𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒⸼ 𝗈𝖼

04. favor

MILLIE'S — POV

"EXCUSE me?!"

"What on earth possessed you?!"

"Have you lost your mind?!"

"Are you completely insane?!"

Lilia, Grace, Sadie, and I rose from Maddie's sofa, our expressions a collective mix of disbelief and horror. Seriously, did she expect us to agree to this ludicrous proposal?

"Listen up, guys... now that you've reluctantly accepted us as a couple, you'll need to face the consequences," Maddie explained, her tone pleading for our understanding.

"Hmm..."

"Very well..."

"Okay..."

"Absolutely not."

They all turned to me, their eyes wide with shock, while I met their gaze with an unapologetic smirk. They rolled their eyes at my response. How typical.

They're our rivals, for crying out loud! I can barely stand being in the same room with them, let alone sharing a living space for an entire school year. Did Maddie even consider the logistics of this arrangement? I highly doubt Dad would sign off on such madness.

"Why the objection, Millie? It could be an opportunity for us to get to know each other better," Maddie pleaded, inching closer to me on the sofa, her hand resting on my leg.

"Maddie, let's be clear. Just because we've begrudgingly accepted your relationship doesn't mean I'm suddenly going to be buddy-buddy with Noah's crew, let alone cohabitate with them. It would be a living nightmare," I asserted firmly, removing Maddie's hand and fixing her with a steely gaze. The thought of spending a year under the same roof as a Wolfhard, let alone Finn Wolfhard, is enough to make me break out in hives. I'm fairly certain it would kickstart World War Four.

Sure, we've begrudgingly accepted Noah as Maddie's boyfriend, and yes, he's technically our rival. But how can you hate someone who makes your sister happy? Plus, he's actually decent and respectful, which counts for something.

[Flashback to the cafeteria]

"Noah Wolfhard!"

"Madison Brown!"

The two factions rose from their respective seats, each sibling moving to extract their own from the situation. Millie grabbed Madison's arm firmly, while Finn seized Noah by the collar, forcibly separating the couple.

They finished their meals in tense silence before exiting the cafeteria, each group retreating to their respective corners, save for Jaeden and Lilia, who quietly slipped away to grab snacks. The girls hurried to the sanctuary of the bathroom, securing the door behind them, while the boys sought refuge in an empty classroom, locking the door behind them.

"Noah Wolfhard? Madison Brown? Seriously, Noah, our rival? You couldn't find someone better?" Gaten seethed, his face flushed with anger. Finn, Jaeden, and Caleb nodded in agreement, sharing his sentiments.

"Noah Wolfhard? Really, Mads? You're willing to risk your heart for that boy? He's our sworn enemy, for God's sake," Grace chided, her tone stern as she fixed Maddie with a disapproving glare. Lilia nodded in solidarity, finishing her meal, while Sadie's gaze bore into Maddie with unmistakable disdain, and Millie paced the room in agitation.

The couple exchanged resigned glances. They had initially agreed to keep their relationship secret from their siblings, but it seemed disclosure was now inevitable. With a collective sigh, Maddie and Noah spoke up.