The sun shone brightly over Los Angeles as the Bad Omens band touched down at LAX, marking the official end of their tour. The city buzzed with its usual frenetic energy, but for the band members, there was a collective sigh of relief that came with being back home. Noah glanced at Nalani as they walked through the airport, their fingers brushing occasionally as they navigated the sea of travelers. A soft, knowing smile curved on his lips, eyes twinkling with exhaustion and joy.

"You heading straight home?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, his voice low and warm.

"Yeah," Nalani nodded, shifting her backpack and leaning into the comfort of his touch. "Nicole's probably waiting for a full recap of every second of my trip." She chuckled, already picturing her friend's knowing grin and playful prodding.

Noah smirked, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Tell her I said hi," he said softly, letting his thumb linger just a moment longer on her cheek. The brief touch made her heart flutter in a way she hadn't quite gotten used to, even after months together.

"I will." Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and reluctance to part ways. "Text me when you get home, okay?"

"Only if you promise to do the same." He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, the chaos of the airport falling away around them as if they were in their own little bubble.

"Promise," she whispered, and with one last shared look, they turned in separate directions, each glancing over their shoulder for a final wave before disappearing into the crowd.

When Nalani arrived at her shared house, the familiar scent of pinewood and lavender wrapped around her like a comforting embrace. The house was quiet, almost too quiet, until she spotted Nicole sprawled on the couch, scrolling through her phone with her legs propped up on the armrest. A mischievous grin spread across Nicole's face when she looked up and saw Nalani.

"Well, look who's back," Nicole said, setting her phone aside and sitting up with a twinkle in her eyes. "So, how was the real birthday party? Did Mr. Rock Star actually blow out candles and make a wish, or did you two just disappear into the night like mysterious figures?"

Nalani laughed, dropping her bag near the entrance and walking over to collapse beside Nicole. The warmth of being home settled deep in her chest. "There were candles, there was cake, and yes, he made a wish," she teased, drawing out the details just to see Nicole's eyebrows shoot up higher.

Nicole gasped dramatically. "Wait, wait, so you're telling me Noah Sebastian, Mr. 'I Don't Do Birthdays,' actually let you put candles on a cake and made a wish? I demand to know what spell you put him under."

Nalani raised her hands in mock surrender. "A magician never reveals her secrets."

Nicole's laughter was warm and contagious. "You're so smitten, it's painful."

Nalani sighed, a smile tugging at her lips. Before she could respond, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call. The screen lit up with Josh's name, and a grin spread across her face as she nudged Nicole. "Time to find out what our favorite guitarist is up to."

Nicole scooted closer, eyes glinting with excitement. "This is going to be good."

Nalani answered the call, and Josh's face appeared on the screen, his hair windblown and sunglasses perched on his nose, the sound of ocean waves crashing in the background.

"Hey, troublemakers!" Josh's voice came through, cheerful and relaxed. "Guess who finally has some answers for you?"

"Oh, this is going to be good," Nicole said, leaning in to see the screen.

"Are you finally going to spill the beans about where you are?" Nalani asked, raising an eyebrow and folding her arms in mock impatience.

Josh smirked, pulling back the camera to reveal Poppy next to him, her wide-brimmed hat shading her face as she waved at them. "Ta-da! We're in Bora Bora!" Josh announced, spreading his arms out dramatically as if he'd just unveiled a grand surprise.

Nicole's mouth fell open. "Of course, you would go somewhere luxurious and romantic, you absolute sap!"

Poppy giggled, leaning closer to Josh with a playful smile. "We had to go big, didn't we?"

Nalani pressed her hand to her heart, pretending to look hurt. "Wow, Josh. No hints, no postcards, just up and gone?"

Josh shrugged with a mischievous grin. "Had to keep it mysterious, Caddle. Plus, it was Poppy's idea."

Poppy raised her hands in mock surrender. "I'm guilty."

Nicole leaned into the camera. "Poppy, I hope you know what you're signing up for. Josh isn't exactly known for his seamless vacation planning. Remember the time he lost his luggage and insisted the airport staff were part of a conspiracy to steal his guitar?"

Josh's grin widened. "You'll never let me live that down, will you?"

"Not a chance," Nalani and Nicole chorused, exchanging a high-five.

Josh leaned closer, his eyes narrowing playfully at Nalani. "Speaking of stories, how was Mr. Broody on his birthday? Did he at least pretend to enjoy himself?"

Nalani's eyes sparkled with the memory of Noah's smile when she'd surprised him. "Oh, he did more than pretend. I'm a magician, you know?"

"I guess they spent really good time," Nicole winked with a wide grin on her face.

Josh made a dramatic gagging sound. "Please, if I have to hear another sweet detail, I'm getting on the next flight and dragging you both to a haunted house just to balance things out."

Nicole snorted. "Please, we all know you'd be the first to scream and run."

"Rude!" Josh exclaimed, eyes wide. "I'd make it at least halfway before running."

The call descended into playful chaos as everyone chimed in with jokes and banter. Nalani's heart felt full, the laughter from her friends washing away the exhaustion from the concerts and travels.

"Okay, okay," Jeremy said, joining the call with a grin from his Boston apartment. The city lights twinkled in the background. "Why am I suddenly part of a chaotic group call? And why does Josh look like he's in a travel magazine?"

"Because he is," Nicole said with a roll of her eyes. "Josh is in Bora Bora with Poppy, being disgustingly romantic."

Edward's face appeared, joining from a cozy-looking café in Seattle. "Oh, we're really playing this game, huh? Alright, what about you, Nalani? Did Noah survive the birthday antics?"

Nalani's cheeks flushed as she recalled their quiet moments. "Barely," she teased. "And I may or may not have convinced him to make a wish."

Mark's voice boomed as he joined the call last, "Alright, kids, enough romance. We've got a new year to prep for."

Everyone groaned in unison, and the call erupted into laughter once again.

After the video call ended and the chaos in their shared living room dissipated, Nalani flopped onto the couch, stretching her legs out and looking over at Nicole with a wide grin. "Can you believe Josh and Poppy? I still can't get over it," she said, chuckling at the thought of their teasing just moments earlier.

Nicole smirked, shaking her head. "I know, right? But hey, I need to tell you something important."

Nalani sat up, her eyes narrowing in playful suspicion. "Important? Is this about another prank you've planned on Jeremy? Because I swear, if you—"

"No, Nalani, it's not that," Nicole interrupted, her tone suddenly serious but with a hint of nerves. She took a deep breath. "I have a boyfriend."

Nalani's grin froze mid-smirk, and her eyes widened. The silence in the room seemed to stretch as she blinked, processing what Nicole just said. "Wait. What?" she finally managed, her voice a mix of disbelief and excitement.

Nicole laughed at her stunned expression. "Yeah, you heard me."

"Oh my god, you're serious!" Nalani's eyes sparkled as the reality of the statement sank in. She jumped up from the couch, moving to stand in front of Nicole. "How long have you been keeping this from me? Who is he? How long has this been going on? Where did you meet him? Wait, wait, why didn't I know? I'm supposed to be your best friend! Does he know how much you love chaotic road trips? Does he know you can't cook to save your life? I need details, like, now."

Nicole laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "Calm down! One question at a time, Nalani!" She held her hands up in mock surrender. "I knew you'd go full interrogation mode."

"You're right I am!" Nalani pretended to scowl, crossing her arms. "I can't believe you hid this from me. I'm hurt, truly. The audacity!" She exaggerated the last word, throwing her head back dramatically.

"Okay, okay," Nicole said, still chuckling. "It's been a few months, and I didn't say anything because I wasn't sure where it was going at first. But now it's... serious."

Nalani's eyes softened, and she sat back down beside Nicole. "Wow, Nic. I'm happy for you. Really. So, who's the mystery man? A secret millionaire? A rock star in hiding? Wait, don't tell me it's someone's manager."

Nicole's smile grew, and she leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "He's actually a photographer. We met at a shoot you did a few months back. His name is Aaron Carter."

Nalani's jaw dropped. "Aaron Carter? The Aaron Carter? The guy who does those insane concert shots and always manages to be in the right place at the right time?"

Nicole nodded, a shy smile crossing her face. "Yeah, that Aaron Carter."

Nalani's mouth fell open, and she clutched Nicole's arm. "I cannot wait to see the boys' faces when they find out. Jeremy's going to freak out. And Josh—oh, Josh is going to make the worst jokes, I can already feel it."

"Don't say anything yet," Nicole said quickly, squeezing Nalani's hand. "I'm not ready for the whole band to know. It's still new, and I want to keep it between us for a bit longer."

Nalani groaned in mock frustration but nodded. "Fine, but you owe me, Nic. I want every detail about him. And when you're ready, I am so making popcorn and watching when you tell the guys. This is too good."

Nicole laughed and leaned back, the weight of her confession visibly lifting. "Deal. And thanks, Nalani. You're the best."

"I know," Nalani said with a grin, poking Nicole's shoulder. "Now, let's celebrate. We have to toast to your secret love life before the boys come back and ruin everything."