The warmth of the house washed over me as I stepped inside, grateful to be out of the cold. I propped the portrait against the coat stand and shrugged off my jacket. With my back to the living room, I sensed eyes on me—a prickling awareness that made the hairs on my neck stand on end.

“SURPRISE!” familiar voices shouted. “Happy Birthday!”

I jumped and turned, and there they were: Val, looking effortlessly tall and stylish as ever, and Iah, short and bursting with energy. I clapped my hands over my mouth, holding back a squeal of joy, and ran over, pulling them into a huge hug. I had to blink back tears—well, more tears—because I’d missed them so much. So, I just let them fall. At least they’d hide the tears I’d shed before. When I finally pulled back, the three of us stood there, hands linked.

“Oh my god, you guys! What are you doing here?” I wiped my eyes as Val and Iah gave me a long look.

“Leni, you alright?” Iah asked, her warm honey brown eyes peering at me through her thick glasses. She always looked at me like she could see right through me. I nodded, grinning. That was a nickname I would never have a problem with. We met in kindergarten and neither of us could pronounce each other’s name. Mariah became Iah and I became Leni (pronounced Lay-nee).

“I am now. I missed you both so much,” I said, sniffling a little as I glanced between them. They exchanged glances, and I saw the guilt written all over their faces.

“I told you we should’ve kept in touch more,” Val said, her voice smooth and drawn out. Iah sighed and looked down at her boots.

“Yeah, we’re sorry, Leni. Val was off galivanting in Italy with some fancy people.” Val glared at Iah, which Iah ignored. “My dad has me working overtime with him on some dig site outside what used to be Babylon. A mass grave was found, and it’s caused quite a buzz—”

“Anyways,” Val interrupted, “what Iah was trying to say is that we realised we’d been too distant and decided to make plans for your birthday. I misjudged when I tried to keep it on the downlow, thanks to this one’s inexcusable large mouth.” Val smirked at Iah.

“I didn’t want to ruin the surprise,” Iah said, shrugging with a wicked smile. Val shook her head and huffed, giving me a knowing look. I chuckled, sharing the look with her—everyone knew Iah was terrible at keeping secrets, let alone surprises. Honestly, I was just so glad they were here—and that they had valid excuses for being busy. Heck, I wasn’t off the hook either. Ever since meeting Carter, my messages had gotten shorter and shorter. He was quite the distraction.

“So,” I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow at them with a playful grin. “Are you going to tell me what you two locas are up to, or do I have to guess?”

I took a second to really look at them. Both Iah and Val still had their jackets on, but their faces and hairstyles were bold, almost goth or punk inspired. They both grinned, and before Iah could even open her mouth, Val beat her to it.

“We are taking you out!” Val declared.

Iah shot her a dirty look, clearly miffed that she didn’t get to spill the news.

“Out where?” I asked, glancing between them. They exchanged knowing glances and did a quick look around, obviously checking for my parents. Good question—where was my mamá and dad?

“Just out. That’s the surprise.” Iah gave me a conspiratorial wink, as if expecting my mamá to pop out from the shadows. Right on cue, she appeared with coffees in hand.

“Elena! You’re home so early. Everything ok, mi amor?” She placed the cups on the coffee table and walked up to me. My mamá’s tone held a hint of concern as she slid into her classic defensive stance, ready to protect at the first sign of trouble.

“Si, mamá, everything’s fine. I just wanted a quick walk so I could get back to work, but lo and behold, the troublemakers appeared!” I laughed, watching her expression soften with relief.

“Woah… the boy’s got it bad,” I heard Iah say behind me. I spun around to see her holding the portrait of me, examining it with a raised eyebrow. Aw crap. Val sidled over to take a closer look too, both of them glancing between the canvas and me, back to the canvas, and then at me again. My patience started to wear thin.

“Alright, that’s enough! Yes, Carter painted a portrait of me. Now give it here.” My mamá, ever curious, bounded over to get a look for herself, tilting her head as she studied it.

“He got your nose wrong,” she declared, totally deadpan.

“Mamá!” I hissed, horrified. But now that my mamá had started it, Iah and Val jumped right in.

“No, no, I think Mrs J is on to something,” Iah said, nodding seriously. “And the hair—way too perfect. Where are the split ends? The random crimp that shows up from pulling her hair in frustration? These are crucial Leni qualities!”

Val nodded, chiming in, “Absolutely. The expression’s too calm. Where’s the little wrinkle on her forehead when she’s thinking hard?” She pinched the space above her eyebrows as if to demonstrate.

I scoffed, storming over to reclaim the painting, but Val was too quick, snatching it from Iah’s hands and holding it up, just out of reach, with a smirk.

“Ugh, you have got to be kidding me! Give it back!” I felt like I was back in grade school. Only it was Iah who had pulled stunts like this before—once, when I got my first bra, she’d paraded it around my room, chanting, “Leni has graduated from FlatChest High!”

“Elena, calm it.” Val raised a hand to stop me from leaping up to grab it. “Honestly, he did a good job. A little too good. Yes, it’s you, and you’re beautiful, but it feels a bit… polished.” I stopped reaching and looked at Val’s serious violet eyes. She meant it. Iah and my mamá nodded in agreement.

“It’s like you’ve been photoshopped,” Iah added. “Where are your freckles?” That threw me. I hadn’t noticed. I looked up at the portrait again. Sure enough, no freckles. How could he miss that? Freckles were me. I sighed.

“I don’t know what to say. He just painted me the way he saw me, I guess.” I shrugged, and Val finally lowered the painting. They exchanged glances, then my mamá broke the silence.

“It’s a lovely portrait, Elena. He did a good job, and I’m sure he simply forgot the freckles.” She took the painting from Val and handed it to me, then leaned over to kiss my forehead. “Listen, I know the girls are taking you out tonight, so have fun.” She smiled, and I felt my spirits lift a little. “But finish the project tomorrow.” She added, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“Yes, mamá,” I replied dutifully.

“Oh, and your father and I will be going out tonight too—courtesy of Val.” She raised an eyebrow at Val, who gave a nod.

“It was a bribe. I booked them a table at Lotus,” Val replied, as if it were no big deal.

Iah and I gasped. Lotus was the place to go on Averon’s North Side. You had to book months in advance! Val must’ve used her model connections to score that one.

“No way! That place costs more than my tuition! No offense, Mrs. J, but you guys can’t afford it!” Iah exclaimed.

My mamá smirked. Thank god she thought that was funny. “Val took care of the bill.” She said it casually and then headed out of the room. I looked at Val, who just shrugged with a smirk that said, “Because I can.”

“Show-off,” Iah grumbled, making a face. Val stuck her tongue out in response.

Iah giggled, then grabbed my hand, and before I knew it, we were upstairs in my room, door shut in under five seconds.

“Alright, now that the coast is clear (and let’s hope your mom isn’t eavesdropping),” Iah squealed, practically vibrating with excitement, “we can finally reveal where we’re going tonight!”

“Alright, out with it!” I was buzzing with impatience.

“Brace yourself, Leni,” she announced, grinning, “because we’re taking you to… Club Dusk.”