Tangled Hearts.

~Chapter 30~

~Raelyn~

~Wednesday March 26th~

Sunlight trickled through the blinds, casting a warm glow on the trap house where the girls, me, Isa, Katrina, Devyn, and Tara, had already sprung to life. The scent of sizzling bacon and the sound of laughter filled the air as they set out to prepare a feast for the still-slumbering boys.

"Remember Raelyn's epic wipeout on the paddleboard yesterday?" Tara giggled, flipping pancakes with finesse.

I whisked the eggs as I shot back with a grin, "Hey, I was just testing the water temperature with my face!"

As the aroma of breakfast wafted into the living room, it acted like a siren's call. One by one, the guys began to emerge from their slumber.

Corey stretched out like a cat, while Jake's hair looked like it had its own wild night.

Colby, rubbing his eyes, said, "Does anyone else remember being chased by that ninja swan at the picnic? It's still following me in my nightmares."

Isa chuckled as we all laughed, "That swan had a vendetta, Colby. It was like 'Swan: Impossible' with you as the target!"

Sam wandered over to Katrina, who was buttering toast. "Need a taste tester?" he offered, stealing a slice as he hugged her from behind.

Corey sidled up to Devyn, peering into the skillet. "Are those hash browns golden or what? Because I think they're winning the breakfast Olympics." Devyn giggled. "You're so cheesy."

Colby, still half in dreamland, leaned on my shoulder. "So, chef, any chance we're having swan for breakfast?"

"You hush, leave that swan out of this," I said as I giggled and kissed him. Jake, finding his way to Tara, grabbed a stack of plates.

"I'm on dish duty, but I'm charging extra for syrup removal." She said chuckling.  The kitchen was a symphony of clinking, laughter, and the occasional "Hey, that's my bacon!"

Soon, we gathered at the bar, plates piled high with the fruits of our labor. Little Blake scrambled onto my lap, a miniature king ready for his feast.

"To yesterday's beach day, Raelyn's face-plant, and Colby's swan nemesis!" Isa raised her glass.

"And to Isa's last few days in LA," I added, "Let's make every moment count!" Glasses clinked, orange juice sloshed, and the room echoed with a chorus of "To making it count!"

With each bite and shared memory, we wove the tapestry of our friendship tighter, laughter the thread that held us together.

~

As the last of the syrupy goodness vanished from our plates, my eyes sparkled with the promise of a new escapade.

"You know what would be epic? Hiking up to see the Hollywood sign up close!" I exclaimed, my enthusiasm infectious. M

Isa's brow furrowed with concern. "Rae, you do know it's kinda illegal to hike right up to the sign, right?" 

I waved her off with a flourish. "Pfft, we're not going to touch it. We're just going to soak in the view! Gotta live a little, Isa!"

Sam chimed in with a smirk, "Alright, daredevil, but if the cops show up, you're on your own!"

I threw my hands up, mock surrendering, "I'm just here for the good times, officer!" The room erupted with laughter.

Me and Isa raided the other girls' closets, creating a whirlwind of fabric and fashion advice. "Ooh, Tara, let me borrow that top, it screams 'I'm with the band'!" Isa declared, holding up a black crop top.