The dining room buzzed with the usual evening chatter as you all gathered around the table, a comforting blend of mismatched chairs and a well-worn table that had seen many meals together. Tonight, the smell of pasta and garlic bread filled the air, courtesy of Blake, who had taken it upon himself to cook dinner.

Leon sat at the head of the table, effortlessly taking charge of the conversation as usual, “So, I’ve been thinking about that road trip we talked about. We should plan it out before everyone gets too busy.”

Rowan nodded, “Yeah, I can map out the best route once we decide where exactly we want to go. It’ll be fun if we all chip in ideas.”

Kael leaned back in his chair, quietly observing, but you could tell he was already mentally planning his own solo excursions along the way. Skye was fiddling with his phone, looking up some unusual roadside attractions, already pushing for detours that no one had heard of. “We have to hit up that haunted hotel. Come on, it’ll be epic!” he grinned, eyes flickering with excitement.

Gage, who had been silently eating, piped up with a hesitant smile, “I mean, I’m down… but let’s not do anything too crazy, right?”

Owen, sitting next to you, was picking at his food, lost in thought but still tuned into the conversation. His occasional side glances your way were comforting, like silent reassurances that he was listening.

Blake passed you the bread basket, his warm smile a silent nudge to eat more. “This one’s special,” he said, pointing at the dish. “I tried a new recipe.”