Carly and Reina walked through the halls of Bushwell Plaza, their laughter a blend of delight and humor as Carly regaled Reina with another crazy iCarly moment.
"So wait, you mean he literally put on a dark brown wig and did a bad impression of you?" Reina asked, her tone light, though a faint shadow passed through her expression.
On the surface, she found the absurdity of the memory amusing. But deep inside, the thought twisted, stirring something uncomfortable—a ghost of a moment she'd tried to forget.
"Yeah!" Carly said, rolling her eyes with a grin. "His 'Carly' impression was… well, let's just say it was something else. I mean, it was funny, but I wasn't about to let Sam and Freddie know I thought so. They'd never let me live it down."
Reina chuckled softly, nodding along. "Sounds like the kind of chaos only iCarly could pull off."
Carly laughed, shaking her head. "You have no idea. That's just the tip of the iceberg. One day, I've got to show you some of the old footage. It's all saved on the iCarly servers."
Reina's smile wavered for a fraction of a second before she quickly masked it. Those old videos weren't just funny memories—they were proof of everything she used to be. Proof Carly hadn't seen yet. Would she still smile at Reina like this if she knew? She shifted her focus to Carly, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Well, it sounds like I've got a lot to catch up on," Reina said with a small laugh.
Carly beamed. "Oh, trust me, you'll love it. But hey—speaking of catching up, Spencer's probably going to ask you a million questions about yourself. Consider yourself warned."
"Oh, I know of the legendary Spencer Shay. I remember one time when you guys tried to break a world record where he brought out this insane sculpture with a ton of moving parts," Reina commented, a fond smile spreading across her face. Even at the time, she'd admired that level of craftsmanship.
"Yeah, in two seconds that sculpture went from the thing that seemingly ended our run at the world record to landing us in the book anyway," Carly said, laughing fondly as they arrived at the Shay homestead.
"Dad, Spencer, I'm home! And I brought company!" Carly called out as she entered the apartment.
"Hey, Snugbug, how was school today?" Colonel Shay asked, walking over and pulling his daughter into a warm hug.
Reina smiled at the scene, having only heard about Colonel Shay over the two weeks she'd known Carly. Now, she was about to meet the man who helped bring this absolute angel into the world.
"It was great, Dad," Carly said, stepping back from her father's embrace. She turned to Reina with a bright smile. "Dad, this is the lovely Reina Spicer. This is the girl I've been talking about."
Reina's cheeks flushed slightly at Carly's introduction, but she stepped forward, her voice steady despite her nerves. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir," she said formally, giving a playful salute.
"At ease, Miss Reina," Colonel Shay said with a smile, extending his hand. "Any friend of Carly's is welcome here, and there's no need for formality. You can call me Steve or Steven."
Reina hesitated briefly before shaking his hand, the warmth in his grip easing her jitters. "Thank you, Steven. It means a lot."
"The pleasure is mine, Miss Reina. Carly talks about you all the time. While she tells me quite a bit about school, there's always this sprinkle of 'Reina' to 'spice' up every conversation," Steven quipped with a playful grin.
Both girls laughed, Carly nudging Reina gently with her elbow. "See what I mean? He's full of dad jokes," Carly said, her tone fond.
Reina chuckled, some of her tension fading. "Well, I'd say that's a good quality in a dad."
"I may have been in the Air Force, but I'm a dad first and a Colonel second. Well, technically, I'm a Colonel no longer," Steven said, his voice softening as he placed a reassuring hand on Reina's shoulder. "I spent so much time away from my family. And while I'm proud of what I did for this country, I lost years with Carly and Spencer that I'll never get back."
Reina nodded, her expression thoughtful. "It sounds like you've more than made up for it, though," she said gently.
Steven smiled, giving her shoulder a light squeeze before stepping back. "I'm trying."
"Speaking of Spencer, where is he?" Carly asked, tilting her head toward the stairs.
Before anyone could answer, a loud "NO!" echoed from upstairs, followed immediately by the shrill wail of a smoke detector.
Carly groaned, rubbing her temple. "And there it is."
"I swear, that boy sculpts with incendium," Steven muttered, shaking his head.
"Hey, at least he isn't sculpting with explodium," Reina quipped, a smirk tugging at her lips as the three made their way to the third floor to check on Spencer.
Carly shot Reina a look, raising an eyebrow. Reina just shrugged, a playful smirk forming. "Hey, I read TV Tropes too, you know! I may be refined, but I am no prude, Miss Shay," she retorted, her tone betraying just a hint of primness—the very definition of a prude.
As they approached the iCarly studio, Carly and her father stormed in while Reina waited outside. Her nerves suddenly kicked in as she eyed the studio door, a faint unease curling in her stomach. Standing just outside the studio, Reina listened to the family's lively banter with a soft smile. The chaos of Carly's world was overwhelming, yet it carried a warmth she hadn't expected.
"HAVE AT THEE, O FIRE DEMON. SUCCUMB TO THE MIGHT OF THE ALL-POWERFUL SPENCER SHAY!" Spencer proclaimed as he brandished his fire extinguisher like a weapon of war.
Spencer continued to douse the blaze, unaware of his audience until the last of it was out.
"Bravo, bravo!" Carly mock-cheered, complete with exaggerated applause, her grin lighting up the room.
Spencer spun around, startled, his fire extinguisher still in hand like a sword in mid-swing. "Oh, hey, kiddo! Hey, Dad," he greeted, his voice a little sheepish. Then he froze, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "Wait… how much of that did you see?"
"Oh, just the part about a fire demon and you brandishing your almighty Ex-tinguish-calibur," Carly smirked, crossing her arms as her tone practically dripped with amusement.
"Oh, you mean my masterpiece of a fire-fighting weapon?" Spencer said, his grin wide as he struck a heroic pose with the fire extinguisher. "This baby is going to be legendary. Maybe Socko can help me mass-produce it!"
With a flourish, he grabbed a marker from his art supplies and scrawled bold, uneven letters along the side of the extinguisher. "And now, it's official—Ex-tinguish-calibur!" he declared, holding it up triumphantly.
Carly snorted, shaking her head with a laugh. "You're unbelievable."
Steven sighed, his tone exasperated but affectionate. "What am I going to do with you, Spencer?"
"You're going to stay here while I take this thing to Socko's sibling Ember to get it recharged," Spencer responded as he made his way to the door.
"Spencer, wait, there's someone I want you to meet," Carly called out before her brother could leave.
"Oh, is it that Reina girl you've been telling us about for the past two weeks? Do I have to give her the old 'what are your intentions with my sister?' talk?" he asked in a mock serious tone.
"Spencer, I have no idea what you're talking about," Carly retorted defensively—a blush slowly creeping up her cheeks.
"Spencer, give your sister a break. Reina is a very lovely young lady," Steven said with a fond smile. "And now that I've had the pleasure of meeting her myself, I can see why Carly's mentioned her so often."
Spencer smirked, his expression playful as he glanced toward Carly. "You know, Reina's got to be pretty special if Carly's bringing her here. She's never brought anyone to the studio just to hang out."
"Spencer!" Carly exclaimed, her voice rising in exasperation as her cheeks flushed pink.
Reina, waiting just outside the studio, shifted nervously, her ears picking up faint snippets of the exchange through the partially closed door. She couldn't hear every word, but Carly's flustered tone made her lips twitch into an amused smile.
"Spencer, come on, behave yourself," Steven added, shaking his head. "You know Carly wouldn't bring someone here unless she thought they were worth it."
Spencer smirked, holding his fire extinguisher-turned-Ex-tinguish-calibur like a knight preparing for battle. "Fine, fine. But for the record, I still reserve the right to deliver the 'big brother' speech when the time comes."
"Spencer, at ease with that thing," Steven said in his best Colonel voice, shaking his head. "You've got more smoke than fire up here—and that's saying something," he added, tapping the side of his head with a knowing look.
Spencer sheepishly lowered the Ex-tinguish-calibur, his grin faltering for a moment. "Yes, sir," he muttered, though the mischievous glint in his eyes didn't completely fade.
"Come on, I think the suspense is eating her up, Spence." Carly urged, having grown accustomed to Reina's nervous tendencies. Carly led the two out of the studio where Reina stood fidgeting with her charm bracelet.
"Reina," Carly began softly, grabbing the blonde's attention. "This is my brother, Spencer," Carly introduced as she motioned to Spencer.
"Hello, it is a pleasure to meet you," Reina greeted, attempting to suppress an old memory of a time when she snapped at him. When that memory faded, the memory of a friendlier interaction replaced it.
Spencer studied Reina for just a moment too long before extending his hand. There's something familiar about her—I think it's those eyes, Spencer thought to himself before extending a hand. "Hey, nice to meet you. I'm Spencer; brilliant artist and part-time fencer," he introduced, smirking at his little rhyme.
"Oh, you fence?" Reina asked in genuine curiosity.
"Yeah, every Thursday night. My girlfriend gets a little leery about it, but it's very… freeing." Spencer paused before settling on the right word.
"I can see that, and it builds great hand-eye coordination," Reina commented, her wisdom shining through as she tried to bond with Carly's older brother. "It's kind of like me with cooking," she added softly, a small smile playing at her lips.
"That's awesome," Spencer replied, genuinely interested.
"Did I just hear you say you like to cook?" Steven asked, his tone light but intrigued, his smile widening at the new bit of information.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Reina responded, unsure where Colonel Shay was going with this.
"Because I need someone to help me while Carly does her homework," Steven replied, his tone hopeful.
"Dad's probably right. I should go do that," Carly said, flashing a quick smile. "I haven't gotten a bad grade yet." With that, she grabbed her backpack and started toward her room.
"I'd love to help, sir," Reina said, her voice steady despite the small knot of nerves tightening in her stomach.
Steven's expression softened as he raised his hand, giving a playful command. "Miss Spicer, ten-hut!"
Reina stopped abruptly, turning on her heel with a nervous smile. "Yes, sir?"
Steven chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, Reina. I told you—you don't need to be formal with me. Around here, I'm Steven or just 'Carly's dad.' Deal?"
"I'm sorry," Reina replied sheepishly, her fingers instinctively fidgeting with the charm bracelet on her wrist. "It's a force of habit."
Steven grinned, motioning toward the stairs. "Well, let's break that habit. Come on—if you can survive the chaos in this house, I think you'll do just fine."
"And that leaves me to go fortify the almighty EX-TINGUISH-CALIBUR!" Spencer proclaimed, raising the tool high above his head like a victorious knight.
He strode toward the door with exaggerated purpose, addressing no one in particular. "Fear not, citizens of Bushwell Plaza! The flames shall face their doom at the hands of Spencer Shay, wielder of EX-TINGUISH-CALIBUR!"
As he reached the stairs, he paused for dramatic effect, spinning the extinguisher once in his hand. "And with this mighty weapon recharged, no flame shall disrupt the Shay household again!" Spencer strode down the stairs of Bushwell Plaza, humming an improvised hero's theme under his breath as the EX-TINGUISH-CALIBUR rested confidently in his hands.
Before long, Spencer was at the small shop that specialized in fire safety equipment. He walked in slowly, his appearance becoming more sheepish as he approached the counter.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my most frequent fire flyer," Ember began playfully with an amused smile.
"Hey, Ember," Spencer greeted bashfully as he set the extinguisher on the table.
"Spencer Shay, I swear you've got to be a firebender or something. You start fires even when things are doused in non-flammable liquid," Ember teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Then she glanced at the extinguisher and smirked. "Oh my gosh, you branded it!"
"That was Carly's idea, for once. I just ran with it because it was cute," Spencer said, mock-defensive as he crossed his arms.
Ember chuckled, shaking her head as she took the extinguisher and placed it behind the counter. "How's Carly, anyway? I've never met her, but I feel like I know her. You talk about her enough."
"She's great," Spencer replied with a grin. "She's got this new friend over that she's been hanging out with a lot. Personally, I think there's more than just a friendship there."
"Oh please, of course there's more than just a friendship there. There always is with boys," Ember commented as she grabbed the extinguisher to refill it.
"I never said it was a boy," Spencer said softly.
"Oh… oh! I… just… assumed." Ember stammered with genuine regret in her voice over the assumption.
"It's okay, I know exactly why you would think that based on the past, but she discovered she wasn't straight in Italy," Spencer explained.
"Do you honestly think it was wise to out your sister to me?" Ember asked with a touch of anger in her voice.
Spencer paused, his face reddening with embarrassment. Ember took the silence as a sign to continue. "She likely struggled with that decision for who knows how long. It probably ate her up inside, and even when she came to that realization, it's scary to tell people because you don't know what kind of harm that can cause even if you know the person you are telling. You might know me, but Carly does not. For all Carly knows, you just put her in danger."
"You're… you're right. That wasn't cool of me," Spencer said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I got carried away because, well, I'm just really proud of her, you know? Carly's figuring out who she is, and she's happier than I've seen her in a long time. I wasn't trying to share her story without permission—I just… messed up."
Ember's expression softened, their tone gentler now. "I get it, Spencer. It sounds like you care about her a lot. Just remember, it's her story to tell, okay?"
"Absolutely," Spencer replied earnestly. "Lesson learned. Don't worry—I'll make sure Carly knows I'm on her side, not stepping on her toes."
"Good," Ember replied as she continued to work with Ex-tinguish-calibur. Spencer could only watch as thoughts of his sister swirled around in his mind. It must have been hard when you came out. I hope Reina makes you happy.
Carly sat at her desk with a science textbook open in front of her. She was doing well in all her classes, but tonight, with this particular textbook, it was as if she were reading Sanskrit. The words were clear, but the meaning slipped through her grasp, her mind clouded by one thought, one image, one voice—Reina.
Why won't you let me focus? Carly's fingers curled against the edge of the desk. You're beautiful, smart, talented, kind… but I can't feel this. There's no way someone like you would ever fall for someone like me, especially this soon.
Her cheeks burned at the thought, but she shook her head, trying to banish the flicker of hope that tried to surface. I can't lose you—not like this. Carly gritted her teeth, forcing her gaze back to the textbook. She would power through these assignments if it killed her.
Downstairs, Reina stood in the Shay family kitchen, side by side with Steven as they prepared dinner. The warm scent of spaghetti bake and garlic bread filled the air, but Reina's mind was far from the task at hand.
"Do you think they're going to like this?" Reina asked, her voice quiet as she placed an uncertain hand on the counter.
"Oh, I absolutely do," Steven said warmly, glancing at her. "Miss Reina, you have a gift in the kitchen. Don't ever forget that."
Reina smiled faintly but didn't answer right away. She stared at the simmering pan, her thoughts swirling. They don't know who I really am. If they did, would they still look at me like this? Would they still let me stand here?
"You know, at one point in time, I would have said exactly that. But…" She hesitated, her voice faltering. "I did some things in my past I'm not proud of. Being left to my own devices made me really start thinking about all of it. Running into Carly again… it brought everything to the surface."
"What do you mean?" Steven asked, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made Reina pause. There was something in his tone—curiosity, yes, but also… something else.
Reina's grip tightened on the edge of the counter. This is it. Say it. "I hurt Carly in the past. I haven't always been Reina. That's my name now, after transitioning to live as a woman. But before then…" She paused, her voice barely above a whisper. "My name was... Nevel."
The sound of a door creaking broke the tension. Steven's head turned sharply, and Reina froze.
"Papperman?" a low, cold voice asked.
Reina turned to see Spencer standing in the doorway, his expression a mixture of disbelief and suspicion. He strode toward them, his gaze fixed on Reina.
"You'd better start talking right now," Spencer ordered with fire in his eyes.
Reina's chest tightened, and her voice wavered as she glanced toward the extinguisher in Spencer's hand. "Please put that down…" she managed.
Spencer looked at the extinguisher in his grip and quickly set it aside. "Okay, it's down. Now talk," he said, crossing his arms.
"Spencer," Steven began, stepping forward, but Spencer held up a hand, cutting him off.
Spencer stared at Reina, his voice rising. "Nevel Papperman? Are you kidding me? Carly let you into this house?"
Steven moved between them, his tone calm but carrying an edge of authority. "Take a breath, Spencer."
"Take a breath? Do you even know what this… person did to Carly?" Spencer snapped, motioning toward Reina, who had stepped back, her hands trembling at her sides.
Steven folded his arms, his gaze steady. "I wasn't here to see it firsthand, Spencer, but I've heard enough over the years. And I also know something you don't."
Spencer frowned, his anger giving way to confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Steven sighed, glancing toward Reina, whose pale face betrayed her unease. "I met Mrs. Papperman during one of my deployments. She mentioned her son Nevel a few times—how brilliant and ambitious he was, but also how he struggled. She was worried about him, but at the time, I didn't understand the full picture. Now, standing here, I do."
Reina's voice wavered as she finally spoke. "You knew my mother?"
Steven nodded. "We met in Oman. She confided in me about her fears for you. She said you were going through something she didn't fully understand but wanted to support you through it."
Reina's expression tightened, her voice barely above a whisper. "She never told me any of that."
Steven turned to Spencer, his voice firm. "Look, I get why you're upset. But Reina isn't hiding anymore—at least not here. She's trying to own her mistakes and make things right. Whether you like it or not, that's going to take time, and she deserves a chance to prove she's not the person you remember."
Spencer hesitated, his shoulders still tense. He stared at Reina for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if searching for something. There's something familiar about her… something I can't quite place.
Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know… This is a lot to process."
"Take your time," Steven replied, his voice softening. "But don't make Carly's decisions for her. She'll figure out how to handle this in her own way."
Spencer's eyes flickered toward Reina again, his voice quieter but still sharp. "I trusted you once. Don't make me regret that, and don't let Carly stay in the dark forever. She deserves to know the truth—on your terms."
"Thank you," Reina responded softly, giving a small bow of her head. She walked toward the oven as the timer sounded, but not before turning back to Spencer. "By the way, I do enjoy your sculptures. I'm sorry I ever let you believe otherwise. I just… never let myself see beauty in this world—not if I couldn't see it in me."
Reina paused, her gaze lingering on Spencer for a moment before she reached into the oven and carefully pulled out the pan.
Carly made her way downstairs and smiled at the scene in the kitchen. "I knew something smelled wonderful in here. How's everyone getting along?"
"We're all great, Snugbug. Reina's amazing in the kitchen," Steven replied with a proud smile.
"Oh? What's on the menu?" Carly asked, her curiosity piqued.
Reina stepped forward with a proud smile.
"Well, Miss Shay, on tonight's menu we have a simple tossed salad with your choice of ranch or thousand-island dressing, a spaghetti bake with a side of garlic bread, and your choice of orange soda or root beer," Reina finished, causing Carly to giggle.
"And what even Chef Reina doesn't know is that for dessert, I bought a Boston cream pie that's currently resting in the fridge," Steven added with a smile. The moment they heard the name of the confection, Carly and Spencer's eyes lit up, and their mouths began to water.
Reina giggled with a fond smile as she and Steven began plating dinner for everyone. "And with that, dinner is served," Reina said with a flourish as she sat down to her own plate.
Carly and Steven dug in immediately, but Spencer paused for a beat, studying the food before him. His hesitation vanished when Carly exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, Reina, this is amazing," her cheeks noticeably flushed as she spoke around a mouthful of food.
"Why, thank you, Miss Shay, but your father was also involved, lest ye forget," Reina replied with playful formality, a glimmer of humor in her tone.
"Yes, thank you both," Carly said with a smile toward her father. Dinner went on in small moments of conversation and silent appreciation for the banquet they were enjoying. The warmth of the meal lingered as the conversation ebbed and flowed, punctuated by laughter and quiet moments of appreciation for the delicious food. As the last bites of Boston cream pie were savored, Carly stretched and yawned.
"That was amazing," Carly said, her voice tinged with satisfaction. "But I think I'm ready to call it a night. You coming, Reina?"
"Of course," Reina replied with a soft smile, gathering her bag.
Carly led the way upstairs, the cozy ambiance of the kitchen giving way to the familiar comfort of her room.
"Would you mind if I borrowed your vanity, Carly? I need to remove all this makeup," Reina asked as she set down her bag.
"Yeah… but…" Carly hesitated, unsure if she should continue. Oh come on, Shay, you know she's going to make you say it.
"But what?" Reina asked softly, a genuine vulnerability lacing her words.
Carly shifted nervously, her fingers twisting in the hem of her shirt. "You never really needed makeup to begin with… I… I think you're beautiful just the way you are," Carly finished softly, her cheeks flushing as she glanced down, suddenly unable to meet Reina's eyes.
Reina blinked, caught off guard. For a moment, she simply stared at Carly, her lips curving into the softest of smiles. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with emotion.
As Reina continued to remove her makeup, Carly sat on her bed, stealing glances at the girl. Everything about her was amazing—her golden blonde hair, the careful way she worked at her eyeliner, the vulnerability in her eyes when she looked into the mirror. Carly's heart skipped a beat. She knew exactly what she felt for Reina in that moment.
Needing a distraction, Carly grabbed some spare linens to set up the custom ice cream sandwich couch.
"You… you're beautiful, Rainy," Carly said softly, almost without thinking.
Reina froze for a moment, glancing over her shoulder. "Um… Carly?" she asked nervously, standing up from the vanity. "I… I'm finished. P-please don't laugh," Reina added, her voice trembling slightly.
Carly paused, finishing the couch setup before turning to Reina. She walked over, her gaze locking on Reina's face. Something about her looked familiar and yet so uniquely, breathtakingly beautiful.
"
You're absolutely beautiful, Reina," Carly breathed out, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You… you think so? Truly?" Reina asked, her formal tone slipping through her nervousness.
"Yes," Carly replied, her voice soft and steady. "M-may I hug you?" she added, her words laced with hopeful softness.
Reina, sensing Carly's vulnerability, let a teasing smirk play on her lips. "No, you may not," she replied instantly. Carly's face fell, her eyes widening slightly, before Reina laughed softly and pulled her into a tight hug. "You may be a princess… but I am a queen," Reina whispered, holding Carly close.
Carly let out a shaky laugh, relaxing in Reina's arms. Then Reina leaned down slightly, her lips near Carly's ear. "May I kiss your cheek?" she whispered, her tone both playful and serious.
Carly froze for a moment, her heart racing. Then, before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in and kissed Reina on the cheek instead, the boldness of her own action surprising her.
"In this domain," Carly murmured, her lips curving into a smirk, "I am a queen."
Reina blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before a warm smile spread across her face. "Well then, I must say, my queen, that was nice," Reina commented softly, a playful lilt in her tone.
Carly's cheeks flushed, and she hesitated. "You… you think so?" she asked, her voice quieter now, unsure if she'd gone too far.
Reina reached out and brushed Carly's hand lightly, her touch steady and reassuring. "I do," she replied with a sincerity that made Carly's heart flutter.
Carly glanced at her phone, noticing a text from Sam:
Sam: Hey, Carls, do you, Reina, Freddie, and Maria wanna meet me and Shelby at the Groovy Smoothie tomorrow night?
She turned to Reina with a smile. "Hey, Sam just invited you, me, Freddie, and Maria to the Groovy Smoothie tomorrow night to meet up with her and her girlfriend Shelby. What do you think?"
Reina hesitated for a moment, her fingers fidgeting with the charm bracelet on her wrist. Then she smiled in Carly's direction. "Yes, I would love that," she said sweetly before walking to the couch.
Carly texted Sam back with their confirmation before turning to Reina with a playful tilt of her head. "What are you doing?" Carly asked.
Reina blinked. "Um… getting ready to sleep? Isn't that what you're doing?"
Carly shook her head, her smile softening. "Nope. That couch is mine tonight. You're sleeping in my bed."
Reina's steps faltered as Carly gently took her hand and guided her to the bed. "Are you sure? I don't want to take your spot…" Reina said, her voice uncertain.
"You're not taking anything. I want you to have it," Carly reassured her. "Besides, I've slept on that couch a hundred times. It's like a memory foam sandwich."
Reina chuckled softly but didn't resist as Carly helped her settle into the bed. She laid down carefully, still unsure of how to accept such kindness.
Before Reina could say anything, Carly smoothed the blanket over her and tucked her in, her hand lingering for a moment. Then, with a sudden burst of courage, Carly leaned down and kissed Reina softly on the forehead.
"Goodnight, Reina," Carly whispered, her voice barely audible as she turned to head toward the couch.
Reina's cheeks warmed, her hand instinctively brushing where Carly's lips had been. "Goodnight, Carly," she murmured, her voice soft and full of something she hadn't felt in a long time—peace.
The next morning, Reina sat bolt upright as her phone rang. She grabbed it quickly, trying not to wake Carly. Her brows furrowed as the person on the other end spoke, tension creeping into her expression, but by the end of the call, she smiled faintly.
"Scheiße," Reina muttered in perfect German, scrambling to gather her things. The commotion was enough to stir Carly awake.
"Rei-Reina? What's going on?" Carly asked, stretching and rubbing her eyes.
"That was my mother on the phone. I completely forgot I had a therapy session this morning. She's on her way, but she said I can come back after," Reina explained, her tone frustrated but grateful.
"Well, on the positive side, you get to come back," Carly replied, a soft smile spreading across her face. "I would love that, by the way."
Before long, Reina received a text from her mother saying she was outside. After insisting she'd see herself out, Carly hesitated for a moment before leaning in, her heart pounding as she pressed a soft kiss to Reina's cheek. Reina blinked, startled at first, before her lips curved into the faintest smile.
"I'll see you later?" Carly asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"You couldn't stop me if you tried," Reina replied with a smirk, though her tone carried a warmth that lingered even as she turned and started the sojourn to her mother's car.
Reina paused by the door, her bag slung over her shoulder, when Spencer appeared at the top of the stairs.
"Hey, Reina," he called, jogging down to meet her. Carly had gone back to her room, giving them a moment alone.
"Heading out already?" Spencer asked casually, leaning against the doorframe.
"Just for a bit," Reina replied, adjusting her bag. "I'll be back after my session."
Spencer nodded, folding his arms. "Look, before you go, I just wanted to say something."
Reina raised an eyebrow, her grip tightening on the strap of her bag. "What's on your mind?"
Spencer hesitated, his usual playful demeanor subdued. "When we met, there was something… familiar about you. And then, you know, after everything, it clicked. Now I know why."
Reina's breath hitched, but she steadied herself, her voice calm. "And how do you feel about that?"
Spencer shrugged, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I feel like it's weird. But not in a bad way. It's just… I don't know, seeing someone I thought I had all figured out turn out to be completely different. Different, but better."
Reina's lips parted slightly, her gaze softening as his words sunk in. "Thank you. That means a lot."
Spencer's grin faltered slightly, and his tone grew serious. "Good. Because like I said yesterday—I trusted you once. Don't make me regret that."
Reina swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. "I understand," she said softly. "And thank you—for giving me a chance."
Spencer stepped aside, opening the door for her. "See you later. And good luck at your session."
As Reina walked out, Spencer lingered by the door for a moment, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's strange," he muttered to himself, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Seeing someone I thought I had all figured out become someone so… different. But better. Definitely better."
Sliding into the passenger seat, Reina kept quiet, her thoughts buzzing as she pulled out her phone to message Maria.
ReinStorm206: Hey Ria, I'm just headed back from Carly's apartment.
CyberBloom: Oh, how did it go, Rainy?
ReinStorm206: It went great! I can't believe this, but she actually kissed me on the cheek! I think she really likes me!
CyberBloom: That's amazing, Rainy! I've been spending a lot of time with Freddie. I think we're on the same wavelength, but I'm not sure when or how to tell him I'm trans.
ReinStorm206: You'll know when the time is right. It's not about keeping a secret—it's about feeling safe. BTW, Carly invited us to the Groovy Smoothie later. Sam's bringing her girlfriend, so it'll be like a triple date. What do you think?
CyberBloom: That sounds amazing! Let me check with Freddie, but I'd love to come.
Reina put her phone away, leaning back in the car seat. As they pulled away from Bushwell Plaza, she stared out the window, a faint smile tugging at her lips. For the first time in years, she felt like she was where she belonged—but the fear of losing it all lingered just beneath the surface.