The sun was already high in the sky when I slowly opened my eyes, feeling my head protest at the effort. Light poured through the partially open curtains, illuminating the room with a clarity that seemed to mock me. It took me a few seconds to remember why I felt as though I'd run a marathon while carrying a backpack full of books. Ah, right… Olivia's birthday party.
Lindsay was curled up beside me, still deeply asleep. Her blonde hair fell messily but charmingly over her face, and her breathing was slow and calm. I didn't want to wake her, but I knew I couldn't stay there all day. Besides, I needed water—urgently.
I carefully moved to avoid disturbing her, but as I did, Lindsay stirred and slowly opened her eyes.
"What time is it?" she mumbled in a raspy voice, rubbing her eyes.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand.
"Noon," I replied, trying to sound casual, though my tone betrayed how surprised I was that we'd slept so late.
Lindsay groaned and covered her face with her hands.
"I don't remember the last time I drank so much," she said, sitting up slowly. "I think even Coldplay started to seem sensible by the end of the night."
We both laughed, though the sudden movement made my head throb even more.
"I don't even want to imagine how everyone else is doing," I commented, running a hand through my messy hair. "They're probably all still asleep."
Lindsay nodded, her cheeks still buried in her hands.
"Probably. Olivia's probably awake because she never needs sleep, but Ellie… well, she might be in a coma until tomorrow."
We exchanged a knowing smile. We knew the night before had been epic, but we also knew today would be different. Today would be quiet, relaxed, without the pressure of planning or organizing anything. We were just going to enjoy the moment.
After a few minutes of mentally recovering, we decided to get up and find something to eat. The silence in the house was almost surreal. Normally, the Hart Estate was a place full of life, with laughter, conversations, and constant music. But now, all we could hear was the soft murmur of the wind outside and the occasional creak of floorboards beneath our feet.
We found the kitchen empty, confirming our suspicions: everyone was still asleep. I made coffee while Lindsay pulled some rolls from the fridge and put them in the oven. As we waited, we sat at the central counter, drinking our hot coffee and chatting about the night before.
"Do you remember when Olivia started singing 'Yellow' with Coldplay?" Lindsay asked, laughing at the memory. "She was so excited that she practically jumped onto the stage."
I nodded, smiling.
"Yeah, and then she dragged Charlotte into dancing with her. That kid has more energy than all of us combined."
Lindsay sighed, looking out the window.
"It was magical, wasn't it? I don't know how we managed to pull everything off so well, but it was worth every second."
"That's because we're amazing," I joked, taking another sip of coffee. "Though I think Olivia deserves most of the credit. Without her, this party wouldn't have had half its energy."
Lindsay nodded thoughtfully.
"That's true. Olivia always finds a way to make things memorable. Even when it seems like she's causing chaos, she ends up bringing us all together."
A few more minutes passed before we decided to go check if anyone else was awake. We climbed the stairs to the main bedrooms and, sure enough, found Olivia sitting on the couch in the common room, using her laptop while sipping a cup of tea. When she saw us, she greeted us with a big smile.
"Finally! I thought you two were going to sleep until tomorrow," Olivia exclaimed, closing her laptop and propping her feet up on the table in front of her.
"Good morning to you too," I responded, flopping down into one of the nearby armchairs. "How are you so fresh after last night?"
Olivia shrugged, looking proud of herself.
"I have a perfect metabolism. Plus, I'm a professional at this whole party thing. You should take notes."
Lindsay rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling.
"Sure, Olivia. We'll keep that in mind for the next time we plan a Coldplay-worthy party."
Just then, Ellie appeared in the doorway, shuffling her feet and with her hair completely disheveled. She collapsed onto the couch next to Olivia, covering her face with a cushion.
"If anyone mentions fireworks or drones again, I'll scream," she muttered from under the cushion.
We all laughed, though we tried to hold back when we saw Ellie's pained expression.
"Relax, little one," Olivia said, patting her on the back. "Today will be a calm day. Just movies, junk food, and maybe some video games if you're feeling brave."
Ellie lifted her head just enough to look at Olivia.
"Do you promise there won't be any extravagant surprises?"
Olivia placed a hand over her heart, feigning solemnity.
"I promise. No drones, no famous bands. Just peace and quiet."
Ellie nodded weakly and went back to hiding under the cushion.
After making sure everyone was comfortable, we settled into the common room to watch a movie. Olivia chose a classic comedy, arguing that we needed something light after the intensity of the night before. We got cozy on the chairs and sofas, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by snacks that Olivia had prepared earlier.
As the movie played, conversations flowed naturally. We talked about the most memorable moments of the party, from the improvised dance choreography to the orchestra's performance during Coldplay's set.
"And what about the fireworks?" Olivia asked, turning to me. "Did you like the recreation of our photo?"
I smiled, recalling the moment.
"It was impressive. I couldn't believe they'd managed something like that. It looked like it came straight out of a movie."
Lindsay nodded, leaning against my shoulder.
"It really captured how special this year has been for us. Everything we've been through together… it's been incredible."
Ellie, who seemed to have regained some energy, chimed in with a classic Olivia line.
"Sometimes I think we should write a book about our adventures. It would be epic."
Olivia raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Only if I'm the main character. And I demand chapters dedicated exclusively to my brilliance."
We all laughed, though we knew Olivia was right. Without her, our lives would be far less interesting.
When the movie ended, the atmosphere remained warm and relaxed. Outside, the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. It was hard to believe that just a few hours ago we'd been in the middle of a monumental party. Now, we were simply enjoying each other's company, with no rush or expectations.
"You know, I think this is exactly the kind of day we needed," I commented, looking around. "After so much chaos, it's nice to have a moment of calm."
Lindsay smiled at me, intertwining her hand with mine.
"I agree. It's like we're recharging our batteries for whatever comes next."
Olivia nodded, gazing toward the horizon.
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be memorable. It always is with us."
Ellie, who now seemed fully recovered, raised her teacup in a toast-like gesture.
"To many more crazy adventures and calm days like this."
We all raised our cups, sharing a smile. We knew that no matter what the future brought, we'd always have these moments to cherish. And that, more than any party or celebration, was what truly mattered.