Just as they were packing up, Sammy opened the front door.
And screamed.
"Y'ALL—IT'S POURING! I JUST GOT SLAPPED BY RAIN."
Thunder crackled like the universe was screaming with her.
James's mom rushed out, holding her purse. "Oh dear! I need to leave now or I'll miss the last bus to your aunt's place."
"Wait, you're going out in this?" Niki asked, shocked.
"I have to. But Jamie has food, blankets, and… you guys, I trust you. No parties, no burning the house down, and for heaven's sake—don't put anything in the microwave that doesn't belong."
She grabbed her umbrella, blew James a kiss, and bolted out into the storm like a true warrior mom.
The door slammed shut. Rain howled outside.
Sammy slowly turned around, her eyes gleaming like she just found the meaning of life.
"Sleepover. It's destiny."
Luke flopped back on the couch, arms spread dramatically. "Call the couch. Dibs."
Niki blinked. "Wait, wait. We're really staying?"
James shrugged. "Unless you wanna drown on the way home."
Niki opened the window curtain slightly—lightning flashed.
"Okay never mind. I like being dry and alive."
Sammy clapped her hands. "I CALL THE BLANKET WITH THE CUTE CATS."
James raised an eyebrow. "That's my mom's. It smells like lavender and guilt."
"Perfect," Sammy said, already dragging it off the chair.
Luke shows up wearing an ancient oversized Marvel tee with holes.
> Niki: "Is that... Iron Man crying?"
Luke: "It's called vintage trauma."
Sammy brings out popcorn, mixes it with hot Cheetos, and declares it "the snack of champions."
> Everyone else: mildly horrified but eats it anyway.
James puts on music while they're setting up floor beds.
> Luke: "Bro, this is Taylor Swift?"
James: "Shut up. She's a lyrical genius."
Niki pretends to fight Sammy for the blanket but secretly wants to sleep near James.
They all eventually settled down in the living room, the lights dimmed to a soft amber glow from the hallway.
Sammy claimed the couch like a queen, wrapped in her cat blanket and already half-asleep.
James laid out spare mattresses and blankets on the floor. "Okay, Luke and I will take this side," he said casually.
Niki blinked. "Wait, why are you sharing with him?"
James shrugged. "Because if I share with you, your parents will drag me to court."
Luke just grinned and flopped down next to James. "We have a bro code. You wouldn't understand."
> Niki forced a laugh. "Right. Totally."
So she took the other mattress, alone,beside theirs, but not too far. Close enough to still hear them.
The rain outside softened, but her mind didn't.
Eventually, the chatter died. Sammy snored gently. Luke muttered something sleepy and turned on his side.
Niki turned too—facing the boys. Just a glance.
> That's when she saw it.
James was still awake.
Lying on his back, eyes wide open.
And then—he slowly turned his head toward Luke.
He didn't say anything.
He didn't move.
He just looked at him. Quietly. Softly.
Like he was memorizing his face.
> And then… he smiled.
A real, small, heart-squeezing smile that he never gave anyone else.
Niki's breath caught.
> It wasn't what she thought.
It was what she feared.
She turned away, heart cracking in silence.
But no one saw.
Not even James.
[Chapter 9 ENDS]