As the credits rolled on yet another ridiculous horror film, my chaos-filled family finally took a collective breath of relief.
My mom was still buzzing with excitement, enthusiastically discussing the movie's most absurd moments, while Dad faced a seemingly endless round of taunts from Lily, who had picked up on how embarrassing their antics had made me.
I intertwined my fingers with Ciara's, squeezing her hand to remind myself that we had made it through that chaotic night together. The warmth of her touch offered a reassuring comfort, even amidst the family madness surrounding us.
As the vibe shifted and laughter mellowed into a warm buzz, I finally found my moment to escape. "How about a tour of my room?" I proposed to Ciara, trying to subtly signal that I needed a break from the scrutiny of my family.
"Your room?" Ciara raised an eyebrow and played along, clearly curious. "Should I be worried about what I might find there?"