Lily's POV

  Six months ago

  People say weddings are the happiest days of your life. I'm not sure who "people" are, but they clearly haven't had to listen to triplets scream over who gets to wear which heels or watch their mom cry over the wrong flower delivery three times in one morning.

  Still, we pulled it off by some miracle—or maybe just because my family is used to disasters. Madison's wedding actually looked like those Instagram reels she kept forcing me to watch. You know, all blush tones and slow-motion flower petals.

  She looked good. Like... better than good. Her dress didn't look itchy like I thought it would. And when she walked down the aisle, holding Dad's arm and trying not to cry, something in my chest flipped over and decided to stay that way the rest of the day.

  Madison, the same girl who once shoved my head into a laundry basket for touching her makeup, the only girl who has ever seen me as me, who was there when everyone neglected me, was now somebody's wife. Woody's wife.

  And he was crying too. Gross, I know. But I'll admit it; it got to me.

  The ceremony was short—thank God—and the reception was loud. Too many people. Too many hugs. Too many weird uncles asking me if I had a boyfriend. I wanted to disappear under the buffet table, but Beatrice dragged me into a dance battle with the triplets, and I forgot about my aching feet for a while.

  We danced like idiots. My sisters were happy. Even Mom laughed. Dad didn't complain about the music once, which meant he was either drunk or secretly enjoying himself.

  It was... nice.

  Real.

  Warm.

  Later that night, I ended up standing near the edge of the venue, watching Madison and Woody slow dance like they were the last two people alive. His hands around her waist, her cheek against his shoulder.

  It was the sweetest thing ever. I also had a bit of a romance dance with Payton. He is honestly the best thing to have happened to me, of course after Maddy.

  It's crazy how fast things can change. One minute you're stealing each other's hoodies and arguing about charger cables, the next your big sister is a wife and everything feels like it's speeding past you.

  I excused myself from the crowd to take a break. I leaned against the railing, arms folded, trying to figure out if I felt lonely or just tired.

  Woody walked up to me not long after. "She's still your sister, you know."

  "Thanks for the update," I said without looking at him.

  He chuckled. He was quite happy today than usual. Well it his wedding, he would be damned not to.

  "She won't disappear just because she's married."

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  "I know that."

  Silence. The kind that's not awkward but thick.

  "You okay?" he asked.

  I nodded slowly. "Yeah. Just taking it all in."

  He didn't say anything right away. Just stood beside me, arms folded too. Matching posture.

  "I meant it, you know," he added. "You're a huge part of this family. I wanted you all in that house for a reason."

  I looked over at him. His voice sounded sincere. And I'm glad he is. He really is Avery good brother to me, and I'm so happy they found each other.

  Still, I smiled—small but real. "Thanks. I guess."

  "Anytime, Lilypad."

  "Lilypad?" I raised an eyebrow, staring at him in confusion.

  "Yh, it's my new nickname for ya. You like it?"

  I rolled my eyes at the nickname. He laughed again and walked off, probably back to Madison.

  And me?

  I went back to Payton and my sisters enjoying the rest of the night.

  Things have been good to us for awhile now. Me winning the competition, Mom opening her new bakery, Dad getting promoted at work, Beatrice Career doing amazing

  Things felt... good. Like maybe they'd stay that way for a while.

  3 months passed

  Our lives were better now, Madison and Woody were still here awhile. I think they hare having issues with some documents or something, Madison mentioned at the dinner table last night. But we didn't mind, Woody did gift us the house. And my God is it magnificent.

  The house is huge—like sixteen rooms huge. There's enough space for everyone to exist without even bumping into each other. It's like living in a hotel, but without strangers and weird noises in the hallway.

  And anyway, Madison and Woody have been chill about everything. They gave me the prettiest room in the house—Madison wanted the biggest suite for her and Woody, but he was the one who told me, "Pick the one that feels like yours." So I did.

  Far right side of the house. Balcony. Floor-to-ceiling windows. The view's insane. I can see the lake and all the city lights at night. It's kind of far from the other rooms, but that's the best part. It's peaceful. It feels like my own little bubble.

  And now, Payton's part of that bubble too.

  He's been coming over more lately, and not just for casual hangouts—like, actual boyfriend visits. We've been dating for a while now. I mean, he still tries to act cool and all mysterious with his hoodies and sarcastic jokes, but I know him too well at this point.

  Like today, he came over after school. He brought snacks and his hoodie for me to wear, because apparently "prom stress requires snacks and oversized comfort." He's not wrong.

  We sat in my room, listening to music and sorting through prom stuff. My dress is still hanging in the garment bag in my closet, but just thinking about it makes my stomach flutter.

  "You're really gonna wear blue?" he asked, laying on my bed like he lived here.

  "I like blue," I said, tossing a pillow at his face. "And it makes my skin pop, thank you very much."

  He pulled the pillow down, grinning. "Everything makes you pop."

  "Cheesy," I said, rolling my eyes, but my cheeks got warm anyway.

  We talked about prom plans, songs we hope they play, and whether or not we should sneak out early and go stargazing after. Honestly, I don't even care what happens that night—I just wanna go with him. I wanna dance. It's the first prom I'm attending. I don't attend any party or events even though Camila begs me with her life. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't waiting for a guy to come swoop me before I went. I was going through a lot, and I did go to Prissy's party with her before I even started dating Payton.

  "You nervous?" he asked me at some point, looking over from where he was playing with one of my rings on the nightstand.

  "About prom?"

  "About... everything."

  I looked at him. His hair was messy from laying on my pillows, and he was wearing the bracelet I made him months ago, even though the beads are starting to fall off.

  "No," I said. "Not when you're here."

  He smiled. That stupid, boyish, warm smile that makes me forget how to function for a sec.

  We ended up curled on my bed, just watching random videos and talking about nothing. It felt easy. It felt right.

  Later, when he left and I walked him downstairs, Woody was in the living room reading something on his tablet. He looked up and nodded at Payton. I kissed him goodbye before he left.

  "Night," I said, heading back to my room.

  "Night, Lily," Woody replied.

  Hi everyone!!! The next two or three chapters are going to be Woody's so you can see how crazy and creepy he is. I hope you like it. And it would really help the book if you voted and commented. Thank you. I love you all.