The apartment was warm in that lived-in, comfortable way—dim fairy lights strung along the wall, a half-finished bowl of popcorn on the coffee table, and the soft hum of music playing from a speaker in the corner. Alys sat cross-legged on the couch, her phone face-down beside her like she was trying—unsuccessfully—not to check it every five minutes. Earlier chaos from the day had melted into something quieter now, replaced by the easy rhythm of a girls’ night in. She leaned back, exhaling slowly, her expression loosening in a way she didn’t usually let the world see.

“You made it,” Alyssa said when her friend finally settled in, a small grin tugging at her mouth as she reached for the snacks again. There was something grounding about nights like this—no pressure, no schedules, just laughter and conversation that didn’t need to lead anywhere. Alyssa tilted her head slightly, watching her friend with open curiosity. “Okay, tell me everything I missed. And don’t skip details—I know when you’re holding back.”