The sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, illuminating the room with a warm golden hue. I woke up slowly, feeling the comforting weight of Sack's arm around my waist. It was the first time we had slept at Olivia's house during these vacations, and despite how extravagant everything was here, there was something reassuring about sharing such a simple moment with him. The night before had been surprisingly calm, without interruptions or unexpected drama. For once, it seemed like even Olivia was saving her eccentricities for later.
I moved gently so as not to wake him, but Sack opened his eyes almost immediately, smiling sleepily.
"Good morning," he murmured, his voice still hoarse from sleep.
"Good morning," I replied, returning his smile. "I think we should get up before Olivia sends someone to look for us."
Sack made a fake horrified face.
"No way. If we stay here a little longer, maybe we can avoid her for a few hours. You know how she gets when she has a plan."
We both laughed, though we knew resisting Olivia was practically impossible. After a few minutes of lounging, we finally got up, changed, and went in search of our friend.
When we reached the backyard, we were greeted by a scene worthy of a social event magazine. Olivia was standing in the middle of a team of employees, gesturing dramatically as she gave instructions like a general leading an epic battle. There were tables covered with immaculate white tablecloths, chairs decorated with colorful ribbons, and large awnings providing shade without dimming the ambiance. Huge grills were already being lit, and several waiters carried trays loaded with meats, fresh vegetables, and cold drinks.
"There you are!" Olivia exclaimed when she saw us, pointing theatrically. "I thought you'd never wake up. I'm organizing the most epic barbecue you've ever seen. It's literally going to go down in history books."
I rolled my eyes, unable to suppress a smile.
"Really? History books? That seems a bit ambitious, even for you."
Olivia placed a hand on her hip, pretending to be offended.
"Lindsay, underestimating me is your first mistake. This isn't just a barbecue; it's an experience. An event that will officially mark the beginning of our new group dynamic now that Ellie is on the radar."
Sack raised an eyebrow.
"Wait, did you already call Ellie?"
"Of course I did," Olivia replied, pulling out her phone proudly. "And let me tell you, it was quite the negotiation. At first, she said she couldn't come because she had to work. But, well, who am I to accept a 'no' as an answer?"
"Let me guess," I interjected, crossing my arms. "You used your famous powers of persuasion."
Olivia grinned widely.
"Exactly. I told her we could have the barbecue after her shift at the café. She couldn't say no after that."
Sack shook his head, amused.
"Only you could organize an impromptu party in less than a day and convince someone to change their plans."
"It's a natural talent," Olivia replied, shrugging as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
We spent the next few hours helping (or attempting to help) Olivia with the preparations. She insisted on supervising every detail, from the arrangement of the flowers to the ambient music coming from hidden speakers among the bushes. Though it was undeniable that everything looked stunning, it was also exhausting trying to keep up with her frantic pace.
Finally, it was time to pick up Ellie. We climbed into Olivia's sleek black sports car, driven by her usual chauffeur, while Sack and I took the back seats. During the ride, we talked about how excited we were to spend more time with Ellie. Despite having met her recently, I felt her presence added something special to our group.
When we arrived at the café where Ellie worked, she was behind the counter, serving coffee to the last customers of the day. She saw us walk in and smiled shyly, though I noticed a flicker of fatigue in her eyes. Olivia, always direct, approached the counter.
"Ellie!" she said enthusiastically. "We're here to kidnap you. Well, technically it's not a kidnapping since you already gave permission, but it still sounds more exciting that way."
Ellie let out a nervous giggle.
"I'm not sure if I should be worried about that word."
"Relax," I intervened, stepping closer. "We just want you to enjoy a free afternoon. Besides, Olivia has organized an epic barbecue at her house. It would be a crime to miss it."
Ellie looked at Olivia with a mix of disbelief and amusement.
"You really did all this just so I'd come?"
"Of course," Olivia responded, winking at her. "You're part of the group now, and that means you have to endure our madness. It's an unwritten rule."
After finishing her shift, Ellie agreed to join us. During the ride back, we chatted animatedly about all kinds of topics. Ellie seemed to relax little by little, leaving behind the tension she usually carried with her. When we arrived at the mansion, her eyes widened at the sight of the decorated garden and the irresistible aroma of food grilling.
"This… is incredible," Ellie said, visibly impressed. "Thank you for inviting me."
Olivia patted her on the shoulder.
"Don't thank us yet. The night is just beginning."
The barbecue began under a starry sky, with laughter and conversations flowing freely. Ellie, though shy at first, soon started opening up more. I noticed that behind her apparent strength, there was a vulnerability that made her even more intriguing.
"So, Ellie," Olivia said as we all sat around a long table, "tell us something no one knows about you. Something that makes you unique."
Ellie took a moment to think, playing with her glass of lemonade.
"Well…" she began, with a small smile, "I don't think anyone knows that I love drawing comics. It's something I do when I need to clear my mind."
Sack raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Comics? That's awesome. What are they about?"
"They're short stories, about people facing everyday problems but with a touch of fantasy. Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if the world were different, if we all had superpowers or something like that."
Olivia clapped excitedly.
"That's amazing! You should show us some of your drawings someday. I bet they're epic."
Ellie chuckled softly.
"Maybe someday. But they're nothing special."
"Nonsense," I interjected. "If they mean something to you, then they're important."
Ellie looked at me with gratitude, and I could see how her shyness was starting to fade.
Later, as we ate, the conversation turned to future plans. Ellie spoke about how she wanted to help her family and how she hoped to one day fully dedicate herself to her studies.
"It's admirable that you think so much about others," Sack said, with genuine admiration. "A lot of people only think about themselves."
Ellie shrugged, though her cheeks turned pink.
"It's what I have to do. My family has done so much for me, so I want to give something back."
Olivia raised her glass.
"I'll drink to that. To families, to new friends, and to unexpected barbecues."
We clinked our glasses, laughing under the starry sky. That night marked the beginning of something special: a new friendship that promised to be as chaotic as it was beautiful.