looking far too relaxed.

"I can't help it, Matthew! Lily is coming over to get ready for the summer festival! I've been looking forward to this for days, and now it's finally happening," I said, my voice high-pitched and jittery.

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "You're acting like it's Christmas morning. It's just a festival, Ivana."

"Just a festival?" I shot back, throwing my hands in the air. "It's not just a festival. It's my first real friend coming over to our house! I've never had this before."

Matthew's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Alright, alright. But you're going to wear a hole in the floor if you keep pacing like that."

I groaned, trying to calm myself but failing miserably. "You don't understand, Matthew. What if she doesn't like it here? What if she thinks our house is weird or too... I don't know, too much?"

Matthew chuckled again. "Ivana, you're overthinking it. Lily is your friend. She's not coming over to inspect the house; she's coming to spend time with you."

I sighed, knowing he was right but still unable to shake my nerves. "I just want everything to be perfect."

"Perfection is overrated," Matthew said, waving a hand dismissively. "Just be yourself. That's why she likes you, isn't it?"

I bit my lip, nodding. "Yeah, I guess so."

"Besides," Matthew added with a grin, "if she can handle your crazy antics, she can handle anything."

I was about to retort when Logan walked in, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. "What's this? Ivana freaking out about something? That's new."

I shot him a look. "Not helping, Logan."

Logan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I'm just here to enjoy the show. You're like a little ball of energy."

"Can you two just be serious for a minute?" I pleaded, feeling more jittery by the second.

Matthew and Logan exchanged amused glances. "Sorry, but it's hard to take you seriously when you're bouncing around like a rabbit on caffeine," Matthew teased.

Logan nodded. "Yeah, you're more wound up than I've ever seen you. It's kind of adorable, actually."

I pouted, crossing my arms. "You guys are the worst. Here I am, stressing out, and you're making fun of me."

They both tried to stifle their laughter, but it only made me feel more flustered. "Fine, I'll just be quiet and pretend I don't care," I said, putting on my best sad face.

Matthew and Logan immediately fell for it. "Aww, come on, Ivana. We're just teasing," Matthew said, reaching out to ruffle my hair.

"Yeah, don't be mad," Logan added, patting my shoulder.

That's when I struck. I pinched them both in the nipples, making them yelp in pain. "Gotcha!"

"Ow! What the hell, Ivana?" Matthew exclaimed, rubbing his chest.

"Yeah, that hurt!" Logan echoed, wincing.

Two bodyguards rushed into the room, their faces filled with concern. "Is everything okay?" one of them asked.