Big

Chapter 3: Big

Eliana Maxine

I had just finished eating lunch and was back in my room, curled up in bed and finally diving back into the novel I’d been obsessing over. I barely made it through two pages when my phone vibrated on the nightstand beside me.

I groaned softly. What now? Couldn’t I just have a moment of peace? What was it with today and all these interruptions?

I considered ignoring it, hoping whoever it was would get the hint. But then—

Bzzzt! Bzzzt!

Another buzz.

Persistent much?

With an exaggerated sigh, I reached for my phone and squinted at the screen.

2 New Messages — Hot Bratz

I rolled my eyes. Seriously? Did Cassie rename the group chat again? That girl had this chaotic habit of renaming our GC every other week depending on her mood, or her latest drama.

I tapped the notification, already bracing myself for the nonsense.

Micaela: Hey losers!

Micaela: How have y’all been? Still alive?

I barely had time to process Mica’s messages before my screen lit up with an incoming group video call, initiated by none other than Cassie.

“Oh, for the love of—” I groaned and dropped my iPad onto my lap. So much for reading.

With a resigned sigh, I swiped to accept the call. The screen loaded for a second before it was filled with three familiar faces.

Mica, looking smug as ever, her dark curls bouncing as she adjusted her camera. Cassie, already grinning like a gremlin. And Gladz, already rolling her eyes, clearly questioning why she answered the call in the first place. Can’t blame her. I feel the same.

Cassie gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. [“Oh my God, Mica! You’re alive? I thought you got kidnapped and sold off or something. It’s been two weeks!”]

Mica snorted. [“Oh, please. If anyone’s getting kidnapped in this group, it’s you.”]

I chuckled. “She’s not wrong.”

Cassie huffed, crossing her arms. [“Excuse me, but I’m way too valuable for kidnappers. They’d return me within a day.”]

Gladz smirked. [“True. No one wants to deal with your chaos.”]

Mica laughed. [“Exactly. The ransom note would just say: Please take her back. She talks too much.”]

I burst out laughing as Cassie let out a dramatic gasp like we’d personally betrayed her.

[“You bitches! I can’t believe this slander!”] she whined, then turned to me. [“And you! Why aren’t you defending me?”]

I grinned. “Because they’re right.”

She let out a dramatic wail, throwing herself back against her pillows. [“I need new friends.”]

Mica rolled her eyes. [“Good luck with that.”]

Cassie suddenly sat up again, her tone flipping to mock-serious. [“Okay, but for real—don’t think we’re letting you off the hook, Mica. You’ve been ghosting us!”]

Mica groaned. [“I didn’t ghost you.”]

[“Yeah, right.”] Cassie shot back. [“You practically disappeared from the face of the earth!”] she accused, crossing her arms.

Mica sighed, rubbing her temples. [“Okay, fine. I’m sorry. I’ve just been… busy.”]

[“Busy with what?”] Gladz asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

Mica’s lips curled into a sly smirk. [“That’s for me to know, and for you girls to find out.”]

Cassie groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. [“Ugh! Stop being cryptic and just spill it already, girl!”]

Mica only laughed, clearly enjoying our collective frustration way too much. [“Then get your butts over to my apartment. Sleepover, my treat!”]

Cassie gasped, feigning shock. [“Mica? Treating us? What’s the catch?”]

Mica’s grin grew wider. [“Let’s just say… I finally hit it big.”]

That definitely got our full attention. Cassie leaned in, eyes gleaming with curiosity. Gladz looked intrigued. I narrowed my eyes. Mica loved being cryptic, but when she hyped something up, it was usually worth the excitement.

“Wait, big? Like, ‘I won the lottery’ big? Or...” I tilted my head. “‘I got cast in a reality show and I’m about to become famous’ big?”

Mica wiggled her brows. [“Bigger.”]

Cassie leaned even closer. [“Like, ‘found a sugar daddy’ big?”]

Mica burst out laughing. [“No, you idiot!”]

Gladz rolled her eyes. [“Then what? Just give us a hint or something.”]

Mica only grinned, tight-lipped and smug.

The three of us exchanged glances, silently reaching the same conclusion.

[“Well, damn. Now we have to come,”] Cassie muttered, shaking her head. [“See you in an hour! We’ll pick you up, Eliana babe! Go get ready!”]

As people who lived off of gossip, there was no way that any of us were going to miss this.

The moment the call ended, I immediately texted Aunt George.

Me: Hey, I’m sleeping over at Mica’s tonight.

I tossed the phone onto the bed and headed to my closet. Finding an outfit for a casual sleepover wasn’t exactly rocket science, but still, I wanted to be comfortable. I changed into my favorite oversized gray hoodie and a pair of denim short. I grabbed my overnight bag and stuffed in the essentials—pajamas, toothbrush, charger, and my wallet. Easy.

What could Mica possibly be up to? She wouldn’t be this smug unless it was something major.

Just as I zipped up my bag, my phone buzzed.

Aunt George: Fine, but be careful. And stay out of trouble.

I rolled my eyes, typing back a quick Of course.

I barely had time to throw my bag over my shoulder when I heard a car horn honked outside. I peeked through the window and spotted Cassie’s car by the curb, with Gladz waving at me from the passenger seat.

With one last check in the mirror, I slung my bag over my shoulder and rushed out the door, locking it behind her before jogging to the car.

I slid into the backseat and immediately saw Gladz munching on chips while Cassie tapped the wheel like she’d been waiting forever.

“Took you long enough,” Cassie teased, pulling out of the driveway.

I rolled my eyes. “Some of us actually pack,” I shot back, buckling my seatbelt.

Cassie scoffed. “Please. A real sleepover pro keeps a bag ready at all times.”

Gladz turned in her seat, grinning. “Like you? The girl who once showed up to a sleepover with nothing but a toothbrush and a charger?”

Cassie gasped. “Okay, first of all, that was one time. And second, essentials only, baby.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re a lost cause.”

Cassie winked. “And yet, you love me.”

“Hm. Jury’s still out on that.”

We drove through the city, the car filled with our usual banter. The afternoon sun cast golden hues over the streets, creating long shadows as pedestrians bustled along the sidewalks. Storefronts displayed fresh pastries, mannequins dressed in new collections, and cafés buzzed with life. The city had its usual hum of activity—car horns, distant chatter, and the occasional street musician playing an upbeat tune.

I rested my head against the window, watching the world blur past. It had been a while since we all hung out like this. Between classes, part-time jobs, and life in general, their schedules rarely aligned. It felt good to have a night to just hang out and catch up.

Almost half an hour later, we pulled up into the parking lot of Mica’s apartment building.

Cassie turned off the ignition and twisted around to face us. “Alright, ladies. Last chance to place your bets. What do you think Mica’s big news is?”

I shrugged. “No clue, but you know she wouldn’t be hyping it up like this if it wasn’t something major.”

Cassie smirked. “I’m still betting on a sugar daddy.”

I snorted. “Please. Mica would rather set herself on fire.”

Gladz wiggled her eyebrows. “What if it’s something juicier?”

I smirked. “Then we’re in for one hell of a night.”

We exchanged a knowing look before stepping out of the car, ready to wring the truth out of Mica, one way or another.