𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒 | SPINOFF

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

AVERY
RAVEN

The living room was buzzing with energy as everyone gathered for the evening. Mama Crist sat behind me on the couch, her deft fingers braiding my hair. Her touch was gentle, and I couldn't help but relax under her care. Across the room, Stella was sitting on the edge of the armchair, her eyes glued to the nutrition label on a bag of chips. I noticed how her brows furrowed with frustration as she read the numbers.

"She's still trying to keep a perfect weight?" Mama Crist sighed softly, shaking her head. "I tried my best with her, but she doesn't listen."

"She's been like this for a while," I murmured, keeping my voice low. "You know, me and her... we're still not on the best terms. I'm trying to forgive her, though." My words felt heavy, weighed down by the unresolved tension between Stella and me.

Papa Crist, sitting in his usual chair with a warm, fatherly presence, nodded in agreement. "You kids go through so much. Don't let little things ruin friendships that have lasted for years. Sometimes, you just have to let things go." He patted my hand gently, offering me a kind smile.

His words made my chest tighten. I envied Marcella's family. Their warmth, their camaraderie, the way they always supported one another—it was something I had never experienced. My parents had always been absent, and my stepsister had abandoned me to face the world alone. Sitting here, surrounded by the Crist family, made that void in my life feel even larger.

"Done!" Mama Crist said cheerfully, tying off the braid with a small ribbon. "I missed braiding your hair, love. Now, why don't you go sit with your friends?" She motioned toward the group sprawled out across the room. Lily was half-asleep on Jaxon's lap, her head tucked against his shoulder. Marcella and Stella were sharing snacks while playfully bickering with Grayson and Alessio. Damon, as usual, was perched on the couch, looking both detached and protective.

"You too, Damon," Papa Crist added, giving him a teasing nudge. "Go be a kid for once and enjoy yourself."

I smiled at Damon, standing up and offering my hand. "Come on," I said. "Let's go be kids."

He rolled his eyes, but he took my hand, rising to his feet with a huff. "Fine, but only because you asked," he muttered.

As we joined the others, I squeezed myself onto the couch between Marcella and Stella, who immediately offered me a chip. "Hi, Stella," I greeted her, trying to lighten the mood. "Still drunk from earlier?" I teased, remembering the chaos she'd caused at lunch.

Stella let out a small laugh and shrugged. "Nope, I'm good now. Are you?"

"Perfect," I replied, before narrowing my eyes at her. "But you're not."

She raised a brow, clearly caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"You're beautiful the way you are," I said, my voice firm. "Body and all. You're already so perfect, and I don't understand why you're so hard on yourself. If anything, you could sign up to be a model. Stella I'm not trying to get into your business but—-"

Stella's expression softened for a moment before she shrugged, brushing me off. "It's not that easy, Avery," she said quietly. "Trying to be perfect—it's exhausting."

"I never said it was," I replied gently, hoping to get through to her. "But I just don't want you to pressure yourself over something you don't need to change."

She gave me a small smile, interrupting me before I could say more. "I get it, Aves, and I appreciate it. Love you." She patted my arm, her way of ending the conversation.

I sighed, glancing over at Mama Crist, who gave me an encouraging thumbs-up. Try again next time, her look seemed to say.

Marcella, who had been listening, suddenly gasped and stood up, hands on her hips. "Why don't we play a round of basketball in the backyard?" she suggested with a mischievous grin.