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We leave the restaurant and part ways, with hugs and goodbyes

Thea takes hts hang from the trees

She tilts her head back, s her look alelic

She grabs onto ainst my shoulder as we stroll down the street

Her happiness radiates off of her like a physical energy and I feel bowed by it Her vibrancy and zest is contagious

Things aren’t perfect, not by a long shot, but right now, in this moment, it almost feels like it is So I take that s like I own the whole world as I walk beside the girl I love

“You talk to her”

“No, you,” I argue with my brother

He clenches his jaw and glares, looking from me to the closed door that once led to Xander’s room, but now has been taken over by my mom

“You’re the girl,” he reasons

I snort “So? You’re the favorite”

“Am not”

“Are too”

Rae shakes her head as she walks by “You guys sound like you’re five”

“Stay out of this!” we yell simultaneously