Chapter thirteen: Chocolate, Chaos, and Secrets
(Lyra's POV)
The school bell barely rang before Soraya and Saphira were at my door, practically dragging me into my living room.
"Lyra, you promised a hangout! Don't make us wait!" Soraya said, bouncing on the balls of her feet.
I groaned, balancing my ICONIC chocolate cake - layers of nutella-studded perfection. The aroma alone made them squeal.
"Stop moving it! Just put it down so we can worship it properly," Saphira demanded, eyes wide.
I rolled my eyes but set it on the table. "Fine, but everyone's helping me clean afterward."
Soraya leaned over, sniffing the cake like it was some forbidden treasure. "You have to tell us what's in this. My life depends on it."
I grinned. "Eggs, nutella, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, oil, milk. And... a whole lot of love."
"Recipe! Now!" Saphira shrieked.
I laughed and scribbled it down for them. By the time everyone had a slice, the room was buzzing with sugar-induced laughter. Even Cassian smiled - quietly, trying not to - and Evan stole a bite from my plate, pretending it was accidental.
"Delicious," he said, smirking. "Worth the calories."
I grinned, holding my own slice. Somehow, the mess of crumbs and frosting felt like pure, ordinary happiness.
After the second slice, the conversation turned dangerously juicy.
"Okay, we have to talk about Aveline," Soraya said suddenly. "She's... weird around Cassian. Anyone else notice?"
I glanced at Cassian, whose jaw tightened just slightly.
"What do you mean?" Saphira asked.
Then Aveline let out a long sigh. "Fine. You all didn't know, but... Cassian and I... we spent the summer together. Romantic stuff. I thought we could handle it, but... seeing everyone now? It's complicated."
The room froze for a moment.
"You... what?" Soraya blinked.
Cassian ran a hand through his hair. "It was supposed to be private."
"Clearly," Saphira said, pointing at him. "Because we had no idea."
Aveline's eyes softened, and I noticed the tension between them - thick, heavy, undeniable.
The group shifted topics naturally, laughter and teasing bubbling back up after the confession. Eventually, Halloween came up.
"Guys! Halloween's next week!" Saphira squealed. "We have to plan costumes, decorations, candy - everything!"
"Absolutely not," Cassian said flatly, though a corner of his mouth twitched.
Evan nudged him with his elbow. "Come on, Cass. It's fun. You know it."
I smiled quietly, holding my slice of cake. Somehow, amidst chocolate crumbs, confessions, and teasing, the chaos felt... perfect. Messy, cozy, alive.
And for the first time since moving here, I felt like I truly belonged - in laughter, secrets, little teddies, and all the quiet sparks and tensions of my new life.
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You guys know the cake recipe is actually discovered by....ME.It's delicious.