For the first time in months, I woke up without anxiety.
No threats. No criminals. No schemes. Just Friday morning sunlight streaming through my window and the smell of pancakes drifting up from downstairs.
I stretched, savoring the normalcy, then checked my phone.
Group Chat: The Chaos Crew
Sophie (7:02 AM): EMERGENCY MEETING AT LUNCH. PROM IS IN THREE WEEKS AND WE HAVE NOTHING PLANNED.
Riley (7:05 AM): Define "emergency."
Sophie (7:06 AM): I DON'T HAVE A DRESS. THAT'S AN EMERGENCY.
Riley (7:07 AM): Women are terrifying.
Sophie (7:08 AM): You love me.
Riley (7:09 AM): Unfortunately true.
Kai (7:15 AM): Why is my phone blowing up at 7 AM?
Sophie (7:16 AM): PROM, THORNTON. FOCUS.
Me (7:20 AM): I just woke up to 47 messages about formal wear. What is happening?
Sophie (7:21 AM): LUNCH. ALL OF YOU. NO EXCUSES.
I laughed and got out of bed, feeling lighter than I had in forever.
Downstairs, the kitchen was a scene of controlled chaos.
