LOFT, 9AM*

"Nothing" Pearl grinned.

"What are you girls chatting about?" Mr. Wilson came downstairs.

"Morning dad!" Pearl smiled.

"Today is a good one, did you just greet me?" The man smiled, and Tate stroked Pearl's hair.

"Our baby is in a good mood. Doesn't this call for a shopping spree? You can go with Sybil when she arrives later today" she said.

"Sybil is coming back today?" Pearl's eyes lightened up.

"Wait for it" Tate replied.

"I can't fuçking wait" Pearl hugged the woman.

The ringing of the doorbell made them disengage.

Pearl rushed to open the door, and she was surprised to see Rain.

"Teal?" She blinked.

"Hey" Teal came in with a large smile.

"The girl from before? How're you doing?" Tate asked kindly.

"I'm good, no class till 12 so I decided to spend time with Pearl, then we can go to campus together" Teal replied.

"Welcome" Tate smiled, returning to the kitchen.

Mr. Wilson said nothing as he entered the living room.

"I don't think that'd be possible, I'm actually going somewhere" Pearl said.

"Where?" Teal asked.

"Actually...

"Banks?" Teal asked suspiciously.

Pearl released a soft exhale, feeling so uncomfortable.

"Then I can tag along! C'mon, harmlessly" Teal added.

Pearl sighed again.

"C'mon... didn't you guys accept me into the friendship already? I...

"Fineeee" Pearl said through her teeth.

"That's it!" Teal held her arm, and they went upstairs together.

They came back after thirty long minutes, and Pearl is already dressed up in a black armless gown and a jean jacket to cover up.

"You girls won't have breakfast? It's almost done" Tate said from the kitchen door.

"We'll come back for it" Pearl replied, leaving the house with Rain.

Teal decided to drive with her in her car, and she won't stop smiling, as if they're going to see the president.

"Are you taking these red apples and tequila to him? Does he like them?" Teal asked as Pearl drove out.

"Maybe" Pearl replied uninterested.

Teal smiled again.

*

LOFT, 9AM*

Hyce spent the night here together with Roonie

Roonie is still upstairs, maybe sleeping, but Hyce is downstairs at the center, purple bonnet on.

He's sitting with a bowl of pork rinds which he's munching as he scrolled through Isaac's I* account.

He's like addicted to it, and a glint is in his eyes as he stared.

"Cute" he scrunched his nose as he reacted love on another picture.

Red beeped on the wall, indicating a visitor.

He stood and went to open the door, but a frown etched on his face.

"Rook? Tell me this is your damn ghost cos what the hell are you doing here after Banks took pity on you? You want another shot of the poison?" He said.

"I'm here to say thank you to Banks, easy" Rook said gently.

"Not needed, adios" Hyce scoffed and made to shut the door, but then Peal's car pulled up.

She came out with Teal, and Rook had to step aside as they both came in.

Pearl gave him a shitty glare.

"For the second time, adios" Hyce rolled eyes, shutting the door at Rook's face.

"Oy girls! Didn't know Teal is now partof clique" he said, joining them in the center.

"This is the first time I came here and met the lights on" Pearl replied, and Hyce grinned.

"I know, right? Banks effects"

"Where's he?" Pearl asked.

"Upstairs, still asleep" Hyce replied.

"By this time?" Pearl frowned, going upstairs immediately.

Teal settled beside Hyce, taking his bowl of pork rinds.

"That's mine, Teal" he took it from her.

"Are you coming to the rave party tonight?" Teal asked suddenly.

"You know about the party? That should make a headline for the love of dîck" Hyce replied, and Teal laughed.

"I'm starting to learn how to socialize"

"Good for you, and yes, I'm coming to the party. Everybody is coming, and there's no party without Hyce, the end" Hyce squared his shoulders, throwing a rind into his mouth.

Teal nodded, taking a peek at his phone only to see Isaac on screen.

"You're stalking Isaac's page?" She said, and Hyce immediately gave her all his bowl of rind.

"You can have it all. You're Isaac's friend, right? Hook us the fûck up" he said.

"Isaac likes you" Teal immediately replied.

"Jokes?" Hyce frowned.

"I'm serious, he always talks about you, but he's shy to admit he has some gay genes. I'll talk to him" Teal replied.

"And it's done! It's fuçking done! Tell me what you wanna have for breakfast? Oh I dunno how to cook but I can actually make you delicious coffee... coming!" Hyce stood, disappearing into the kitchen.

Teal's smile disappeared, and she stood, going upstairs.