THE basement was a big, gloomy room that was filled with undesirable things.

There were big, heavy boxes and a big ping bong table in the middle. There was a small window at the far left of the room that would've remained hidden if she hadn't looked, and beneath it was a worn-out washing machine, and a small, unused table.

"This basement is cute! You guys can clean it up a little and it will be the best game room ever." Mal spoke cheerfully, turning to her boyfriend to see him smile.

"Yeah, that's a great idea! I think I'm going to discuss it with the gang."

She shrugged with a smirk. Then, she turned to the other side of the basement, where she hadn't looked before.

There was a big, dinner table that had a few, small boxes on top of it, and a few portraits that were hung on the wall. She traced her sight to every portrait on the yellow-painted wall, till she met the far corner.

And then she frowned in confusion.

"That's an odd place to put up a landline."

Teo looked up, slightly taken aback by her phrase. And to his confusion as well, his eyes landed on a small, white landline hanging in an almost unnoticed place.

"I- yeah, I guess so."

"I guess people have different opinions about where to put things." she reasoned, turning away from the sight.

"You're right." he agreed.

She smiled sincerely at his taken-aback expression. To her, he could pass as the cutest person in the entire world.

"So... Do you mind if I kiss you?" she asked, grabbing both of his hands gently.

His expression changed into a relaxed, delighted one.

"Absolutely."

She smiled again and planted her lips upon his. Teo's tensed-up body relaxed between her arms almost immediately.

They pulled away moments later, even though they couldn't open their eyes right away.

Mal smiled and hugged his torso as he led her up the stairs.

"Would you like to have lunch with us?"

☭

"Hey, Mal! I missed you."

Bjorgvin's voice echoed through Mal's head as she smiled, hugging her other best friend.

"I missed you too, Bj! How is it going? Alyvia told me you were out taking pictures."

"Oh yes, I was. I took a few pictures of that creepy spot in the middle of the woods, but I think I need to come back tonight to get that dark look, you know?"

She nodded with a small smile, then took her seat next to Teo.

The group then continued to talk about random topics.

"Wait, so how is your family going?"

"They're doing alright, I guess. A little distant because my mothers are going to open a new restaurant and they're a little busy."

She was met by noticeable cheers of happiness as a reply. She smiled, as a result, taking a bite of her caesar salad.

"So, how are you guys enjoying the place so far?" she asked.

"It's... Good." Bjorgvin replied.

"Yeah, a little creepy but it's great."

Teo took a look at his girlfriend in admiration.

"It's amazing..." he trailed off, dozing off a little while staring at her. Mal turned to him and her face turned red.

She squeezed his hand from under the table.

"So, what are you guys planning to do once you settle in?"

"We were planning to go shopping for groceries."

"Oh, that's a great idea!"

Mal smiled at her friends and thought about what a nice day she had.

It went better than she thought.

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