Hazel couldn't help but smile at her friend's declaration of love.  But as she looked at her own message, a strange dizziness washed over her.  What was wrong with her?  She felt a strange mix of excitement and exhaustion, a feeling that was both exhilarating and unsettling.  It would go away when she woke up tomorrow, she told herself.  It was just a side effect of the day's whirlwind of emotions.
She had sent a message telling Aiden to be careful not to catch a cold, but she knew, deep down, that she was the one who was more likely to fall ill.  She had to go to bed early, to rest, to allow her body and mind to recover from the day's emotional rollercoaster.  She would talk about everything else later, when she was rested, when her heart wasn't pounding so wildly in her chest.  For now, she needed to sleep, to dream, to allow the magic of the day to linger in her thoughts.
The air crackled with a new energy, a playful tension that pulsed through the House like a silent melody. A notification popped up on hazel’s phone, a digital whisper that sent a shiver down her spine.  "Luv Alert: 'From today, you have to answer one 'Luv Question' a day. Your answers will be announced to everyone at night. Think of someone who's sending you a signal, and answer the question.'"
The first question followed, a playful challenge: "What's the charming point of that person who makes your heart flutter?"
hazel's brow furrowed. It was a new game, a strange twist on their usual routine.  "Oh, is it something new?" she murmured, intrigued. "Sounds fun. By the way... The person who flutters my heart, and the reason for it? Well, I can't come up with anything right now. I'll have to think of it. Let me go downstairs first... I'm hungry."
The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread wafted from the kitchen, pulling her towards the warmth of the living room.  Aiden, her brother, was sprawled on the couch, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, it's hazel. hazel! Come here for a while."
hazel raised an eyebrow. "Why? What's going on?"
Asher, their friend, beamed at her, a flour-dusted apron tied around his waist. "We decided to go to baking class today. I wonder if you are interested."
"The two of you?" hazel questioned, her gaze flitting between them.
Aiden chuckled, shaking his head. "No. I'm going to an escape room with Jake and Sol. Asher, Glen and Courtney are going to the baking class. Are you interested in going anywhere?"
hazel's mind raced, a whirlwind of possibilities swirling within her. Room escape and baking class...  The allure of each tugged at her, a siren song of adventure and comfort.  "It'd be fun to go to a room escape," she mused, a spark of excitement igniting in her eyes. "It's been long since I've been there. I've never done baking... But that sounds fun, too. If I make something sweet and eat it, I'll definitely feel better. I really need sugar right now."
But a deeper yearning, a longing for connection, outweighed the allure of both. "But I really want to be with Aiden," she whispered, her heart pounding against her ribs.
Aiden, sensing her internal struggle, repeated his question, his voice a gentle nudge. "So- where do you want to go?"
hazel took a deep breath, her decision solidifying within her. "I want to go to... Room Escape!"
The air crackled with anticipation as they entered the dimly lit lobby of the escape room. A shiver ran down hazel's spine, a mixture of excitement and trepidation.  Aiden, ever the reassuring presence, chuckled as he pointed to the clock. "... This won't open for 5 minutes."
hazel, unable to contain her nervous energy, blurted out, "Then... Can't we get out of here for 5 minutes?"
Aiden, his brow furrowed in frustration, sighed. "Ah, I touched it for nothing. I shouldn't have done that."
Sol, their friend, offered a comforting smile. "OK. Things like that happen. I also put a wrong answer."
Aiden, his shoulders slumping, confessed, "I didn't make a reservation, so all we could choose was a horror theme... I should be the one to blame."
Jake, a mischievous glint in his eye, teased, "Hmph. Why's our Aiden so sad today?"
hazel's heart ached for him.  Was he feeling sorry?  Was he worried about her?  From the moment she stepped into the dimly lit, cobweb-laden room, a wave of fear washed over her.  Aiden had confidently assured her he'd help her escape quickly, but here they were, stuck in the first room, five minutes in, their chances dwindling.  Never before had she seen Aiden so apologetic, so vulnerable.  It was all because he cared about her.  She needed to reassure him, to let him know she was okay.
Taking a deep breath, hazel forced a smile, her voice a little shaky. "I think I'm getting used to this place. I'm not scared at all!"
Aiden, his gaze unwavering, noticed the tremor in her hands. "But your hands are shaking."
hazel, her heart pounding in her chest, tried to play it cool. "Maybe it's a bit cold in here."
Aiden, his voice laced with concern, spoke softly. "I made you worried."
hazel, determined to reassure him, shook her head vehemently. "Huh? No.. It's not like that. It's just... I feel sorry that I made you feel bad. And we're here together! I'm not scared at all!"
A strange urge, a protective instinct, surged through her.  She didn't want to see him let down.  Aiden, the one who always made her smile, the one who always knew how to make her feel safe, deserved to be happy.  She wanted to make him smile, to return the favor, to be the one to make him feel safe.
Aiden, sensing her genuine concern, chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Oh, I shouldn't do this. My dear hazel should be worried. Okay, I'll quickly feel better!"
Jake, his voice dripping with sarcasm, chimed in. "My dear hazel?"
Sol, ever the observer, added with a smirk, "Do you think you two are the only ones here?"
The clock ticked relentlessly, three minutes remaining before they had another chance to open the door.  The tension in the room was palpable, a silent pressure that threatened to suffocate them.  They decided to regroup, to pool their knowledge and solve the puzzle together.
Jake, with a mischievous grin, pointed to a cryptic symbol on the wall. "I think this is the part Aiden made a mistake. You don't have to think so deeply. Take it like a nonsense quiz. Here."
Aiden, his brow furrowed in confusion, stared at the symbol. "This?"
Jake, his eyes twinkling with amusement, held up the symbol. "Yes. Looks carefully."
The quiz, a series of seemingly random symbols and numbers, was surprisingly simple.  Jake, who claimed to have never been to an escape room before, seemed to breeze through it with ease.  "But why didn't you solve it earlier?" hazel questioned, her curiosity piqued.
Jake, his gaze lingering on her, leaned in conspiratorially. "I was looking for other quizzes. And I was busy looking at you."
hazel, her cheeks flushing, stammered, "Why were you looking at me?"
Jake, a playful smirk on his lips, shrugged. "It's obvious that you'll be surprised if something pops out. I couldn't just leave you alone."
hazel, feeling a pang of guilt, mumbled, "Are you blaming me? I feel bad."
Jake, his voice softening, shook his head. "To be exact, it's not because of you, but because of me."
hazel, her brow furrowed in confusion, asked, "What are you talking about?"
Jake, his eyes meeting hers, took a step closer. "It's because I like y-"
Aiden, his voice sharp with suspicion, cut him off. "Wait a minute. What do you think you're doing?"
He stepped between them, his presence a barrier between Jake and hazel.
Jake, unfazed by Aiden's interruption, chuckled. "You're quick. I hope you get it."
The realization hit hazel like a wave, washing away the guilt and uncertainty. He was looking at her because he liked her. 
Aiden, his voice a firm command, interrupted their silent exchange. "Don't talk among yourselves!"
Sol, his eyes wide with anticipation, announced, "We can open the door now. Do you want to do it, Aiden?"
Aiden, his gaze flitting between them, stepped forward, his hand hovering over the door handle.  Sol, a hint of nervousness in his voice, confessed, "Actually, I'm a little nervous. What if I open the door and something pops out?"
Aiden, his voice laced with a playful reassurance, replied, "Maybe something will fall from the top. Stand behind me, Sol."
The door creaked open, revealing a new room, a different set of puzzles, a different challenge.  hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension, found herself caught in a strange web of emotions.  Four people on a picnic, a scenario that felt both familiar and foreign.  It was difficult to have a conversation with one person, to express her feelings, especially when her heart was divided between two friends.  She cared deeply for both Sol and Aiden, their friendship a source of comfort and joy.  But seeing Aiden taking care of another girl, even in a playful way, stirred a sense of unease, a flicker of sadness that she couldn't quite explain.
The second room, a stark contrast to the first, was shrouded in an eerie silence.  The air hung heavy with anticipation, a sense of dread that clung to the walls.  hazel, her voice barely a whisper, pointed to a shadowy corner. "... This room is more eerie. There should be a ghost in this room."
Sol, his eyes wide with mock fear, chuckled. "Oh... I'm scared, too. What an interior."
hazel, her gaze scanning the room, questioned, "Is this real?"
Sol, his voice a mix of amusement and concern, replied, "Oh, hazel. Could you hand me that? I think we can insert this here."
hazel, her eyes sparkling with admiration, exclaimed, "Oh! You're great, Sol! Have you done this before?"
Sol, a hint of pride in his voice, replied, "Not many times, but I like it."
hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, asked, "You must be happy to be here, right?"
Sol, his brow furrowed in confusion, tilted his head. "Huh? Why ask me something like that?"
hazel, her gaze lingering on him, felt a surge of empathy.  She knew he was hiding something, a secret that he was reluctant to share.  She wanted to understand him, to know what was truly on his mind.  She found herself drawn to him, his gentle nature, his playful spirit, a stark contrast to Aiden's more assertive personality.
Aiden and Jake, their heads bent over a puzzle, seemed oblivious to their silent exchange.  hazel, her heart yearning for connection, decided to break the silence.  "I should talk with Sol," she thought to herself.
Sol, sensing her desire to connect, took a deep breath and confessed, "To be honest... Yes, I like it. Because I didn't get to spend time with him lately. How about you?"
hazel, her cheeks flushing, replied, "Of course I like it. Aiden's so fun."
Sol, his eyes meeting hers, spoke softly, "Actually, I was noticing your feelings a little. I didn't say anything because I was afraid it would become awkward. But it's not that awkward after you say it. Liking the same person means that someone won't be chosen."
hazel, her heart sinking a little, felt a pang of sadness.  The realization that they were both drawn to the same person, a person she cared deeply for, brought a wave of uncertainty.  Sol, however, seemed to take it in stride, his words a testament to his maturity and understanding.
hazel, her voice a little shaky, replied, "You're a real grown-up..."
She couldn't help but wonder if she could have been so composed in his place.  She imagined herself in his shoes, her heart pounding, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.  Sol, however, seemed to handle the situation with grace and ease, his confidence a source of both admiration and envy.
Sol, his smile a little brighter than usual, chuckled. "Anyway, I'm excited today, so I might be more outgoing."
hazel, her voice a little shaky, confessed, "Well, that can happen. I do it too!"
Sol, a hint of relief in his voice, replied, "I feel a little comfortable because you tell me that way."
hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of vulnerability and determination, continued, "You can do whatever you want. We came to the House for that. But... I might be a little jealous. Please forgive me."
Sol, his eyes meeting hers with understanding, nodded. "Yes, thank you."
The House, a place where hearts were laid bare, where dreams were pursued, and where relationships were forged, was a battlefield of emotions.  Everyone, each with their own desires and insecurities, was vying for attention, for connection, for love.  And yet, in the midst of this whirlwind of emotions, Sol, with his gentle spirit and insightful nature, had managed to create a safe space for hazel to express her vulnerabilities.  He had acknowledged her feelings, validated her fears, and offered a comforting presence in the midst of her turmoil.
Jake, his voice a playful challenge, interrupted their silent exchange. "Till when are you going to chat?"
Aiden, his voice a little sharper than usual, echoed Jake's sentiment. "Hear, hear."
hazel, her gaze shifting to Aiden, noticed a change in his demeanor.  He was quieter than usual, his usual playful banter absent.  She couldn't help but wonder if it was because of her conversation with Sol, if he was feeling a little left out, a little jealous.
Aiden, his voice a little strained, announced, "Anyway, I found this. Wasn't there a lock over here?"
hazel, her heart sinking a little, felt a wave of confusion wash over her.  She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that the atmosphere had shifted, that the dynamics of their friendship were subtly changing.  Was it because she was with Sol?  Was it because Aiden was close with Sol as well?  Maybe, just maybe, Aiden liked Sol more...  The thought, a sharp pang of jealousy, sent a shiver down her spine.  She couldn't shake the feeling that she was losing her grip, that she was losing Aiden, that she was losing her place in their little world.
Aiden, his voice a little shaky, asked, "You think this is right?"
Jake, his eyes glinting with amusement, replied, "You should know better."
Aiden, his voice laced with a mixture of frustration and self-deprecation, confessed, "But then, I made a mistake earlier."
Jake, his voice a soothing balm, offered a reassuring smile. "Ah, that was just one mistake. And I think you're right."
Aiden, his shoulders slumping, sighed. "But that was a huge mistake..."
hazel, her gaze lingering on Aiden, couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.  He seemed distant, his usual playful energy subdued.  Was it just her imagination?  Was she reading too much into his behavior?  She couldn't help but feel a pang of unease, a sense of disconnection that she couldn't quite explain.
The lock clicked, a sound that sent a shiver down her spine.  The lights flickered, a sudden darkness engulfing the room.  A loud crash echoed from the ceiling, a cascade of debris raining down around them.  Panic surged through her, a primal instinct to run, to escape the terrifying unknown.
Jake, his voice a calm anchor in the chaos, asked, "Are you okay?"
He gently placed his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.  His warmth, a comforting presence in the midst of the chaos, slowly calmed her racing heart.
Jake, his gaze unwavering, spoke softly, "I told you earlier. I kept looking at you- for this."
hazel, her voice a little shaky, stammered, "I-I'm fine... I-I'm just a bit surprised.."
Jake, his brow furrowed with concern, shook his head. "But you don't look well."
hazel, her cheeks flushing, mumbled, "I-I'm usually like this."
Jake, his voice a gentle reprimand, replied, "I don't like it when you lie, even when it's intended not to make me worried. And you're so easy to read. Everyone is afraid of one thing or another. It's nothing to be embarrassed of."
hazel, her heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability, asked, "...Is there anything that scares you then?"
Jake, his eyes meeting hers, a hint of sadness in their depths, replied, "Of course."
hazel, her curiosity piqued, pressed him further. "What is it? Tell me!"
Jake, his voice a low rumble, confessed, "It's when a girl I'm interested in is thinking about another guy. That's why it makes me scared."
His words, a confession whispered on the wind, sent a shiver down her spine.  He didn't explicitly say it was her, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was talking about her.  The thought, a delicate seed of possibility, took root in her heart, stirring a sense of warmth and excitement.  But a wave of concern washed over her.  Was Sol okay?  She must have been just as surprised as she was.
Sol, her voice a little shaky, confessed, "This one was really scary."
Aiden, his gaze lingering on her, chuckled. "I think it's the first time I've ever seen you so surprised."
Sol, her cheeks flushing, replied, "I was really surprised. But you made me feel less scared. Thanks, Aiden."
hazel, her heart swelling with a mixture of relief and a strange sense of ownership, mumbled, "I didn't have to worry about her."
Jake, his eyes meeting hers, a playful glint in their depths, asked, "Do you care?"
hazel, her cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement, stammered, "Huh? What?"
Jake, his voice a gentle tease, continued, "I think you're paying attention to them."
hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of confusion and a strange sense of exhilaration, replied, "No, just... a little?"
Just a little.  Because Aiden looked different from usual, his usual playful energy subdued.  She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that he was holding back, that he was hiding something.
Jake, his voice a soft murmur, replied, "Don't, then. You make me care more."
hazel, her mind swirling with a mix of emotions, realized that she was caught in a delicate dance, a complex web of feelings that she was only beginning to understand.  Aiden, her friend, her confidante,  seemed different, his behavior a puzzle she was struggling to solve.  Jake, with his honesty, his vulnerability, his unexpected confession, had thrown a wrench into her carefully constructed world.  She was caught in the crossfire, her heart torn between two very different people, each with their own unique charm, each holding a piece of her heart. 
The air in the escape room lobby was thick with a mixture of disappointment and relief.  The game, a test of their teamwork and their ability to solve puzzles, had ended in failure.  Aiden, his shoulders slumped, his voice laced with a hint of sadness, confessed, "Ah, we failed. I feel sad."
Sol, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and a playful glint, replied, "I should've tried harder. I couldn't do anything at the end because I was so surprised."
Aiden, his gaze lingering on Sol, questioned, "Is it because I made a mistake in the beginning?"
Sol, her voice a soothing balm, shook her head. "No, no one could solve the quiz anyway."
hazel, her heart swelling with a strange sense of lightness, chimed in, "Yeah! In fact, I was the one who didn't do anything today!"
Jake, his eyes twinkling with amusement, teased, "You look suddenly so happy."
hazel, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement, confessed, "I love it to be here. I mean it."
The escape room, though a source of frustration and fear, had also been a catalyst for unexpected connections, a space where vulnerabilities were exposed, and where hearts were laid bare.  The failure, though a disappointment, had also brought a sense of relief, a feeling of liberation from the pressure of the game, the weight of expectations.
Sol, her voice a gentle suggestion, broke the silence. "It'd be a shame if we go back home now. How about going somewhere else?"
hazel, her heart yearning for more time with her friends, asked, "Where?"
Sol, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint, replied, "Well... To a river? Where we can walk around a bit?"
hazel, her heart filled with a sense of anticipation, replied, "Sounds good!"
Sol wouldn't like to go back early because it's been long she spent time with Aiden.
Jake, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint, interjected, "There was something I wanted to do at the river."
Sol, her curiosity piqued, asked, "What is it?"
Jake, his lips curving into a playful smirk, replied, "You'll see."
The river, a ribbon of silver winding through the landscape, promised a chance to unwind, to connect on a deeper level. 
hazel, her eyes wide with wonder, exclaimed, "Wow... It's my first time on a cruise."
Jake, his gaze lingering on her, chuckled. "It's my first time too. The other two said they've been here."
hazel, her heart filled with a sense of gratitude, confessed, "I'm having a really fun time today. Thanks to you, it was fun."
Jake, his voice a gentle murmur, replied, "But you trembled so much-"
hazel, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement, interrupted him, "Shh... Quiet! But the two... Oh, there they are. Hmm? Where's Sol?"
Aiden and Sol, their figures silhouetted against the setting sun, were deep in conversation.  hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, felt a sudden urge to speak with Aiden.
hazel, her voice a little shaky, announced, "Wait a minute, Jake. I have something to say to Aiden."
She quickly found Aiden, his figure a solitary silhouette against the vibrant backdrop of the river.
hazel, her voice a mixture of concern and curiosity, asked, "Why are you sitting alone? Where's Sol?"
Aiden, his voice a little strained, replied, "I guess I'm feeling unwell today. She said she'll get a glass of water for me."
hazel, her gaze lingering on him, noticed a pallor to his skin, a hint of weakness in his posture. "Yeah, you look rather pale."
Aiden, a playful glint in his eyes, chuckled. "Still, I'm getting better after seeing your pretty face."
hazel, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and amusement, replied, "Ah, this is the Aiden I know. Hey. I had something I wanted to say. Can I say it?"
Aiden, his gaze unwavering, nodded. "Yes, of course. What is it?"
hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of vulnerability and determination, confessed, "You seemed rather different today. I was worried."
Aiden, his voice a low murmur, replied, "Me too."
hazel, her brow furrowed in confusion, asked, "Huh?"
Aiden, his eyes meeting hers, a mischievous glint in their depths, continued, "It's true that I was being more calm today. The reason is a secret. And that's why you were with Jake the whole time! You know how much I was jealous today!?"
hazel, her voice a little shaky, replied, "You're so frank, Aiden."
Aiden, his smile a little wider than usual, shrugged. "I can say this in front of Jake, too. I don't say things at the back if I can't say in front of a person."
hazel, her heart warming with a sense of admiration, replied, "That's so like you."
Aiden, his eyes sparkling with a newfound confidence, confessed, "Anyway, after knowing that hazel cares about me, I feel very good today."
hazel, her heart swelling with a mixture of relief and a strange sense of ownership, replied, "Great. I was worried if you were disappointed at me."
Aiden, his voice a gentle reassurance, shook his head. "No, that's not it. I had a reason today. And how can I ever get disappointed at you? I don't know from other people, but never to you. I want to be so close to you. I wanna do a lot of things with you, and talk with you. There is no time for disappointment. So don't you worry. Okay?"
His words, a confession whispered on the wind, sent a wave of relief washing over her.  She had been worried, a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest, but his words, sincere and heartfelt, had loosened the grip of her fears.  She had been trapped in a closed room, not just literally, but also emotionally.  His words, a key unlocking the door to her anxieties, had set her free.
Sol, her voice a gentle interruption, announced, "I brought water. Oh, you're with hazel."
hazel, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement, replied, "Yup. I had something to say to Aiden. I heard you had something to say to Aiden, too. I'll leave now!"
Sol, her brow furrowed in confusion, tilted her head. "Huh? Me?"
hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of guilt and a strange sense of relief, quickly added, "Actually, I'm going to go there because Jake's alone."
The relief that washed over her was palpable.  Aiden wasn't disappointed in her.  She had been so worried, so afraid of losing his friendship, his affection.  She had told him to act more calmly, but she couldn't help but miss his usual energy, his playful spirit.  He was a whirlwind of emotions, a force of nature, and she loved him for it.
hazel, her voice a little shaky, confessed, "Human greed has no limits."
Jake, his eyes twinkling with amusement, asked, "What greed?"
hazel, her cheeks flushing, replied, "Oooh! When did you come here?"
Jake, his voice a gentle tease, confessed, "I wanted to eavesdrop on you so bad, but I kept my distance like a gentleman. Forgive me."
hazel, her heart warming with a sense of gratitude, replied, "Yeah, yeah. Thank you so much for waiting. Okay?"
Jake, his smile a little wider than usual, nodded. "Yes, thank you for your kind answer. Anyway, it's chilly out here. Are you okay?"
hazel, her teeth chattering slightly, replied, "A bit. But I can stand it."
Jake, his gaze lingering on her, his voice a gentle concern, replied, "Then it means you're feeling cold."
hazel, her brow furrowed in confusion, asked, "Huh? What is it?"
Jake, his eyes meeting hers, a hint of tenderness in their depths, spoke softly, "Put it on."
He gently draped his jacket over her shoulders, the warmth of his presence enveloping her like a comforting hug.  A warm, fuzzy feeling spread through her, a sense of security and contentment.  Come to think of it, Jake had been taking care of her all day, his attentiveness a silent testament to his growing affection.  She couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude.
hazel, her voice a little shaky, confessed, "I think you helped me a lot today. Thanks."
Jake, his smile a little brighter than usual, replied, "I did it because I wanted to. But I'm glad to hear you say that."
hazel, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension, continued, "I don't know how I'll go to bed today, but anyway, I felt better earlier thanks to you."
Jake, his brow furrowed with concern, asked, "Oh, you can't sleep?"
hazel, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and excitement, replied, "No, that's not the point. I made it because of you-"
Jake, his voice a low rumble, interrupted her, "If you're too scared to sleep, come to me. I'll put you to sleep."
hazel, her heart skipping a beat, questioned, "Aren't you only listening to what you want to hear?"
Jake, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint, replied, "It would be okay if you can get used to it a little bit. And you can say whatever you want to say to me. You can do anything you like when you're with me."
His low chuckle, a melodious sound that sent shivers down her spine, tickled her ears.  She couldn't help but wonder if he realized how his voice, his mere presence, could make her heart flutter.
Jake, his gaze lingering on her, confessed, "Anyway, I had fun today too."
hazel, her heart swelling with a mixture of happiness and a strange sense of longing, replied, "I hope we four can hang out again next time."
Jake, his voice a low whisper, replied, "No. I wish only the two of us can hang out again."
hazel, her brow furrowed in confusion, asked, "What?"
The echo of Jake's words lingered in Hazel's ears, a soft melody of confusion and contentment. "All of us except you are thinking this way," he'd said, his voice a warm whisper against the backdrop of the day's events.  "Though the person on their minds are different. Still, I was glad to be with you today. So, see you next time, just the two of us."
His words were a puzzle, each piece a fragment of a larger picture she couldn't quite grasp.  She cared for Aiden, deeply, but today, amidst the whirlwind of emotions, one thing was clear: she'd had a truly wonderful day.
The sanctuary of the girls' room welcomed her with open arms.  "Ah, it's good to be home," she sighed, sinking into the plush armchair.  "And now it's time... Whom should I text today?"
Aiden's name popped into her mind, a beacon in the quiet of the room.  She reached for her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen as she composed a message.  "Your laughter suddenly comes to mind even if you're not around," she typed, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.  "You're that special to me."