The chaos finally died down. After the parents' endless pleading, the mechanic reluctantly agreed to stay and fix the van, on one condition: they'd have to pay him double. Thomas, as always, didn't even hesitate. He handed over the money like it was nothing.
When the van finally roared to life again, everyone climbed inside, but a heavy tension hung in the air. Molly pulled the van onto the road, and that was when Rose completely lost it.
"Nessa, what is wrong with you?! Why on earth would you slap the guy?!" Rose shouted.
"Rose, calm down. Just forget about it," Molly said softly, but Rose was already past calm.
"No, Molly! Forget about it? Are you kidding me? This girl humiliated me! She harassed an innocent guy who was just doing his job!" Rose shot back, eyes blazing.
"Mom! I didn't harass anyone!" Nessa shot back, but the glare her dad gave her quickly shut her up.
"Mom! It's not my fault. That dude called me a decorative pillow!" she added, more calmly this time.
"Nessa, shut up! Just SHUT the fuck up!" Rose massaged her temples, taking a deep breath to calm her boiling nerves.
Nessa pouted and crossed her arms, flopping back dramatically on the leather seat.
"You know what, Vanessa Colette Moreau? You are grounded. No phone! You are going to spend one week of your summer indoor," Rose declared harshly.
"What?!" Nessa gasped, leaning forward. "That's not—"
"It is final!" Rose interrupted, raising her hand. "And I don't want to hear another word from you. Is that clear?"
Nessa rolled her eyes, mumbling and pouting. She glanced at Adrien and found him wearing a wide, smug grin.
Oh, you think this is funny? Nessa thought, clenching her fists. She wanted to punch that grin off his perfect little face.
Nessa hissed. Stupid!
Everyone else chattered on, but Nessa couldn't focus. Her brain kept replaying the disaster with the mechanic—that hot, infuriating, infuriatingly hot mechanic—and her mother's words.
It wasn't my fault! she thought so.
First day in Hawaii… and this had already happened. She knew it: Hawaii was horrible. Damn horrible.
* * * * *
The sun was sinking low on the horizon, painting the sky in soft orange and pink as Molly finally reached the family house. She pulled the van into the driveway and everyone stepped out, happily going inside the house.
Nessa stepped out and lifted her gaze, and the family house stood before her, glowing beneath the sunset. Its golden light washed over the white-painted walls, making the simple home look almost magical for a moment. It wasn't the kind of home that screamed wealth or showed off grandeur. It was just a quiet, modest place that carried its own gentle charm.
The compound was neat and welcoming. Rows of bright flowers lined both sides of the walkway, their colors glowing under the evening sun. Butterflies fluttered lazily around them, some resting on the petals like they, too, were tired from the day.
To the left stood a tall apple tree, its branches stretching wide. A few apples hung there, catching the golden light like tiny lanterns.
"This is beautiful," Kayla commented, eyes wide as she took in the view.
Nessa rolled her eyes, crossing her arms and huffing.
"Whatever."
Kayla arched a brow and smirked.
"Still mad, princess?"
Nessa groaned. "Come on, Kayla. Anyone in my shoes right now would be mad. Damn mad."
"I fucking hate this, Kayla," she whined.
Kayla gave her the classic I told you so look, and Nessa scowled.
"Hey! Don't give me that look."
Kayla sighed, massaging the lines on her temple.
"Nessa, I told you your plan wouldn't work. You got grounded, the guy insulted you, your parents had to pay double… and your brothers? They just laughed at you instead of helping. Honestly, who would help you when you caused it all yourself?"
Nessa groaned loudly this time, burying her face in her palms.
"Honestly, Kayla, I regret it. I made a fool of myself. And now, probably, Freddy's laughing at me, thinking I'm completely stupid. Ugh!! And my brothers? They'll make sure I'll never, ever forget this incident."
Kayla draped an arm over her shoulder, smiling gently.
"Nessa, calm down. Everyone does something stupid at some point. So come on, cheer up. Forget about it. And as for your brothers? You just have to bear with them. Smile, girl."
Nessa peeked up, rolling her eyes, and cracked a small smile.
"Whatever. Just keep in mind, I'm not smiling all the time, Kayla."
"Now that's my Nes back!" Kayla grinned.
The girls stepped into the house, and the warmth hit them immediately. The kind of warmth that felt lived-in, breathed-in, argued-in, laughed-in. A true family space.
The living room opened up before them, cozy and inviting. Soft, well-used chairs were lined neatly around the room. A staircase curled upward from the side, its wooden rail polished from years of hands sliding over it—kids racing up, adults coming down.
There was a fireplace on the far wall, its brick frame darkened from old flames. No fire burned now, but somehow it still made the room feel warm.
The house buzzed with life. Voices spilled through the air, bright, chaotic, and familiar. Steven, Tim, Adrien, and Milo were already in the middle of it, laughing with their cousins. Someone cracked a joke, someone else shouted across the room, and the noise blended into a comforting family symphony.
Rose was already greeting her siblings with quick hugs and cheek kisses before disappearing toward the kitchen.
"Nessa!" her mother's voice floated from inside. "Come meet Aunt Becky."
Nessa and Kayla stepped into the kitchen to see Rose chatting with one of her sisters. The lady looked older than Rose, her face lined with age and experience.
Rose turned to Nessa. "Nessa, meet Aunt Becky."
Nessa forced a polite smile, and Becky returned it warmly, walking over to hug her. It wasn't a tight hug like Aunt Molly's, but it was gentle.
"Nessa, you've grown so much! You look just like your dad. You're such a pretty girl," Becky said, pulling back from the hug. She turned to Kayla and smiled.
"And Kayla! How are you doing?" she asked, giving her a warm embrace.
"I'm good," Kayla replied, smiling.
Suddenly, two girls burst into the kitchen, their faces lighting up at the sight of Nessa.
"Nessa!"
She turned to see her cousins, who were around her age. She smiled at them.
"Hey, Melissa. Hey, Bri," she greeted.
Bri immediately hugged her. "What's up, Nes? O.M.G.! I'm so happy you're here for the summer—"
Excuse me? Oh, no, no. I'm not fucking happy, Nessa thought, forcing a smile.
"—It's been forever, girl! I've got so much to tell you!" Bri squealed.
Nessa glanced at Kayla, who raised a brow that clearly said, care to introduce?
"Kayla, meet Bri," Nessa said.
Bri waved. "Hey!"
"Hey," Kayla replied, smiling.
"And Kayla, this is Melissa," Nessa continued, pointing to the brown-haired girl.
Just then, Steven and another boy walked in, their voices booming across the kitchen.
"Hey, moms!" the guy grinned. Turning to Nessa, his smile widened as he walked over and ruffled her hair.
"Hey, Nes! I heard what happened with that mechanic guy. Steven told me, and man, I wish I'd been there to see your display of… stupidity," he said, laughing.
Nessa shot Steven an angry look. He just shrugged, smiling.
They hadn't even stayed twenty-four hours, and Steven had already started running his mouth. Gosh, what did she expect from her siblings? Her brothers wouldn't keep quiet, not when they could laugh at her misery. Surely, they would squeeze every drop of fun out of that embarrassing moment.
Meanwhile, Kayla was stunned. The guy was… gorgeous. She leaned toward Nessa and whispered, "Your cousin is hot, Nessa."
Nessa rolled her eyes.
"Kyle, what's up?" Rose asked happily.
"I'm good, Aunt Rose! Happy to have you all here for the summer!" Kyle replied. Then his eyes landed on Kayla, and his grin widened. "And who is this pretty girl?"
Kayla blushed. Nessa huffed, while Steven's eyes narrowed.
"This is my friend, Kayla," Nessa said.
"M'lady," Kyle said smoothly, taking Kayla's hand and lightly kissing the back of it. "I'm Kyle. And wow… such a sweet name for a sweet girl." He winked, making her cheeks turn red.
Hot… and smooth with words, Kayla thought, nearly melting.
Steven's mood instantly darkened. He draped a protective arm over Kayla's shoulder and yanked her hand away.
"Man, she's taken already," Steven muttered.
"What?!" Kayla gasped. "I'm not taken!"
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"No, I'm not!"
"Steven, I don't have a boyfriend," Kayla snapped.
Steven smirked. "Oh, forgetting Ryan so soon, huh?"
They began to bicker back and forth, and with his arm still over her shoulder, Steven dragged her out of the kitchen.
"Steven! I want to stay in the kitchen!" Nessa heard her protest.
Once they were gone, Kyle looked at Nessa with amusement. "Why do I have this feeling those two are secretly dating?"
"No, they aren't dating. They just won't admit they like each other!" She groaned.
Rose smiled knowingly. "Those two are meant to be. I can feel it. They'll be inseparable once they're together."
Nessa huffed, unconvinced.
"Anyway, Nessa, there's a bonfire party tonight. Would you like to come?" Melissa asked.
"It's going to be awesome, cuz! You'll make so many friends!" Bri said, flipping her hair.
Nessa's face lit up at the mention of party. She was about to say yes, but her mother beat her to it.
"No. She's not coming," Rose declared firmly, her voice brooking no argument.
But Nessa, stubborn as always, protested.
"Mom?!"