GET SET MATCH

4. Instant mood killer

Mallory

The sunlight streamed through the curtains, and I groaned as I rolled over, squinting at the clock. 11:00 AM? Seriously? It was Saturday, a holiday, and I had totally squandered the morning. I stretched lazily, feeling the weight of my blanket pulling me back down into the cozy abyss of sleep.

With a reluctant sigh, I finally dragged myself out of bed, my feet hitting the cold floor. I shuffled to the bathroom, splashed some water on my face, and tried to wake up a little more. The smell of something delicious wafted through the air, and my stomach grumbled in response. Mims must have made breakfast.

I made my way to the kitchen, still half-asleep and wearing my oversized pajamas. As I entered the room, I froze for a second. There was Mims, flipping pancakes at the stove, and right next to her were Asher and Zaiden, laughing and joking around like they owned the place. My heart sank a little. Great, just what I needed-my two least favorite people in one room.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Mims called out cheerfully, unaware of my internal struggle. I plastered on a smile, trying to shake off the annoyance. "Come join us!"

Asher waved, and Zaiden shot me a smirk that made my skin crawl. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that I should endure this for Mims. I could handle this... at least for a little while. Slowly, I approached the table, hoping the pancakes would somehow make this awkward situation a bit more bearable.

As I sat down at the table, Zaiden glanced over at me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Nice outfit," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Did you get dressed in the dark?"

I felt my cheeks flush, but I forced a smile, trying to shake off the irritation. "Ha, very funny, Zaiden. I like to think of it as 'unique style,'" I replied, my voice a little too cheerful.

Mims turned around, flipping a pancake. "Come on, you two, let's keep it friendly! It's a holiday morning, after all!"

Zaiden chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Just trying to help her out. You know, a little fashion advice never hurt anyone."

I shot him a glare, but Mims chimed in, "I think she looks great! Besides, it's all about being comfortable, right?"

"Exactly!" I said, trying to sound enthusiastic. "And comfort is key, especially when you're enjoying pancakes!"

Zaiden shrugged, clearly unfazed. "Sure, but maybe next time, a little more effort wouldn't hurt."

I took a deep breath, forcing a laugh. "Well, I'll definitely keep that in mind, Zaiden. But for now, can we just enjoy the pancakes? They look amazing, Mims!"

Mims smiled brightly, and I could see her trying to steer the conversation away from the awkwardness. "Thanks! I made extra just for you guys. Who wants syrup?"

As the conversation shifted, I felt a bit of the tension fade, grateful for Mims' effort to keep the morning lighthearted.

Ugh, so Zaiden totally knows I just woke up, and he's still going for it! "Come on, carrots, you can't be serious with that bedhead!" he says, and I'm just like, "Dude, chill! I'm literally trying to wake up here!"

Asher's still laughing, and I can't help but feel a little embarrassed. "Why do you have to make it worse?" I mumble, just wanting to enjoy my pancakes in peace.