Where The Ice Gives Way Chapter 118

**Charlotte**

The bathroom door clicks softly behind me as I ease it shut, holding the handle for a second longer than I need to make sure it doesn’t make a sound. Steam clings to my skin, my hair damp around my shoulders, and I take a slow breath before I turn. Jessica is staring straight at me. Annabelle is already elbowing her, both of them buried under blankets, eyes bright, mouths pressed tight like they’re trying not to make a sound. A muffled squeak breaks out between them, followed by a whispered, “Oh my god—”

I freeze halfway across the room.

“…don’t,” I mutter, already feeling the heat crawl up my neck. Jessica’s grin stretches wider, her eyes flicking over me in a way that makes it very clear she heard what just happened.

“We’re not saying anything,” she whispers.

Annabelle snorts beside her. “We’re thinking a lot, though.”

I drag a hand over my face, groaning under my breath as I move toward my bed, grabbing the first shirt I can find and pulling it over my head. “I don’t know what you think you heard, but you can just go ahead and erase that from your memories.”

“Mmm,” Jessica hums, propping herself up on her elbows. “You’re glowing.”

I whip a pillow at her. She catches it with a laugh, barely muffling it into the fabric as Annabelle rolls onto her back, staring up at the ceiling, trying to compose herself and failing miserably. “This is the most entertaining sleepover we’ve ever had,” Jessica whispers.

“Please drop it,” I groan.

She proceeds to make noises that I can’t even deal with right now. I know my whole face is turning red. Annabelle is losing it, laughing into her hands, shoulders shaking as she curls slightly into herself.

“Oh my god, stop,” I mumble, dropping onto the edge of the bed and burying my face in my hands for a second. The mattress dips as Jessica crawls closer, nudging my arm. “Okay, okay,” she says, still grinning. “We’ll behave.”

Annabelle turns her head toward me, her eyes still sparkling. “You look happy.”

“I am,” I admit quietly.

Jessica immediately clutches her chest. “I knew it. I felt it. I woke up, and I was like—something has changed in the universe.”

“Please stop talking.”

“No, because this is important,” she insists, flopping dramatically onto her back. “You have officially entered her glowing era.”

“I’m going to throw you out the window.”

“You wouldn’t,” she gasps.

Annabelle smirks. “She absolutely would.”

I shake my head, but the smile slips out anyway.

Jessica rolls onto her side, chin in her hand, as she studies me. “Okay, but seriously… Blake?”

I try to look unimpressed. “What about him?”

She makes a sound that’s somewhere between a sigh and a squeal. “He’s ridiculous.”

Annabelle hums in agreement. “The way he looks at you is actually unfair.”

My cheeks warm again, and I reach for another pillow to have something to do with my hands.

“He’s… good to me,” I say, which feels like the understatement of the century.

Jessica groans. “Good? He looks like he’d fight the sun if it got too close to you.”

“He would,” Annabelle adds casually.

Jessica suddenly sits up straighter, her eyes lighting up. “Speaking of extremely likable boys… your brother?”

I blink, screwing my face up and trying not to gag. “Charlie?”

She presses her lips together, trying and failing to hide a grin. “He’s kind of—”

“Don’t,” Annabelle cuts in, pointing at her. “We already talked about this. You can’t be Charlotte's friend and crush on her brother.”

“What? I’m allowed to have eyes.”

“Not for him, you’re not.”

Jessica throws her hands up. “Why? He’s funny. And nice. And he didn’t even make a big deal when I nearly tripped over the coffee table last night.”

“Yeah, he just watched you walk into it,” Annabelle deadpans.

“That’s not the point.”

I stare between them, my brows lifting slowly. “Oh, my god. Is this really a thing? You and…” I crinkle my nose.

Jessica points at me immediately. “Don’t start.”

“You like my brother? Seriously?” I would be lying if I said Charlie wasn’t a nice guy, but… Oh. Is this how he felt seeing Blake and me?

“I don’t like him,” she says quickly. “I just… appreciate him.”

Annabelle groans. “This is going to be a problem.”

I laugh, shaking my head as I stand and move toward my wardrobe. “You’re unbelievable… but you know I won’t stop you if you want to” I wave my hands around “like him, or whatever.”

Jessica flops back again with a dreamy sigh. “I knew you’d be cool with it.”

“Debatable.”

Annabelle sits up, stretching her arms over her head. “At least she’s not talking about Theo.”

Jessica makes a face. “Ugh.”

That catches my attention. “What about Theo?”

They exchange a look. Then both of them start laughing. “Okay,” Jessica says, pushing herself up again. “Theo is—”

“Disgusting,” Annabelle cuts in.

“—a menace,” Jessica corrects.

“He cannot keep it in his pants,” Annabelle adds, completely serious.

I laugh at that. I know Theo isn’t exactly the one you’d choose for a gold star in kiss, marry, kill, but I didn’t think he was that bad. “What are you guys talking about?”

Jessica leans closer, lowering her voice like she’s about to reveal a secret. “There’s a girl in every class who thinks she’s the exception.”

“He makes them think that,” Annabelle says.

“And then—” Jessica gestures vaguely. “He’s just… typical Theo again. Love em’ for a night and leave em’”

I snort. “Well, that’s a lovely image he’s building for himself.”

Annabelle shakes her head. “He’s going to get himself in trouble one day.”

Jessica grins. “He already has. Multiple times.”

I laugh again, the sound coming easier now. It’s hard not to laugh around these two. I’m only a little sad I didn’t meet them sooner. I could really have used friends like this in my life before. Annabelle nudges my shoulder as I pass her, heading for the door. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs before Jessica misses her chance to share breakfast with your brother.”

I visibly shiver as Jessica jumps up excitedly.

I grab my jacket and follow them out, Jessica practically bouncing down the hallway. 

“Slow down,” I call after her.

“Absolutely not,” she throws back.

Annabelle shakes her head as we head downstairs together, and for a second, it feels like a normal morning. Almost.