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Here is the story of Emma, Lily, Maria, Jack, and Mike:
The Graduation Countdown
The tension in the living room was thick, mostly because the future was looming. High school was ending, and the big question—College—was hanging over their heads like a dark cloud.
"Whatever," Lily sighed, leaning back. "The future me can worry about that later. And emma
Maria, lounging on the sofa in her typical "lazy mom" fashion, let out a dry laugh. "Lily, you’re hilarious. 'The future me.' I love it." She didn't even look up from her homework as she spoke, her Cancer energy keeping her perfectly calm while Emma’s blood pressure rose.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Lily didn't move. "Maria, get the door," she muttered, still focused on her aesthetic.
Maria rolled her eyes. "I’m doing homework! You get it."
Lily finally stood up, looking through the peephole. She frowned, squinting at the vehicle outside. "I can't even tell who this is from this height," she complained. Maria finally lost her patience, stormed over, and ripped the door open.
"If this is those neighborhood kids playing games again, I'm going to beat them—"
She didn't finish. Someone grabbed the door as she tried to slam it. Out of pure fear, Maria almost threw a punch, but she stopped just in time to see the grinning faces of Mike and Jack.
Instead of running inside, Mike lunged forward and wrapped Maria in a massive hug. She acted shocked, but she couldn't help but hug the troublemaker back.
"What are you guys doing here?" Lily asked Jack.
"We got barred from the park for another prank," Jack admitted with a sheepish grin. "So we decided to come here early for the summer."
"Summer is four days away, Mike!" Lily pointed out.
Mike’s face fell. He started thinking about his textbooks, his SATs, and the fact that he hadn't opened a book in weeks. He broke into a dramatic, fake-crying fit right there in the entryway.
"Get your textbooks out," Maria commanded, her 'mom' voice coming out. "Now. Until you’re done, you’re studying."
The Late Night
An hour later, the house was quiet—mostly.
"This is boring," Jack groaned, tossing a pen. "I want to do something."
"Why don't we call Emma and tell her to bring food?" Lily suggested, scrolling through her phone.
"Is that all you think about?" Jack asked.
"It’s my lifestyle," Lily shot back.
By the time Emma arrived, bags of takeout in hand, the group had shifted to the TV. Jack and Lily were mesmerized by TikToks on the sofa, while Maria and Mike were caught up in a show. Emma walked in, dropped the bags, and sighed. She was used to this.
"Who’s helping me with the dishes?" Maria asked. No one answered. She knew they wouldn't.
As they ate, Emma laid out the law. "First week of summer: we study. Then, we go on the trip for Jack’s birthday."
"I’m not studying!" Mike muffled through a mouthful of food.
"Do you want to fail?" Maria snapped. "Shut up and eat."
The Morning After
That night, they fell asleep in a heap of chaotic friendship. Lily was halfway falling off the bed; Emma was tucked in nearby with messy hair; Jack was slumped next to Lily with her hand accidentally draped across his face; and Mike was hugging Maria like a human pillow.
The next morning, the peace shattered.
Emma was heading out, shouting last-minute instructions about cooking breakfast and studying. Lily stumbled into the kitchen, eyes half-shut. "How can I study if I don't have my morning coffee?" she wailed.
Mike, sitting on the sofa, got a devious glimmer in his eyes. He jumped up, grabbed a cup, and handed it to her with a sweet smile. "Here, Lily. Have some coffee."
Lily took a huge gulp. Her eyes flew open. It wasn't coffee—it was a disgusting, salty concoction of kitchen scraps. She spat it into the sink with a scream that could wake the dead.
She grabbed a wet dishcloth and lunged for him. Mike bolted for the kitchen, ducking behind the island. Just then, Jack walked in, still yawning.
SMACK.
The wet cloth hit Jack square in the face. He stood there, dripping and confused, as Lily pushed past him to keep chasing a laughing Mike around the house.
Maria woke up to the sound of the wet thuds and screaming. She took one look at the pair of them and put her head in her hands.
"Oh my god,"