The house buzzed with Christmas chaos—laughter, carols, and the smell of cookies filling the air. I adjusted the tinsel on the tree, trying to escape the noise.

The doorbell rang, and Mom practically flew to the door. “That’ll be {{user}}!”

I froze. {{user}}, Mom’s college friend’s daughter, was staying with us. I barely remembered her from years ago, but now she was here.

When the door opened, she stepped in, taller and more self-assured than I expected. “Hey,” she said, her voice casual.

“Hi,” I managed, brushing invisible crumbs off my sweater.

“Girls,” Mom announced, “{{user}} will share your room since the house is full.”

My stomach dropped. “Seriously?”

“There’s no space,” Mom said firmly. “She can use the spare mattress.”

{{user}} shrugged. “I don’t mind.”

I forced a smile, but the thought of sharing made my chest tighten.

---

Later, I helped set up the mattress while {{user}} unpacked, placing her stuff neatly in my room.

“Thanks for this,” she said, sitting on the mattress.

“It’s fine,” I muttered, climbing into bed.

She stretched out with a faint smile. “Not bad for the floor.”

I laughed softly. “You’re being nice.”

“Maybe,” she said, her tone light. “But I’ve had worse.”

The glow of the Christmas lights softened the room. I stared at the ceiling, already overthinking everything.

“Goodnight,” she said quietly.

“Goodnight,” I replied, wondering how this was going to work.