Skylar’s POV
It started with an eye-roll.
And then a groan.
Then Jace literally slapped his forehead like he was done with everything.
We were all sitting in the common area near the back field, pretending like midterms weren’t trying to murder us slowly, one assignment at a time. Lucas was tossing his basketball in the air, clearly bored. Mia was hunched over her phone, giggling at something, probably another meme he sent her. Bianca, on the other hand, had her arms crossed so tight it looked like she was about to implode.
“We need a break,” Jace finally declared, his voice loud and dramatic. “Like… an actual, full day where we just don’t think about anything serious. No whispers, no secret meetings, no saving the world before dinner.”
Skylar blinked. “You mean… like a school break?”
Lucas grinned. “More like a life break. I was thinking—what if we just… go somewhere? There’s this park by the lake. Empty, breezy, peaceful. I can bring snacks. Jace said he can cook—”
“I said I can ‘try,’” Jace interrupted, raising a finger. “Let’s not set people up to die from my cooking.”
Mia looked up. “You? Cooking? That’s the most terrifying thing you’ve ever said.”
Lucas leaned over and smirked. “You’re just scared I’ll outshine your three-minute microwave noodles.”
Mia narrowed her eyes. “I chef those noodles, thank you very much.”
The laughter came like a wave—light, easy, real.
Until…
“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Bianca said, arms still folded, voice clipped like she’d rehearsed the rejection all day. “Too much is happening. Too many eyes watching. We can’t risk it.”
Lucas frowned, clearly disappointed. Even Aiden looked away, the light in his expression dimming just a little.
Skylar glanced at Bianca, surprised. She knew her cousin was serious, always thinking ahead—but it was rare to see her this tense. It wasn’t just concern. It was fear.
But it was Aiden’s voice that changed everything.
“I just thought… maybe we could be normal for once,” he said softly. “Just one day. To breathe. Smile a little.”
That made Bianca flinch. Just barely. Her shoulders stiffened.
Then she rolled her eyes so hard it looked like they might pop out.
“Oh my god, fine,” she muttered. “But just so you know, Lucas only wants this because he’s dying to have a little lovey-dovey date with Mia by the lake.”
Mia gasped. “I—I do not! I mean, he—ugh, seriously, Bianca?!”
Bianca smirked. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Mia opened her mouth. Closed it. Her face turned redder than a cherry-flavored lollipop. Lucas, meanwhile, looked smug and innocent like he hadn’t just been exposed in 4K.
The whole group burst into laughter, even Aiden—and suddenly, the tension cracked like glass.
“I’m gonna pack a blanket!” Jace announced, already pulling up a list on his phone. “Mia, bring your weird potato chips. Skylar, you’re in charge of drinks.”
“Wait, wait,” Skylar laughed. “Why am I drinks?”
“Because you’re cute and reliable. Also, I saw your water bottle collection once. I trust you.”
Skylar rolled her eyes, grinning. “That logic makes zero sense, but okay.”
---
A few hours later, the group had just started preparing for their little escape when a pair of new voices entered the scene.
Cassidy and Scarlett stood at the corner of the field, watching them with curious eyes and gentle smiles.
“You guys are going somewhere?” Scarlett asked, trying to sound casual.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Yeah… just a mini picnic. School break type thing.”
Cassidy clasped her hands. “That actually sounds… really nice.”
Bianca immediately tensed. “Oh no. No babysitting today.”
Scarlett blinked. “We can behave. Promise.”
Bianca let out a long sigh. “I’ve had enough watching over you two like you’re runaway toddlers with secrets.”
Mia snorted.
But then—something shifted.
Scarlett stepped forward, voice soft. “Maybe… maybe we could start over?”
The words were so quiet, so unexpected, that the entire group went still.
Skylar’s heart skipped.
Cassidy nodded beside her. “We’re not asking you to forget everything. We just… we want to remember what it’s like to laugh with people again.”
Bianca stared at them for a long time.
She didn’t smile. But she didn’t say no either.
“You say that now,” she said coldly. “But people who smile can lie.”
Scarlett nodded. “We know. That’s why we’re here. We’re tired of pretending.”
Bianca looked ready to say something else—but Jace suddenly stepped in.
He looked at her, just her, and his voice was calm.
“Bianca… You’ve been carrying so much. For all of us. For too long.”
She turned her head, avoiding his eyes.
“You don’t have to trust everyone,” he said gently. “Just trust us enough… to let go for one day.”
It hit her.
Harder than she expected.
Bianca’s jaw clenched.
She blinked away the sting in her eyes.
“Fine,” she whispered. “But if anyone cries, it’s not my fault.”
Jace grinned. “Deal.”