Eventually, Mom and Dad relaxed the rules enough for Kylie to bring her whole circle over. I didn’t even know it was happening—especially not this late.

  I was deep in an online shooter, headset on, trash-talking with my guild as we cleared a raid. The knock on my door barely registered over the gunfire.

  “Yeah?” I yelled, eyes locked on the screen.

  Kylie peeked in, then swung the door wide. “Thank God you’re dressed.”

  I tugged one headphone off. “What do you want?”

  “Mom said I could have a few friends over. They all want to meet you. Pause the game for a minute?”

  I glanced at the screen—then past her.

  Three figures filed in: two girls and a guy.

  My stomach flipped.

  The guy was about my height, lean and athletic—dirty-blond hair cropped short, easy confidence that screamed varsity quarterback or pitcher. Definitely Kylie’s type.

  The girls were stunning.

  One had fiery red hair, shoulder-length and parted neatly, framing light hazel eyes that leaned more blue than green. Full lips painted apple-red. Same height as Kylie, with the kind of effortless posture that said cheerleader.

  The other was taller, warm chestnut skin glowing under the hallway light, chocolate-brown almond eyes, and shoulder-length box braids that swayed as she moved.

  I sat frozen on the floor, controller limp in my hand, staring up like an idiot.

  I hit the push-to-talk. “Guys, AFK—be right back.”

  Standing felt awkward—they towered over me from this angle.

  Mia appeared in the doorway but lingered in the hall, quiet as always.

  “Um… hi,” I managed, voice cracking slightly.

  They studied me openly—ears, eyes, the whole package.

  Kylie gestured. “This is my brother, Meleek. Meleek—Monica,” she nodded at the braided girl, “Dani,” the redhead, “and this is my boyfriend, Michael.”

  Michael spoke first, friendly grin. “You don’t look that different from us. Taller than I pictured, honestly.”

  The compliment landed warm in my chest. I smiled—genuinely.

  Monica stepped closer, head tilting. “Are your eyes… glowing?”

  She was near enough that her scent—something sweet, like vanilla and fresh rain—wrapped around me.

  I backed up a step, rubbing my neck, cheeks heating. “Yeah. A little.”

  “That’s so cool,” she said softly. “Makes them really pretty.”

  Kylie rolled her eyes, grabbed Monica’s arm, and tugged. “Okay, you’ve seen him. Movie time.”

  They turned to leave.

  I dropped back to my game, grinning stupidly. Actual compliments. From Kylie’s hot friends.

  As I sat, Dani’s whisper carried—clear as day to my ears.

  “Kylie… your brother’s kind of hot.”

  “Yeah,” Monica murmured. “He is.”

  Heat exploded across my face.

  Kylie hissed, “Shut up—he probably heard you. His hearing’s insane.”

  I pretended to be absorbed in the loading screen, heart racing.

  They headed downstairs for a movie and some project.

  I wanted to follow. Badly.

  But nerves pinned me in place.

  I paced my room, inventing excuses.

  Offer snacks? Too obvious.

  Grab a drink myself? Casual.

  Maybe they’d invite me to join…

  It took forever to work up the courage.

  When I finally crept downstairs, the living room was dark, TV flickering with some horror movie—screams and ominous music spilling out.

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  Kylie was curled against Michael on the couch, his arm around her.

  Dani sprawled sideways across the loveseat.

  Monica reclined in the chair, back to me.

  No Mia.

  I slipped past quietly. Dani noticed, gave me a small smile.

  In the kitchen, Mia stood at the sink, back to me, hands braced on the counter like she might be sick.

  “Mia? You okay?”

  She startled, spinning around. “Oh—yeah. Fine.”

  I stepped closer. In the dim light, her skin looked even paler than usual. “You sure? You look… really pale.”

  She shook her head, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing. I just… don’t do great with horror movies. They scare me.”

  I chuckled softly. “But you can’t even see them.”

  “I know.” She looked down, embarrassed. “But I hear everything. The screams, the music… gives me nightmares. You probably think that’s silly.”

  “Not at all.”

  “Horror doesn’t bother you?”

  I leaned against the island, crossing my arms. “Nah. I don’t believe in ghosts or vampires or monsters. The gore gets me sometimes, but that’s it.”

  She smiled—small, relieved. “Yeah. The blood…”

  A pause.

  “I should get back.” She started past me, then stopped. “You should come watch with us.”

  My pulse spiked. An actual invitation.

  “You could sit by me,” she added softly. “Might make it less scary.”

  Joy and terror collided in my chest.

  Kylie and Michael were cuddled up. Her friends barely knew me.

  “I… don’t know. Might be weird. I don’t really know them. Maybe next time.”

  She nodded, understanding. “Okay. But you know me. And I consider you a friend too. So if you change your mind… I wouldn’t mind.”

  She slipped back to the living room.

  I stood frozen, kicking myself.

  Why didn’t I say yes?

  I grabbed water, trudged upstairs, and spent the rest of the night regretting it.

  Past one a.m., the house was silent. I figured everyone crashed in Kylie’s room.

  Fresh from the shower, towel around my waist, brushing my teeth—I was ready to collapse.

  A soft knock interrupted my brushing, and the bathroom door eased open.

  Mia stepped in, black satin nightgown brushing just past her knees, the fabric catching the dim light like liquid shadow. “Kylie, I can’t sleep,” she said, voice low and sleepy.

  My eyes went wide. I was standing there in nothing but a towel, toothbrush frozen mid-stroke.

  She paused in the doorway—barely a heartbeat—but long enough for a tiny, knowing smile to curve her lips.

  She slipped inside and turned to close the door.

  I opened my mouth to warn her—just as she spoke again.

  “You know that dream I’ve been having about your brother?”

  My brain short-circuited. Dreams about me? Blind people dream? What do they even see?

  Before I could process, instinct took over. I hummed a high, terribly fake “Uh-huh” in my best Kylie impression.

  She trailed her hand along the wall, passing inches from me, and moved toward the toilet. “I know you don’t want to hear it again, but… I think it means something.”

  She gathered the hem of her gown, lifting it just enough to reveal matching black panties.

  I whipped around, staring at my flushed reflection in the mirror, heart slamming against my ribs.

  “Kylie, please talk to me,” she continued, voice teasing now. “You know what I mean by ‘it means something,’ right?”

  I fought every urge to glance back. Instead, I rinsed my mouth frantically, gulping water, anything to steady my nerves.

  She sighed dramatically. “I know this is the last thing you want to hear, but… I think I might be in love with Meleek.”

  Water went down the wrong pipe.

  I choked, coughing hard.

  Mia burst out laughing, standing up—no underwear down, no actual bathroom business. Just pure mischief.

  She reached toward the sound. “Meleek, you okay?”

  I wheezed, turning to face her. She was doubled over, wiping tears of laughter.

  “Wait—you knew it was me the whole time?”

  “Oh yeah.” She straightened, still giggling. “Your Kylie impression is awful. I haven’t laughed that hard in forever.”

  I wiped my mouth, face burning. “Glad I could entertain you.”

  She touched my arm lightly, mock-pouting. “Aww, did I upset you? Are you mad?”

  I scoffed, pretending offense, and reached for the door. “Maybe.”

  The door swung open—Kylie on the other side, fist raised to knock.

  We all froze.

  Kylie’s eyes darted from me (towel only) to Mia behind me.

  “Why are you naked in the bathroom with Mia?”

  Mia’s brows shot up. “He’s naked?”

  “I’m not completely naked,” I muttered, clutching the towel tighter. “I’m going to my room.”

  I tried to edge past. Kylie blocked me, arms crossed, scowling. “What were you two doing?”

  “Nothing! Brushing my teeth.”

  Mia chimed in, still chuckling. “It was nothing, Kylie. I thought it was you at first—wanted to talk about a dream. He tried impersonating you. Badly. So I messed with him.”

  Kylie rolled her eyes. “Oh god, Meleek. Go to bed.”

  I slipped past, hearing Kylie step in.

  “Please tell me it wasn’t another dream about my brother. Gross.”

  “Actually, I still need to pee. Couldn’t with him in here.”

  Kylie groaned. “I’m going back to bed.”

  The door clicked shut.

  I ducked into my room, laughing under my breath at the absurdity.

  But as I pulled pajama pants from my dresser and dropped the towel, another knock sounded.

  “Meleek, are you—”

  The door opened.

  “Mia—I’m naked!”

  She froze halfway in, then grinned wickedly and stepped the rest of the way, closing the door behind her.

  “You know I’m blind, right?”

  “Yeah, but it’s still weird. Especially you.”

  She turned, head tilted, biting her lower lip. “Why especially me?”

  Her voice was playful, but something electric hung in the air.

  “I—uh—”

  She moved closer, hand outstretched, searching. “Um what? Because you like me?”

  Her cool fingers brushed my bare chest.

  A shiver ran through me; an involuntary sound escaped—half gasp, half moan.

  Her smile widened; she nearly snorted. “What was that?”

  She stepped back, laughing again.

  “I’m messing with you. Again.”

  I exhaled, frustrated and relieved, and yanked on my pants. “You’re evil. And you’re supposed to be Kylie’s sweet friend.”

  “Sorry,” she said, not sounding sorry at all. “Couldn’t resist.”

  “You just came in to torture me more?”

  “No.” Her laughter faded to something softer. “I actually came to apologize for the bathroom prank. But then… opportunity knocked.”

  “Well, heads-up: payback’s coming.”

  She grinned toward the door. “Good luck. I may be blind, but I’m not easy to fool.”

  “We’ll see.”

  “Goodnight, Meleek.”

  “Goodnight.”

  The door clicked shut.

  The night ended quietly after that.

  Weeks passed. I plotted revenge—jump scares, fake spiders in her drink—but she caught every one. Her hearing was razor-sharp; she’d smell my deodorant from across the room or refuse a tampered soda with a knowing smile.

  Our friendship settled into a strange rhythm.

  In front of Kylie and the others, she was polite but distant—treating me like just “Kylie’s little brother.”

  But once the house went dark and Kylie crashed, Mia would find me.

  We’d watch movies in the living room until dawn, whispering about everything and nothing.

  I wanted to ask why the secrecy.

  But I never did.

  I was too afraid of the answer.