Tessa's pov.
The next morning, I woke up to a bright, cheerful light streaming through the window. It was already past nine. I took a quick bath, prepared breakfast, and then tried to wake my besties. It was a bit of a struggle, but eventually, they got up, took their baths, and joined me at the table.
I had cooked the only dish I was confident about—spaghetti bolognese with scrambled eggs. It wasn't much, but it was ours.
While we ate, my parents called to check in on me. I told them I'd be coming home in the evening since I wanted to spend more time with my girls.
The day turned into one of those rare, beautiful moments. We went shopping, tried out different foods at several restaurants, spent hours at a spa, and just enjoyed each other's company until it was almost nighttime.
I dropped Charlotte and Avery at their respective houses before heading back home myself.
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When I got home, I opened the door and called out, "Mom, Dad, I'm home!"
"Hey, darling! How are you doing?" Mom's voice carried from upstairs.
"I'm doing great," I replied, climbing up to meet them.
I knocked lightly. "Can I come in?"
"Yes, sweetheart, come in," Dad said warmly.
I stepped inside, hugged them both tightly, and smiled.
"How was your girls' hangout?" Dad asked.
"It was amazing, Dad. But I'm tired now. I'm going to freshen up—I'll see you guys in a bit."
"Okay, baby. Rest well," Mom said with a smile.
"I will," I promised before leaving for my room.
Once inside, I unpacked all the clothes I had bought. Predictably, they were mostly baggy trousers, oversized shirts, and sweatshirts—classic outfits for a nerd like me. After sorting them out, I headed to the bathroom for a warm shower.
Later, I joined my parents in the dining room for dinner. We ate together quietly, the comfort of family wrapping around me like a blanket.
That night, I went to bed earlier than usual, fully aware that school resumed the next day. The last thing I wanted was to be caught sleeping in class, especially after everything that had just unfolded.