"Come on, we could use a break from all the worry, and stress, and near death experiences!" Biana insisted.
"I guess you're right about that." Sophie agreed over the imparter.
"And that brings us back to Operation Sleepover! All girls, no drama; it'll be great!" The Vacker said with a wink. She didn't know why Sophie had a thing against them now, but Biana was certain a night of fun would be incredible.
"Okay." Sophie finally relented. "When?"
"To-morr-ow!" Biana sang in reply. "Come at four, we'll eat at five."
"Who else is coming?" Sophie asked.
"Besides you? Linh and Marella." Biana answered.
"Okay, guess I'll see you tomorrow." Sophie said.
"Byeeeeee!" Biana replied.
She smiled. Having a girls' night would be so incredibly fun! She used to have them all the time with her old best friend, Maruca. Now their friendship was a little rocky. The dark, semi-rebellious, tough girl had declined the invite. But she had seemed sorry about it.
Biana shook her head slightly; she'd have to worry about Maruca later.
She jumped off her large pink bed like an excited bunny, and left her room. A few halls and guest rooms later, and-
"Ah ha! Just like I left it!"
"It" was a large room with two queen sizes beds, one with a deep magenta comforter and one slivery-blue. Biana has spent many nights sharing secrets with in those midnight blue walls, back even before she knew Sophie. There was a small, glowing, sparkly chandelier like light, and the walls were adorned with paintings of silver stars and a beautiful moon. There was a magenta couch and a few beanbag chairs resting on a rug that felt like a fluffy cloud, and the bookshelf was packed with board games to last a lifetime.
To put it simply, it was sleepover heaven.
Biana stood for a moment and admired the room. It had been a while since she had hosted an overnight party. Then, she collected herself and stuck her head into the hallway.
"Mora!?" She called. A few minutes later the gnome appeared.
"Yes?" Mora queried. Many gnomes worked and lived at Everglen, but Mora always answered when the youngest Vacker called.
"Could you have two more beds added here?" Biana asked.
"I think so." Mora replied, surveying the spacious room. "Is this for the sleepover you and Lady Della discussed?"
"Yes." Biana answered, not bothering to ask how she knew. "One of my guests won't be able to come, and there's already two beds in here."
"Will Miss Foster be attending?" Mora asked. Biana nodded, smoothing out the magenta blanket with her soft, pale hands.
"Consider it done." Mora said simply.
"Thanks!" Biana said, turning to the gnome with a smile. Mora hurried away.
Now all she needed to do was let her parents know who was coming.
"Hey, mom?" Biana called, entering her parents' gigantic suite.
"Yes, sweetie? Did you talk to your friends about the sleepover yet?" Della asked. She was sitting on the edge of what had to be the largest bed in the elven world, reading a book about vanishing.
"Maruca can't come." She said, her voice hinting at the slightest bit of hurt. "But everyone else can."
"Oh, sweetie, I know you miss her. She'll come around someday." Della said sympathetically. When Biana's eyes began to water, Lady Vacker rushed to her daughter.
"Being a teenager is so hard sometimes." Biana admitted.
"I know. Just give her time, good friends will always come around." Della assured. She combed Biana's thick dark waves with her fingers.
Biana sniffed. She buried her face in her mom's shoulder and inhaled. For the perfect girl she always seemed to be, Biana has her own fair share of problems, and her own way of finding comfort.
After a little while, Biana lifted her head up.
"Okay." She said, regaining momentum. "Want to help me bake mallowmelt for tomorrow?"
"I could, or you could bake them with your friends." Della suggested.
"Do you think they'd want to?" Biana asked, her teal eyes shining. Her brother, Fitz, claimed that she was a klutz in the kitchen. But honestly? Biana loved to bake.
"Absolutely certain." Della answered. She kissed her daughter on the cheek. "Now I hate to ruin this beautiful moment, but with all the world-saving you've been doing lately, I think you've been neglecting your homework."
Biana groaned.
"Fiiiine." She grumbled.
The next day, her Foxfire sessions were a blur. All Biana could think about was the sleepover. She had double and triple checked with her friends to make sure they were still coming.
It was all systems go.
Except for Maruca.
But she'd have her over another time.
When she got home, Biana took a quick shower to freshen up.
Only thirty minutes. She thought, looking at the clock.
She put her hair in a complicated French braid.
Twenty more to go.
She applied light makeup, and wondered if the girls would want to do makeovers.
Fifteen minutes!
"Hey mom, dad, Keefe's here!" FIitz shouted. WHAT!?
Biana ran out of her room furiously.
"Fitzroy Avery Vacker!" She yelled. "You did not just invite Keefe to my sleepover, again!"
"Relax, we'll stay out of your way." Fitz laughed.
"As if!" She snapped. Fitz and Keefe always ruined her sleepovers. Every time she thought they had gained a little maturity they'd listen in to their secrets or put gullons in their beds.
Suddenly, a plan rooted itself in her mind.
Maybe, just maybe, she's be able to get them back, and have her perfect sleepover.
Biana fought to hide her smile. "Okay, whatever."
"Really?" Fitz asked, squinting at her in surprise.
"You stay out of our space, we'll stay out of yours." She offered.
"Okaaaay, I'm going to go let him in." Fitz said, clearly not convinced of Biana's change of heart.
"You do that." She replied, batting her eyelashes innocently. She smiled as Fitz left to greet his friend.
Biana's heart fluttered ever-so-slightly when she saw Keefe, a remnant of her old crush, but the feelings vanished when she saw who was behind him.
"Glad you made it!" She exclaimed.
Operation: Sleepover was a go.