Dinner at the house was supposed to be peaceful.

The table was set, the food smelled amazing—roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, the whole deal. Jake sat in his usual spot, across from his three older sisters: Esli, Dilean, and Dana. Their parents sat at either end of the table, trying to pretend this would go smoothly for once.

At first, it was quiet. For like… five minutes.

Then it began.

“Okay, who took my lipstick?” Dana snapped, slamming her fork down. “The expensive one. The red Fenty one. It’s GONE.”

Jake flinched. Here we go.

Esli immediately shot back, “Don’t look at me. I don’t even wear red like that. Ask Dilean. She always raids the bathroom and then magically forgets.”

Dilean looked offended. “Excuse me? I borrowed it once. That doesn’t mean I stole it.”

“Oh my gosh—you didn’t even ask!” Dana snapped.

Esli crossed her arms. “You’re literally the one who took my highlighter palette last week and then blamed Jake.”

Jake blinked. “Why am I being dragged into this?”

Their mom sighed, already regretting not eating dinner in the bedroom. Their dad just quietly kept cutting his chicken, pretending he couldn’t hear a thing.

“I just want to eat in peace,” Jake muttered under his breath, stabbing his potatoes.

Meanwhile, Dana was pointing across the table now. “I know it was you, Dilean. You’re the only one who wears five layers of lipstick like you’re filming a music video every day!”

“Okay, rude!” Dilean said, her voice rising. “At least I don’t hoard makeup like it’s the apocalypse!”

Esli leaned over to Jake and whispered, “Wanna fake a stomach ache and escape through the window?”

Jake grinned. “Tempting.”

Their mom finally snapped. “ENOUGH. No more makeup talk at the dinner table! Just eat. Now.”

The girls huffed and quieted down, temporarily at peace.