Chapter 35: Let there be a sleepover

SOFIA'S POV

There's a soft knock on the door and Mila moves promptly to get it. "Why are you so eager about pizza?" I ask raising a brow before she opens the door.

"Castiello," she says and I get off the kitchen stool immediately running into my room. I hear Mila laughing from the other side of my bedroom door as i carefully but hurriedly fix my curls. I reappear to the open living room with my bestfriend just standing there watching me as I search for Nova.

"She just left," she says now holding the pizza boxes Nova had. My heart sinks a little because I haven't seen her

consistently since she went back home. "She's working at a pizza place now?"

"Not really," she says and the door swings open again with Nova carrying an extra pizza box with a label on it.

My eyebrows furrow as I look between them to see if I'm missing something.

"We're having a sleepover. Paolo and his boyfriend are on the way and so is Luca,"

"That explains the dozen pizza boxes,"

"Heyy half of them are mine," Mila says and we both chuckle.

"I wanted to tell you but surprising you felt more....romantic," Nova says walking towards me and plants a soft kiss on my forehead. My socked toes drag lightly against the wooden floor, like my body forgot how to stay still.

"I like surprises," I say and here Mila scoff in the background.

"Do have something to say, Mila?"

"Oh, I just thought that lizard you saw earlier looked more of a scare than a loved surprise,"

I pull Nova's hand to the kitchen counter and she takes the empty space next to me.

"How did you.....I thought you weren't allowed to come here?"

I fiddle with my thumbs.

She pauses.

"I already gave them what they wanted. I just got more vocal with my conditions," she says with her face growing into a smile. She really should be this happy often, it suits her.

Rhe door swings open again and this time the three guys walk in. Paolo with a bottle and his boyfriend with a popsicle box. Luca closes the door holding a pack of diet Cola.

"What was this diet Cola for again?"Luca asks waving it in the air when he spots Nova.

"Sofia, she....doesn't drink?" She stands there expectantly but it's like they don't get her. I have drank before but before something about her noticing it and keeping it at the back of her mind makes my stomach flip.

I help Mila set up the living room with the extra blankets for everyone. I look over to Nova who's by the balcony talking to Luca.

I do worry about her.

From what she's told me, her father has no limit.

"Okay guys everything is set. Pick your spots on the couch before it's too late," Mila announces and they all rush for different spots making me chuckle. It really is that simple to make them happy.

Nova parts the empty space next to her at her infamous corner. She really does love that spot on the couch. She throws the blanket over my legs instantly.

"You look adorable with your hair up like that,"

"Careful Castiello, i easily melt around you,"

"Is that a good thing or bad?" She asks with a raised brow and I can't tell if she's teasing or genuinely clueless.

"A good thing," my smile grows wider at her softened expression.

Paolo helps distribute the pizza boxes handing me the one that was labelled boldly. I read over it with the label 'dairy free' in bold. She remembered? The lights dim and I'm grateful because i don't have a specific reaction for this.

Her addition to a battle that's only ever been mine. What if something happens and she never forgives herself?

"Hey guys..who picked this movie?" Paolo asks the time the screen goes black.

"Your boyfriend..." Mila's tone flattens. She always picks the movies so maybe she's softened?

A comedy mixed with horror is a hâte crime towards Paolo. He likes his film in singular gères not laced. Luca laughs at one point and so does the Mila and Paolo's boyfriend.

The lights fill the room instantly exposing everyone's comfort position.

"I'm not watching this shit! Baby i know i said i was open minded but this is the exception," Paolo runs his hands through his curls standing by the switch. I let out a soft chuckle because he looks more constipated that honest.

"Wow...you run a tight ship man!" Mila dubs his boyfriend who's also laughing. I look over to Nova who's been quiet and find her gaze already on me.

"Are you okay? You're awfully civil for a person that teases me,"

"i guess i didn't expect it to make you attracted to me," she says shifting her gaze to the rest. She's charming but even I can tell there's something on her mind. But if there's anything I've learnt from her is to let her be or she'll walk out and cope by partying.

"So this is Goodnight then?" I ask loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Not even close sof Pow! You can fuck Castiello at a later time.I'm sure she can be....patient," she teases.

"That's not....that's–"

"It's okay Tinkerbell, Mila is just....projecting, " Nova says rubbing my shoulder with a smirk on her face. Did she just say what i think she said?

"Castiello you better shut that mouth of yours," Mila says through gritted teeth. Is there something they're hiding from me?

"Why? Luca isn't stopping me,"

Mila's face grows red as she shoves the blanket over her boyfriend's face.

"Okay okay you two stop it. Let's just play a game. Maybe who's most likely to?" I ask and the tension dies down. I know they have a move hate relationship with each other but i can swear that sometimes they act related.

The drinks are poured but i have to get up and get a can from the fridge. I feel a gently pull back before Nova gets up and walks towards the fridge, taking one out. She opens it for me, now towering over me.

"I'm gonna write a research paper on you one day, Castiello. The switch up is so quick," Paolo says reminding me of their presence in a room that made them out as background to Nova and I.

She laughs softly, seating next to me now and grabs a glass half empty with tequila.

"If you're pointed at more than once you drink," Luca says after Mila whispers something in his ear.

Paolo starts,"Okay okay...Who’s most likely to ruin their life for a girl?"

Immediately everyone points at Nova.

Including me.

Nova stares at the fingers aimed at her chest before scoffing softly. "Wow. That was fast."

"You disappeared for a week," Mila deadpans.

"You almost fought Fabio in public," Luca adds.

"You look at Sofia like she personally invented oxygen," Paolo says dramatically.

Nova throws a cushion at him while the room bursts into laughter.

But i notice it. The way Nova doesn’t deny any of it.

Mila leans forward, “Who’s most likely to say ‘I’m fine’ while actively spiraling?”

This time every hand points to me.

"What?" I laugh nervously.

"You literally got a lung transplant and said ‘it’s not a big deal’," Mila says flatly.

Paolo gasps. "WAIT YES. That’s actually insane."

"I survived though," I defend weakly.

Nova hasn’t laughed once.

Her eyes stay fixed on me like the reminder physically hurts her.

"You shouldn’t have had to," Nova says quietly.

The room falls silent for half a second too long.

My chest tightens.

Because Nova says things like that so naturally.

Like caring about me is instinct.

“Who’s most likely to kiss someone during an argument?” Luca says suddenly.

Everyone points at Nova again.

Nova looks offended. “You guys make me sound unstable.”

“You are unstable,” Mila replies instantly.

“Emotionally,” Paolo adds.

“Romantically,” Luca finishes.

I laugh into my sleeve while Nova turns toward me with narrowed eyes.

“You think that’s funny, Tinkerbell?”

“A little.”

Nova shifts closer on the couch slowly.

Dangerously.

“I could prove them right right now.”

My breath catches.

Paolo screams from the other side of the couch.

“CAN YOU TWO STOP HAVING TENSION EVERYWHERE?”

There's more laughter.

Paolo gulps his drink, then proceeds, “Who’s most likely to marry for money?”

The mood shifts instantly.

No one moves at first.

Then slowly, awkwardly, Luca points at Nova.

Followed by Mila.

Paolo lowers his hand halfway. Nova lets out a hollow laugh.

"Damn."

I notice it immediately. The way her shoulders tense.The way her smile disappears.

"It’s not funny," I say softly.

Everyone goes quiet.

Nova glances toward me.

I swallow. "None of that was your choice."

And there it is again.

That look on her face.

Like I keep reaching into the worst parts of her and handling them gently.

Nova looks away first.

Mila goes next,"Who’s most likely to fall in love first and pretend they didn’t?"

"Oh that’s EASY—"

Paolo points dramatically between Nova and I.

"Both of you."

Nova chokes on her drink.

I nearly drop the pizza slice in my hand.

"You literally stare at each other like divorced people trying again," Paolo continues.

"That is weirdly specific," Luca mutters.

Mila smirks. "No no, he’s right."

"We do not," I argue weakly.

Nova looks over at me slowly. "You wore my hoodie to campus."

I freeze.

The room erupts instantly.

"Oh SHE’S DOWN BAD!" Paolo yells.

I hide my face while Nova laughs properly for the first time that night.

And somehow the sound makes me fall a little harder.