"Okay, so we've got popcorn, we've got drinks, and we've got a stack of romcoms, girls' night starts NOW!"

Rose chimed excitedly as she settled down next to me on the plush couch—we'd taken over the tv room in their basement. After a particularly grueling week in both Science Tech and Media Studies, Rose had begged me for a sleepover night to relax. It hadn't been hard to convince me. Dad and Uncle Bucky however, were a bit more difficult. But I'd eventually won, so now I was in for a night of fun with my best friend.

Rose chattered on as she set up the first movie, while I sat there momentarily startled by the thought that Rose was my best friend. I hadn't had one of those in awhile, and it felt a bit surreal.

The loud tones of the film company's logo filled the room and we cuddled up with our blankets.

Two tubs of popcorn later, we were in the middle of the third movie when we paused for a bathroom break. Rose headed to the top floor to use her ensuite, while I went to use the one on the main floor. When I exited, I found Rose's brother sitting on a kitchen chair, watching the bathroom door expectantly.

As I exited, he grinned victoriously. "Well, hello there."

I rolled my eyes, "Hi, Taylor."

He hopped up from the chair and strolled over to me, slouching against the wall, "Been awhile since I've gotten to see you." He smirked, "Somehow you've gotten even more gorgeous."

Flustered, I rolled my eyes again and went to move past him, but he just turned and followed me.

"Oh, so it's okay to text but we can't talk in person?"

I chuckled, "Of course we can, but tonight I'm here to hang with Rose and I don't want to keep her waiting."

He looked upwards to the next floor, "My sister will probably still be a few more minutes, you can entertain me until then, surely."

I thought for a moment, forcing back a giddy smile, "Fine- but just until she comes downstairs."

He grinned, showing off his cute dimples, "I'll take it."

Shaking my head as I laughed lightly, I crossed my arms over my chest and smirked back at him, "So what did you, um, want to talk about?"

He shrugged, "Have any exciting plans for the rest of the weekend?"

I thought for a moment, desperately trying to think of something before giving up and frowning, "Not really, mostly just homework."

He scrunched his nose in disgust, "Boring. Why don't—"

"Hey, leave Y/N alone, Taylor." Rose stepped off the stairs, and tugged me towards her with a stage whisper, "Sorry you had to interact with him."

As I followed Rose back down to the basement, I glanced back briefly at Taylor—who had shoved his hands in his pockets and was walking away— and shrugged, "He's not so bad."

She looked at me like I was crazy, "Taylor? Not bad? You must be kidding-he's so annoying!"

I made a noncommittal hum, but sighed internally. And that was why I couldn't tell my best friend about my crush. She'd never support it. Plus, what if it made things awkward?

Pushing the thoughts away, I grabbed a bowl of candy and settled back with Rose on the couch. We chatted and joked throughout the next few movies, gushing over one of the cute actors and laughing at all the similarities between a stereotypical billionaire character and Tony. Around 2am, we finally called it quits and started getting ready for bed. We had set up two air mattresses on the basement floor and turned the space into a nest full of soft fluffy blankets.

I curled up on my mattress, sleepily exchanged goodnights with Rose, and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, my body clock woke up me up at 7am, but Rose continued to slumber peacefully next to me. I slowly eased out of the nest, not wanting to disturb her, and headed upstairs to the bathroom. Snagging a banana off their counter on the way back to the basement, I ate that while sitting on the couch and playing on my phone while waiting for Rose to wake up.

My phone buzzed with an incoming message.

Taylor: Was that you I heard up?

Y/N: Yep, sorry did I wake you?

Taylor: No, I was already up. Did you want breakfast? Rose always sleeps late anyway.

I looked over at my sleeping friend… she had warned me that she would probably sleep in. She had said I could help myself to anything in the kitchen for breakfast, but even with that carte blanche, I wouldn't feel comfortable just rummaging about someone else's cupboards and fridge, so had been prepared to content myself with the banana despite my grumbling stomach. But if another household member was offering to eat with me…well, that would just be rude to turn down.

Quickly, before I lost the nerve, I texted back.

Y/N: Sure, why not. Meet you in the kitchen in a few minutes?

Taylor: Sounds good :)

I quickly changed out of my pajamas and brushed my hair, before heading up to the main level. Taylor was already there, wearing a well-fitting band shirt and dark jeans. He perked up as I entered the kitchen, "So, what would you like for breakfast?"

"What do you have?"

"Fruit, cereal, bagels, waffles, I was going to make French toast for myself… if you wanted some?"

I raised an eyebrow at him, "You know how to cook?"

He looked offended, "Hey, guys can cook too, you know!"

I laughed lightly, "Hey, not saying they can't. I'm just used to my dad… and it's a risk anytime he's left unsupervised in the kitchen."

He chuckled, "Cool, so I have at least one thing I can one-up a billionaire on. Is that a yes to the French toast then?"

I nodded, "French toast would be good, thanks. Want me to do anything?"

He shook his head adamantly, "Nope, just take a seat and I'll have it ready for you shortly."

I did as he said, sitting at the kitchen island and watching him prepare breakfast. We chatted about the most random things as he cooked, and I watched him wistfully anytime he was turned away from me.

Before long, he served me a plate of French toast. "Would you like syrup, icing sugar, or any fruit for a topping?"

Not wanting to make him do anything extra, I asked, "What are you having on yours?"

He grinned boyishly, "All of it."

I grinned back, "Then so will I."

His grin widened and he returned quickly with the syrup, sugar, and a bowl of strawberries. He looked at me conspiratorially for a moment, then also pulled out the canister of spray whip cream.

We loaded up our French toast, and I started eating.

"Oh my god," I stared at him in disbelief, "This is incredible!"

Dad had ordered breakfast from some of the best restaurants in the city and I was pretty sure this was still the best French toast I had ever had.

He blushed and looked down at his plate, "Glad you like it."

We continued making small talk as we ate and for a bit longer. Eventually, I got up to clear away the dishes. Taylor followed and when I turned away from the sink, he was standing right next to me.

He smirked at me, gesturing next to his mouth, "You have a little something."

My eyes darted between his mouth and his eyes, frozen slightly as he continued, his voice low, "Do you want me to get it for you?"

My mouth suddenly felt dry, my brain malfunctioning as I struggled to figure out how to respond to that.

He seemed to take my silence as a yes though, stepping slightly closer.

The sound of feet bounding up the stairs startled us both and we pulled apart, the moment gone. I cleared my throat awkwardly as I turned back to the sink and Taylor practically jumped to the island to reach for the condiments.

Rose entered the kitchen, "Good morning, Y/N! Taylor."

Even with my back turned to them, I could hear the eye roll as Taylor responded, "Morning, sis."

I turned to face Rose, hoping my face wasn't red, "Good morning, girl."

She came over to me, Taylor putting the rest of the food away and skulking out of the kitchen behind her.

"So, how'd you sleep?"

I smiled at her, "Good, good. You?"

"Awesome! Yeah, I also slept pretty well. You ate already?"

I nodded. "Yup."

"Cool, I'm just gonna pop a toaster waffle and then we can figure out what we want to do next?"

"Sounds like a plan."

She had her breakfast, then we went for a walk in her neighbourhood. She lived more in the suburbs, out of the city centre, and I looked around, hit by the feeling of nostalgia. It felt more like home here. Not the constant bustle of downtown Manhattan. No hordes of pedestrians, or constant honking of horns. No engines running, or streetcars screeching past.

There were tall trees on the large lawns, well-kept gardens, and we passed only a few people, including an elderly couple walking their dog. We came to a small playground, and since no kids were around, we indulged our inner children. Running up and down the small metal ramps, racing each other to the top of the slides and to the bottom, and climbing across the monkey-bars. We ended at the swings, seeing who could get the highest.

Soon, kids started showing up, so we abandoned the park and crossed the street to the bus stop, catching the next bus that showed up and heading to the mall. I had the credit card from Tony in my wallet, but still stuck to using my small amount of cash. I didn't buy much, since there wasn't really anything I needed. Same for Rose. We mostly just window shopped, then had lunch and ice cream in the cafeteria. Around 3 pm, I got a text from Dad, telling me Happy was waiting for me in the parking lot.

Rolling my eyes at my stalker of a father, Rose and I went out to the car. We went back to Rose's house first so I could pick up my stuff. Taylor was playing video games in the living room as I went past, so I gave him an awkward wave goodbye. I gave Rose a hug and got in the car to head back home.

Dad was waiting in the penthouse, "How was the sleepover?"

I beamed at him, "It was great!"

Peter bounded into the room, "I want details!"

I laughed, "Well, c'mon then."

We ran out of the room and my bedroom.

We sat cross-legged on the bed, facing each other.

Peter looked at me expectantly, with wide eyes. "So?"