"Gather up, vixens!" I yelled.

I heaved a breath at the tiredness filling my complete self. I stroked my temple and shined a brightly smile at the vixens.

"What are we doing?" Veronica asked, grasping her best friend's hands as she walked over to the captain.

"Inner-circle only. Shoo, kids." I flicked the hair hanging on my face. "Come on, T.T"

Toni smiled and strolled next to me.

Betty raised her eyebrow and grinned.

"What's going on?" Veronica asked.

"Oh, nothing V." Betty answered.

"We are having a mandatory sleepover at my house." I announced. "And. No. There are no excuses out of this—unless you had some sort of ghastly things to deal with."

"Don't bring any of your boys, Veronica and Betty. I know what you are investigating with." I mocked.

"Why would we bring them anyways? To your house specifically." Veronica questioned.

"Practice dismissed." I smirked.

...

"What's with the mandatory sleepover?" Toni asked, sitting comfortably at the booth.

"You really want to know?" I tilted my head as I shined her one of my genuine smiles, yet.

"Yeah, I would honestly love to know."

"I know that my horrendous parents wouldn't allow it to be only you." I explained.

"Why is that?" She said, a grin playing on her lips.

I cleared my throat. "I don't genuinely want to talk about it. I'm sorry."

"No, it's alright. There's no need to apologize—I understand."

I sipped through the straw of my milkshake. "Do you have your camera somewhere?"

She gave me a perplexed look.

"Why?"

"No reasons." I held my hand out.

Toni rustled through her stuff and laid the camera on my hand. I picked the camera up, it felt light.

"Why are you interested in photography?" I asked, flashing a snap at her.

She shrugs. "I guess when I picked up the camera—I sense that it was my thing."

I grinned radiantly.

"Come, sit here." She patted the empty Booth sofa next to her.

"Why must?"

"First photo." She gestured the camera to her.

I slid out the booth and sat next to her. Toni smoothly grasped the camera and shifted it over.

"Say cheese." Toni started.

"That's childish." I remarked.

"Just do it."

I rolled my eyes. "Cheese."

The flash of the camera blinded our eyes. Toni swiftly set the camera to her level and laughs at the picture shown.

"What?" I questioned, snatching the camera in her hand.

Our eyes were squinted—courtesy of the flash from the camera—Admittedly, our faces are exclusively hilarious.

"Let's take another one, this one's hideous." I suggested.

"No. That's what makes it special." She smirked and stole the camera out of my hands.

...

The thoughts of Jason death had subsided the whole day. Toni might have something to do with it—it felt relaxing not thinking about Jason all the time and the thoughts of my parents vividly abusing me.

"Mumsy, I'm accommodating a sleepover for my Vixens, in my room."

"Who's coming?"

"Not Heather."

"Okay, good. Now get your sin removed from here." She sneered.

I fixed my hair and privately rubbed the tears that are rising in my eyes. The doorbell dinged and I winced at the sudden noise.

"Go on, child."

I strolled towards the door and view through the peephole. It was Betty. I sigh, I wished it was Toni—it was what I craved.

I slightly opened the door.

"Well, hello, Nancy Drew." I mocked.

"Hey, Cheryl. Where is everyone?"

"You are the first one to appear at the Thornhill house. So, feel welcome whilst I prepare the beverage."

She nodded and opened her mouth to begin speaking—however, closed it after.

"Spill your question." I raised my eyebrow.

"Do you like Toni?"

I instantly stirred my head throughout the room and spotted my mother in the living room, clearly engrossed at the newspaper in her hands.

"You better seal your princess' mouth." I whisper-yell at the ghost-quiet room. "Follow me."

She obliged and softly pad throughout the stairs. I unlocked my door and shut it close as she follows in. I crossed my arms.

"Why are we here? I simply asked you a question."

"You nearly caught my mother's attention—of the question of yours."

"I'm sorry but the way you guys look. It's not a friendly way."

"It is none of your concern." I stated.

The doorbell rang and I reopened the door from my room.

"To answer your question, I don't entirely know."

yeet.