𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒⸼ 𝗈𝖼

05. getting ready

GENERAL - POV

"PHONE, laptop, iPad, and chargers?" Lilia checked, her tone calm and collected.

"Check," Maddie responded confidently.

"Dresses, shorts..." Lilia began, but Millie cut her off.

"Lilia, we've already checked that," Millie reminded her, her tone firm but not unkind. Lilia nodded understandingly at her sister.

They continued gathering their belongings, with Lilia and Maddie going through their checklist while Millie and Sadie packed. Grace took on the task of ensuring everything was in place.

"Do we have any food? I'm kinda hungry," Grace complained, her tone casual.

The others looked at her with disbelief. Seriously, right now? Their expressions seemed to convey their thoughts.

Lilia rolled her eyes at Grace but gestured toward the mini fridge nonetheless. Grace eagerly opened it and grabbed a snack, eliciting laughter from the girls.

With everything prepared, they were just waiting for the boys. A knock echoed throughout Millie's bedroom, and then the door opened.

Their mothers, Winona and Natalie, peered into the room with grins on their faces. The mothers exchanged a satisfied glance, silently affirming that their plan was proceeding as intended.

Clearing her throat, Sadie signaled their mothers for instructions. Winona and Natalie snapped their attention to the teen girls, ready to provide guidance.

"Oh, right... um... the boys are downstairs already," the mothers informed them enthusiastically.

The girls nodded in acknowledgment, picking up their luggage and heading downstairs. The boys were lounging on the sofa, watching basketball and snacking simultaneously.

The boys eyed the girls with a glint in their eyes, observing their rivals' every move as they entered the living room and took their seats.

Once settled on the sofa, Gaten sat beside Jaeden, followed by Caleb, Finn, and finally Noah. Grace sat beside Lilia, with Sadie, Millie, and Maddie taking the remaining spots, the latter seated beside Noah, as expected.

"Okay," Natalie began, scanning the room, her tone authoritative.

"You'll be riding in a minivan waiting outside for all of you," Winona added, her voice laced with excitement.

The teenagers looked at their mothers with incredulity.

"What do you mean by that?" Lilia asked, her expression horrified.

"I thought you were smarter than this, chica. Why don't you get it?" Jaeden teased, laughing.

"I understand, Jade... but Mom, you expect us to ride with them?" Lilia whined, mimicking Jaeden's actions.

The two adults narrowed their eyes at the teens, wondering why they had to be so dramatic. Couldn't they just have fun like they used to?

What could possibly go wrong? They sighed before Natalie addressed Lilia's question.

"Yes, sweetheart... I expect you to ride with them... unless you want to walk," Natalie replied sternly.

The boys snorted, earning a glare from the girls. Their mothers continued instructing them, with their father by their side. Meanwhile, their siblings watched with pity or satisfaction, depending on their perspective.

Tom cleared his throat, exchanging a glance with David before speaking up. "Actually, we've discussed it, and we think it's best if the girls ride separately from the boys. You know, in this modern world, things are a bit different."