The team met up again at the park late in the afternoon. The sun was already dipping, the golden sky stretching over their heads. Everyone was laughing, tossing a ball around, teasing each other like normal teens after a heavy run of games.
Kiisi was there too this time, her smile catching AJ off guard more than once. Every time she laughed, his chest tightened, and Cadel noticed him trying to play it cool.
King and Mia walked off a little from the group, sitting under a tree. Mia leaned her head on his shoulder, whispering something that made King smirk.
"You know, you drive me crazy, right?" he murmured.
Mia lifted her head, her eyes glistening in the fading sunlight. "Then maybe you should do something about it."
Without hesitation, King leaned in. Their lips met softly at first, but then Mia deepened the kiss, her hands gripping his shirt like she didn't want to let go. When they finally pulled back, King laughed quietly."Shit… I think I'm addicted."
Mia grinned. "Good. You're mine now, King."
Later, when the sun dipped and the lights around the park came on, King stood up, clapping his hands to grab attention.
"Alright, listen up! Next weekend—sleepover at Cadel's place. Everyone's in."
Everyone cheered in their own way—Treasure yelling "Hell yeah!" while Jasmine clapped with a smile. Even Ebun, sitting close beside Treasure now, smirked knowingly.
"Hold on," Jasmine interrupted, grinning. "If we're crashing, who's bringing what?"
"Snacks are on AJ," Cadel said immediately.
"Bullshit!" AJ shot back, earning laughter from the team.
"Nope, you got it," Treasure added. "You got that 'I always hide chips under my bed' vibe."
"Fuck off," AJ muttered, but he was already laughing too.
The sleepover day came. Everyone piled into Cadel's big living room, blankets, pillows, and junk food spread everywhere. The music was low, the energy high.
Truth or Dare started, of course. It didn't take long before Jasmine pointed at AJ."Truth. Who do you like?"
The room went dead silent. All eyes turned to AJ, who froze. His ears turned red instantly.
"C'mon, don't freakb out," Treasure pressed, smirking.
AJ looked around, hesitated, then his eyes flicked—just for a second—toward Kiisi.
The whole room erupted."No fucking way!" Treasure shouted, nearly choking on his drink.King slapped his knee, laughing. "I knew it!"Ebun covered her mouth, giggling while Jasmine practically screamed.
Kiisi herself was wide-eyed, cheeks red, but then she smirked, crossing her arms."So that's how it is, huh?"
AJ buried his face in his hoodie. "Man… y'all are assholes."
"Motherfucker, you should've told us sooner," Treasure teased, grinning ear to ear.
The team wouldn't let it go the whole night, teasing him, but Kiisi leaned close at one point, whispering just loud enough for him to hear:"Don't worry. I don't mind."
And for AJ, that was enough to make his whole night.