𝒹𝓇ℯ𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑔 ⁱⁿ 𝐣𝐮𝐥𝐲

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟎

The summer house felt alive the next morning. The hum of conversation drifted from the kitchen, and the faint scent of sizzling bacon filled the air. Eleanor stirred awake on the couch, her blanket twisted around her legs. For a moment, she forgot where she was, the events of the party a hazy blur. Then it all hit her like a freight train.

Chris.

Her cheeks flushed as fragments of their conversation replayed in her mind—the apology, the unspoken emotions, her head on his shoulder. Eleanor groaned, pulling the blanket over her face. She hadn't meant to let her guard down, not after everything that had happened between them.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty."

The blanket was yanked off her head, and Eleanor squinted up at Nick's grinning face. He was holding a cup of coffee and looking far too awake for someone who stayed up so late.

"Go away," she mumbled, burying her face in the cushion.

"Can't. Angel said I had to make sure you actually got up. Breakfast is almost ready," Nick replied, unbothered by her annoyance.

Eleanor sat up reluctantly, running a hand through her tangled hair. "Fine. I'm up."

Nick smirked. "Good. Don't want you missing the show."

"What show?" Eleanor asked suspiciously.

Nick just winked and disappeared into the kitchen.

Eleanor groaned again, dragging herself off the couch. She padded toward the kitchen, her curiosity piqued despite herself. As she rounded the corner, she immediately spotted the source of the commotion.

Angel was sitting on the counter, her cheeks a deep shade of red as Matt leaned against the stove, casually flipping pancakes. The playful tension between them was impossible to miss. Nate was at the table, smirking as he sipped his coffee, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.

"Oh, good, you're here!" Nate greeted Eleanor, his voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. "Now we have a full audience."

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Angel said quickly, shooting a glare at Nate.

"Matt called her Angelcakes," Nate supplied helpfully, earning a loud groan from Angel.

Eleanor stifled a laugh. "Wow, that's... creative."

Matt shrugged, unbothered. "It fits."

Angel slid off the counter, her face still burning. "I'm going outside. Enjoy your stupid pancakes," she muttered, grabbing Eleanor's wrist and dragging her toward the back door.

Once they were outside, Angel let out a frustrated sigh. "I hate him."

"No, you don't," Eleanor said with a grin.

Angel shot her a look. "Don't start."

Eleanor held up her hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. I won't say anything. But you are kind of obvious."

Angel groaned. "Can we not talk about this? What about you and Chris?"

Eleanor stiffened. "What about us?"

Angel gave her a knowing look. "Don't play dumb. You like him, he likes you, but you're both too stubborn to admit it. It's exhausting to watch."

Eleanor crossed her arms. "It's not that simple."

"Why not?" Angel challenged.

"Because..." Eleanor trailed off, struggling to find the right words. "Because if I admit it, everything changes. And what if it doesn't work out? What if I lose him for good?"