𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐚 | ✓

t w e n t y

"Magnolia, I need you to come over now." was the first thing Charlotte said when Magnolia answered the phone.

"Why?"

"You'll see. Just come."

After forcing Peter to give her a ride over there, she slowly walked to the front door. What could Charlotte possibly need?

Today is the last day of break before school resumes for the second semester. Magnolia was using today to make sure she was ready to go for tomorrow and going over some things for her classes.

Charlotte was sitting at the kitchen island when Magnolia walked inside.

"Brad!" Charlotte screams.

Magnolia jumps at the sudden change in sound, "Jesus, Charlotte. You're going to break glass if you keep screaming like that."

Brad walks into the kitchen, "Loud much?" he then sees Magnolia standing across from his sister. "Oh. Hi, Magnolia." he smiles, causing Charlotte to roll her eyes.

"Now that you're both here, I have something to show you," Charlotte says, her voice full of attitude. "I was going through the security cameras in the kitchen, so I could get Magnolia's reaction to my gift on video. While I was looking, I came across this," a video of Brad and Magnolia making out in the kitchen then begins playing on her phone. "Care to explain?"

"You weren't supposed to find out this way," Magnolia says quickly. "I promise I was going to tell you. I promise."

"This dates back to last month. How long has this been going on?"

"On and off since the end of lacrosse season." Brad answers.

"But we ended it about a month and half after it started," Magnolia defends, you could hear the desperation in her voice. "We stopped because we hated hiding it from you. We made up last night and I told Brad that I am going to tell you this time around."

"So you both have been lying to me? My brother and my fucking best friend—what about the fucking pact, Magnolia?"

"I know—but I can't choose who I fall for. I'm so sorry—"

"Save it."

"Charlotte, I love him." Magnolia blurts out, then immediately covers her mouth in shock.

"You do?" They both ask simultaneously.

"Yes! I love your brother and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm a bad best friend, but I can't help it. I'm not just doing this to spite you or anything like that. I fell for him and I'm sorry."

"I—I need to go," Charlotte breathes out. "I need to be anywhere but here."

Magnolia flinches when the door slams shut, then immediately begins crying. Brad is quick to hug her, resting his chin on her head.

"It's going to be okay, babe." Brad says quickly, in attempt to keep her from being too upset. "It's Charlotte, she's going to need Alex advice at some point."

"Is it going to be okay? She seemed really upset, Brad."

"At least she knows now?" Brad says, trying to make light of the situation.

"Yeah, I guess."

He smiles, pulling away and resting his hands on her shoulders. "So you really love me, huh?"

"Unfortunately."

"Well, I love you too," he chuckles. "Not exactly the most ideal place to tell each other that, but you know..."