The late afternoon sun dipped lazily through the windows of the Quest mansion, casting a golden warmth across the kitchen. Flour dusted the marble counter. Chopped veggies, pepperoni slices, grated cheese, and bowls of homemade sauce were arranged like a colorful collage. Blair stood at the center of it all, tying her apron and nervously glancing at the ticking clock.
"She'll be here soon," she muttered, smoothing the hem of her shirt.
The doorbell rang.
Maddie was the first to arrive—grinning, her curls bouncing with every step. She carried a small tote bag and a bottle of soda.
"Chef Blair in action? I love this already."
"You're just in time to help with the dough," Blair said, handing her a rolling pin.
Jasmine came next—messy bun, oversized hoodie, and a cool but quieter energy. She gave Blair a soft smile before sliding onto a stool.
"Smells good in here."
Finally, Cassie breezed in, all sleek hair and casual confidence. "I brought chocolate chips...for dessert."
They were, for a moment, just four girls in a kitchen. Laughing. Sneaking toppings. Competing over who could roll the perfect crust. Cassie tossed a handful of flour at Maddie, who retaliated by smudging sauce on her cheek. Jasmine filmed part of it, giggling. Blair watched, heart full.
This is what friendship looks like, she thought. Maybe I'm finally a part of it.
---
The pizzas were in the oven, and they relocated to the living room—blankets on the floor, pillows piled high, drinks in hand.
"Truth or Dare," Maddie declared, eyes glittering with mischief. "Let's go old-school."
They all groaned, laughed, and reluctantly agreed.
The questions started light. Dares included singing off-key, prank texting Caleb (which Maddie flat-out refused), and eating spoonfuls of hot sauce. Truths ranged from first crushes to embarrassing childhood stories.
But then Jasmine, turning to Cassie with a teasing grin, tilted her head. "Cassie. Truth. Are you actually friends with me—or do you just keep me around 'cause I'm James' little sister?"
The room fell still.
Cassie blinked. "What?"
"You heard me," Jasmine said, still smiling but with fire behind her words. "Just wondering if you'd still talk to me if James weren't your golden ticket."
Cassie's brows furrowed. "That's a messed-up thing to say."
"Is it? You ignore me for days. But the second he's around, suddenly I'm your BFF again."
"That's not fair," Cassie said sharply. "I've been there for you. Don't turn this into something petty."
Maddie looked down, fiddling with a bracelet.
Jasmine's voice rose. "You only check on me when it's convenient. Just admit it."
"Oh, please. Don't flatter yourself," Cassie snapped. "I cared about you. Unlike some people—"
"Right," Maddie cut in under her breath, not even looking up. "Just like you cared about me when your brother dumped me."
Cassie turned, eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"
Maddie's voice was calm, but cold. "You ghosted me. Pretended I didn't exist."
"I didn't want to pick sides—"
"You did. You just didn't pick mine."
Blair's head turned from one girl to the next, heart racing. "Guys—can we just—can we take a second—"
"You know what?" Cassie stood. "This was a mistake."
"Oh, now it's a mistake?" Jasmine shot up, too. "You're the one who wanted a girls' night."
"Yeah, well maybe I thought it would remind me why I bothered with any of you."
Maddie flinched. Blair stood up, trying to reach for Cassie's arm. "Cass, come on—please don't do this."
Cassie pulled away. "I'm done."
She stormed down the hall, footsteps echoing off the wooden floors.
Jasmine grabbed her bag. "I don't have time for this high school drama."
"Jazz—"
"Thanks for the pizza, Blair. You tried."
She left next, slamming the door behind her.
Maddie exhaled, long and slow, before standing and brushing crumbs off her jeans. "I'll call you later. Okay?"
Blair nodded.
And then there was silence.
---
The hallway light flickered gently overhead as Blair stood by the stairwell. Cassie's door slammed upstairs, the sound sharp and final.
The scent of burned cheese drifted from the kitchen.
Blair stood frozen, arms limp at her sides.
It started with laughter. Now look at us.
She looked up at the ceiling.
How did everything fall apart so quickly?
She didn't have an answer.
She just stood there, in the quiet aftermath, wondering how much chaos had existed long before she ever arrived—and how much of it was only just the beginning
The house was quieter now. Dim light spilled through the tall windows, catching motes of dust in the air like glitter that had nowhere to land. The laughter, the shouting, the chaos of moments ago—it all felt like a distant storm.
Cassie's bedroom door was cracked open, but her back was turned to it. She stood at the window, arms folded, her cheer uniform still clinging to her like armor she forgot to take off. Her shoulders were tense, and the sunset burned gold across her hair, casting long shadows on the floor.
Blair knocked gently, voice low. "Can I come in?"
Cassie didn't turn. "Do what you want."
Blair stepped in, closing the door halfway behind her. "You okay?"
Cassie exhaled like she'd been holding her breath for hours. "Yeah," she said. Then paused. "No. I don't know."
Blair sat on the edge of the bed, waiting. Not pushing.
"I just..." Cassie finally turned, her eyeliner smudged slightly under her eyes. She looked less like the girl who ruled school hallways and more like someone trying to hold herself together with glue and glitter. "Jasmine was right."
Blair blinked. "About what?"
"I like James," Cassie admitted, her voice barely audible. "I've liked him for years. Since forever. And it's gotten... I don't know. Pathetic. Desperate. I pretended to be her friend because of him. Because I thought maybe that would keep me close to him."
She laughed bitterly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I'm a freaking Disney villain."
"You're not," Blair said softly. "You're just... aware. And if you know where you went wrong, that's something."
Cassie raised an eyebrow. "What, now I'm on a redemption arc?"
Blair smiled gently. "Maybe. Just try not to hurt too many people along the way."
Cassie dropped onto the floor, back against the wall. "I hate apologizing."
"Then get better at not screwing up," Blair teased. Then added, "But maybe just apologize. Maddie too."
Cassie groaned into her hands. "That girl still looks at me like I broke her spine."
"You kind of broke her heart."
Cassie looked up sharply.
"Caleb?" Blair asked, her voice careful.
Cassie sighed. "They dated. It was serious... until it wasn't. Caleb didn't want drama. He told me not to say anything, and I didn't want to pick sides. I couldn't. He's my brother."
Blair nodded slowly. "I get it."
Silence settled between them, comfortable and sad.
But then Blair shifted a little, voice dropping. "Cassie... There's something else."
Cassie glanced over.
"A few moments before the last family dinner," Blair began, fingers twisting in her lap, "I overheard Victor. He was on the phone with someone. He was talking about someone blackmailing the Quest company."
Cassie straightened, face suddenly alert.
"I didn't catch much," Blair said. "Just that the person had something... serious. He sounded worried. Angry. He doesn't know I heard."
"Do you think it's someone from the inside?" Cassie asked, brow furrowing.
"I don't know. But I thought maybe... you might have an idea. Or know someone who might."
Cassie looked down, jaw tightening.
"I'm not accusing anyone," Blair said quickly. "I just want to help Victor. He's done a lot for me"
Cassie stood again, her arms wrapping around herself. "This house is full of secrets."
Blair gave a small nod. "So let's start unpacking some."
Outside, the sky deepened into night. But inside, two girls stood quietly—not friends, not enemies, but something in between. Something fragile, something new.
And maybe, just maybe, something worth saving.
---