Page 43 of HER SISTER

Safe to say that I've looped what Mili had said in that Louis Vuitton store over a thousand times in my head.

I managed to loop everything from the beginning to the end—practically picking apart every piece.

I swear I was actually about to go insane, especially since my thoughts were analyzing every detail and coming to my own assumptions.

As soon as we entered the warm house, I could pinpoint the smell of breakfast—which easily managed to make my mouth water.

A long evening of shopping will do it to you.

Everyone else seemed to notice the smell too—easily rushing further into the warm house with our empty stomachs practically growling.

Within seconds, all of our shopping bags were sat by the stairs—and we were walking into the kitchen where Akeyla and Terrance sat at the large kitchen island and Mili stood over the stove.

I oddly felt excited to know that she was cooking—it really was a hidden talent of hers.

"Welcome back—how was shopping?" Akeyla questioned as we all walked further into the kitchen.

Mya hesitantly looked over to Mili who was facing the stove, "It was good..." she trailed off, clearly confused by Mili cooking, "What are you making over there?" she suddenly asked Mili.

Mya and Mili still didn't get to have their talk, which explains why Mya is confused that Mili is even cooking for us right now.

"Your favorite—blueberry pancakes," Mili said as she turned around from the stove, and I couldn't miss how all of our friends nodded and whispered in excitement.

I swear I could have ten plates of those pancakes right now.

From the blueberry topping to the warm maple syrup—I could legit put myself in a food coma right now.

Mya blinked a few times, "You're not mad anymore?" she questioned as Arielle and Damon grabbed the plates, Cam and Ryder grabbed some silverware, Willow and Marco grabbed the cups, and Frankie grabbed the pitchers of orange juice.

I suddenly walked over to get the napkins, realizing I wasn't really contributing to help set the table.

Mili suddenly walked over to Mya, "No, I'm not mad anymore," she said, pulling Mya into a hug, "I'm sorry for going off like that."

Mya hugged her back, "It's okay, I'm sorry too," she said.

And I couldn't help but smile as I took in the sight of them hugging.

It was something they both needed after that insane fight.

"Just no more impulsive decisions," Mili carefully clarified.

Mya didn't hesitate to nod as they pulled back from the hug, "Never again," she said, clearly thankful to be on Mili's good side.

It was a side everyone wanted to be on.

Even me.

Akeyla suddenly stood from the kitchen island with a smile, "Look at my girls," she gushed as she walked over and pulled them both into a hug.

"So grown up," Terrance said as he suddenly stood from his chair to join their group hug.

And I couldn't help but smile even wider at the close-knit family—it was enough to make me miss my own.

After a few beats, they were all pulling away, causing Mili to start transferring the plates of food over to the table that was now set.

Soon we were all gathered at the long table with filled plates and smiles—laughing over the day as we all dug into the warm food.

Everything felt so perfect.

The only thing nagging at my thoughts was Mili and what she had said earlier.

I didn't know how I would get her alone again, but I knew I needed to figure it out.

"I need those pancakes at least two times a day," Mya determined as we all climbed the stairs with heavy bellies.

I nodded, "Those are hands down the best pancakes that I've ever had," I said, stopping by my door as Arielle and Damon stopped on this level with me—along with Frankie and Ryder.

And as everyone continued to climb the stairs toward their rooms, Mya stopped in front of me.

"And you swear that you're okay?" she questioned.

I nodded a few times, "I swear," I assured her.

Mya let out a deep sigh, "Okay... and my mom left the heated blanket for you?" she said.

I smiled slightly, "Yes, she left the heated blanket for me," I repeated back to her, knowing it had been sitting by my door earlier.

Mya nodded to herself, "Okay good," she determined.

And within seconds she was pulling me into a warm hug, which I didn't hesitate to reciprocate.

"I'm so sorry for today," Mya said, apologizing for what felt like the fifth time.

I shook my head, "Really it's okay," I assured her.

Mya let out a deep sigh as we pulled away, "I just... you're like a sister to me, and I don't know what I would've done if something had happened to you," she admitted, shaking her head to herself, "I really wasn't thinking about the consequences when we decided to try out that stupid idea."

I smiled slightly at even the mention of Mya seeing me as a sister.

"Again, it's okay—I'm okay," I told her, pulling her into another brief hug before we pulled back completely.

Mya nodded, smiling slightly as she said, "Good. That's good—and Mili seemed to move past it, so all feels right in the world," she sighed out contently.

But all didn't feel right in the world for me.

Although, I'm happy that Mya could at least feel that way.

"I told you she would move past it," I reminded Mya, who only nodded.

"Yeah, a part of me knew she would too—but she was just so mad," Mya admitted.

And I couldn't help but think about what Mili had said earlier.

She was only that mad because of me.

And a part of me felt bad, realizing that their fight was basically because of me.

"Well, I think I'm going to call it a night—all those carbs have me feeling exhausted," Mya said as she let out a tired sigh.

I laughed slightly, "Okay—well good night. I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night, Ana," Mya said, giving me one last smile.

"Love you," I called out as she climbed the next set of stairs.

"Love you more," I heard Mya say as she continued walking up the stairs.

Soon I was in my own room changing into a pair of light blue pajama shorts and a matching long sleeve button down shirt.

I pulled my hair into a high ponytail before brushing my teeth and doing my nighttime skincare routine.

A sigh fell from my lips as I exited the bathroom and walked over to the set of windows to take in the night sky.

However, I was thrown for a loop when I noticed Mili seated out on the large back deck probably rolling up a blunt.

And before I could even begin to think it through, I grabbed one of the oversized throw blankets to wrap around me and slid on my slippers before heading downstairs.

The house was dark and completely silent, which felt like the oddest contrast from earlier.

Yet, it somehow felt entirely calm to me.

I held the warm blanket closer to my body as soon as the cold air nipped at any inch of my exposed skin.

The mountains still somehow looked beautiful under the night sky—especially with the white snow illuminating the mountain peaks.

"It's too cold to only be wearing that."

I suddenly looked over to Mili whose stare was focused on the unrolled blunt in front of her.

And even if she wasn't happy with me being out here in a blanket, I still sat down on the couch—leaving an ample amount of space between us.

Mostly because I didn't know who could see the deck from their rooms, but also because sitting closer felt weird to me.

I let out a deep sigh as I got comfortable on the outdoor couch, here goes nothing I guess.

Hopefully, we can actually solve all of this.