I woke up to the comforting smell of freshly brewed coffee drifting through the house. It was such a nice change from the usual blare of alarms and the distant rush of college life. For the first time in weeks, I actually felt rested. Stretching lazily under the covers, I let myself enjoy the warmth of my bed and the quiet, familiar sounds of morning chatter from the kitchen.

Home.

It felt so good to be back. No schoolwork to stress over, no group projects hanging over my head, and thankfully no Jade. The memory of our library conversation still lingered, but right now, I was focused on enjoying the peacefulness of being with my family.

The smell of coffee was too tempting to resist any longer, so I threw on a comfy sweatshirt and headed down the hallway, my socks sliding a little on the wooden floors. The usual sounds of my family, clinking mugs, my dad laughing at something on the news filled the air. It made me smile.

As I stepped into the kitchen, my mom was standing by the counter, pouring coffee into her favourite mug. "Morning, sweetheart!" she greeted, beaming at me.

"Morning," I replied, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Is that for me?" I asked, nodding at the cup in her hand.

"Of course!" She handed it to me with a warm smile. "You looked like you could use the extra sleep." I glance at the clock above the door. Nearly ten? Wow.

I chuckled, taking a sip of the coffee, feeling it wake me up completely. "Yeah, it's been a crazy few weeks."

Dad was sitting at the table, reading the paper. He glanced up and smiled. "Staying out of trouble?"

"Always," I grinned, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek. I sat down at the table, letting the familiar comfort of home wash over me.

The morning passed lazily. We sat around chatting, Mom filled me in on the neighbourhood gossip, Dad talked about his latest work project. Even Trina eventually stumbled in, looking groggy and still half-asleep, muttering about her latest audition. Despite the usual sibling banter, it felt nice, being with my family.

Just as I was starting to think I could have a completely lazy day, the sofa was indeed calling out my name, Mom turned to me with a grin that I knew too well. "Alright, young lady, you and I are going out."

I blinked, caught off guard. "What? Where?"

"Shopping, of course!" she said brightly, already grabbing her purse. "I've been waiting for you to come home so we could spend some time together. We'll make a day of it."

I groaned, though not seriously. I knew there was no escaping it. Shopping with Mom usually meant hours of wandering through the mall, stopping in every store- even the ones we had no reason to be in. Still, part of me was kind of looking forward to it. When was the last time we'd just hung out like this?

"Alright, alright," I relented, getting up from the table. "Let me change first."

"Good girl," she beamed at me while sorting through her purse.

I headed back to my room, smiling to myself. Shopping wasn't really my thing, but if it meant spending the day with Mom, I could handle it. Besides, a day away from overthinking my messy life sounded perfect.

I padded across the plush carpet to my wardrobe, standing in front of it with a bit of uncertainty. Biting my lip, I rifled through my clothes, mentally preparing for a day at the mall. If I was going to spend hours shopping, I might as well look good doing it. Plus, the weather was perfect, sunny with a light breeze, warm but not suffocating. I wanted an outfit that was cute and stylish but still comfortable for what was sure to be a lot of walking.

After a few minutes of deliberation, I settled on a white crop top with thin straps. It was light and breezy, showing just the right amount of skin without going overboard. I paired it with high-waisted, light-wash denim shorts that hugged my curves and showed off my legs in a way that felt flattering but not too revealing. The distressed look of the shorts added a laid-back, trendy vibe, which felt perfect for a casual day out.

For shoes, I chose my favourite brown strappy sandals. They were ideal and comfortable enough for hours of walking.t. I added a simple gold necklace and matching hoop earrings for a little sparkle, just enough to elevate the look without making it feel too fussy.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my wavy hair so it framed my face just right. A quick swipe of lip gloss brought a soft shine to my lips, and my oversized sunglasses were the final touch.

I took a step back, giving myself a quick once-over in the mirror. Not bad. Cute, confident, and ready for a sunny day of shopping.

I was just about to head downstairs when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I glanced over at it, feeling a little jolt in my stomach. Sam. The notification flashed her name across the screen, and my heart skipped a beat. I picked it up, unlocking the phone to read the message.

Sam : Can't wait for Monday ;)

A blush crept up my neck, and before I could react, Trina barged into my room without knocking, as per usual.

"Hey, Tori, Mom wanted me to tell you -" she stopped mid-sentence, her eyes immediately narrowing in on my phone screen. I fumbled, trying to lock it, but it was too late. Her smirk grew into a full-on grin as she leaned closer.

"Oh. My. God. Who's 'Sam'?" Trina sing-songed, her eyebrows shooting up as she crossed her arms, clearly ready to tease me to no end. I waved my arms around, mimicking to keep her voice down. I am NOT having this conversation with her.

"None of your business!" I shot back, quickly shoving my phone into my pocket, but I could already feel the heat rising in my face. My heart was racing, and I cursed internally for not being quicker.

"Oh, it's totally my business now, little sis." Trina wiggled her eyebrows at me, walking further into the room and shutting the door. Essentially trapped me between a rock and hard place that smells of way too much dior. "Did I see a winky face? A winky face, Tori? Spill!"

"Trina, seriously, it's not a big deal," I muttered, turning away to grab my bag. But she wasn't going to let it go that easily.

"Not a big deal? Are you kidding me? You've got someone sending you flirty texts, and I've never even heard of them? Who is this Sam, and what's happening on Monday?" she pressed, her voice dripping with curiosity.

I groaned, realising there was no way I was going to get out of this without giving her something. I turned to face her, already bracing myself for her reaction.

"Okay, fine! Sam is…someone I've been hanging out with. And they asked me to go out on Monday," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper by the end of it.

Trina's eyes lit up. "They? Wait, what? Tori, are you going on a date?!"

"Shh!" I hissed, glancing at the door like Mom could overhear any second and come barging through. "Maybe! I don't know, okay? It's casual."

Trina grinned like she had just uncovered the juiciest secret of the year, her long manicured nails tapping against one another. "Oh, this is too good! You, Tori Vega, are going on a date with a girl named Sam, and you didn't think to tell me?" Uhhhhhh. This is IMPOSSIBLE. Can I leave now? Or will the ground please swallow me for once in my life. I'f be eternally grateful. If anyone can hear me right now.

"Because I knew you'd make it a thing! And they're not a girl, Trina. They're nonbinary." I shot back, rolling my eyes.

" It is a thing! You don't just casually mention something like this. Oh, Mom is going to—"

"No!" I cut her off, pointing at her threateningly. "Mom is not going to find out, Trina."

Trina raised her hands defensively, though the mischievous gleam in her eyes never faded. "Alright, alright, your secret's safe with me… for now."

I glared at her, knowing that promise probably had an expiration date, but for the moment, she seemed satisfied. Just then, our mom's voice echoed from downstairs, calling for us to hurry up.

"Come on, move out the way," I said, trying to change the subject and get out of this conversation as fast as possible.

As we headed downstairs, along a hallway lined with old family photos, Trina was still smirking, clearly pleased with herself. "So... what's Sam like?" she teased as we walked.

As we made our way down the stairs, I could already feel Trina's eyes on me, practically bursting with curiosity. I knew she wasn't going to drop it, so I sighed, figuring I might as well give her some info before she got even more annoying.

"Okay, fine," I muttered under my breath.. "Sam's… cool. They're funny, kind of sarcastic. And rides a motorcycle."

Trina stopped dead in her tracks, eyes widening. "A motorcycle? Oh my God, Tori, you're dating a badass!"

I groaned, hoping this wouldn't get blown out of proportion, I wasn't dating anyone. Definitely not Sam. We were friends. Well there was that kiss… That uhm amazing kiss actually, and they did say they liked me. "We're not even dating, Trina. We've just hung out a few times."

"Uh-huh, sure," she said with a smirk. "Sounds like someone's interested in more than just 'hanging out.'"

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help the small smile tugging at my lips. Maybe it could go that way. I wouldn't disapprove. Maybe it's a bit too early to be thinking that? "Whatever. And, yeah, they likes coffee… a lot, actually. They're always drinking it."

Trina's grin grew wider. "Okay, this Sam sounds pretty better lock that down, Tori."

"Trina, it's not- " I started, but before I could finish, our mom's voice rang out from the kitchen.

"What's all this about a motorcycle?" Mom asked, suddenly appearing at the bottom of the stairs, purse slung over her shoulder, with an intrigued look on her face.

My heart dropped into my stomach. Oh, great.

"Nothing, a new friend, Sam." I glared at Trina who was about to spill all my chiz. She walked mast mom and made a locking motion with her lips and flopped down on the sofa.

"Oh-kay then girls."

I followed behind mom as she grabbed some last minute things, also swiping my wallet from the counter. But stopped short when I saw Trina sprawled on the couch, scrolling through her phone. She was dressed in a bright pink off-shoulder top and jeans, her hair perfectly straightened and her sunglasses perched on her head like some sort of diva. How did I not notice she was all glammed up before? I gulped.

"Uh… what are you doing?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

She looked up, smirking. "I'm coming with you guys."

"What? Since when?"

"Mom said I could come. It's a free country, Tori." She rolled her eyes and went back to her phone.

Of course. What I thought was going to be a nice, quiet shopping trip with Mom had just turned into a three-person adventure. I groaned internally.

Mom walked in then, her purse slung over her shoulder. "Ready, girls?" she asked, not seeming to notice the tension between us. "It'll be fun, just like old times!"

I forced a smile. "Yeah. Like old times."

Trina jumped up, flipping her hair like she was on some kind of runway. "I'll drive," she declared.

"Oh no, you won't." I grabbed the keys from Mom's hand before Trina could even try. "I'm driving, thank you."

Mom chuckled, clearly amused by our sibling banter. "Alright, alright, let's get going before the mall gets too crowded!"

I sighed as we headed out the door. What was supposed to be a solo trip had now turned into a sisterly adventure. Hopefully, Trina wouldn't make it too unbearable. But then again... this was Trina.

I hopped into moms come car, sliding into the driver seat with ease. I'd only driven it a couple times, but anything was better than Trina's driving. That girl could hit a road marker, a little old lady and a dog, all in about four seconds and complain because of a bump and her lipgloss getting mucked up. She's insane.

As I pulled out of the driveway, my thoughts drifted away from Trina's nonstop chatter and my mom's constant micromanaging from the passenger seat. Trina was rambling about some new audition, singing this time I think, her voice a high-pitched background noise, but I wasn't really listening.

My mind had wandered to Sam.

I couldn't help but muse what she was doing right now. Maybe she was hanging out with Cat or working on her bike, that smirk of hers plastered across her face. The thought of her wink yesterday made my stomach flip, and I could feel my cheeks flush just thinking about it.

Was it really a date? The way she had casually asked me, throwing in a wink and calling me "sunshine"- God, it was hard not to melt on the spot. The idea of her taking me out, of us spending time together outside of our usual hangouts, had been playing on repeat in my head since then. I wasn't sure if I was excited or nervous. Maybe both.

Trina's voice pierced through my thoughts. "... and then I told him, like, no way am I going to wear that for an audition. Can you believe it?"

I gripped the steering wheel, biting back a sigh. "Uh-huh," I muttered, half-engaged in whatever she was saying.

Mom glanced at me, then at the road, then back at me. "Tori, make sure you keep your eyes on the speed limit. There's always a cop hiding near that intersection."

I nodded, doing my best to stay focused. "Got it, Mom."

Still, my thoughts circled back to Sam. What would we do on Monday? Dinner? A movie? Something more… Sam-like? Maybe she'd surprise me with some spontaneous adventure. Knowing her, she'd keep me on my toes. That thought sent a small thrill through me.

Why was I overthinking this? It was Sam. She was laid-back, fun, and, okay, maybe a little rough around the edges, but there was something about her that made me feel... safe. And excited. I liked her. That much I knew.

But then there was Jade.

Why did she always creep into my thoughts whenever I started to feel something for someone else? What would she think of me going out with Sam? Would she even care? I tried to shake the thought away. This was about me, not Jade. I deserved to be happy. And Sam- well, she made me happy. Jade's idea with a date is probably a trip to the morgue or cemetery where she'd butcher me up and play hide and seek with the parts.I resist the shudder that shoots up my spine.

"Tori, you missed the turn!" my mom called out, pulling me abruptly from my thoughts.

"Crap." I quickly turned the wheel, correcting my path. "Thanks, Mom."

Trina sighed dramatically from the backseat, clearly annoyed that I'd interrupted her story. "Can you two not distract the driver? Jeez, Mom, Tori's gonna crash if you keep yelling at her."

I rolled my eyes but stayed quiet, focusing back on the road. In a few minutes, we'd be at the mall, and I could lose myself in the distraction of shopping. But even as we drove, my mind kept flicking back to Sam.

Monday couldn't come soon enough.

As we approached the mall, I tried my best to focus on the road, but thoughts of them still lingered in the back of my mind. Monday felt so close, yet too far away. I hadn't even texted her since we'd made plans. Should I have? Or was I overthinking this? She texted me. Chiz I forgot to respond. Stupid Trina.

"Are you even listening, Tori?" Trina's voice cut through my thoughts like a buzzing fly.

"Uh, yeah. Of course," I lied, glancing in the rearview mirror at her. She was staring at me like she didn't believe me for a second.

"Yeah, right," she muttered. "I was telling you about the new makeup line I'm thinking of launching on my channel. You're, like, so spacey today." Channel? I've missed so much.

I shot her a quick smile, trying to seem engaged. "Sorry, Trina. Just thinking about... stuff."

"Stuff?" Mom chimed in from the passenger seat. "Like school? Or?" she lowered her voice dramatically, "Is there a boy you're not telling us about?"

I almost laughed out loud at that. "Not a boy," I said, maybe a little too quickly.

Mom raised an eyebrow but didn't press further, thank God. The last thing I needed was to get into a conversation about dating right now- especially about Sam. I'd revealed enough to Trina, and I refuse to do the same with mom right now. There's no way in hell she's going to find out.

Trina let out a dramatic gasp. "Ooh, is there a girl you're not telling us about?" she teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I shot her a warning glare. They're not a girl for one, and really? The audacity? "Trina, can you just-"

Mom turned around in her seat, eyes wide with curiosity. "Wait, is there?"

Great. Now I've opened that door. I cursed myself for reacting too fast. "No, it's nothing like that," I said, trying to backpedal. "I just have a lot on my mind."

Trina let out an exaggerated groan, like I was the most boring person on the planet. "Ugh, you're no fun. I was hoping for some juicy drama."

I laughed softly despite myself, shaking my head. "Sorry to disappoint."

Mom gave me one of those knowing smiles, the kind that made me feel like she could see right through me. "Well, whenever you're ready to talk, you know I'm here."

"Thanks, Mom," I mumbled, grateful that she wasn't pushing the subject. At least not right now. But I knew her. If I didn't have some answers by the time we got home, there'd definitely be another conversation.

As I pulled into the mall parking lot and found a spot, I forced myself to focus on the day ahead. It was supposed to be a fun day out, a break from all the complications of college life, dating, and whatever weird feelings I had about Jade. But as much as I wanted to, I couldn't stop worrying.

Would it be weird? What if we ran out of things to talk about? What if they weren't actually interested in me like I thought?

"Okay, we're here!" I announced, a little too cheerfully, trying to distract myself from the nerves swirling in my stomach.

Trina bounced out of the car like a kid hyped up on sugar, already talking about which stores she wanted to hit first. Mom was a little slower, adjusting her purse and double-checking that the doors were locked. I took a deep breath, forcing a smile as I stepped out of the car and into the warm, sunny day.

No overthinking today. I needed to push the Sam stuff to the back of my mind for now. I'd deal with that on Monday.

For now, it was all about surviving Trina's shopping spree and keeping Mom from micromanaging every purchase. And maybe, just maybe, I'd actually find something cute to wear for this date. Something that made me feel like I was in control, like I wasn't about to freak out at the thought of liking someone new.

"Ready, girls?" Mom asked, her voice full of excitement.

I nodded, adjusting my sunglasses and throwing my arm around Trina's shoulders. "Ready as I'll ever be."

As we stepped into the mall, I already felt a knot forming in my stomach. The bustling crowds, the bright overhead lights, and the endless rows of stores- it was the perfect recipe for sensory overload. Trina, unsurprisingly, was practically vibrating with excitement, darting ahead of us while listing off all the stores she wanted to hit, her voice carrying through the mall like an echo.

"Let's go to Glitz & Glam first! We can check out their new lip gloss line!" Trina said, already pulling us toward the store, her eyes shining like she'd just spotted buried treasure.

I shot a glance at Mom, who was eyeing the more practical stores around us, probably hoping to snag some sensible clothes before we got lost in Trina's beauty haul.

"Maybe we can hit Glitz & Glam after we get through a few other places?" I suggested, hoping to stall the inevitable. "We're here for me, remember?"

Trina stopped mid-step and turned around, looking at me like I'd suggested something outrageous. "Tori, you're not serious! If we wait until later, all the good stuff will be gone. Plus, you need to look cute for your date, right?"

My blood ran cold. "What?" I shot her a look that I hoped would shut her up. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I beelined for the first store that looked mildly interesting, soon followed by the others.

But of course, Trina was Trina and totally didn't care. She cocked an eyebrow at me, her lips curling into a smirk. "Oh, come on, Tori. You've been acting all weird and spaced out since you got home. You've got that look- the one you always get when there's a guy involved." Well at least she's not saying it's Sam, so there's that sweet slice of anonymity. Mom is glancing between at this, and has stopped rifling through her purse.

I glared at her, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "There's no guy, Trina."

"Well, someone then," she said, folding her arms and giving me that infuriating big-sister look. "Come on, spill. Who is it?" I have the urge to smack her, or at least mess her hair up for toying with me like this in front of mom. Sure she hasn't outright said anything, but still. It's the principle.

Mom, who had been flipping through a rack of jeans, suddenly perked up, her head swivelling in our direction. "Wait, a date? Tori, you didn't mention anything about a date."

I groaned, feeling cornered. I hadn't wanted to talk about this here, especially not in front of both of them. "It's not a big deal," I muttered, grabbing a random shirt from a nearby rack and pretending to inspect it. "Just... someone I'm getting to know. Can we not do this right now?"

Trina wasn't having it, though. She grabbed the shirt out of my hand and tossed it back onto the rack. "Someone, huh? What's his name? Or... is it not a he?" Her eyes lit up as the pieces started falling into place. "Sam perhaps?"

I nearly dropped the next shirt I was holding. "Trina!"

Her grin widened, like she'd just hit the jackpot.

Mom blinked in confusion, turning to me with wide eyes. "Wait... Sam? As in... a girl?"

I sighed, feeling trapped and wishing I could sink into the floor. "Not a girl, Mom, but yes it's Sam. And yes, we're hanging out on Monday. Can we drop it now, please?"

But Trina, of course, couldn't resist. She was practically bouncing on her heels around the jeans, the teasing glint in her eyes shining even brighter. "Ooooh, Tori's got a date with Sam! You like them, don't you? Oh my god, you totally have a crush on them."

"I do not have a crush on!" I snapped, though the blush on my cheeks probably said otherwise. "We're just hanging out."

"Uh-huh," Trina said, drawing out the words like she didn't believe me for a second. "Sure, Jan. Hanging out. Right."

Mom was still processing everything, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Tori, sweetheart, I wish you'd told me sooner. How long has this been going on?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. This is getting way out of hand. "It's not really... going on, Mom. It's new. We've only hung out a couple of times."

Trina was still grinning like a maniac. "But you totally like them, don't you? I mean, the way you've been zoning out lately, it's so obvious."

I groaned, feeling like this was spiralling out of control. "Can we please talk about this later? Like, at home? Away from the entire mall?"

Mom finally seemed to pick up on how uncomfortable I was, and she put a hand on my arm, giving me a gentle smile. "Alright, honey. We'll talk later. I just... I didn't realise you were interested in someone like Sam."

My heart skipped a beat, unsure what she meant by that, but I forced myself to relax. "Yeah, well... surprise."

"Honestly, Tori, I think it's great," Trina said, smirking as she grabbed a tube of lip gloss from a nearby display. "Sam sounds cool. Definitely better than any of those other losers you've dated."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Thanks, Trina." I mumble sarcastically which goes right over her head.

"Hey, I'm just saying," she said, shrugging. "They're way more your type than, like, Ryder or whatever his name was."

I groaned again, not wanting to relive that disaster. "Okay, can we please change the subject?"

Trina laughed, looping her arm through mine and dragging me toward another rack of clothes. "Fine, fine. But don't think this conversation is over. I want all the details later."

As we continued shopping, I couldn't shake the feeling of being under a microscope. Trina kept throwing me knowing looks, and I could tell she was already planning her next round of teasing. And Mom... Well, I didn't even know what she was thinking. I just hoped this hadn't turned into some big, awkward thing.

Because honestly, the whole situation with Sam was already confusing enough without my family making it worse.

As we strolled through the bustling mall, Trina was still buzzing with excitement about Sam. I tried my best to tune her out, but every time she brought up motorcycles or "badass peeps," I felt my face flush all over again. She's not entirely wrong, Sam is very uh cool, and pretty and makes my heart flush.

We passed store after store, my eyes occasionally darting toward a display window that caught my attention. Trina, however, was on a mission. She grabbed my arm and dragged me into a trendy boutique without warning.

"Alright, Tori," she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder dramatically, " On Monday, you need to look amazing. No excuses."

I raised an eyebrow, half-amused and half-annoyed. "Trina, I think I can manage."

Trina scoffed. "Please. I've seen your wardrobe. You need my help." She marched over to a rack and started flipping through clothes, pulling out options without a second thought.

I sighed but followed her to the fitting rooms, figuring that maybe she had a point. It wouldn't hurt to find something cute for Monday. After all, I did want to make a good impression.

I was ushered into a dressing room with a room full of clothes and huffed. Quickly slipping into somethings. Gasping for breath in others, and downright wanting to set myself on fire at the leather pants.

Nothing felt quite right. Trina kept throwing more outfits over the door, telling me to "try this one" and "that's so not your style." But then, I found it, a simple yet chic outfit that felt perfect.

I stepped out of the dressing room, and Trina's eyes widened in approval.

It was a black fitted tank top with a slight V-neckline, paired with a high-waisted floral skirt that flared out just enough to be flirty but not over-the-top. The delicate pattern had soft pastel colours that stood out against the dark background, and the flow of the skirt made me feel confident and comfortable at the same time. I completed the look with a lightweight, cropped denim jacket Trina had suggested.

Trina's grin was all I needed. "Now that is what I'm talking about," she said, eyeing the outfit like she was the proud stylist on a makeover show. "You're definitely getting that."

I looked in the mirror, spinning slightly to see the skirt swish around my legs. I had to admit, it was a great choice. "Yeah, I like it," I said, smiling.

After we paid, we wandered through the food court, our stomachs growling. Mom had gone off to grab food for us, so we took a moment to rest and people-watch from a nearby bench.

"I bet Sam's gonna love that outfit," Trina teased, nudging me with her elbow.

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, enough about Sam already."

Just as we settled in, I spotted our mom walking toward us, holding a tray of food. But she wasn't alone. Walking beside her was a man I vaguely recognized, one of her coworkers, I think? He looked a little younger than Mom, tall with salt-and-pepper hair, dressed casually in jeans and a button-down shirt. They were laughing together, clearly comfortable with each other.

"Hey, girls!" Mom called out, smiling as she approached. "I ran into Greg here and thought he could join us for lunch."

Sure, why don't we invite that old couple over there too? What about that group of kids? Hey that couple looks fun we should bring them over too. I groan internally, wanting anything but this.

Greg smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked at Trina and me. "Nice to see you both again. It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Trina and I exchanged a look. "Yeah, uh, hi," I said, trying to remember the last time I'd seen him. Was it at one of Mom's work events?

As they sat down with us, I couldn't help but notice the way Mom and Greg interacted. There was something... different. They seemed really close, like more than just coworkers. They kept sharing these little glances, and Mom seemed extra animated, laughing at everything he said. I shot Trina a look, and she raised her eyebrows as if to say, Are you seeing this?

"So, Greg," Trina said with a mischievous grin, clearly ready to stir the pot, "how do you know our mom again?"

Greg chuckled, his smile easy and warm. "We work together, but we've been friends for a while now."

"Just friends?" Trina asked, not even bothering to hide the cheeky tone in her voice.

Mom shot her a warning look, her eyes widening comically. "Trina!"

"What?" Trina said, feigning innocence. "I'm just curious."

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh as I watched the awkward tension rise. Greg, for his part, seemed to take it all in stride, but Mom was definitely flustered.

"Well," Greg started, clearing his throat, "I suppose you could say we're... close friends."

Mom's face flushed a little, and she quickly tried to change the subject, asking us how our shopping trip had gone. But the curiosity in the air was palpable.

As we ate, I couldn't help but steal glances at Mom and Greg. Trina, of course, kept throwing in little comments that made the whole situation even more awkward, but Greg handled it like a pro, laughing it off and keeping the conversation light.

When lunch was over and Greg eventually said his goodbyes, Trina and I exchanged another look, both of us thinking the same thing.

"Mom," Trina said as soon as Greg was out of earshot, "are you sure you two are just friends?"

Mom sighed, clearly exasperated but smiling. "Yes, Trina."

But the way she said it didn't quite convince me. There was definitely more going on there, and Trina knew it too.

As we packed up to leave the mall, I couldn't help but wonder—what exactly was going on with Mom and Greg? Because whatever it was, it definitely wasn't just coworkers.

My phone buzzed again in my pocket, it was a picture of Sam. Covered in oil or grease, something black, I don't know, sitting out with their bike and tool kit. They were in a button down and ripped jeans, with their hair pulled back from the face, beaming at the camera.

Sam: Giving it a quick check before Monday, think you're up for it? ;)

I glanced around, Trina was walking ahead with mom, both talking animatedly, arms full of shopping bags as we crossed the parking lot.

Tori: You bet! I can't wait to see you.

Holy chiz what am I doing?

This is the next instalment, thanks so much for reading! Every fav/follow and review are greatly appreciated.

Chapter 7 will be coming on Wednesday, I have assignments due tomorrow so will have to focus on those.

alex02 ; Jade absolutely has things she needs to figure out, you've got that right! But maybe there's more going on with Jade than she's letting on, hm?

Lushcoltrane ; Jade is a gank that's for sure, but let's hope Tori can worm her way in either way! As for your college segment, that's exactly the vibe I was going for. That sounds wonderful :)

Until next time, dear readers.