The dorm was quieter the next evening.
Not silent—
But calmer.
Like the chaos from the night before had finally settled into something soft.
Emma stretched across the couch again, scrolling through her phone lazily.
"…I still can't believe you made me do that."
Ella, sitting beside her, smiled innocently.
"…You agreed to the rules."
Emma turned her head slowly.
"…You used my own rules against me."
From the kitchen, Elia spoke without looking up,
"…That's usually how rules work."
Emma gasped.
"…You're both unbelievable."
A pause.
Then—
She sat up suddenly.
"…Wait."
Ella blinked.
"…What?"
Emma's expression shifted.
Not dramatic.
Not mischievous.
Just—
Thoughtful.
"…Let's invite Felix over."
Silence.
Elia stopped what she was doing.
Ella's eyes widened slightly.
"…Here?" Ella asked.
Emma nodded.
"…Yeah."
Elia turned slowly.
"…Are you sure?"
Emma hesitated for half a second.
Then—
"…Everything's fine now, right?"
A pause.
Ella smiled softly.
"…Yeah."
Elia studied her.
Carefully.
Then gave a small nod.
"…Alright."
Emma blinked.
"…That was easier than expected."
"…Don't make me change my mind."
"…Noted."
An hour later—
The dorm felt… different.
Not cleaner.
(Not that Emma didn't try.)
But prepared.
Snacks were on the table.
Drinks set out.
Ella had even adjusted the cushions like it mattered.
Emma paced.
Of course she did.
"…Why am I nervous?"
Ella laughed softly.
"…Because this is your space."
Emma pointed at her.
"…Exactly. My space."
Elia leaned against the wall.
Calm as ever.
"…You invited him."
"…I know, I know."
A knock.
Emma froze.
"…Oh no."
Ella stood up.
"…I'll get it—"
"NO."
Emma rushed past her.
"…I invited him, I open the door."
Elia watched the entire thing silently.
Emma took a breath.
Opened the door.
Felix stood there.
Same calm presence.
Same easy expression.
"Hey."
Emma blinked.
"…You're early."
"…I'm on time."
"…That's early for us."
A small smile.
"Can I come in?"
"…Oh—right. Yes."
She stepped aside quickly.
He walked in.
And just like that—
The dorm wasn't just theirs anymore.
Ella stepped forward first.
"Hi."
"Hi."
Elia gave a small nod.
"…Welcome."
Felix glanced around briefly.
Taking it in.
"…This is where the chaos happens."
Emma pointed at him immediately.
"EXCUSE ME."
Ella laughed.
"…He's not wrong."
Elia added calmly,
"…It's usually worse."
Emma stared at all of them.
"…I regret this invitation."
"…Too late," Felix replied.
They settled into the living room.
Emma sat on the couch.
Felix beside her.
Ella across from them.
Elia standing for a moment—
Then sitting down slowly.
A pause.
Then—
Ella smiled.
"…So."
Emma narrowed her eyes.
"…Why does that sound dangerous?"
Ella looked at Elia.
And Elia—
For once—
Didn't stop it.
"…We thought it would be fun," Ella said softly.
Emma immediately stood up.
"NO."
Felix blinked.
"…What's happening?"
Emma pointed at them both.
"DO NOT SAY ANYTHING."
Elia crossed her arms.
"…We're just talking."
Emma shook her head.
"…No. No talking. Silence. Everyone go home."
"…You invited me," Felix reminded calmly.
Emma looked betrayed.
Ella tried to stay gentle.
"…We just want to share some stories."
Emma froze.
"…What kind of stories."
Elia answered simply.
"…About you."
Silence.
Emma slowly turned.
"…This is a betrayal of the highest level."
Felix leaned back slightly.
Clearly interested now.
"…I'm listening."
Emma sat down again.
Defeated.
"…I hate all of you."
Ella smiled sweetly.
"…Do you remember trainee days?"
Emma covered her face instantly.
"NO."
Felix raised an eyebrow.
"…Now I'm definitely listening."
Elia spoke calmly.
"…She tripped during evaluation."
Emma dropped her hands.
"IT WAS ONE TIME."
Ella shook her head.
"…Three times."
Felix blinked.
"…Three?"
Emma pointed.
"THE FLOOR WAS SLIPPERY."
Elia added,
"…It wasn't."
Ella tried to hold back laughter.
"…She stood up like nothing happened."
Emma nodded quickly.
"YES. PROFESSIONALISM."
Elia continued,
"…Then tripped again."
Felix laughed.
Actually laughed.
Emma stared at him.
"…You're enjoying this too much."
"…A little."
Ella leaned forward.
"…Oh—and the time she waved at the wrong person on stage."
Emma gasped.
"THAT DOESN'T COUNT."
Felix looked confused.
"…What happened?"
Ella smiled.
"…She thought a fan was calling her."
Emma groaned.
"…They weren't."
Elia added calmly,
"…They were calling security."
Felix covered his mouth.
Trying not to laugh.
Failed.
Emma threw a cushion at him.
"YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON MY SIDE."
"…I wasn't given instructions."
Ella laughed into her hands.
"…There's more."
Emma stood up again.
"NO. WE'RE DONE. STORY TIME IS OVER."
Elia spoke.
"…The airport incident."
Emma froze mid-step.
"…Don't."
Felix leaned forward now.
"…What airport incident?"
Ella hesitated—
Then whispered like it was a secret.
"…She waved back at someone…"
Emma closed her eyes.
"…It was a mirror."
Silence.
Then—
Felix laughed harder than before.
Emma pointed dramatically.
"IT WAS CONFUSING."
Elia nodded.
"…There was no one else there."
"…DETAILS."
The room filled with laughter.
Real.
Loud.
Uncontrolled.
Emma tried to stay annoyed.
She really did.
But eventually—
She started laughing too.
"…Okay, but YOU—"
She pointed at Elia.
"—forgot your mic was on once."
Silence.
Ella blinked.
Felix turned slowly.
"…Really?"
Elia didn't react.
"…It was once."
Emma grinned.
"…And she said—"
"Don't."
"—'If Emma messes up again—'"
"Emma."
"—'I'm replacing her.'"
Silence.
Then—
Ella burst out laughing.
Felix smiled.
Elia sighed.
"…It was a joke."
Emma leaned back.
"…Sure it was."
They kept going.
Story after story.
Embarrassing moments.
Mistakes.
Old memories.
Nothing heavy.
Nothing serious.
Just—
Them.
And Felix—
Wasn't outside of it anymore.
He was part of the laughter.
Part of the moment.
At some point—
Emma leaned back against the couch.
Smiling.
Breathing a little slower.
"…Okay… maybe this wasn't a bad idea."
Ella smiled softly.
"…Told you."
Elia looked at her.
"…You survived."
Emma rolled her eyes.
"…Barely."
Felix glanced at her.
"…I learned a lot today."
Emma narrowed her eyes.
"…You learned nothing."
"…I learned you wave at mirrors."
"…GET OUT."
They laughed again.
And for the first time—
It didn't feel like Emma was introducing Felix into their world.
It felt like—
He had found a place in it.
Naturally.
Easily.
And as the night settled—
As the laughter slowly faded into quiet—
One thing became clear.
Some stories are embarrassing.
Some moments are chaotic.
But sharing them—
Made everything feel a little more real.
And a little more—
Like home.