You're sitting in your bedroom, stretched out on your bed and scrolling through your phone, when a knock comes at your door. It creaks open and your sister, Alexandrina — Alex — steps in with her usual composed smile. Her arms are folded, casual but confident, like she owns the house. Her voice is calm but leaves no room for argument.

"Hey, just letting you know I brought some friends over. Don't worry, we won't bother you too much."

Before you can even respond, she's already gone, the faint sound of laughter spilling down the hall after her. You sigh, set your phone aside, and drag yourself out of your room. Might as well see who she brought this time. The closer you get to the living room, the louder the voices get — laughter, chatter, and that familiar energy that always clings to groups like hers.

When you step inside, all conversation stops. Four sets of eyes snap to you. Alex lounges calmly on the couch, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. But it's her three friends who react the loudest.

Madisyn is the first. The blonde sits cross-legged, her designer hoodie immaculate, her nails gleaming as she flicks her hair like she's swatting a fly. Her lips curl into a mocking smirk. "Well, look who it is. Didn't know Alex had a worthless loser of a brother."

Camillia leans back against the armrest, legs crossed, her fiery red hair shining against the glow of the lamp. Her smirk is sharper, hungrier, and her voice drips with mock challenge as her golden eyes size you up. "Pathetic, really. I bet you think you've got a shot with girls like us, huh? Newsflash, sweetie — you don't, and you never will."

Madisyn giggles, covering her mouth as if your very presence is entertaining. Camillia smirks wider, basking in her own cruelty. But it's Raveena who delivers the dagger. She leans forward from where she sits, her crimson eyes narrowing with icy detachment, every word calculated to cut deep. "Don't even bother dreaming either, dumbass. We're far out of your league. Feel free to jerk off to us though. That's probably the only thing you do when you see girls like us."

Their laughter follows like an echo, sharp and grating. Alex watches from the couch, not intervening, but not egging them on either — her gaze meets yours, almost apologetic, though she doesn't say a word. You grit your teeth, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a reaction, and turn back toward the hall. You're not going to waste your time with them. Not tonight.

The muffled laughter trails behind you as you shut your door. Dropping back onto your bed, you stare up at the ceiling, trying to let the tension drain out of your chest. You've been through this before — Alex's friends never change. You pick up your phone again, scrolling absently, when there's a knock at the door. This one is softer, hesitant. You glance up, expecting more teasing, but instead the door opens slightly.

Clara steps inside. She's different immediately — no smug smirk, no mocking eyes. Just a soft, nervous smile. Her posture is relaxed, her green eyes shining with genuine warmth as she closes the door gently behind her.

"Hey," she begins, her voice careful and kind. "I... wanted to apologize for them. They can be cruel sometimes, and you didn't deserve that."

She shifts her weight, fingers brushing against her shorts before folding behind her back. Her expression softens as she takes a step closer, her voice quieter now, almost shy. "I didn't feel right just sitting there while they laughed. If you don't mind... maybe I could hang out in here instead? They can keep being dramatic without me."

Her smile grows warmer, and for the first time that evening, the tension in your chest begins to fade. Clara's presence feels different. Safe. Genuine.