The Jayden family embodied traditional values like few others. As the four friends and Marnie stepped out of the airport, the first thing they saw was an old family pickup truck. Leo was at the wheel, and Raven was perched on the hood with a sign that read: "Welcome back to Earth, stars."

Lada couldn't help but smile. She knew these people only through social media, yet they felt so dear, as if they were her own brothers.

Leo hopped out of the car and rushed over, scooping up Tory and Lada in a big hug, showering them with kisses on their cheeks. Meanwhile, Raven darted over to Puppy and Tom, knowing the girls were well-attended, and after a fist bump with Thomas, buried his nose in his brother's vest:

"You smell like a dog, P.J.".

"Hey, guys," Marnie's voice cut through the cheerful reunion, redirecting everyone's attention to her.

The brothers broke away from their guests and looked curiously at the stranger.

"Well, aren't you two handsome," Marnie stepped closer, extending a hand to Leo and Raven in turn, as if she expected them to kiss the back of it.

Puzzled, the guys exchanged glances for clues, then carefully, one after the other, touched her hand in a greeting.

"I'm with Jay," Marnie announced lightly, but the news hit like a bolt from the blue, surprising everyone around her.

The brothers' eyebrows shot up in surprise—Raven even let out a stifled croak—as they immediately turned to P.J., anticipating some kind of comment. Tom, meanwhile, wrapped his arm around Lada's shoulders, but misjudged his strength, leaving red imprints on her delicate skin. Only Tory seemed on the verge of letting out a string of expletives, stopped just in time by Puppy's glance and a barely perceptible hand gesture. The telepathic bond between these two never ceased to amaze. From day one, Tory and P.J. could communicate perfectly without uttering a word.

Amid the lingering silence, Marnie nonchalantly linked arms with Jay.

"Oh, we should let Mom know we have extra guest," little Raven broke the uneasy quiet, sounding a bit concerned. "She'll have a stroke if the room is not ready..."

The group awkwardly moved towards the car's trunk.

P.J. and Tom carefully loaded their friends' bags into the pickup and, with synchronized ease, opened the rear doors, ushering Tory and Lada inside. Both girls, silent and compliant, did as they were directed.

Puppy helped Lada climb onto the step that was too high for her and hesitated for a moment before closing the door; he waited until she was comfortably settled and then tucked in the edges of her flowing skirt to prevent it from getting caught in the door.

"Thank you," he said, avoiding her gaze.

"Thank you," she replied, shaking out the folds of the skirt, appreciating how Jay always paid attention to the smallest details.

"I mean for the flight. I can't imagine how I'd survive without you."

Puppy shut the car door and called out to his older brother:

"Leo, drive carefully! You've got the most precious cargo!"

Tom jumped into the back seat, and the pickup set off.

The horizon stretched clear and the sky was painted an impenetrable blue, a shade that couldn't be found on any artist's palette. Clouds appeared overhead one after another, as if an invisible artist had just brushed them onto a canvas. In this vast expanse, the mountains stood tall and silent, watching over the travelers with a protective gaze, guarding them throughout their journey. As they sped down the highway, Lada couldn't take her eyes off the mountain peaks, merrily crowned with snow; some shapes reminded her of human faces, while others resembled the outlines of wild animals, as if they were sculpted from a rare material, delivered to the artist from the very heart of the Earth.

As the sun slowly dipped below the towering pines, it painted the sky with festive hues of red, orange, and gold, dressing the heavens in a lavish evening attire. Raven vigorously cranked the squeaky handle behind his seat, lowering the back window. The wind, rich with the scent of wild mint and pine forest, swept into the cabin, tangling the girls' long hair as they eagerly leaned toward the open window. Playfully nudging each other, they inhaled the aromatic evening air with delight. In the distance, the sound of a mountain stream, resembling the notes of a slightly out-of-tune string instrument, filled the air with a melody that was eternally familiar, yet uniquely different for each listener. Along the roadside, poppies and lavender appeared and vanished, adding bright pigments to the natural still life, like embroidery with thick threads of floss. Every stone, tree, and flower petal embodied the essence of life in a world of wild beauty. Just now, the nature of Colorado had unveiled its secrets and invited the visitors on a journey through time and space, reminding them of an ancient wisdom hidden in every detail.

Distanced from the city's noise and bustle, under the evening symphony of forest birds and rustling leaves, the pickup with its friends lazily approached a cozy town with a small population. The roadside glowed warmly under the old lamps, dusk deepened, and the spaces between the trees filled with a spicy mist, as if one could taste the clouds.

Leo turned onto a well-kept short street, drove a few blocks, and began parking the pickup next to a charming house, its roof mimicking the rugged mountain landscape. The house resembled a historic building with touches of high-tech elements, fitting seamlessly into the surrounding mountain scenery. The old facades had been carefully renovated, and part of the wall had been replaced with panoramic windows, through which warm, homely light spilled from the living room. A canopy extended over the entrance and windows, blending the interior and exterior spaces. Through the windows, one could glimpse an interior designed with geometric balance and calming tones. Slatted panels and heavy oak beams harmonized with quirky "crumpled" light fixtures.

The garden was filled with the heady scent of blooming spring flowers, intoxicating and overwhelming. A heavy door opened, and a flood of homey light spilled onto the spacious terrace, highlighting wicker furniture, velvet-cushioned swings, and a rocking chair. A woman appeared on the porch. Her face wasn't yet visible, but her wide, welcoming smile could be felt; her entire being seemed to emit a warm glow. Behind her stood the head of the family, Robert Jayden—a tall, burly man in a hockey jersey. He waved cheerfully toward the pickup and, amidst his wife's joyful exclamations, descended into the garden to greet the sons and their guests. Leo and Raven opened the pickup doors, and the trio of friends tumbled onto the lawn, stretching and flexing their stiff limbs. Mrs. Jayden reached out to Lada, gently holding her cheeks and hugging her like a daughter. Forgetting herself, Lada melted into the warm embrace, and two large tears rolled down her cheeks. Mrs. Jayden freed one arm and pulled Tory into the hug, showering the girls with compliments and praises about their appearance. Mr. Jayden praised his sons for safely bringing the guests home, hugged the girls, and then engaged Tom in a playful banter that had everyone in stitches.

Mrs. Jayden paused, glancing quickly at Lada before saying: "Um, Pupsy texted... well, they'll be late. Taxi took a while to arrive. Let's sit down for dinner; you all must be starving after such a long journey! I'm so glad you're here!"

Mrs. Jay warmly enveloped Tom in a hug and showered him with motherly kisses, to which he responded with a wide, Cheshire Cat-like grin. In no time, the guests felt at home, thanks to Mrs. Jayden's remarkable knack for creating a welcoming environment. Everything she touched seemed to radiate harmony. Amid the impromptu stand-up show between Mr. Jayden and Thomas, the group heartily enjoyed a homemade dinner, comforted by the warmth and relieved to leave the "challenges" of their flight behind.

The hostess brought out a steaming pie, and Lada with Tory rushed to pour tea just as the dim living room lights were joined by two beams of bright neon: a car was approaching the house. The soft rumble of a suitcase's wheels, the closing of a car trunk, and a cheerful bell that sounded like a bicycle horn were followed by a high-pitched girlish squeal from the yard, the thud of a dropped bike, and P.J.'s velvet voice, swirling his little sister around in his arms. She greeted him joyfully in return. However, the tranquility was short-lived, as their conversation took a sudden turn. P.J. lowered his voice, only Marnie could hear him:

"Were you smoking?!"—he set sister down abruptly, barely letting her stay on feet. "Who brought you home? Whose turn was it to pick you up from practice?"

"Get lost!"

The sounds of a brewing conflict echoed through the yard, and the girl huffed, stomping up the porch steps, nearly crashing through the heavy oak door, then spinning around to yell into the darkness:

"You're hardly ever here! You don't get to lecture me!"

Heavier footsteps followed as P.J. tried to catch up with his sister.

"How could you even think of coming home alone so late?!" Lada and her friends could now hear the argument. It was their first time seeing P.J. this furious. "Why didn't you call to be picked up?"

"Who should I call? You? It looks like you have enough to worry about," she glanced meaningfully at Marnie, who had reached the porch.

"Kitty!" the brother shouted after her.

A schoolgirl around twelve years old stepped over the living room. Her face sparkled with neon glitter, her hair adorned with ribbons, and her t-shirt featured a tattooed unicorn. An image that clashed with her current furious expression. She was flushed, her nostrils flaring, her stance defiant, and her gaze would have incinerated anyone who dared speak to her.

"What the f*ck is this?!" she spat out, waving angrily towards the front door. She was breathing heavily, just starting to make out the figures in the living room.

"Girls..."—the anger in her eyes softened into excitement and joy as she spotted the long-awaited Tory and Lada. In a childlike leap, Kitty dove onto the couch between them, miraculously not breaking any of the precious teacups from her mom's favorite china set. Lada had already opened her arms to hug P.J.'s little sister, who was now crying rivers of tears. The reunion with her beloved brother had gone awry; overwhelmed with anger and hurt, she sobbed as only a young child could, unafraid of being judged. Tory hastily moved the full teacups away from the table's edge, allowing the girls to climb out without spilling anything. By the time Jay and Marnie reached the living room door, the three girls had already disappeared up the stairs toward Kitty's room. The remaining men at the table exchanged puzzled glances, while the oldest Jaydens hurried to greet the newly arrived guests.

***

The remainder of the evening split the household into three groups. Tom and the Jayden brothers found themselves engrossed in a virtual reality basketball game on the court behind the house, accompanied by Mr. Jay's long, humorous monologue. Back in his days, teenagers were playing real sports.

P.J. and Marnie secluded themselves in a room initially prepared for Lada and Tory. Marnie flatly refused to stay in the small guest room, which had hardly been used and wasn't prepared for unexpected guests. The diva made such a scene about relocating that kind-hearted Mrs. Jay became extremely flustered, prompting Lada and Tory to immediately start praising the little room. The girls carried their backpacks in and set up quickly to soothe the poor woman. The room was delightful! With its muted colors, cozy layout, and numerous light sources, it was as tastefully decorated as any other space in the Jayden house. But it owned a unique charm. Sure, it was a bit cramped for two, and the girls barely fit on the narrow bed, but the room exuded a sense of peace. Lada glanced around and saw shelves with hockey trophies and medals from school competitions, weathered guitars hanging on special mounts on the wall, and a tattered Pink Floyd poster peeling off the closet door. There was no doubt she was in the most cherished room of the house: Puppy's room.

After the great relocation, Lada, Tory, and Mrs. Jay tried, in vain, to console the schoolgirl who remained in a foul mood. Their gathering in Kitty's room soon turned into a full-blown slumber party. The girls brought in pie and cups of tea, ready to fully empathize with any teenage drama Kitty wanted to share.

"I thought, I thought...," Kitty sniffled, "that you two were a perfect couple. I couldn't imagine anyone else..."

She broke off, succumbing to another wave of tears. Lada sat next to her, tissues at the ready, expertly handling the deluge.

"There, sweetheart," Lada gave girl a tissue. "Puppy and I are friends. And that's a good thing," she said, even as a knot formed in her stomach at the words.

"Just friends" echoed painfully in Lada's mind... a phrase that stung. Yet she had never let P.J. get close, never allowed him to even hint at affection, and always relegated him to the friend zone whenever she sensed any sign of interest.

"Oh, Lada, give me a break! Friends?! He talks about you nonstop," Kitty sobbed anew.

Mrs. Jayden nodded unconsciously but quickly caught herself and decided to leave the young girls to their conversation. The sudden change in her son's plans had also been a shock to her. She thought she could read her boy's feelings without a doubt, knowing where his affections lay, but it was not her way to intrude on children's lives or offer unsolicited opinions. After Mrs. Jay left the room, Kitty swore like a sailor and, with the determination of a general, demanded a detailed account of how things had unfolded and how that "weasel", as she called Marnie, ended up in their house. Especially on the eve of her beloved brother's birthday.

Lada and Tory would have loved to explain, but they were just as much in the dark as everyone else. So, they simply tried to maintain a positive vibe, doing everything they could to help Kitty have a good time and relax. Once she calmed down, they hoped she could finally enjoy the company of her brother, whom she had missed so much.

It was past midnight when Kitty finally fell asleep, allowing the two friends to retreat to their cozy little nook. As they quietly made their way through the second-floor hallway, they were surprised to bump into P.J. He turned around with a worried expression and hurried to escort them to the bedroom. Lada's heart started to race, but she tried to keep her composure.

"Seems like all I've been doing today is apologizing," he said with a sheepish smile, glancing back and forth between Tory and Lada. "Girls, I'm really sorry about the room situation."

Without a word, Tormenta kissed him on the cheek, wished everyone goodnight, and mentioned she was taking the first turn in the show. Lada and P.J. were left alone in the cool, darkened hallway.

"How are you feeling?" Lada asked.

"Like crap," P.J. replied.

"Want to get some air?" Lada offered, not expecting him to say yes.

Jay shook his head sadly. Lada sighed quietly and lowered her eyes.

"You know you can always come to me? You can tell me anything that's on your mind... and if something's bothering you..." she trailed off, not finishing her thought.

P.J. took both Lada's hands, squeezed them tightly and pulled her closer for a moment.

The girl could feel the warmth of Jay's body and the quickened beat of his heart, seeing the fabric of his shirt rise and fall with his breathing.

He leaned in and kissed her somewhere near her temple: "Trust me, okay?"

He walked away into the dark and then down the stairs. Lada listened to the fading sound of his soft steps, her fingers resting on her temple where the warmth of his friendly kiss lingered.