Worst Nightmare

Chapter 13

Author's Pov

As Milk stood in Faye's hospital room doorway, she didn't wait for an invitation. She knocked once, barely a courtesy, then swung the door open with the energy of someone about to drop some serious sass. Faye sat by the window, her injured hand wrapped in bandages, looking like life's worst plot twist had just hit her.

"Milk?" Faye raised an eyebrow, her voice barely above a whisper, more from exhaustion than surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Milk sauntered in, the door clicking shut behind her like a mic drop. "Oh, you know, I just thought I'd check if you're still alive or if I need to start planning a tragic funeral playlist. Maybe something by Adele." She waved a slightly crumpled invitation in the air like a flag of frustration. "By the way, I'm getting married. But you wouldn't know that since someone forgot how to answer a phone. Or a text. Or smoke signals."

Faye blinked, guilt flickering across her face like she just got caught sneaking out of detention. "Yeah, sorry about that. Been... kinda busy with, uh, life." She motioned to her bandaged hand as if that would explain away everything.

Milk raised an eyebrow. "Busy? Wow! Your phone's not a landline from the '90s. They work outside. I know-shocking. You could've at least sent a gif or something. Hell, even a thumbs-up emoji would've been better than radio silence." She tossed the invitation onto Faye's lap, rolling her eyes. "I need you at my wedding. I can't be the only drama queen in the room."

Faye picked up the invitation, staring at it like it might explode in her hands. "I'll be there," she mumbled, managing a small smile. "Wouldn't miss it. Unless I'm, you know, dead or something."

Milk's face softened slightly, but only slightly, because, well, she's Milk. "Well, as long as you don't show up looking like a Halloween decoration, I'll count it as a win."

She leaned in to hug Faye, but her elbow grazed Faye's bandaged hand, making Faye flinch as if she'd just touched a hot stove.

"Ow!" Faye yelped, laughing despite the pain. "Jesus, Milk! This is why we can't have nice things."

Milk jumped back, wide-eyed. "Holy crap, I didn't mean to break you! Again!" Her voice dropped to a mock-serious whisper. "I swear, one day you're gonna need bubble wrap just to exist."

Faye chuckled, waving her off with her good hand. "It's just a little fracture. Like that time you thought your relationship with View was going to work out-minor damage."

Milk grinned. "Oh, now you wanna play dirty, huh?" She crossed her arms, leaning in closer. "Still got that klutz charm, I see. You'd fall off a couch if it wasn't attached to the ground."

Before Faye could fire back, Yoko, who'd been watching quietly from the corner, couldn't help but snicker. "You two are like unsupervised toddlers with weapons."

Milk turned dramatically, placing a hand on her chest like she was offended. "Excuse me, Princess. This is high-level combat. You wouldn't understand."

Yoko rolled her eyes but smiled her earlier tension easing. "If this is what combat looks like, I'm applying to be a referee. I'd make bank."

Faye and Milk exchanged a look, their eyes gleaming with mischief. "I mean, you're welcome to join," Faye said with a smirk. "But I have to warn you, Milk plays dirty."

Milk shot Faye a pointed look. "Dirty's the only way I play, babe."

Yoko laughed, shaking her head as she headed for the door. "Good luck surviving each other. I'll be in the waiting room, pretending this isn't my life."