𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 *✧･ﾟ:‧͙⁺˚*･༓* [𝖕𝖆𝖚𝖑 𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖙𝖊]

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ

Milly sat on the edge of her bed, her heart racing as she thought about Paul. She wanted to tell Leah, her real sister, but the words just wouldn't come out. Every time she tried, her cheeks flushed, and her voice caught in her throat.

Milly's anxiety felt like a heavy weight on her chest, making it hard to breathe. She imagined several scenarios, each more daunting than the last. In one, she pictured Leah's face falling into a frown, her disapproval clear as she reminded Milly of her dislike for Paul's friends. In another, she saw Leah laughing it off, not taking her feelings seriously, which made Milly feel small and silly. The worst scenario, though, was Leah becoming distant, their close bond strained by Milly's secret. These thoughts swirled in her mind, making her hesitate even more to share her crush on Paul.

"Hey, Milly, you've been awfully quiet lately. Is there something on your mind?" Leah asked, her tone light and teasing.

Milly looked up, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement. "It's nothing, really," she mumbled, her fingers twisting the hem of her shirt.

Leah chuckled, sitting down besides her. "Come on, you can tell me. Is it a boy?" she guessed, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

Milly's face turned a deep shade of red, confirming Leah's suspicion. "Maybe," she whispered, barely audible.

Leah's laughter filled the room, not mocking but warm and understanding. "Oh, Milly, you're adorable. You know, having a crush is perfectly normal. You don't have to be embarrassed."

Milly smiled shyly, feeling a bit more at ease. "It's just... I don't know how to talk about it."

Leah grins. "Well, you know what? I think it's sweet. Whoever he is, he's lucky to have caught your eye."

Milly's blush deepened, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief at the response.

Leah leant in closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, come on, spill the beans. Does he like you back?"

Milly's cheeks flushed even more, her eyes opening wide, and she looked down at her hands, nervously twisting in her lap. "I... I think so," she mumbled.

The older girl laughed again, playfully nudging Milly's shoulder. "So... what are you going to do about it?"

Her heart raced at taking the next step.

"Do I have to do something?" she asks, looking up at Leah with admiration and trust in her eyes.

Leah smiled, her expression warm and encouraging. "You don't have to do anything you're not ready for, Milly. But when you're ready, I'll kick his ass for you-"

"No! Please don't do any of that!" she cuts her off. Leah chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm just kidding, Milly. But seriously, I've got your back no matter what you decide to do."

They embrace in a tight hug, Milly feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Leah's support meant everything to her in that moment.

"Guys," they hear Seth from the kitchen downstairs. "I'm stuck under the couch."