yall really thought i was done??😭😭

Atlas stood at the counter, wallet in hand, her amber eyes scanning the bowling prices as she handled the transaction. She felt Demitra's hands sneak around her waist and then boldly rest on her ass. Without looking back, Atlas sighed dramatically.

"Get your hands off my butt, Demitra," she said, her voice tinged with mock exasperation.

"No," Demitra replied cheekily, giving a little squeeze.

Eli, standing beside her sister, rolled her eyes. "Yeah, Mia, cut it out," she said, before smirking mischievously and sidling up to Noah. She mimicked Demitra's actions, grabbing his ass with both hands.

"Eli!" Noah yelped, jumping slightly.

Sunday, who was already holding her bowling shoes, burst into laughter.

Atlas finally turned, her eyebrows raised as she gave Demitra a pointed look. "See what you've started?"

Demitra shrugged unapologetically. "Eli acts on her own."

Atlas shook her head, turning back to finish paying for their bowling lane and rental shoes. As she handed over her card, Eli piped up from behind.

"So... who's paying for food after?"

The group collectively turned their eyes toward Atlas.

Still scrolling through her phone and chatting briefly with the guy at the counter, Atlas glanced up at the question. "What? Why's everyone staring at me?"

"You're paying," Demitra said casually, as though it were already decided.

"Why me?" Atlas asked, amused, slipping her card back into her wallet.

"Because you love us," Sunday quipped, batting her lashes dramatically.

Atlas let out a soft laugh and gestured toward the bowling lane. "Fine, but I'm picking where we eat. And don't even think about trying to order fifty different appetizers this time, Mia."

"No promises," Demitra said again, grinning ear to ear as she grabbed Atlas's arm and pulled her toward their lane.

They settled into their designated area, lacing up their shoes and picking out balls (pause). Atlas found a sleek black ball that matched her aesthetic, while Demitra struggled to choose between a hot pink one and a bright orange one.

"Baby, just pick one," Atlas teased, already setting up their names on the screen.

"No, this is important," Demitra argued, holding up the pink ball. "Does this say 'winner'?"

"Yeah, sure, mami," Atlas said dryly. "It screams 'winner.'"

Demitra squinted at her. "I don't like your tone."

Sunday rolled her eyes as she grabbed a neon green ball. "It doesn't matter what color it is, Mia. You're gonna lose anyway."

"Oh, it's on now, Kailea," Demitra shot back.

Eli, who was already testing her ball's weight, laughed. "Mia's competitive streak is about to ruin family game night."

"It's not a streak—it's a lifestyle," Demitra corrected, finally settling on the pink ball and walking it over to their lane.

The game started off friendly enough, with Sunday rolling the first strike and doing a victory dance that made Noah groan in embarrassment.

"Please don't do that again," Noah muttered, covering his face.

"What? You don't like my moves?" Sunday teased, spinning in place.

"Moves?" Eli scoffed. "That looked like you were trying to shake off a leg cramp."

Atlas, sitting back on the bench, laughed as she watched them. "Y'all are so extra."

Demitra leaned into her. "You love it."

"I love you," Atlas said, squeezing Demitra's hand, "but I tolerate the rest of them."

"Hey!" Eli called out, overhearing. "I'm your future sister-in-law. Show some respect."

Atlas smirked. "Noted."

As the game progressed, it became clear that Atlas was taking a more relaxed approach, letting everyone else have their moment in the spotlight. Sunday, on the other hand, was in full-on competition mode, calling out strikes and spares with a flair that rivaled a professional commentator.

"Another strike for the queen!" Sunday exclaimed, bowing dramatically.

"Queen of what? Mediocrity?" Demitra shot back, earning a laugh from everyone.

When it was Atlas's turn, she stood up, adjusted her glasses, and walked up to the lane with a calm confidence that made Demitra swoon a little. With a smooth, practiced motion, she released the ball and knocked down every pin in one go.

"That's how it's done," Atlas said, turning back with a smirk.

Demitra clapped slowly, clearly unimpressed. "You're showing off again, papi."

"Always," Atlas replied, winking.

By the time the game ended, Noah had narrowly beaten Atlas, and Demitra had managed to beat Eli by a single point. Sunday, as usual, landed at the bottom of the scoreboard but took it in stride.

"Alright," Atlas said, stretching her arms over her head. "Food time. Let's go."

Demitra grabbed her hand as they headed out of the bowling alley. "You better buy me dessert too," she said playfully.

Atlas grinned. "Okay."

"Best girlfriend ever," Demitra replied with a mischievous glint in her eye.

They ended up at a cozy restaurant a few blocks away, the kind with checkered floors and classy booths. Atlas, true to her word, insisted on paying for everyone's meals, though she drew the line at Sunday's suggestion to order "literally everything on the menu."

As they ate, the conversation was as lively as ever. Sunday and Eli argued over who deserved the MVP title for bowling, Noah quietly enjoyed his burger, and Demitra kept sneaking fries off of Atlas's plate.

"You have your own fries, Mia," Atlas said, raising an eyebrow.

"But yours taste better," Demitra said innocently, popping another stolen fry into her mouth.

Atlas sighed, sliding her plate closer to Demitra. "Here. Take them all mami."

"No, no, I don't want all of them," Demitra said, looking sheepish. "Just a few."

Sunday watched the exchange with a smirk. "Whipped," she muttered under her breath.

"Say it louder, Kalogeras," Atlas shot back, but her tone was playful.